One Door Closed, Another Opened — Outstanding Graduate Ava Krueger Found Her PTA Home at Owens
A discontinued program at another college sent Ava Krueger searching. Her search led her to Owens Community College, and she never looked back.
Krueger grew up in Monroeville with plans to study in a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. When the college she had planned on attending discontinued its PTA program, Krueger opened up her search and found Owens.
Krueger excelled inside and outside the classroom, earning her Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) while being named an outstanding graduate in the program.
“My experience at Owens has been great,” Krueger said. “It allowed me to gain all the skills and confidence I need to be a PTA. There hasn’t been just one person who has made a significant impact but rather everyone involved with the program has been extremely helpful. They have always encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving to develop strong clinical skills, while also providing encouragement and support along the way.”
In her nomination form for Krueger, PTA program chair Sara Burke pointed out Krueger’s extensive volunteering series, which included the annual Girl Scout STEAM event at the Findlay-area Campus, Special Olympics and numerous PTA activities.
Burke also said Krueger is admired in the cohort for her professionalism, positive attitude and maturity.
“She is known for her initiative and leadership in the classroom — especially in her research course — where she independently sought solutions, guided peers in technical skills such as Excel and Google Sheets and played a key role in the 2025 research project by organizing tasks and securing necessary resources,” Burke said.
After graduation, Krueger plans to begin her career as a PTA.
Learn More About the Physical Therapist Assistant Program
Published May 2026