When Ivan Hovland OTD ‘27 started college, he thought he might follow in his parents’ footsteps. Both were teachers, and he originally planned to study elementary education. But as he learned more about his own interests, he found himself drawn to a different kind of teaching – one that happens through individualized care and helping others build independence.
“When I first learned about occupational therapy, it really stuck out to me,” Hovland said. “I thought it was really interesting and something that really applied to my interests – I still had an interest in education, and education is kind of a part of occupational therapy,” Hovland said.
A shift toward occupational therapy
While studying kinesiology at Iowa State, Hovland learned how movement and the human body connect to daily life – knowledge that directly applies to occupational therapy.
“Kinesiology really applies to a lot of the concepts of occupational therapy, learning the movement of the human body and how it applies to activities of daily life,” he said.
It was the blend of science, care, and education that appealed to him most.
“I wanted something more individualized towards working with kids,” he said. “I found occupational therapy – I really hadn’t heard a ton about it – but I thought it applied to all of my interests.”
Finding community and flexibility at St. Ambrose
When it came time to choose a graduate program, St. Ambrose’s hybrid model and supportive faculty stood out to Hovland.
“When I had my interview here, I didn’t meet a single staff member that I wasn’t excited to work with,” he said. “All the staff are so dedicated to making sure their students feel at home and well supported in their education.”
The hybrid schedule of in-person and online classes alongside internships allows Hovland to balance work and academics. He currently serves as a graduate assistant for the Occupational Therapy Department.
“Right now, I’m working with the movement class, so I do a lot of tutoring sessions for individual students of the first-year cohort,” he said. “I also provide study materials for them and help their learning.”
Learning beyond the classroom
Hands-on learning has been a defining part of Hovland’s experience. His first fieldwork placement was at an acute inpatient hospital in Des Moines, where he worked with adults recovering from surgeries.
“I really enjoyed applying all the things that I learned from the classroom to real-life scenarios,” he said.
He also gained pediatric experience through the program’s “baby lab,” where students assessed infants’ reflexes and development alongside peers from other health disciplines.
“It’s super hands-on and really fast and engaging,” he said of those in-person sessions. “The time just flies by because you’re always involved in things.”
Research rooted in passion
Hovland is now developing his capstone project, which explores how outdoor play benefits children and how screen time can impact their development.
“Research shows that being outdoors enhances your development and cognition,” he said. “We’re seeing an increase in children who have these delays that come from spending more time on screens. My capstone is really focused on minimizing screen time and promoting time spent outdoors for children.”
He hopes the project will lead to practical tools for parents, helping them understand how outdoor play contributes to growth and independence.
Continuing to learn and grow
Although Hovland’s early experiences have centered on pediatrics, his fieldwork opened his eyes to working with adults as well.
“After working with adults, I realized that I really, really loved it,” he said. “It kind of put me at a crossroads.”
Long term, though, Hovland envisions himself as a school-based occupational therapist. “I do want to work in a school as an OT, especially when I have kids of my own,” he said. “But obviously, I want to work a few years and just dip my toes in everything.”
Whether he’s helping children develop motor skills or adults regain independence, Hovland’s enthusiasm for his profession is clear.
“It’s really rewarding working with my classmates and knowing that we’re all in it together,” he said. “I think that spending time with them and learning so much through St. Ambrose makes me confident that I’ll be well prepared going into my career.”
Secure your spot in the St. Ambrose Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Apply now.
