Northern Arizona University announced that Dr. Oaklee Rogers will serve as its new new assistant dean on the Phoenix Bioscience Core tasked with overseeing the College of Health and Human Services programs on the PBC.

Dr. Rogers has previously served as the head of NAU’s occupational therapy department for the past five years. NAU’s College of Health and Human Services has four departments that offer graduate-level degrees on the PBC: Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies. As of Fall 2021, NAU had more than 350 students on the PBC.

Northern Arizona University has been on the PBC for a decade. It offered Physician Assistant and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs in the fall of 2012 before adding occupational therapy in 2014 and athletic training in 2016. These allied health programs make up a vital component of the PBC’s academic offerings.

In addition to her role as assistant dean, Dr. Oaklee Rogers will also serve as a project manager for NAU’s Provost Office for the New Economy Initiative.

We asked Dr. Oaklee Rogers a few questions about herself and how she sees her role fitting in to Northern Arizona University’s operations on the Phoenix Bioscience Core.

Where are you from originally? What brought you to NAU? 

I am from Boise, Idaho but I have lived in Phoenix for ten years. I was working for an occupational therapy assistant program and transferred from the Boise campus to one in Phoenix. In 2014, NAU recruited me to be the academic fieldwork coordinator to help develop the entry-level occupational therapy program.

How do you see Northern Arizona University evolving here in Phoenix and on the Phoenix Bioscience Core? 

I see NAU at the PBC and throughout the state growing their capacity to recruit, retain, and graduate allied health professionals and behavioral health providers to better serve diverse communities.

How do you plan to use your experiences as a faculty member in this role as assistant dean? 

I taught and mentored students while being the department chair and plan to continue these responsibilities, just in a smaller capacity, with my new role. I think staying in touch with students and understanding the first hand perspective of faculty will help me stay grounded with the realities of these stakeholders to hopefully impact positive changes. I also think my extensive work developing relationships and working with community partners as a faculty member will serve me well in my new role because I am now working with the entire college as the assistant dean and the university as the provost leadership fellow.

Favorite teaching moment? 

Maybe not my favorite teaching moment, but the biggest impact I think I have had on my students. I applied and was awarded the Health Resources & Services Administration for Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students grant in 2020. Since 2020 (and will continue to do so until 2025), the NAU OT Department has annually awarded up to $650,000 in scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds for a total of $3.25 million. On average, we provide scholarships to approximately 20% of the NAU OT student population. https://news.nau.edu/hrsa-grant/

What are your hobbies outside of the office? 

I am a mom to a five and seven year old, and have been married for 15 years. I started running as a stress reliever during the pandemic, and so far this year, I completed two half marathons and am signed up for two more this year. I enjoy hiking, reading, and traveling with my family.

Favorite coffee order?

 I am simple, a black coffee with cream