Marianne Christiansen
Director, Occupational Therapy Assistant program
Associate Professor, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Path to St. Kate’s: Marianne grew up in St. Louis and moved to Minnesota as an adult. She was living and working in the Twin Cities when she saw an opening in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at St. Mary’s Junior College (now the St. Kate’s Minneapolis campus). “I always had a dream of teaching.”
Marianne has seen the OTA program grow through many changes since she began her work in 1981.
Courses taught: Given her long history with St. Kate’s, Marianne has taught almost every course offering in the OTA program. Her favorite class? “A mental-health related course, Therapeutic Applications II. I love that one because it is the area of OT that I am passionate about. We do a lot of role-playing in class and a lot of case studies…I love to be in the classroom.”
Favorite things at St. Kate’s: “I love the feel of the community. I really like the way that we weave the liberal arts and sciences into the professional curriculum — that’s very unique in two year programs. I really like our particular focus on mission in Minneapolis: accessibility. I’m a believer in opening doors and giving everyone a chance.”
The perfect career: “When I was younger and doing volunteer work in a hospital, I learned about recreation therapy and from that learned about occupational therapy. I knew from the beginning that occupational therapy was my path. I started as an OTA and then pursued advanced degrees. I’ve practiced in all fields — adult rehabilitation, long-term care and aging, mental health and psychiatric settings.”
Special interests: Marianne enjoys cooking — “playing in the kitchen” as she puts it — as well as reading, taking walks, and spending time with her family.
She also volunteers at the Center for Victims of Torture.
Family: Marianne and her husband have two children — a son and a daughter.
Education: B.A., healthcare and human services administration, Metropolitan State University; M.A., healthcare and human services administration, St. Mary’s University; post-graduate work in art therapy, Hertfordshire College of Art and Design, Hertfordshire, England.
St. Kate’s Close-Up
