One of Keuka College’s newest academic programs has a new partner.
Students earning bachelor’s degrees in the College’s new Health Sciences program can now move seamlessly into the Doctor of Chiropractic program at Northeast College of Health Sciences, thanks to a new articulation agreement between the two colleges.
The 3+3 program will enable Keuka College’s Health Science majors to enroll at Northeast after their junior year, completing their bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in just three additional years.
“We are extremely excited about this agreement between Keuka College and Northeast, because it creates a clear pathway toward a chiropractic degree and Keuka College students can be assured that their transfer credits will be accepted, saving students both time and money,”
As if the ability to shave a year off their studies wasn’t incentive enough, Keuka College students will also be eligible for merit scholarships from Northeast based on their academic standing: $1,500 for a grade-point average between 3.0 and 3.499 and $2,500 for GPAs above 3.5.
Keuka College’s Health Sciences program was established in 2020 to meet the growing regional and national demand for health care professionals. The degree builds on the College’s legacy of educating generations of graduates who pursued careers in nursing, social work, physical and occupational therapy, and scores of other health care fields. The Health Sciences degree positions students for immediate employment in a variety of health-related professions or continued graduate study.
The Seneca Falls-based Noertheast – formerly New York Chiropractic College – was founded in 1919 and operated in the New York City area for some 70 years before moving to its current home in the former Eisenhower College location in 1991.
Learn More About the Health Sciences Program
Health science is the application of science to health, including the study of medicine, nutrition, and other health-related topics. Keuka College’s health sciences major will provide you with the opportunity to study health care systems, health promotion, and health research methods. You will develop foundational knowledge in biological sciences, including human anatomy and physiology, physics, and chemistry.
Our program provides a solid grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, including coursework in the social determinants of health, medical ethics, and population health. Special focus will be on experiential education, along with a specially-designed capstone experience.
A bachelor’s degree in health sciences provides essential healthcare knowledge and skills while building professional skills sought by healthcare employers, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, information literacy, and information management.
Kristen Bacon, O.T.D., OTR/L
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Program Director of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Utica College
- M.S.
- Syracuse University at Utica College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Kristen Bacon began her career working as an occupational therapy assistant in 2003 while attending the weekend program at Utica College. After graduating in 2006 with a B.S. from Syracuse University at Utica College and M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Utica College in 2007, she then earned a post-professional clinical doctorate from Chatham University in 2011.
Dr. Bacon has presented at several national occupational therapy conferences and currently volunteers for organizations including AOTA and NBCOT. She is working on AOTA’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and a Flipped Learning 3.0 Certification, Level I. Her professional focus includes the adult and geriatric populations with a special interest in TBI and orthopedics.
Dr. Bacon began her academic work as adjunct professor for Keuka College in 2014. Since then, she has continued on as full-time academician and is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Bacon was appointed to faculty development committee, is co-advisor for the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE), a national occupational therapy honor society, and completed a three-year term for Sigma Lambda Sigma (SLS) advisor the college wide honor society.
Michele Bennett ’05 M’06, O.T.D., OTR/L
Professor of Occupational Therapy
Division Chair for Applied Health & Wellness
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Keuka College
- M.S.
- Keuka College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Bennett graduated from Keuka College in the first OT master's program. After college she worked in local hospital and rehabilitation sites serving children to older adults. As she transitioned from rehabilitation sites to teaching she completed her post-professional clinical doctorate at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 2013.
Dr. Bennett has presented topics at national conferences that have included international, interprofessional service learning, program evaluation/outcome reporting and fieldwork level I experiences in emerging areas of practice. Dr. Bennett is currently Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and remains active working with adults in their homes as a per-diem therapist for Visiting Nursing Association/Kaleida Health in the Steuben County region. Dr. Bennett joined the Arc of Yates board of directors for a three year term.
Professional Interests
Adults with developmental disabilities, middle to older adult populations, and professional development of the OT students of Keuka College.
Jessica Chapman ’18 M’19, OTR/L
Instructor of Occupational Therapy and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Academic Credentials
- Keuka College
- B.S. in Occupational Science
- Keuka College
- M.S. in Occupational Therapy
- Beloit College
- B.A.
Cassie Hey ’04 M’07, D.B.H., M.S., OTR/L
Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Arizona State University
- D.B.H.
- Keuka College
- M.S.
- Keuka College
- B.S.
Beth Jordan, O.T.D., OTR/L
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Utica College
- M.S.
- Syracuse University at Utica College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Beth Jordan is an experienced occupational therapist and associate professor at Keuka College, where she blends decades of clinical expertise with a commitment to education, research, and interprofessional collaboration. She has worked extensively in early intervention, CPSE, school-based services, and private practice.
Dr. Jordan spent more than a decade as a senior OT at a developmental evaluation center, gaining deep expertise in neurodevelopment, assessment, and neurocognitive dysfunction. At Keuka College, she is actively involved in institutional service, serving on college committees, collaborating across divisions, and chairing the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Dr. Jordan serves as the New York State Ambassador for NBCOT, volunteers with NBCOT and AOTA, and contributes as a pediatric subject matter expert on NBCOT’s exam development committee. She presents regularly at professional conferences and is engaged in research to strengthen OT education and practice.
In 2025, Dr. Jordan received Keuka College’s Excellence in Advising Award. She also hosts the podcast OccupaTionally Speaking: Insights from an OT, where she explores innovation and real-world challenges in occupational therapy.
Her philosophy is rooted in understanding not just “what is the matter—but what matters most to the people.”
Carrie Roberts ’02, O.T.D., OTR/L
Associate Vice President for Experiential Education and Wellness
Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
Professor of Occupational Therapy
Academic Credentials
- Chatham University
- O.T.D.
- Keuka College
- B.S.
Biography
Dr. Carrie Roberts has been an occupational therapist for over 15 years, with experience in various areas of practice including the hospital and nursing home, with a greater focus in pediatrics birth-21 years old. She graduated from Keuka College with a degree in occupational therapy; she also graduated from Chatham University in 2013 with her clinical occupational therapy doctoral degree in which her research focus was related to children with Autism Spectrum. Dr. Roberts was an adjunct professor for Keuka College before joining the Occupational Therapy program full time in 2013.
“Students will have the benefit of a program that was carefully designed through the partnership between our two schools. We’re looking forward to additional opportunities for collaboration between Keuka College and Northeast that will serve the health care training needs for our region.”
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