The Department of Occupational Therapy is pleased to share that three of our outstanding 2026 graduates were honored with a NYU Steinhardt Graduation Award, and received recognition during the annual Steinhardt Graduation Ceremonies. Please join us in offering our warmest congratulations to these future OT leaders! Detailed descriptions of each award can be found on 2026 Graduation Award page.
Caroline Norwood has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Samuel Eshborn Service Award! This award is given to one graduate student from the Department of OT each year in recognition of extraordinary service.
During her time at NYU OT, Caroline served as the Social Chair for her cohort and assisted in planning many student events, including Friendsgivings, game nights, and post-exam celebrations. She participated in the Department’s OT buddies program, which encourages collaboration and support among the NYU OT student cohorts by offering academic advice and emotional support. She was also inducted into Phi Theta Epsilon, the National Honor Society for Occupational Therapy students. Beyond the classroom, Caroline combined her OT education with her yoga teacher certification to offer accessible yoga classes to her community, raised funds for the Chicago Parks Foundation, and spent a summer in Panama volunteering to lead daily yoga and meditation sessions.
Isabel De Los Santos has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Letha Hurd Morgan Award! This honor is presented to one undergraduate and one graduate student each year in recognition of outstanding scholastic attainment and service to their department and school.
During her time at NYU OT, Isabel demonstrated these critically important values time and time again. In her role as the Co-President of the COTAD NYU Chapter, Isabel organized events addressing occupational injustice and racial inequities, including a celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month event. Isabel also led and facilitated faculty Q&A sessions spotlighting the intersection of culture, race, and OT practice. She was inducted into Pi Theta Epsilon, serving as Secretary, and helped lead NYU to rank 4th nationally in St. Catherine's challenge fundraiser for OT research. Isabel has also mentored incoming NYU OT students, and leads weekly group discussions for middle and high schoolers in the Washington Heights community on mental health, emotional regulation, and leadership.
Brett Landin has been selected as the 2026 NYU Steinhardt Department Banner Bearer Graduation Award! This award is given to one graduate student from the Department of OT each year for demonstrating spirit through leadership and academic excellence, and bestows on them the honor of carrying the department's banner in the School Graduation Celebration at Radio City Music Hall.
During her time at NYU OT, Brett demonstrated a commitment to inclusive, equitable practice both inside and outside the clinic. Under the mentorship of Dr. Amy Hurst, she collaborated on designing a multimodal sensory environment for the Intrepid Museum, applying principles of sensory integration and universal design to create accessible experiences across abilities and ages. She also conducted undergraduate research under Dr. Sharon Cermak, examining handwriting development in children with dyspraxia, DCD, and autism. Beyond clinical work, Brett actively fundraises for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through music performance and has pursued advanced certifications in hand splinting and pelvic floor rehabilitation.
