December 29, 2003
Contact:
Sara Brenner, HPD Vice-Chancellor (954) 262-1512
Jennifer Meriam, Director, NSU Public Affairs (954) 262-5355
Rita Cohl, HPD Marketing/Communications (954) 262-5354
NSU’s Health Professions Division Awards Occupational Therapy Degrees
Dean of Allied Health at FAMU to Deliver Commencement Address
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—On Sunday, January 11, Nova Southeastern University's College of Allied Health and Nursing will award 32 occupational therapy (O.T.) degrees to graduates in a special commencement exercise at 2 p.m in the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center on the NSU campus in Davie.
NSU President Ray Ferrero, Jr., J.D. will confer degrees upon 16 graduates from the Master of Occupational Therapy program, 14 from the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, and 2 from the Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy program. This year's students come from as far away as California, New York, Maryland, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, and Washington State.
Cynthia Hughes Harris, Ph.D., O.T., dean of the Florida A & M School of Allied Health Sciences, will deliver the commencement address. Dr. Harris received her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1995, where she also received her undergraduate degrees. In addition to her duties as dean, Dr. Harris remains an active practitioner and contributor in her field. Previously, Dr. Harris served as Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Columbia University in New York City. She also served as immediate past vice president and member of the Board of Directors of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
Dr. Harris' interests and activities span many arenas. One of her primary research initiatives addresses the results of qualitative experience of minority students in different academic environments. In this context, Dr. Harris has studied the lives of college students to identify and alleviate stressors that interfere with maximum academic performance and achievement. Another one of Dr. Harris' research activities centers on HIV prevention programs for high-risk urban adolescents. Dr. Harris has successfully implemented such programs in Chicago Public Schools, as well as in schools in the South Bronx section of New York City.
"We are delighted that Dr. Harris has consented to deliver the commencement address to our graduating students," said Fred Lippman, R.ph., Ph.D., executive vice-chancellor and provost of NSU's Health Professions Division. "Dr. Harris' research initiatives are well-known and I am sure our students will be inspired by her message."
Occupational therapists commonly aid the growth and development of premature babies, enhance learning environments for physically challenged children and adults, and analyze job task requirements for injured workers in a variety of clinical, occupational, and institutional settings.
The Health Professions Division of Nova Southeastern University is comprised of the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Optometry, Allied Health and Nursing, and Dental Medicine.
