CHS Welcomes New Faculty - Meet Dr. Kaleigh Stevens

Published February 3, 2023
By Darlene Muguiro
UTEP College of Health Sciences 

This spring, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) is welcoming several new faculty members in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

We are pleased to share the second profile, featuring Dr. Kaleigh Stevens, clinical assistant professor of Occupational Therapy. Stevens received a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from A.T. Still University in Arizona. She is also a certified brain injury specialist.

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Dr. Kaleigh Stevens is no stranger to the Sun City. As the spouse of a native El Pasoan, she even visited UTEP several times before her interview to join the UTEP Occupational Therapy Program. She says the charms of the borderland go beyond its scenic views and temperate climate.

“I’ve been here several times over the years,” she said. “I love the mountains and all of the outdoor opportunities that the area offers, but the people and the culture will really be what keeps us here.”

Prior to her interview at UTEP, Stevens was a guest lecturer in the OT Program. In that position, she had the opportunity to interact with students from various cohorts and recalls being immediately struck by the authenticity of the students: “My impression is that they are very real. They are genuine in their passion and approachable, which I really appreciate,” she said.

Stevens said that one of the things that struck her most during her visits was the common drive among students and professors to serve their community.

“The program really does have a heart for the community. They focus on issues that are unique to populations in this area, and I really think that is one of the things that sets this program apart.”

This spring, Stevens is working in the program’s Occupational Performance in Adults Lab, which focuses on treatments for individuals with neurological disorders. She is excited by the opportunity to share stories and teach students skills that she learned from her time as a clinician working with patients with brain injury. 

Stevens said one of the strongest reasons she felt compelled to move into academia was the opportunity to continue learning.  She hopes that her students will recognize this and feel inspired by it to fully engage in their own learning process. 

“I love our field and learning about the newest techniques or equipment to help people,” she said. “And I hope that my students will feel comfortable speaking up in my classes if they have something to share or an experience they’ve had that relates to the topic.”

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Go Miners!
For more information about the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, please visit: www.utep.edu/chs/ot.