Podcasts Education Changing Higher Ed A Win-Win Partnership for Universities and Older Adults: Engage Seniors, Enrich Your Community

A Win-Win Partnership for Universities and Older Adults: Engage Seniors, Enrich Your Community

Published: Feb. 27, 2024, 6:30 p.m.

This episode of Changing Higher Ed explores the win-win partnership between universities and organizations like The Oasis Institute, which is dedicated to lifelong learning and community engagement for older adults.\xa0

Host Drumm McNaughton interviews Paul Weiss, President of The Oasis Institute, about the benefits of engaging seniors in higher education, from enriching classrooms to fostering community connections.

\xa0

Key Points:

\xa0

  • The growing need for lifelong learning: As the population ages, universities face a crucial opportunity to cater to older adults seeking to continue learning and engage with their communities.

  • The Oasis Institute: A national non-profit promoting healthy aging through lifelong learning, health programs, and civic engagement, including an intergenerational literacy tutoring program.

  • Benefits for universities:

\xa7\xa0 Research opportunities: OASIS programs offer fertile ground for research across various disciplines.

\xa7\xa0 Enriched classrooms: Older adult learners bring unique perspectives and enthusiasm, fostering vibrant learning environments.

\xa7\xa0 Financial benefits: Engaging older adults, a significant philanthropic demographic, can lead to increased support and legacy gifts.

\xa7\xa0 Improved public perception: Universities demonstrate commitment to serving all age groups, strengthening community ties.

  • Strategies for success:

\xa7\xa0 Develop and share content: Collaborate with organizations like OASIS to fill curriculum gaps, benefiting both institutions and the community.

\xa7\xa0 Offer intergenerational learning: Explore tutoring programs or co-housing arrangements to create meaningful interactions between generations.

\xa7\xa0 License specialized curricula: Utilize expertise from organizations like OASIS to address the specific needs of older learners.

  • Beyond education: Universities can support older adults in various ways:

\xa7\xa0 Advocacy: Older adults can become powerful advocates for public funding if they feel connected to universities.

\xa7\xa0 Mentorship: Programs like OASIS's intergenerational tutoring demonstrate the potential for older adults to mentor youth, fostering community and support.

\xa0

\xa0

Three Key Takeaways for Higher Education Presidents and Boards:
  1. Acknowledge and embrace the role of universities in serving the entire community, including the aging population, to foster a more inclusive approach to education and engagement.

  2. Prepare for the demographic shift towards an older population, necessitating strategic adjustments in educational offerings and services to meet the needs of this growing demographic.

  3. Explore and invest in the field of older adult education as a ripe area for innovation and research, leveraging the university's resources to enhance the quality of life for seniors.
Final Thoughts

This episode underscores the significance of integrating seniors into the higher education ecosystem, highlighting the mutual benefits of such engagements. Weiss\u2019s leadership at The Oasis Institute exemplifies the potential for educational institutions to serve not just traditional student demographics but the broader community through innovative partnerships. For higher education leaders, the insights shared offer a compelling blueprint for fostering lifelong learning, enhancing civic engagement, and ultimately enriching the fabric of our communities.

Read the transcript or the extended show summary on our website \u2192

\xa0 About Our Podcast Guest

Paul Weiss came to The Oasis Institute in June 2017 to serve as the third President in the organization\u2019s 40-year history. Paul has spent his career helping mission-based nonprofit organizations exceed their strategic objectives, enabling them to help more people improve the quality of their lives. Originally from St. Louis, Paul holds a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Psychology from Washington University and has more than 20 years of experience in education, social enterprise leadership, program development, strategic planning, organizational growth, and team building.

Our Guests Social Link:\xa0Paul Weiss on LinkedIn

\xa0

About the Host

Dr. Drumm McNaughton, host of Changing Higher Ed\xae, is a consultant to higher education institutions in governance, accreditation, strategy and change, and mergers. To learn more about his services and other thought leadership pieces, visit his firm\u2019s website: https://changinghighered.com/.

The Change Leader\u2019s Social Media Links\xa0

#highereducation #changinghighered #higheredpodcast