Graceland’s First Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduates
January 20, 2026 | Shane Adams ’99
The DPT faculty and inaugural cohort — the Class of 2025 — gathered to smile and celebrate following the dual professionalism and pinning ceremony held on commencement weekend, the day before they crossed the stage and made it official.
The goal is realized for the students of Graceland’s first DPT cohort, who graduated in December of 2025. With them comes a milestone that signals both accomplishment and momentum: the program’s achievement of full accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
This moment at Graceland reflects years of work, rooted in the belief that education should be accessible, meet students where they are, and that feeling like you belong is crucial for successful learning.
“The DPT program was a big risk. A big faculty cohort and a lot of up-front work are required to even get the accreditation process started with CAPTE, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see this first cohort of students complete their coursework. This is yet another proud moment that shows Graceland’s ongoing commitment to innovation in academics.”
JOEL SHROCK, PhD
President
For Program Director Leigh Murray, PhD, the accreditation announcement marks a validation of the program’s unique approach.
“Achieving full CAPTE accreditation formally validates that our DPT program meets all rigorous national standards for curriculum, faculty, clinical education, and student outcomes,” Murray said. “But more importantly, it reinforces that our model — one designed around access, flexibility, and belonging — can compete with the best programs in the nation.”
DPT students Brielle Estwin and Freda Redding participate in lab immersions held at SkillPath.
From the very beginning, Graceland’s DPT program was designed to challenge convention. Where many programs rely on rigid, campus-based schedules, Graceland built a hybrid structure that pairs online learning with immersive, hands-on laboratory experiences at its Mission, Kansas, site located next door to SkillPath, Inc. Students from across the country balance families, jobs, and community commitments, with the ability to complete their doctorate without uprooting their lives.
According to Murray, that flexibility is intentional, reflecting Graceland’s mission in action:
“Belonging and access aren’t just marketing terms here. They’re built into the bones of the program — from the hybrid delivery to early-assurance pathways and the way we support nontraditional students. We designed this program to welcome people into a profession that changes lives.”
LEIGH MURRAY, PhD
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director, Clinical Professor
The program’s faculty members have found creative ways to turn a hybrid model into a vibrant community.
Michael Powers, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Admissions, notes that the sense of connection begins the moment a student is accepted. “Every accepted student receives a personal phone call from me,” Powers said. “That first conversation sets the tone so students know from day one that they’re seen and valued.”
That ethos continues through orientation, when all faculty and students gather for two days of in-person learning and team-building activities before classes begin. “Not every hybrid program does this,” Powers said, “but it’s one of the ways we build connection and belonging from the very start.”
Joy Craig, Admissions Advisor with Evidence In Motion (EIM) — Graceland’s partner in delivering the hybrid DPT program — says that spirit of connection starts even earlier:
“A true passion for people and a heart of service. One of my favorite parts of this work is hearing students share their ‘why.’ I’ve heard countless personal stories, some rooted in their own experiences, others inspired by the journeys of family members, where physical therapy sparked a desire to be that change for someone else. Students drawn to the Graceland DPT program aren’t just hoping to be strong practitioners; they’re genuinely motivated to change lives.”
JOY CRAIG
Admissions Adviser, Evidence in Motion
She added that the partnership between EIM and Graceland ensures students feel supported long before classes begin. “The synergy between the two teams has been incredible,” she said. “We all have the same goal of supporting our students, and in turn, the program’s success. From the first interest call to the first day of class, every student interaction is delivered with a white-glove level of service and a personal touch. Students realize they’re not just a number; they’re coming into a community that’s invested in seeing them through to graduation and beyond.”
Mareli Klopper, DPT, DSc, Assistant Clinical Professor, agrees that belonging takes intention. “Fostering connection in a hybrid environment requires a thoughtful and personal approach,” she said. “I make time to log into online sessions early just to talk with the students — about life, about sports, about what’s happening that week. Those small moments remind students that their faculty are people, too.”
Dr. Mareli Klopper guides DPT students through the process of “transfers” during lab immersions.
Klopper added that today’s students are digital natives who already build deep friendships online, and Graceland’s structure amplifies that. “When you combine that with our immersive labs,” she said, “you create a really strong sense of community.”
The program’s academic design also helps. Students digest material asynchronously in their online courses before applying it in live discussions or lab immersions, giving them the ability to practice and learn the skills in their own way first. “Our students show up ready to engage,” Klopper said. “And when they finally step into the clinic, they’re confident and prepared.”
For the inaugural class, that preparation has translated into success, and some powerful personal stories.
Marthaniese “MJay” Jones ’25
Marthaniese “MJay” Jones ’25, a student from Memphis and one of the cohort’s leaders, said she was first drawn to Graceland for its flexibility but stayed for its mission.
“Being from Memphis, the name ‘Graceland’ itself carried a personal connection. It reminded me of home — and of grace, which has always been one of my favorite words. Choosing Graceland turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve been challenged, supported, and reminded of the meaning of grace in every sense.”
MARTHANIESE “MJAY” JONES ’25
Jones, who helped launch a mentorship program for future students, said her proudest moment came when she realized how far she’d come. “During my final clinical rotation, everything clicked. All the lessons, the challenges, the late nights — it came together in those patient interactions.”
For Elijah Hay ’25, the program’s structure itself was life-changing. “Graceland’s hybrid model gave me freedom,” he said. “I could work, study, and still be home with my dog instead of relocating across the country. During our lab immersions, I felt a true sense of belonging — learning side by side with classmates and instructors who cared deeply about us.”
Elijah Hay ’25 describes his experience in the program, from online learning to hands-on lab immersions, and the supportive faculty who mentor them through every step of the program.
Cassidy Payne ’25, another member of the first cohort, echoed that sentiment. “Orientation was the start,” she said. “All the students, professors, and families gathered at Chicken and Pickle, and it immediately felt like a community. Even though we’re spread across the country, the group chat before exams proves it — we’re in it together.”
Payne’s clinical experiences reminded her why she chose this field. “I worked with a patient recovering from a traumatic brain injury,” she said. “I was their therapist, coach, cheerleader, and friend. That experience reminded me why physical therapy matters and how much trust patients place in us. It’s something I’ll carry forever.”
As the DPT program continues to evolve, faculty are committed to continuous improvement — not just in outcomes, but in belonging itself.
Klopper and Powers recently presented research at a national conference about belonging in hybrid education. “We’re gathering feedback from our students to measure what belonging feels like and how we can foster it intentionally,” Klopper said. “That’s rare in professional education, and it shows our commitment to doing this right.”
For Murray, belonging is both philosophy and science. “It’s about designing systems that remove barriers and cultivate confidence,” she said. “Our students aren’t just learning techniques — they’re learning how to lead, how to serve, and how to heal.”
That leadership starts at the top. “This program has succeeded because of shared vision,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Jill Fort, PhD.
“From the very beginning, Dr. Murray and her team built something that reflects who we are as a university: innovative, caring, and student-centered. Their work ensures that every student, no matter where they live, feels like they’re part of the Graceland community.”
JILL FORT, PhD
Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Faculty
With full CAPTE accreditation secured and the first graduates stepping into clinics across the country, the future of Graceland’s DPT program looks bright.
Murray sees the next few years as a period of growth. “We’ll expand our cohorts, strengthen our clinical partnerships, and continue to focus on community impact,” she said.
“We’re also exploring more interprofessional opportunities with other members of the Graceland faculty so we can bring together students from nursing, occupational therapy, and nutrition to learn from one another.”
LEIGH MURRAY, PT, PhD
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director, Clinical Professor
For students like MJay, Elijah, and Cassidy, that growth represents something bigger than degrees or data — it’s a legacy. “We’re the first [cohort], but not the last,” MJay said. “We’ve shown that a hybrid program can build real belonging. That’s something special.”
As Graceland’s DPT program continues to expand, it’s clear that its foundation isn’t just built on academic rigor or innovation — it’s built on people. On students who bring grace to their learning, on faculty who model compassion, and on a university that believes education should always begin with belonging.
For students dreaming of careers in physical therapy, Graceland now offers a seamless path from undergraduate study to a professional doctorate — right here on “the Hill.”
“The pre-Physical Therapy track within Allied Health was created in response to a growing number of students eager to pursue careers in PT,” said Melanie Mason, DAT, chair of the Health and Movement Science (HMS) Department. “When the DPT program launched, it was a natural partnership. We wanted to build a clear, intentional bridge for students to move from undergrad to doctorate.”
That bridge is more than just a curriculum map. HMS students gain early exposure to clinical reasoning and assessment skills, working with state-of-the-art tools like the Anatomage Table, InBody analyzer, and Kinetisense 3D motion capture system. “This pathway helps students see themselves as future clinicians,” Mason said. “They start building that professional identity from day one.” Graceland’s small classes and close-knit community also play a role. “Our department mirrors what students will experience in DPT: personal attention, mentorship, and a strong sense of belonging,” Mason added. “Those relationships carry through to graduate school and beyond.”
As Graceland continues to expand its health sciences portfolio, the HMS-to-DPT track stands as a model for what the university does best — connecting learning, leadership, and belonging into a single, transformative journey.
Graceland University’s next step in health professions education is already underway: the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, launching in Fall 2027.
Under the leadership of Dr. Stephanie Adams, an accomplished educator and clinician with a background in hybrid professional learning, the OTD program will build on Graceland’s growing legacy of innovation in graduate healthcare education.
Like Graceland’s hybrid DPT program, the OTD will combine online coursework with immersive, hands-on learning experiences, allowing students from a wide range of backgrounds and locations to pursue their degree without uprooting their lives.
“Our OTD curriculum will emphasize leadership development, evidence-informed learning, and interprofessional collaboration,” Adams said. “Students will graduate ready to address complex health challenges and provide transformational care that positively impacts society.”
The program’s design mirrors Graceland’s mission of access and belonging.
“Belonging is at the heart of our OTD program. We foster strong faculty-student relationships, peer support networks, and community partnerships to ensure every student feels valued and connected throughout their journey.”
STEPHANIE ADAMS, DHSc
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Director
By offering another pathway for compassionate, highly skilled healthcare professionals, Graceland is expanding its impact in the region and beyond — preparing leaders who bring justice, service, and excellence into every patient interaction.
Visit graceland.edu/DPT and graceland.edu/HMS
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