Expertise 

• Assisted Living Administration
• Continuous Quality Improvement

Education

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

Research Interests 

Long-term care organizations with a particular emphasis on the assisted living industry; administration, management, and leadership in long-term care; education and training for 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. 

Bio

Jennifer Pryor is the graduate program director for the Department of Gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University. She also serves as the co-director for the NAB-accredited assisted living administration specialty area within the Master of Science in Gerontology program where she is an instructor, advisor, and supervisor to students who are in pursuit of their license as an assisted living administrator. At the undergraduate level, Jennifer serves as the Director of Service Learning for the Bachelor of Science in Health Services program in the College of Health Professions where she also teaches and works with students to develop their skills in healthcare management. Finally, at the national level,  Jennifer serves as the Vice Chair of the Education Committee with the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). To support her work in all of these roles, Jennifer maintains a valid Virginia License in Assisted Living Administration.

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. She 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. Jennifer's research and educational areas of interest include: 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; ageism and ableism in long-term care practice; and best practices in long-term care administration related to higher quality of life and higher quality of care for individuals living in these communities, especially as they relate to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Hollins University, MA in Psychology from the College of William and Mary, and MS in Gerontology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently working on her PhD in Health Services Organizations and Research from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Highlights

Invited member to the Vision 2025: University and Senior Housing and Care Symposium to discuss the advancement of the profession of long-term care administration and create a strategy for achieving the vision, 2019-2022

Participated as a regulatory advisory panel member for the Virginia Board of Long-Term Care Administrators to make recommendations regarding the Administrator-in-Training (AIT) process, 2019

Spearheaded the establishment of the Assisted Living Administration Specialty Area as part of the Master’s in Gerontology, 2016

Spearheaded the successful accreditation from the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards for the Masters in Gerontology with the Assisted Living Administration Specialty Area, 2016, 2021

Publications/projects

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.