AOTA and AOTF Award 2026 Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship

2026 Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship recipient Jessica Marchant

Jessica Marchant is the recipient of the 2026 Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship in Occupational Therapy, awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF).

“I'm deeply honored to be connected to a man whose legacy meant so much to so many, and I hope I can carry forward even a small piece of what Lands Banks left behind,” said Marchant, a student at Texas Woman’s University. “This scholarship will help by freeing up financial funds so that I can dedicate more time to getting my research published without putting a burden on my family.”

Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship recipients are full-time students pursuing an entry-level degree, (OTA, MOT, MSOT, or OTD) at an AOTA-accredited US institution who have completed at least one year of coursework. In addition, candidates for this scholarship must demonstrate their involvement in community service and/or service leadership.

“It means a great deal to be connected to the Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship and to a man whose commitment to service and community so closely reflects my own values,” said Marchant. “Service is a huge part of why I went into OT in the first place, so receiving an award that honors that same spirit feels like more than financial support. It means being part of something bigger than myself.”

Awarded annually, the $2,000 scholarship was established in the memory of longtime AOTA employee Lands Banks, who passed away in 2023. Known for his magnetic and uplifting personality, Banks served as AOTA’s Manager of Administration and Facilities for more than 25 years.

Marchant plans to work in outpatient neuro rehabilitation in Houston, TX, and eventually move into research. She is currently working toward that goal through conducting a doctoral-level scoping review on occupation-based, task-specific interventions and their measurable neural and functional outcomes, through Texas Woman's University's Experiential Student Scholars Program, a faculty-mentored research initiative designed to support early scholarly development and dissemination.

For more about the scholarship: https://www.aotf.org/educational-scholarships.

Support the Lands Banks Memorial Scholarship and the memory of Lands Banks with AOTA’s I GOT YOU shirts, tumblers, and bags—showcasing Banks’ inspiring catchphrase.