Students gain real-world transferable skills and experiences
March 2025 – Students in Drew University’s upper-level psychology course Embracing Later Life are working with local senior living residents in a mutually-beneficial partnership.
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Credit: Juniper Village
The class visits Chatham’s Juniper Village weekly and are able to put into practice what they learn about successful aging.
“Juniper enables students to engage with the elderly in a way that forms an intergenerational bond,” said Anaiah Perry C’26, a sociology major and women & gender studies minor. “The experience has opened my eyes.”
“Intergenerational experiences are invaluable,” added Professor of Psychology Patrick Dolan, who teaches the course. “The residents get to hear about life and perspectives of college students, while also having the opportunity to share their wisdom and experiences. The residents feel seen and valued and have a sense of accomplishment, all vital to successful aging.”
The students interact with residents by creating legacy projects and participating in clubs focused on everything from social media to charity to baking.
“My experience working with Juniper Village has been nothing short of incredibly positive,” said Bella Lyons C’25, a psychology major and Italian and neuroscience minor. “When I heard about this course, I knew it would be a perfect fit for me, especially right before graduating. Now I can take these lessons with me beyond the classroom and apply them to my career and personal life.”
In addition to the academic and social value of working with seniors, students also get hands-on experience in a potential career path in gerontology, a growing area of psychology. While gaining this experience, they develop transferable skills, participating in a professional environment with a schedule and expectations, working with Juniper administration, and learning how to improvise.
“From day one, we have had a mantra for the course that is good for them in any job they’ll have: take ownership, be creative, show initiative, develop leadership skills, and be flexible,” said Dolan.
