What’s Next for Devlin Daugherty ’26 Daugherty will be attending graduate school at James Madison University to study occupational therapy.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
June 11, 2026

Devlin Daugherty ’26
Major: Cognitive and behavioral science
Minor: Philosophy
Hometown: Charleston, West Virginia

What are your post-graduation plans?
I am getting my Master of Occupational Therapy at James Madison University.

What are some skills or lessons you will take from your academic experience into the professional world?

The time management skills necessary to balance academics, athletics, clubs and the social scene here at W&L will be invaluable when applied to the varied demands of professional life. I will also take the study habits that I have developed here and apply them to my studies in graduate school at James Madison.

How did your career plans evolve throughout your time at W&L? Did you always know what you wanted to do?

I have always known that I want to work with children who have special needs in some capacity but coming into W&L, I was unsure if I wanted to follow the path of physical therapy or occupational therapy. My experiences in the Cognitive and Behavioral Science Department fostered a love for the field of psychology, which was more in line with occupational therapy, helping shape my path toward this profession.

What was your favorite class? And is there one class that ended up changing your perspective or that really surprised you?

My favorite class was the Spring Term Abroad course that I took my sophomore year, Exploring Happiness. We spent two weeks in Copenhagen learning about their culture and exploring the mechanisms behind the high life satisfaction ratings in Denmark and other similar Scandinavian countries. This experience gave me a much greater global perspective, comparing our own cultural expectations and systems to those of other countries in a way that went far beyond simply talking about them.

Which faculty or staff member had the most impact on you, and what did you learn from them (either inside or outside the classroom)?

Professor Murdock was my academic adviser and helped me tremendously while navigating coursework at W&L. Sophomore year, I had the opportunity to travel to Copenhagen with her and Professor Whiting for the Spring Term Abroad class where we learned about the psychology of happiness with a cross-cultural emphasis. This trip not only expanded my global understanding of the world but gave me tools that have affected the way that I live and perceive my life. I also took her clinical psychology course, which was incredibly interesting and included a trip to a nearby mental hospital, which was a transformative experience.

What were some key organizations/clubs/activities you were involved in at W&L, and how did they shape your W&L experience?

The Screaming Minks rugby club was a huge part of my experience at W&L. I joined my freshman year, having never touched a rugby ball before, and was immediately integrated into an exceptionally welcoming group of guys (we won our division that year). The team is a great outlet for former athletes to participate in a fun sport that allows the flexibility to take advantage of everything else W&L has to offer and has led to some of my closest friendships as we recruit new players each year. As an upperclassman, I joined the residence life team junior year and worked as a CA in the village. In the role, I was given the opportunity to develop my leadership skills and shape the experience of my fellow W&L students while forming close friendships with a team of amazing and compassionate people. I also started my own club, Tennis for Fun, which hosts free tennis clinics for community members with special needs. This entirely volunteer-led organization has been a transformative experience connecting students with an underappreciated population in a way that has brought joy to many lives — and I am excited for two students to take it over next year! Involvement in my fraternity has shaped my experience well, helping to develop my leadership and time management skills in my role as a recruitment chair. I have had the opportunity to form some of the closest friendships of my life as well as connections all over the school.

What internships or other summer experiences did you partake in, and how did those experiences shape you and your career plans?

Over the summers, I shadowed occupational therapists in different settings back home in Charleston. During this time, I was able to observe individual therapists with a myriad of patients, learning different techniques and terminology from the field. While I have always wanted to work with pediatrics and still intend to, I found shadowing in the geriatric field to be incredibly interesting as well, and I drew parallels to the similar methods used in these very different fields.

How did the Office of Career and Professional Development support you, and which resources did you find most helpful?

Working with Brittany Carr, the pre-health adviser, was crucial through the process of identifying and completing pre-requisites for my intended program and navigating the application process. Her commitment to me and her other advisees was incredible as we met regularly to stay on track with deadlines, create personal statements, prepare for interviews and so much more. I truly cannot imagine figuring it all out on my own and am incredibly grateful for her support.

Did you connect with alumni during your time at W&L? How did they help you on your path?

I connected with a young alumnus who is currently studying occupational therapy. She was able to help guide me toward completing prerequisites and preparing for the application cycle for graduate school. Her advice was extremely helpful while navigating this process.

What’s been one of your favorite experiences over the last four years?

One of my favorite experiences occurred during my freshman year Spring Term class. I took a course called Educating for Global Citizenship, which included three weeks in Italy. Our group flew into Rome and spent the first two days doing a walking tour of the major ancient structures, including a trip through the Vatican City. This was my first time setting foot in a foreign country and was an incredible fast-paced experience that I will never forget.

What’s your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment was successfully starting the Tennis for Fun club here. With the help of Ryan Taylor ’26 and Mateo Moss ’26, I was able to reach out to the Rockbridge community and connect with a number of families who had children with various disabilities. Overcoming scheduling conflicts, volunteer participation issues and navigating the process of creating a new club on campus, we were able to host bi-monthly tennis clinics for these families. The feedback from the parents and athletes alike was overwhelmingly positive as we formed close bonds with our regular attendees, and I am proud to have helped create an inclusive space where they can thrive and have fun. Thankfully, I have two passionate students ready to take over the club next year, and I am excited to see what they do to grow the program. I’m planning to make it back for a few clinics since I’ll only be an hour away!

How has studying the liberal arts at W&L shaped how you see the world?

Studying liberal arts provides you an array of coursework and experiences that you may not otherwise seek out at a different type of school. Through my time at W&L, I have been exposed to individuals from around the country and around the world. Their unique cultural perspectives throughout varied classes exploring anthropology, poverty, philosophy, poetry and other interesting courses have helped expand my understanding of anything from complex political issues to interpretation of literature and the arts. Studying liberal arts at W&L has not only introduced me to different types of courses but also brought a diverse group of students together to enhance what can be gained from those experiences.

What advice would you give to next year’s graduating class?

Say yes to everything and make time for the people you care about here. W&L has a collection of incredible individuals, and the strong relationships that we form at a tight-knit school like this are what make us who we are. Make sure you foster those relationships and spend your time going out and doing the things you love, or you’ve always wanted to do while in Lex. It’s easy to get stuck in a routine, so make a bucket list or challenge a friend to push you, but make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities you can while you’re still here.