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Gerontology

As a child, I was the cousin at the family reunion who refused to go out and play just to sit at the feet of the "elders" to listen in awe to their stories and wisdom.  In our transient society, a lack of intergenerational cohesion, and age segregation has created limited contact between the young and the old.  This in turn has relegated age groups to distinct spaces and lifestyles that do not support the human need for interconnectedness, particularly in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness and isolation that threatens health and well-being.  Bringing a sense of intergenerational belonging and purpose to all ages is a critical aspect of Gerontology that is beneficial to society as a whole.  This realization led me to pursue my Master's in Gerontology.  Additionally, I am interested in holistic foundations of aging, specifically older age as a vital stage of human development, and how Jungian philosophies of conscious aging can benefit continued growth and purpose into the elder years.  In this spirit, I became certified in Conscious Aging through Pacifica Graduate Institute in October, 2024, and facilitate community workshops on Conscious Aging (See images below).

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Gerontology Education

M.S. Gerontology 2012-2014

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In 2012, I went back to school to pursue an M.S. in Gerontology at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.  This career change was a fulfillment of a desire to make a difference in the lives of older adults, and explore ways to bring generations together.  During this time, I developed a High School service learning group ("iGeneration") that adopted older adults living in a memory care facility.  The students and residents took part in art, music, and social gatherings that formed unlikely but meaningful friendships. 

Entrepreneurial Pursuits in Gerontology

​At the end of my Master's program, I facilitated support groups for individuals and their loved ones with a recent dementia-related neurodegenrative disease diagnosis (Sticht Center on Aging, Wake Forest Medical Center).  The support groups included the "Early Journey Dementia" group, caregiver support groups, and "Brain Fitness" groups.   Out of the experience working with the support groups, I co-developed and piloted an online "virtual mind" platform called "My Memory Carebook."  This online experience enabled aging individuals, and those journeying through dementia to document their life story through stories, music, and video.  Please click here to watch an interview with a staff member and resident who participated in My Memory Carebook's pilot program.  

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In 2018, I moved to Tucson, AZ where in 2020 I began the journey toward my PhD in Social Psychology and Neuropsychology at the University of Arizona with the goal of teaching in Gero-Education.  Although I am still passionate about dementia education, my interests also include wisdom and aging research, developing intergenerational education opportunities, and rethinking pedagogy surrounding aging in university classrooms.  Please see the section, "Educator" for more information on my teaching philosophy, experience, and background.