Division of Applied Health and Wellness

Academic Credentials

Biography

Dr. Kristen Bacon is an experienced occupational therapist and dedicated educator with more than 20 years of clinical practice and 11 years of teaching in higher education. Her clinical expertise centers on adult rehabilitation, with a strong focus on acute care, intensive care units (ICU), and medical-surgical settings, where she continues to practice each week. Dr. Bacon is deeply committed to helping patients regain independence and quality of life following life-altering medical events, bringing both compassion and clinical excellence to her work. Dr. Bacon is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of occupational therapists. She integrates real-world clinical insights into her instruction; values scholarship, evidence-based practice; and fosters critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and professional advocacy among her students. She regularly presents at national conferences and volunteers for NBCOT, AOTF, and AOTA. 

Academic Credentials

Biography

Dr. Michele Bennett ’05, M’06 is a committed educator, clinician, and community leader whose work exemplifies Keuka College’s mission to develop exemplary citizens and leaders to serve the nation and the world. A two-time graduate of Keuka College, Dr. Bennett earned her B.S. and M.S. in Occupational Therapy, and later completed her clinical doctorate at Chatham University.

Her professional journey began in regional hospital and rehabilitation settings, where she provided care across the lifespan – from pediatrics to geriatrics. This foundation in service and compassion laid the groundwork for her transition into higher education, where she continues to inspire future occupational therapists through innovative teaching and mentorship.

Dr. Bennett’s scholarship reflects Keuka College’s values of curiosity, community, and opportunity. She has presented nationally on topics such as international and interprofessional service learning, program evaluation, and emerging fieldwork practices. Her recent research explores the use of Virtual Reality to reduce stress and anxiety among college students, integrating technology to enhance wellness and learning.

As Division Chair of the Applied Health & Wellness Program and Professor of Occupational Therapy, Dr. Bennett fosters a collaborative and student-centered environment. She remains actively engaged in clinical practice as a per diem home health therapist in Steuben County, ensuring her teaching is informed by current, real-world experience.
Dr. Bennett’s commitment to community is evident in her service on the Mozaic Board of Directors and her leadership role as facilitator of the Network for Spousal Caregivers of Stroke Survivors in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Through these roles, she opens doors to support, advocacy, and education for underserved populations.

Her work embodies the spirit of Keuka College – engaging with purpose, leading with integrity, and making a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Professional Interests

Adults with developmental disabilities, middle to older adult populations, and professional development of the OT students of Keuka College.

Academic Credentials

Biography

Jessica Chapman ’18, M’19 is a licensed and board-certified occupational therapist, serving as both an instructor in the Occupational Therapy and Health Sciences programs and as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. In her role, she oversees the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of fieldwork education for the Occupational Therapy program. She finds great fulfillment in mentoring students as they grow in professionalism, confidence, and clinical competence.

Jessica's path to becoming an occupational therapist was unconventional and deeply rooted in her early experiences at Keuka College. She began her journey as an administrative assistant for the then-Division of Occupational Therapy where she worked for four years. Immersed in the field and inspired by the therapists around her, she made the decision to pursue occupational therapy herself. She enrolled in the program in 2016 and earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2019. 

Following graduation, Jessica pursued travel therapy and relocated to Alaska, where she spent five years working in school-based practice. In 2024, she returned to the Finger Lakes region and to Keuka College, bringing her diverse experiences and passion for education to her current roles.

Before entering the field of occupational therapy, Jessica earned a Bachelor of Arts from Beloit College in Wisconsin. She previously worked in community and reproductive health education, as a pharmacy technician, and in the wine industry. Originally from Illinois, she calls the Finger Lakes home. 

Academic Credentials

Biography

Dr. Cassie Hey ’04, M’07 brings more than 15 years of clinical expertise as a licensed occupational therapist specializing in mental health and behavioral interventions. Her diverse practice experience spans acute care, outpatient, and home health settings, with extensive work in interprofessional collaborative care models.

Dr. Hey earned her occupational therapy degree from Keuka College (2004) and later returned to complete her Master’s in Management. She holds a post-professional clinical doctorate in behavioral health from Arizona State University, positioning her at the forefront of integrated behavioral healthcare delivery.

 Currently, Dr. Hey provides clinical occupational therapy services in integrated behavioral health settings on college campuses, addressing the critical mental health needs of student populations. Her work encompasses both direct behavioral health interventions and collaborative care coordination in higher education environments.  

Academic Credentials

Biography

Dr. Beth Jordan is an experienced occupational therapist and associate professor at Keuka College, where she blends decades of clinical expertise with a commitment to education, research, and interprofessional collaboration. She has worked extensively in early intervention, CPSE, school-based services, and private practice. Dr. Jordan spent more than a decade as a senior OT at a developmental evaluation center, gaining deep expertise in neurodevelopment, assessment, and neurocognitive dysfunction. At Keuka College, she is actively involved in institutional service, serving on College committees, collaborating across divisions, and chairing the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Dr. Jordan serves as the New York State Ambassador for NBCOT, volunteers with NBCOT and AOTA, and contributes as a pediatric subject matter expert on NBCOT’s exam development committee. She presents regularly at professional conferences and is engaged in research to strengthen OT education and practice.

In 2025, Dr. Jordan received Keuka College’s Excellence in Advising Award. She also hosts the podcast OccupaTionally Speaking: Insights from an OT, where she explores innovation and real-world challenges in occupational therapy.

Her philosophy is rooted in understanding not just “what is the matter – but what matters most to the people.”

Academic Credentials

Biography

Dr. Carrie Roberts ’02, OTD, OTR/L, is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at Keuka College, where she has taught since 2011. With more than two decades of clinical and academic experience, Dr. Roberts brings a dynamic blend of scholarship, leadership, and hands-on expertise to her teaching. She holds a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Chatham University and a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Keuka College. Her teaching spans both undergraduate and graduate levels, with a focus on pediatric practice, policy and advocacy, and determinants of health. She remains an active practitioner through her work as an occupational therapist, ensuring her students benefit from current, real-world insights.

In addition to her faculty role, Dr. Roberts serves as Associate Vice President for Experiential Education and Wellness, where she oversees Field Period®, Career Engagement, and International Education initiatives. She has led strategic planning efforts, secured millions in grant funding, and championed wellness and mental health initiatives across campus. A frequent presenter at national conferences, her scholarship centers on wellness, suicide prevention, and innovative teaching practices. Dr. Roberts is deeply committed to student success, experiential learning, and fostering a transformative culture of wellness in higher education.