Jennifer Pryor is an instructor and the service learning coordinator for the BS in Health Sciences program. 

Jennifer also serves as the program director for the Department of Gerontology and co-director for the NAB-accredited assisted living administration specialty area where she is an instructor, advisor, and supervisor to students who are in pursuit of their license as an assisted living administrator. Jennifer holds a valid Virginia License in Assisted Living Administration.

In addition to these roles, Jennifer speaks and trains at the national, state, and local levels on topics related to ageism in long-term care, assisted living administration, best practices in assisted living, and leadership. She presently serves on the Education Committee with the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).

Jennifer’s personal and professional goal is to challenge the paradigm of the long-term care continuum and promote innovation and development in the long-term care sector to foster inclusiveness, community, and awareness of ageism.

Research Interests:

Long-term care organizations with a particular emphasis on the assisted living sector; administration, management, and leadership in long-term care; education and training for the long-term care workforce; diversifying the long-term care workforce; ageism and aging anxiety in long-term care practice; best practices in long-term care administration related to higher quality of life and higher quality of care for individuals living in these communities. 

Education:

Jennifer is currently pursuing her PhD in Health Services Organizations and Research at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

MS in Gerontology, Virginia Commonwealth University
MA in Psychology, College of William and Mary
BS in Psychology, Hollins University 

Publications:

Inker, J., Pryor, J., Arbogast, C., Op de Beke, M., & Okhravi, H. (2020). "Can you just give us something to help her?!" Off-label antipsychotic medication use in Virginia assisted living facilities. Seniors Housing and Care Journal.

Gendron, T., L., Pryor, J. M., Welleford, E. A. (2016). Lessons learned from a program evaluation of a statewide continuing education program for staff members working in assisted living and adult day care centers in Virginia. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 1-19.

Gendron, T., Pelco, L. E., Pryor, J., Barsness, S., & Seward, L. (2013). A telephone support program for adult day center caregivers: Early Indications of Impact. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 17 (1), 47-60.