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Suzi has clinical experience working with individuals and families across the lifespan as an occupational therapy practitioner. While pediatrics has been her practice area of emphasis, she has worked with adults and older adults in both short- and long-term care practice settings for more than ten years. Clinical areas of focus include feeding and eating, sensory integration approaches, and support for school-aged children with autism.
Suzi’s scholarly work is grounded in action research, with a focus on advancing professional development and educational outcomes in occupational therapy, with her dissertation examining the impact of mentorship on professional outcomes for school-based occupational therapy practitioners. Recent projects include the development of a conceptual model to support occupational therapy student professional identity formation, the revision and validation of a Level II fieldwork assessment tool, and the exploration of supportive practices for first-generation occupational therapy students.
- Marasco, S. & Witenstein, M. (Expected publication Fall 2026). Deliberate practice in occupational therapy education: A conceptual model for professional growth. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy.
- Weis, K. & Marasco, S. (2025, October). ALF: An alternative Level II fieldwork evaluation tool. [Conference oral presentation]. Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, Wilkes-Barre, PA.
- Marasco, S. & Wittenstein, M. (2025, April). Embedding the funds of knowledge into occupational therapy curricula: A set of guiding principles. [Conference oral presentation]. American Educational Research Association Annual National Conference, Denver, CO.
- Marasco, S. (2022). Navigating the deep end: Examining supportive practices for school-based occupational therapy practitioners. (Publication No. 7158) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. https://ecommons.udayton.edu/graduate_theses/7158
- Co-author: Effectiveness of Interventions for Caregivers of People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Major Neurocognitive Disorders: A Systematic Review (2017). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(5)
Grant Activity
Health Resources and Services Administration
Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training
Amount: $2.3 million
2025-2029
BRIGHT– Behavioral Health Resources for Increasing Growth in Healthcare Training Project
MSOT Professional Practice Coordinator
St. Bonaventure University Keenan Martine Grant
Amount Awarded: $3,650
2024-2025
Merging Assistive Technology with Adapted Physical Education: An Interdisciplinary Team Approach
St. Bonaventure University Keenan Martine Grant
Amount Awarded: $5,000
2022-2023
Community Pediatric Screening Event
My teaching philosophy is rooted in constructivism, and begins with the acknowledgement that each adult learner brings with them a background of rich sociocultural experiences and a pool of prior knowledge that will shape their learning experiences. Because each student brings unique and valuable funds of knowledge to both the classroom and clinical settings, it is anticipated and valued that knowledge and skill acquisition is extremely subjective for each learner. It is our role as faculty to shape a dynamic curriculum with embedded experimental learning opportunities that will provide each learner the opportunity to highlight their strengths.
I strive to facilitate an engaging, respectful, and inclusive learning environment to inspire the future practitioners of our profession, and I value the opportunity to learn with our students by fostering their unique perspectives. My hope is to share my passion for lifelong learning with my students, and to empower them to become pragmatic, evidence-based, and compassionate occupational therapists.