Education
Jessica Valdez Taves, MS, OTR/L, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy and Director of the Center for Life Skills at Ithaca College. She earned her Master of Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University in 2001, completing a thesis on cultural competence and occupational therapy curricula, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ithaca College with a concentration in special populations. She maintains NBCOT certification and licensure in New York State and holds advanced training in LSVT BIG, gerontology, and driver rehabilitation.
Research
Jessica’s scholarly work emphasizes interprofessional education, gerontology, and community-based practice. She has co-authored peer-reviewed articles in the Journal of Allied Health and Gerontology and Geriatric Education , with one of her publications receiving honorable mention by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. Her research includes developing and evaluating interprofessional stroke support programs, exploring fall prevention strategies, and advancing intergenerational service-learning models. Jessica has also presented nationally on topics such as interprofessional collaboration, aging, and occupational therapy’s role in health promotion across the lifespan.
Service
Service and community engagement are central to Jessica’s career. At Ithaca College, she has contributed to numerous departmental, school, and college committees, mentored students and faculty, and advised honor societies and student organizations. She is the founder and facilitator of innovative community partnerships such as the Parkinson’s Wellness Collaboration and the Survive and Thrive Stroke Support Group . Beyond campus, Jessica has served on the Longview and McGraw House boards, partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association, and led intergenerational and fall prevention initiatives. Her work reflects a deep commitment to advancing occupational therapy education while improving the health and well-being of older adults in the community.