Neil Harvison, AOTA’s chief of knowledge, to address Class of 2021
April 29, 2021

Neil Harvison, chief of knowledge at the American Occupational Therapy Association, has been named the keynote speaker for the USC Chan Division’s 2021 virtual commencement celebration. Harvison manages knowledge processes, practices and applications to advance the mission of AOTA, the national professional association of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

Harvison spent more than 24 years as a pediatric occupational therapy practitioner and hospital administrator, including 12 years as associate director for outpatient services at New York City’s Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Center. In 2006, he joined the staff of the American Occupational Therapy Association. During the 15 years since, he has held various leadership roles responsible for activities related to federal, state and regulatory affairs; issues in academic occupational therapy education and accreditation; as well as professional development issues, such as continuing education, specialty certification and clinical competencies. In 2011, he was named to the AOTA Roster of Fellows for making significant, impactful contributions over time to the profession.

Originally hailing from Australia, Harvison graduated with a first-class honors bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Australia’s University of Queensland in 1983. He moved to the United States, and earned his master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University in 1988. In 2005, he earned his PhD degree from NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education.

The virtual commencement celebration for the Class of 2021 will be streamed on Thursday, May 13, at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific timezone) on Zoom and YouTube.

⋯