Grace Pollack (’26), a Doctor of Occupational Therapy graduate, feels humbled and blessed as she turns her tassel left and steps into the next chapter.
Grace Pollack stands on yet another precipice in life with her head held high, her body steadfast and her spirit grounded. No matter which direction the wind blows, she remains strong in her faith. As a recent graduate of the Concordia University Ann Arbor occupational therapy program, Grace is prepared to take the profession by storm, doing what she was called to do—help others. Her courage and conviction, strengthened over the years, will carry her beautifully into the next chapter.
It truly is all God
Pollack’s first chapter in life was heartbreaking yet transformative. Born in Zambia, she was adopted at age 9. Pollack and her brother, who still lives in Zambia, lost their mother when they were young.
“I want to say I was like 4 or 5,” she explained. “We lived with my grandma for maybe a year or two, but it was a lot on her. So we ended up living with my uncle, who had five other kids, so it was a lot. Then we eventually ended up at an orphanage.”
At the time, the orphanage had roughly 14 other children, and Pollack recalled being the youngest. Her brother, who refused to go to the orphanage, ran away and left her alone in the care of the house mothers.
However, Pollack does not speak of her past with heaviness or sadness, but with genuine humility. She left the only world she knew behind and came to America not knowing English, nor was she educated beyond the level of a first- or second-grader.
“I am so, so blessed,” Pollack said. “Reflecting on where I’ve been and where I am now—going to high school, college, getting a bachelor’s degree and now a doctorate—it truly is all God.”
She continued: “I can’t thank Him enough. It truly is a blessing.”
Having an education today and an amazing family that supports her unconditionally, Pollack has transformed her world. Her foundation of faith is so solid that she now looks forward, wanting to build on the present and give back to her past.
“I would love to go back home and give back any way I can,” Pollack said.
Capstone turned cornerstone
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” — Isaiah 41:13
Her final capstone experience at CUAA may become the foundation for her future work.
As her capstone project took shape, Pollack created a life skills program for individuals incarcerated at the Washtenaw County Jail. The program offered practical guidance on budgeting, building daily routines, managing stress, and developing healthy emotional responses—skills intended to support stability both inside the facility and after release.
“A lot of times, individuals, when they go to jail or prison, lack those basic skills,” she said. “I’m trying to prepare them for those skills prior to them getting out and going back into the community.”
As a growing field, occupational therapists are in high demand. Shortages are becoming more apparent as older generations enter retirement. Correctional facilities—just one sector among dozens in need of additional help—present a different challenge.
Reggie Kehoe, OTD, OTR/L, served as her capstone coordinator throughout the experience.
“This environment thoroughly challenges occupational therapy students to approach interventions and interactions in vastly more creative ways while strictly adhering to the protective, rigid and responsible nature of this setting,” he said.
Having never been in a jail setting before, Pollack admitted she was nervous at first.
“It felt scary. For the first two to three weeks, I was like, ‘What am I doing here?'” she said. “There are so many safety rules, and you can’t share confidential things about yourself.”
But after spending time there, she built good rapport with her clients and was comforted by how kind everyone was.
“Grace truly has a servant’s heart for this population and setting,” Kehoe said.
He explained that throughout the capstone planning process, OTD students are primarily responsible for establishing relationships for their placements, which should align with their individual passions and interests.
“I am just behind the scenes pulling strings and doing the necessary paperwork,” he said. “After a little over a year and a half of planning this project, Grace is doing what she set out to do. She has made herself a good fit.”
With so many people in her corner, Pollack’s fear vanished, and her eyes opened to the needs of those she was serving.
She said one of the biggest challenges incarcerated people face is that when they are released, they often do not have a place to go.
“They don’t have shelter. It takes about six months to get placed into transitional housing,” Pollack said. “My site mentor takes care of the housing part because she knows all the ins and outs. For me, I’m working on strategies they can use when they get out.”
Recalling her first weeks traveling back and forth to the jail, Pollack said the experience weighed heavily on her.
“I realized it truly is a privilege to come home and leave that place and be able to do the things I want and need,” she said. “Trying to put myself in their shoes was eye-opening.”
God loves us all the same
She has held many jobs, from waitressing, to caregiving, to working with children on the autism spectrum. Even before knowing what occupational therapy was, Pollack loved helping others. After researching the profession, she remembers thinking, “Oh my gosh, I feel like this suits me.”
Today, it certainly has. She now has the cap and gown to prove it. Each painstaking experience, from the past to the present, has led her to this very moment.
Whether she chooses to work in a correctional facility or a hospital setting down the road, Pollack has the confidence needed to help people anywhere—to “meet them where they are,” a phrase she often heard from faculty within the program.
“I have seen a great deal of growth in Grace, especially when it comes to increased confidence in herself, her knowledge and her abilities,” Kehoe said. “I would say that her trust in what God has laid out for her has allowed her self-confidence to blossom.”
No one in this world is exempt from sin, and with her eyes opened, Pollack treated these individuals the way she would want to be treated.
“Some of the clients I have seen made bad decisions, but not judging them right away is important—allowing them to tell their story,” she said.
She encourages future OT students who explore this setting to take the time to understand where people are coming from.
“I can’t understand exactly what they’re going through, but I can empathize and let them know I’m here to help,” Pollack said. “I wrote this during my interview for Concordia: ‘I see it as being the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we go.’ Just because they’re in jail doesn’t mean they’re less deserving of love, respect and dignity. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings, and I know God loves us all the same.”
At a glance
- Who has made the biggest impact on your college journey? My parents
- What does graduation mean to you in one word or phrase? Becoming
- If your life had a theme song right now, what would it be? “Finding Me Again” (Mary of Gold)
- What’s your go-to comfort food when you need a pick-me-up? Wings
- If you could teleport anywhere for a weekend getaway, where would you go? Santorini, Greece
- What’s something small that never fails to make you laugh or smile? Inside jokes with friends
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of stories highlighting a few of Concordia’s uncommon graduates. Faculty and staff submit candidates for consideration. Stories are posted in the days leading up to or after commencement. View more uncommon graduates here.
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