By Bradley Melchor, Staff
Dr.Giuli Krug, a Wisconsin native and former professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, is the Director of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program here at Mary Hardin-Baylor. After almost 20 years of teaching at MU, Krug joined the Crusader family in 2017 to build the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program from scratch.
When asked what brought her to UMHB, Krug explained she had a similar path to Belton as many students did, first hearing about UMHB through a recruiting email and then visiting the campus. Krug fell in love with UMHB immediately, stating “The second I pulled into the parking lot, I just felt completely at peace and felt the Holy Spirit telling me this is where I belong.”
A proud Christian, Krug strives to implement her faith into all that she does. “My aim is to shine the light of Jesus outward in everything that I do, say, and touch,” said Krug. “I really try to make that connection with the students so that they understand that as occupational therapists, we really want to do our best to love everyone as Jesus loves everyone.” By integrating faith with education, Dr. Krug inspires her students to engage fully in their journey, encouraging them to embody the Crusader spirit of “Living on Purpose.”
Krug also emphasized the importance of applying the principles of her teachings to her students' lives. She remarked, “As a mother of three young adults, I understand the struggles a lot of students face in today’s world, and that is why we promote what is called occupational balance for our students. That's what we want to promote for our patients, right? So why shouldn’t our students have the same thing? I want our students to be able to engage in all of the things that bring their life richness and meaning, in addition to the program here while they're here.”
Under Krug’s leadership, the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program has experienced amazing success, boasting a 99% graduation rate since its inaugural class. This success highlights the effectiveness of the support and guidance Krug and her program have provided for their students.
For those interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy, Dr. Krug’s program offers not just the academics, but also a life-changing experience that encompasses the core values of service and compassion. For more information on the program, visit www.umhb.edu/graduate/occupational-therapy/home.
