Jessica Nakos

Jess Nakos joined the University of Puget Sound in 2022 as an adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor and transitioned to full-time Clinical Assistant Professor as of January 2023. Professor Nakos began her academic journey as an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator then gained instructional experience following a transition to full-time core faculty. Jess has experience with fieldwork education, community advocacy and service delivery, and graduate student advising and mentorship. She has clinical experience in inpatient rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries, skilled nursing settings, and VA inpatient psych. Professor Nakos is an active member of AOTA, SSO, WFOT, and WOTA. Jess is currently a PhD candidate in the PhD in OT program via Nova Southeastern University. Her dissertation work centers around exploring OT program culture and the role it plays in shaping graduate student professional identity and practice post-graduation.

Scholarly Interests

Qualitative and Mixed Methods inquiry related to OT education, fieldwork experiences and processes, and OT student professional identity development are of interest. OT theory development and implementation in practice and occupational science are also topics of scholarly interest.

Jess is also passionate about evidence and research surrounding nature-based occupations and occupational engagement. This includes community education and advocacy for environmentally responsible development and conservation of green spaces and access to green spaces.

Leisure Occupation Interests

Jess enjoys all nature-based occupations, particularly nature walks, bird watching, hiking, camping, gardening/horticulture, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. Other interests include travel, (non-scholarly) reading, yoga, nature-based material arts and crafts, and painting with acrylic paints. Playing hide and seek is also great fun.