NW Missouri Times

Anna Moloney, a recent graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, has transitioned from gearing up for a teaching career to completing a master's degree in therapeutic recreation. Reflecting on her experience at Northwest, Moloney stated, “I feel so backed and supported – like, ‘Wherever you’re going, whatever you’re doing, we’re here for you.’ It feels like you’re a person, not just a student.”

Moloney recently finished a summer internship at Bethany Children’s Health Center in Oklahoma as part of her degree requirements. There, she engaged in various care programs ranging from developmental play with infants to assisting teenagers recovering from major surgeries or traumatic injuries.

She recounted an instance where traditional physical therapy was challenging for a teenager with a brain injury. “And then he’d come to our therapy and we’d be playing Wii sports, and he would be standing up to play,” she said. The recreational approach facilitated his recovery by making the therapy enjoyable.

Moloney's path to therapeutic recreation was influenced by her own traumatic experience. After earning her bachelor’s degree in special education in 2021 and realizing that teaching was not her desired career path, she worked as a guide at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. An accident during an expedition left her with severe injuries and led her to reconsider her career direction.

During her recovery, Moloney felt drawn to recreational therapy and found Northwest through an internet search. She began coursework online that fall with the help of a scholarship from her employer.

Moloney's practical experiences included working with Pure Life Adventure, where she served as a guide and taught surfing, rafting, and backpacking. She appreciated the flexibility offered by Northwest’s online program which allowed for extensive experiential learning.

With her master's degree now complete, Moloney aims to establish a recreational therapy program in Costa Rica. She expressed gratitude for the support received from Northwest faculty throughout her studies.