Melissa Khosla

Biography

Melissa Khosla received her B.S. in psychology/social work from IWU, after which time she worked with families in the Early Head Start program in Marion, IN. While receiving her master’s degree in child development from Erikson Institute in Chicago, she worked as a preschool teacher and adjunct faculty member in early childhood development. These experiences in the community working with families led Melissa to earn her doctorate in Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Since then, Melissa has worked in pediatric, geriatric, and community occupational therapy practice. Melissa has special interest in community-based services, supporting families in recovering and broadening their participation in meaningful activities.

An alumnus of Indiana Wesleyan University, Melissa Khosla joined the occupational therapy department at IWU in 2013, first as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator then transitioning to full-time faculty in 2018. She enjoys teaching the courses with a variety of possible answers to questions, which drive rich discussion in the classroom. Melissa’s research interests include: sensory sensitivities in trauma survivors, the role and impact of meaningful occupation as a therapy modality and in life’s routines, and the role and impact of occupational therapy theory use in practice.

Dr. Khosla is married and has 2 boys who keep her on her toes.

Degrees

• OTD - Occupational Therapy
  2010, University of Illinois-Chicago
• MS - Child Development
  2004, Erikson Institute
• BS - Psychology/Social Work
  2000, Indiana Wesleyan University