Jhennylyn (Jhenny) Rivera-Villano OTD, OTR/L (she/her)

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy

CHP 133
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Jhennylyn Rivera-Villano, OTD, OTR/L is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy in the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. She teaches in the Occupational Science minor program, including courses in lifespan development and families, where she integrates developmental theory, lived experience, and occupational justice to support inclusive and meaningful student learning.

Dr. Rivera-Villano is a pediatric occupational therapist with clinical experience in school-based settings, outpatient clinic, and early intervention, with expertise in sensory processing, motor control, feeding, and family-centered care. She is the founder of a pediatric occupational therapy practice serving children and families in East Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley. Her clinical and teaching work is grounded in culturally responsive practice, inclusive pedagogy, and evidence-based intervention.

She earned her Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy from USC Chan, where she completed a residency integrating pedagogy and clinical research focused on early autism screening and community-based research. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University. Her scholarly interests include early intervention, occupational therapy education, mentorship, professional identity development, and knowledge mobilization.

In addition to her academic and clinical roles, Dr. Rivera-Villano has volunteered for the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) in several leadership capacities, and now serves as the Region 2 Director, supporting professional advocacy, leadership development, and student mentorship.

Education

Awards

USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

1540 Alcazar Street, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003

ACOTE accreditation | NBCOT certification

The USC entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy (OTD) degree program (cost of attendance) is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education® (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The USC entry-level master’s degree program (cost of attendance) is in Accreditation–Inactive status by ACOTE®. View our program’s ACOTE® standards public data. ACOTE® c/o the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.®, 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.

Professional program graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.® (NBCOT®), nbcot.org. Program results from the NBCOT can be found online at www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.