Bio

Brenda Valdez Nava
Part-time Athletic Trainer/Assistant Softball Coach
Office: Sports Medicine Center - Boone Field

Brenda Valdez Nava joined the College of the Desert Sports Medicine team as an Athletic Trainer in the fall of 2017. Brenda is no stranger to the desert as she grew up in the Coachella Valley and attended Cathedral City High School. She was part of the Health and Environmental Academy of Learning (HEAL), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and a three-sport athlete in Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball. During her summers, she volunteered at Desert Regional Medical Center through various departments. In 2011, she graduated top 10 in her class, and represented California in HOSA Nationals with a Gold medal in Medical Photography and Writing. Brenda received the “Volunteer of the Year” award and a two-year scholarship from DRMC. She was awarded scholarships from the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership Pathways to Success and “Mexican American Dream” Council of Mexican Federations in North America (COFEM).

Brenda has been a part of the COD family since 2011 as a community college student. She was part of the Associated Students of College of the Desert and served as the Academic Affairs Officer and Student Representative for the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee for two years. Brenda played for COD Women’s Tennis team and interned for the Sports Medicine Center two years. She was also an active leader for the Alas Con Futuro Club in campus and in the CVEP Pathways to Success Leadership Team. In the spring of 2014, Brenda earned her Associate’s degree Summa Cum Laude in Kinesiology, along with her Fitness Specialist Certificate. She received a second CVEP Pathways to Success/COD Alumni Association and COFEM Scholarship, as well as the COD Alas Con Futuro Leadership Scholarship. Brenda was the Roadrunner Athletics “2014 Most Inspirational Female Athlete”, and was awarded with a Board of Trustees Certificate of Service Appreciation.

In the fall of 2014, Brenda transferred to California State University Fullerton and was accepted to the Titan Athletic Training Program. Brenda continued to be an active leader throughout the State, District and National Athletic Training Associations. She served two years as the Titan Student Representative at the California Athletic Trainer’s Association (CATA), one year in the Student Leadership Committee of the Far West Athletic Trainer’s Association (FWATA), and one year as the District 8 Representative in the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA) Student Leadership Committee. She continued to stay involved in the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership “Pathways to Success” Leadership Team for three years. While at CSUF, Brenda served as the co-founder and co-chair of the Titan Safe Sports School Award Community Outreach Project for two years through a CSUF Faculty Mentoring of Student Research and Creative Activities Grant (2015 – 2017).

In May 2017, Brenda earned her Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training and Health Science, Cum Laude. During her three years at California State University, Fullerton, Brenda received the CSUF “Abrego Future Scholar” and “Mexican Consulate Partnership” scholarships, as well as three CVEP Pathways to Success Scholarships. She was also awarded the FWATA “Gail Walddon” Scholarship, the NATA Foundation “District 8 William Chambers” Scholarship, and the NATA Foundation Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society (PHATS) “Blynn DeNiro” Memorial Scholarship.

Brenda has significant experience in Community College Athletics, her resume includes a National and State championship season with Fullerton College Football, Mt San Antonio College Football, Copper Mountain College Basketball and College of the Desert Athletics. At Division I Athletics, Brenda worked with Big West CSUF conference champions Men’s Soccer and Baseball, as well as Men’s Basketball and Track & Field. She has worked in other settings such as Walnut High School and CSUF Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation Center. Brenda was part of the Medical Staff for special events including: the CCCAA So-Cal Regional Wrestling Championship, NCAA Division I Baseball Regionals and Supers, Wooden Legacy Basketball, NCAA Big West Basketball Tournament, Easton Softball Classic, Sandstorm Lacrosse Championship Tournament, Mary Nutter Collegiate Softball Classic and ITA National Championships. She is currently also working with AVID Physical Therapy while serving in the FWATA Scholarships Committee.

Brenda is extremely excited to return home to the Coachella Valley and provide care for her COD community.

— Bio current as of May 2018