Alumni
Katelyn Swierczek Receives Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Graduate Student
The Alumni Award for Outstanding Graduate Student is awarded to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to Gwynedd Mercy University and its Mercy Mission as well as a commitment to academics and personal or professional goals.
Katelyn Eleanor Swierczek graduated summa cum laude from GMercyU last year with her Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Science and a minor in Psychology, having maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies. She was named the President’s Scholar at the 2025 Honors Convocation.
As an undergraduate, Katelyn was a member of the Honors program and numerous honor societies. She served as an Integrated Studies peer mentor and as the Student Occupational Therapy Association’s 2025 Community Service Chair. Active with the Mercy Center for Service, Spirituality and Justice, Katelyn participated in service events, Alternative Spring Break, synodal listening sessions, and the Conference for Mercy Higher Education Justice Advocacy Program in Washington, DC. With Sigma Phi Sigma, she lent her time to multiple service opportunities and served as a sacristan for school masses.
As a graduate student, Katelyn tutored several MSOT courses and served as President of Pi Theta Epsilon, Epsilon Upsilon Chapter, GMercyU’s Occupational Therapy Honor Society where she participated in a national student-led fundraiser supporting research grants through the American Occupational Therapy Foundation.
Katelyn completed Level I fieldwork placements in varied settings. Her first full-time Level II fieldwork took place at CADES George Crothers Memorial School, serving children with multiple physical and intellectual disabilities. Katelyn also conducted a scoping review with three MSOT students examining how the critical developmental period influences neuroplasticity-driven language and cognitive recovery in pediatric stroke, along with interventions that enhance language development.
Katelyn will soon complete her second Level II fieldwork at an inpatient rehabilitation unit for adults and older adults, treating patients with diagnoses including stroke, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic conditions, and amputations.
Beyond GMercyU, Katelyn has volunteered at Life Rolls On in Wildwood, NJ, an adaptive surfing event for individuals with physical disabilities, and at the Villanova Special Olympics.
Katelyn Eleanor Swierczek graduated summa cum laude from GMercyU last year with her Bachelor of Health Science in Occupational Science and a minor in Psychology, having maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies. She was named the President’s Scholar at the 2025 Honors Convocation.
As an undergraduate, Katelyn was a member of the Honors program and numerous honor societies. She served as an Integrated Studies peer mentor and as the Student Occupational Therapy Association’s 2025 Community Service Chair. Active with the Mercy Center for Service, Spirituality and Justice, Katelyn participated in service events, Alternative Spring Break, synodal listening sessions, and the Conference for Mercy Higher Education Justice Advocacy Program in Washington, DC. With Sigma Phi Sigma, she lent her time to multiple service opportunities and served as a sacristan for school masses.
As a graduate student, Katelyn tutored several MSOT courses and served as President of Pi Theta Epsilon, Epsilon Upsilon Chapter, GMercyU’s Occupational Therapy Honor Society where she participated in a national student-led fundraiser supporting research grants through the American Occupational Therapy Foundation.
Katelyn completed Level I fieldwork placements in varied settings. Her first full-time Level II fieldwork took place at CADES George Crothers Memorial School, serving children with multiple physical and intellectual disabilities. Katelyn also conducted a scoping review with three MSOT students examining how the critical developmental period influences neuroplasticity-driven language and cognitive recovery in pediatric stroke, along with interventions that enhance language development.
Katelyn will soon complete her second Level II fieldwork at an inpatient rehabilitation unit for adults and older adults, treating patients with diagnoses including stroke, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic conditions, and amputations.
Beyond GMercyU, Katelyn has volunteered at Life Rolls On in Wildwood, NJ, an adaptive surfing event for individuals with physical disabilities, and at the Villanova Special Olympics.