Leslie Jackson, OTD, MEd, OT/L, FAOTA

Biography

Dr. Leslie Jackson's teaching philosophy is grounded in the principles of occupational therapy, emphasizing curiosity, observation, and understanding what motivates people to succeed. She encourages students to explore not only what they know, but why it matters and how it applies to real-world practice. As an educator, Dr. Jackson sees herself as a facilitator who guides students in developing the knowledge, confidence, and clinical reasoning needed to become compassionate healthcare professionals. She designs her courses with intentional learning experiences that help students build on their strengths and identify opportunities for growth. Above all, Dr. Jackson values critical thinking and problem-solving. Her goal is for students to move beyond memorization, developing the ability to analyze complex situations and make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions that improve patient care. Dr. Jackson is widowed with five children and eight grandchildren.

Areas of Expertise

• Management and administration
• Project and grant management
• Teaching and learning
• Writing for publication
• Grant writing
• Program development
• Community engagement

Education

• OTD, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 2017
• MEd, Erikson Institute, 1992
• BS Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1982

Courses Taught

• OTD 201 - Theoretical Foundations of Occupational Therapy
• OTD 220 - Health Care Policy and Advocacy
• OTD 247 - Teaching and Learning in Occupational Therapy
• OTD 252 - Leadership & Management in Occupational Therapy

Latest Projects and Publications

Grants

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (2020). Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Funded for $3 million over five years (Chicago State University).

Publications

Reinoso, G., Allen-McHugh, R., Decker, T., Griffiths, Y., Huffman-Main, S., Jackson. L., Murray, A., Rognes, J., & Urish, C. (in press). A study of artificial intelligence (AI) utilization among entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students. Manuscript accepted for publication by The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. 

Jackson, L. (2025) Common pediatric settings. In Jane O'Brien and Heather Kuhaneck's (Eds), Case-Smith's Occupational Therapy for Children and Adolescents, 9th edition. 

Tarfa A., Kjos A.L, Williams R.M., & Jackson L. (2023). Impact of teaching social determinants of health on PIF in the health professions. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. Published online 2023:100544-100544. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpe.2023.100544.

Presentations

2019

Student Perspectives on the Use of Evidence and Occupation-Based Practice During Level II Fieldwork (student research group). Poster Presentation at American Occupational Therapy Association 2019 Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.

2018 

Student Perspectives on the Use of Evidence and Occupation-Based Practice During Level II Fieldwork (student research group). Poster Presentation at Illinois Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Naperville, IL.

Student Impact on Fieldwork Educator Use of Evidence and Occupation-Based Practice During Level II Fieldwork. Poster Presentation at American Occupational Therapy Association 2018 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.

2017

The Use of Evidence and Occupation-Based Practices on Level II Fieldwork. Presentation at Illinois Occupational Therapy Association 2017 Annual Conference, Normal, IL.

Invited Presentations

2019

Collaboration is a Verb. Keynote presentation at the 1^st Annual PEERS Conference, Chicago, Illinois.

Fieldwork Survival Discussion Den. AOTA/NBCOT National Student Conclave, Chicago, Illinois

Test-Taking Strategies for Program Success and NBCOT Exam Preparations [co-presentation].  AOTA/NBCOT National Student Conclave, Chicago, Illinois.

2016

Transitioning to Workload: Implications for School-Based Services. Indian Prairie School District #204, Aurora, Illinois.

2015 

Communicating Value of Occupational Therapy Services in School-Based Practice. Community Consolidated School District #15 OT Institute, Palatine, Illinois.

Panel Presentations

2019

OT and Social Justice [invited]. American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) scholarship fundraiser, Chicago, Illinois.

2016

Moderator, Student Session: Level II Fieldwork Panel [invited]. AOTA Annual Conference and Expo, Chicago, Illinois.

Research

2019-2020

Perceived Impact of Anxiety on Occupational Therapy Student Success on Level II Fieldwork (Part 2). Faculty mentor for Bris, A.M., Carter, H., Chaudry, T., Chew, C., Olatunji, O., & Patel, A.

2018-2019

Perceived Impact of Anxiety on Occupational Therapy Student Success on Level II Fieldwork (Part 1). Faculty mentor for Barton, K., Biore, G., Klimova, E., Krause, A., & Munoz, J.

2017-2018

Student Perspectives on the Use of Evidence and Occupation-Based Practice During Level II Fieldwork. Faculty mentor for Bye, K., Drumm, D., Elizondo, E. & Murphy, J.

Experience

• OT Program Coordinator, Chicago State University, 2017-2020
• Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Chicago State University, 2017-2020
• Academic Fieldwork Coordinator/Lecturer, Chicago State University, 2012-2017
• Registry Occupational Therapist, Palos Community Hospital, 2012-2017
• SCSEP Quality Compliance Manager, Easter Seals, 2010-2011
• Family Support Project Coordinator, Easter Seals, 2009-2010
• Director of Training Modules for Inclusive Child Care (TMICC) Project, Easter Seals, 2006-2009
• Adjunct Occupational Therapy Department Faculty, Howard University, 2006-2008
• Federal Affairs Representative, American Occupational Therapy Association, 1998-2006
• Practice Associate, American Occupational Therapy Association, 1993-2006
• OT Research Assistant/Project Coordinator, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1990-1993
• Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1987-1990
• Lead Occupational Therapist, LaSalle County Easter Seal Center, 1984-1987
• Itinerant School Occupational Therapist, LaGrange Area Department of Special Education, 1982-1984

Professional Affiliations

• Bylaws Policies and Procedures Committee (BPPC) Chairperson, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA)
• Iowa Occupational Therapy Association (IOTA)

College Service

• Academic Affairs Committee, 2020-2023/2024-Present
• CAC, 2021-Present
• CPHS Pinning Ceremony Marshall, 2025
• Faculty Affairs Committee, 2022-2024
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, 2021-2023
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force, 2020-2021
• Research & Scholarship Task Force, 2020-2021

University Service

• Washington-Mandella Fellows Focus Coach, 2025
• Execution Committee Faculty Representative, 2022-2025
• Career Conference Planning Committee, 2020-2021

Honors and Awards

• Hexagon Society, Lane Technical High School Alumni Association, 2025
• President's Award for Civic Engagement Leadership, Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact, 2024
• Slay Fellow for Social Justice, Drake University, 2022-2024
• Dr. Percy L. Julian Award for Community Service, Operation Uplift, 2020
• Jeanette Bair Writers Award, American Occupational Therapy Association, 2010
• Roster of Fellows, American Occupational Therapy Association, 2009