Program Area: Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education

Integrating Age Inclusivity with DEI Efforts on Age-Friendly University (AFU) Campuses

Chair(s)

• JM

  Joann Montepare, PhD, FGSA, FAGHE

  Professor of Psychology, Director Fuss Research Center
  Psychology
  Lasell University
  Newton, Massachusetts, United States

  Slides

Co-Chair(s)

• 

  Kimberly Farah, PhD

  Professor of Chemistry
  Chemistry
  Lasell University
  Newton, Massachusetts, United States

Discussant(s)

• 

  Peter Lichtenberg, PhD, FGSA

  Professor and Director
  Institute of Gerontology
  Wayne State University
  Detroit, Michigan, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

• LB

  Lauren Bowen, PhD

  Associate Professor of English
  English
  University of Massachusetts Boston
  Boston, Massachusetts, United States
• 

  Nancy Morrow-Howell, PhD

  Professor
  Social Work
  Washington University in St. Louis
  St. Louis, Missouri, United States
• 

  Carrie Andreoletti, PhD, FAGHE

  Professor and Assistant Chair, Psychological Science
  Psychological Science
  Central Connecticut State University
  New Britain, Connecticut, United States
• MG

  Marilyn Gugliucci, MA, PhD, FAGHE, FGA

  Professor
  Primary Care
  University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
  Biddeford, Maine, United States

The pioneering Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative, endorsed by GSA’s Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), calls for institutions of higher education to respond to shifting demographics and the needs of age-diverse, older populations through more age-friendly programs, practices, and partnerships. Over 85 institutions in the United States, Canada, European countries, and beyond have joined the global network and endorsed the 10 AFU principles, with even more showing interest in becoming partners in the movement. One key foundational area identified by AFU research efforts and partners is integrating age inclusivity with ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts on campuses. This symposium explores the need for this integration featuring AFU partners who will offer their observations and recommendations. Bowen and colleagues will open the session with data from their national study of age-friendliness in U.S. institutions to describe their insights regarding the state of age diversity on campuses and the experiences of students, faculty, and staff that call for greater age inclusivity. Morrow-Howell and colleagues will present data from interviews with DEI officers that identify institutional considerations for inclusion efforts. Andreoletti and colleagues will offer specific curricular and related strategies for connecting age-inclusivity efforts with DEI campus efforts. Gugliucci will discuss considerations regarding age-inclusive images and messages in health professions education including the inclusion of identifiable DEI objectives in syllabi. As discussant, GSA president Lichtenberg will comment on age-inclusivity efforts in higher education within GSA’s broader commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Presentations:

• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

  Making the Case for Age Inclusivity in Higher Education
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Lauren M. Bowen, PhD – University of Massachusetts Boston
• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

  Age as a Diversity Factor in Higher Education: Insights from DEI Officers
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Nancy Morrow-Howell, PhD – Washington University in St. Louis
• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

  Strategies for Connecting Age Inclusivity to DEI Efforts: A Campus Case Study
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Carrie Andreoletti, PhD, FAGHE – Central Connecticut State University
• 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

  Age-Friendly Messages and Images: A View from Health Professions Education
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Marilyn R. Gugliucci, MA, PhD, FAGHE, FGA – University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine