Janeene Sibla, OTD, EdD

Associate Dean of the College of Health Professions
Chair of Occupational Therapy
Director of Occupational Therapy (Bismarck & Fargo)

Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences

51�Թ� Me

As chair of the occupational therapy program, I have had the privilege of leading the program through several significant milestones, including the transition to a doctoral-level curriculum, expansion to multiple locations, and the development of innovative hybrid learning options. I am passionate about advancing occupational therapy education and creating meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for successful and impactful careers.

As a lifelong learner, I enjoy collaborating with fellow educators and mentoring the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners. Outside of my professional role, I am married to my husband, Brad, and we have two grown daughters and their families. I enjoy traveling, spending time outdoors, and gathering with family and friends. In my free time, I also enjoy creative pursuits such as crocheting and paper crafting.

Why I’m At Mary

I appreciate the focus of educating the whole person at the University of Mary. I am able to form meaningful and lasting relationships with students, helping them to achieve their career goals and to develop in all areas of their lives.

Expertise

My occupational therapy clinical background is rooted in mental health practice, with specialized interests in supporting individuals experiencing major depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and the effects of trauma. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about helping individuals develop the skills, resilience, and confidence needed to participate fully in meaningful life roles and activities.

In addition to my clinical experience, I have extensive expertise in program development, student growth and development, curriculum design, and academic leadership. I am committed to fostering environments that support both student success and professional excellence. My work has focused on creating innovative educational experiences, developing high-quality academic programs, and ensuring that students are well prepared to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare profession.

A particularly rewarding aspect of my career has been mentoring emerging educators and leaders in higher education. I enjoy supporting faculty and administrators as they develop their teaching, leadership, and scholarship skills, and I value opportunities to collaborate with colleagues in advancing excellence in health professions education. My professional interests include leadership development, faculty mentorship, student engagement, and the continued advancement of occupational therapy education.

2019 — "The Impact of a Mindfulness Program on Perceived Stress and Attention Among OT and PT Graduate Students: A Pilot Study," [Poster]. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Education Summit.

2019 — "Academic Intraprofessional Collaboration: Empiricism to Practice,” AOTA Education Summit.

2014 — "Becoming an Occupational Therapist: The Road to a Professional Identity,” [Poster]. AOTA Annual Conference.

2014 — "Learning to Bend Over Backwards: Caring for the Child Who Has Experienced Trauma,” [Poster]. AOTA Annual Conference.

2013 — "Changing Life Skills: The Impact of Occupational Therapy for Two Women in an Outpatient Mental Health Setting,” [Poster]. AOTA Annual Conference.

Education

EdD: University of Mary, 2020
DOT: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, 2007
BS (Occupational Therapy): University of North Dakota, 1989