Wayne State University has been designated as an Age-Friendly University (AFU), yet another important step toward ensuring that opportunity remains equitable campus-wide. The Age-Friendly University Global network is an innovative consortium dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education and confirms that combating ageism is an important dimension of that strategy.

Wayne State Age-Friendly University Fact Sheet

Wayne State Accessibility Training – The Office of Marketing and Communication's Virtual Accessibility Training offers a variety of self-paced trainings related to accessibility. Annual training is required for University staff (e.g. administrators, faculty, support staff, student employees) responsible for creating or distributing information used to conduct core University business with online content to students, employees, guests, and visitors with disabilities.

Questions regarding the Age-Friendly University initiative? Contact WSU Age-Friendly University committee co-chairs:

WSU age-friendly programming and resources

Age-friendly initiatives

Fill out this brief survey to let us know what your WSU unit is currently doing to promote age inclusivity.

Adult Learners

WSU offers an Adult Learner success team to guide older adults through special programs and campus resources that assist new and returning learners.

Institute of Gerontology

The Institute of Gerontology (IOG) has established itself as a leader in gerontology focused on research, advanced pre- and post-doctoral student training, community outreach, and continuing education.

School of Social Work Gerontology Certificate

The Gerontology Certificate is 12 credit multi-disciplinary program designed to prepare graduate students, individual practitioners, and professionals to work in the field of aging in a variety of settings.

Gaining Momentum toolkit

Language around age matters. Developed by the FrameWorks Institute this resource offers materials to build framing concepts and skills to advance aging and combat ageism.

Tools to advance age inclusivity in higher education

A guide to help cultivate thriving age-inclusive environments. Created by the Gerontological Society of America, Academy for Gerontology with support from AARP.

WSU Age-friendly University Steering Committee

Boris Baltes, PhD
Senior Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Associate Vice President of Academic Personnel

Alex Boesch, MEd
Intercultural Training Director, VP Academic Affairs

Scott Bowen, PhD
Chair, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Deborah Charbonneau, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Information Sciences   

Mariane Fahlman, PhD
Professor, Kinesiology Health and Sports Studies

Faith Hopp, PhD, Co-chair
Associate Professor, School of Social Work

Thomas B. Jankowski, PhD, Co-chair
Associate Director for Research, Institute of Gerontology & Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute

Loraleigh Keashly, PhD
Associate Dean for Curriculum and Student Affairs, College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts

Carrie Leach, PhD
Assistant Professor (Research), Institute of Gerontology

Peter A. Lichtenberg, PhD
Director, Institute of Gerontology & Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute

Charles Manke, PhD
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, College of Engineering

Arthur F. Marotti, PhD
Director, Emeritus Academy

Cynthera McNeill, DNP
Director, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program

Annessa Morely
Sr. Director, Alumni Relations, Executive Director of the Alumni Association

Karen Mourtzikos, MD
Associate Vice President of Wayne State University Health Affairs, School of Medicine

Kevin Rashid
Academic Services Officer, Irvin D. Reid Honors College
        
Stella Resko, PhD
Associate Professor, Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute and the School of Social Work

Thomas Walker, PhD
Associate Dean, School of Information Sciences

Jane Warkentin
Clinical Programs Manager, Dean's Office, Law School

Tamarie Willis
Project Manager, Center for Behavioral Health and Justice     
    
Margaret Winters, PhD
Vice Chair of the Board of SOAR (Society of Active Retirees)