Sean McDonnell

Story Posted: Spring 2024

Sean McDonnell graduated from Perkiomen Valley High School in 2020 and first heard about GMercyU through his mom, a GMercyU alumna, who heard about the new Occupational Therapy (OT) program.

“GMercyU has a cutting-edge program for occupational therapy, which includes a B.S. in Occupational Science and a M.S. in Occupational Therapy that can be obtained in five years. This new program and GMercyU’s distinct Mercy values made the choice very easy,” shared Sean.

Educational Experience

“I chose OT because I love how meaningful our therapeutic approach is for our clients. OTs strive to bring independence to those who need a little extra help for a variety of reasons,” Sean said.

Sean is also obtaining minors in Psychology and Music.

The OT faculty go above and beyond for the students in our program. Due to our small student-to-faculty ratio, nobody slips through the cracks, and it is easy to find support whenever you need it.

One faculty member that has had a huge impact on Sean’s life at GMercyU is Professor Carol Evans, who is an Associate Professor of Music and the Director of the Voices of Gwynedd and Sean’s advisor for his music minor.

“Professor Evans has tailored the classes I have taken for my minor to relate directly to the field of OT. She was able to ensure that my minor in music enhanced my major, and set me up for success in the future,” Sean shared.

Fieldwork Experience

Sean is currently in his first Level I Fieldwork placement at an Adaptive Sports Camp for children with disabilities. Here, Sean has the opportunity to work one-on-one with children and their parents to create individual goals and promote a number of areas of occupation, including health management/physical activity, play, leisure, and social participation.

“I have only been in this setting for a few weeks, but I am already learning so much about occupational therapy interventions in the pediatric age group, as well as goal attainment strategies,” Sean said.

Campus Experience

My favorite part of the GMercyU community is the close-knit and support atmosphere. It is clear that everyone on our campus is here to make a difference and support each other in the process.

Sean shows off his Griffin pride in all of the positions he holds in clubs and organizations across campus. He currently serves as President of the Voices of Gwynedd (VOG), GMercyU’s world-renowned choir, where he organizes rehearsals, plans semester and officer meetings, and oversees section leaders.

He is also the Social Media Chair of the Executive Board of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA). In this role, he organizes the social media committee and works with fellow Executive Board members to run meetings and plan events throughout the year while promoting Occupational Therapy.

As a member of Sigma Phi Sigma, the National Mercy Honor Society, Sean upholds the values of service, scholarship, and fidelity on campus through various service opportunities.

Sean is also a Resident Assistant (RA), helping to cultivate a safe and supportive environment for GMercyU resident students.

Post-Graduation

Sean will graduate from GMercyU with his B.S. in Occupational Science in May 2024 and his M.S. in Occupational Therapy in May 2025.

After completing his MSOT, Sean hopes to work with older adults, specifically in hospice care.

“I have a passion for ensuring that individuals feel secure and independent as they age, and are satisfied with their perceived quality of life,” Sean said. 

In May 2025, Sean was named the 2025 Graduate Commencement Student Speaker.