Official Site of College of the Desert Athletics

Bio

Brenda Valdez Nava
Athletic Trainer
Office: Sports Medicine Center - Boone Field

Brenda is no stranger to the desert as she grew up in the Coachella Valley and has been a part of the COD family since 2011 as a student athlete. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree and board certification in 2017, Brenda returned home to join the College of the Desert Sports Medicine team as an Athletic Trainer and provide quality health care for her community.

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. While at COD, Brenda played Tennis and interned for the Sports Medicine Center. She was also an active leader for the Alas Con Futuro Club on campus and One Future 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 two COD Alumni Association scholarships, 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 in various capacities: the Titan Student Representative at the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA), the Student Leadership Committee of the Far West Athletic Trainers’ Association (FWATA), and the District 8 Representative in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Student Leadership Committee. 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 “Abrego Future Scholar” and “Mexican Consulate Partnership” scholarships, as well as three Coachella Valley Economic Partnership "One Future" 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 CSUF Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation Center and local Movement for Life Physical Therapy. Brenda is also an Industrial Sports Medicine expert and provides services for Costco Warehouse employees in the Coachella Valley. She currently serves as the FWATA Scholarships Committee Chair representing the states of California, Nevada, Hawaii, American Samoa & Guam.

— Bio current as of July 2022