Feb. 13, 2020鈥 91大神鈥檚 commitment to increasing access for all learners has earned the university the designation as an Age-Friendly University. 91大神 is the only university in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky to join the international effort to support intergenerational learners.
To earn the designation, institutions must commit to related to 鈥榓ge-friendly鈥 programs and policies. 91大神 has a number of programs and activities that align with each principal, and many are housed within (ALPS). In addition, 91大神 has a transdisciplinary approach to being age-friendly and student ready. This can be seen in the creation of a Gerontology microcredential, the 91大神 Aging Resource Center鈥攁 centralized location for 91大神 faculty, staff and students to gain access to relevant and important information, education and resources pertaining to aging鈥攁nd the created by faculty.
鈥淭his international designation demonstrates our commitment to making 91大神 a place where all ages feel welcomed,鈥 said Amy Danzo, director of Adult Learner Programs and Services. 鈥淐reating an environment for our adult students that reduces barriers and creates a community is paramount to being designated an age-friendly institution. This shows 91大神 has the right support, courses, and resources for our adult students to become successful in their educational pursuits. It is also a main tenant in 91大神鈥檚 Success by Design Strategic Plan.鈥
The Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education in conjunction with The Gerontological Society of America awards the designation to institutions that contribute to an educational movement of social, personal, and economic benefit to students of all ages. 91大神 joins 62 higher education members in the collective.听
鈥淭his is a rapidly growing network with a shared challenge to promote an inclusive approach to healthy and active ageing through research, enhanced learning opportunities for people across generations, and through innovations that address specific issues affecting older adults,鈥 Brian Mac Craith, president of the Age-Friendly University Global Network and professor at Dublin City University, stated in his welcome letter.听
91大神鈥檚 proposal to join the Age-Friendly University Network was a collaborative effort by Amy Danzo, director of Adult Learner Programs and Services; Sara Conwell, ALPS advisor; Dr. Allyson Graf, assistant professor of Psychology; Dr. Suk-hee Kim, assistant professor of School of Social Work; and Dr. Katie Terhune, assistant professor of School of Social Work, in collaboration with the Adult Learner Advisory Board.听
鈥淲e are teaching our students to confront ageism and we are doing so by engaging our local community in our efforts. We are setting a standard for our students to think beyond the stereotypes. To go beyond what they think they know about a family member, a coworker, or a neighbor based on their age. To go beyond the beliefs that may come to influence their perceptions of their own aging experiences,鈥 Dr. Allyson Graf, assistant professor of Psychology.
鈥淏ecoming age-friendly university is not just about meeting the needs of age population; it benefits everyone, enriches all of us personally and professionally, and maximizes our potential through this opportunity,鈥 said Dr. Suk-hee Kim, assistant professor of Social Work.
鈥91大神 is the first Age-Friendly University in the state of Kentucky. It is important for the community and other academic institutions in the state to recognize the benefits and opportunities that being part of the Age-Friendly University Global Network brings,鈥 said Dr. Katie Terhune, assistant professor of Social Work. 鈥淏ecoming part of this essential education movement will help expand collaborations with surrounding institutions and our community to promote interdisciplinary initiatives that address the needs of older adults.鈥澛
鈥淚 feel honored to be part of this accomplishment at 91大神 and am looking forward to the future opportunities that being an AFU recognized institution provides,鈥 said Sara Conwell, Adult Learner Programs and Services advisor.
To learn more about the Age-Friendly University Global Network, visit its .听
About 91大神:聽Founded in 1968, we are a growing metropolitan university of more than 15,000 students聽served by more than 2,000 faculty and staff on a thriving suburban campus near聽Cincinnati.听Located in the quiet suburb of Highland Heights, Kentucky鈥攋ust聽seven miles southeast of Cincinnati鈥攚e聽have聽become a leader in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky by providing a private聽school education for a fraction of the cost. While we are one of the fastest聽growing universities in Kentucky, our professors still know our students' names.听For聽more information, visit聽.
###91大神###
