Age-Friendly University

Penn State has been recognized as an Age-Friendly University (AFU) by the Age-Friendly University Global Network (AFU GN).

Penn State is part of a group of higher education institutions committed to promoting and supporting an inclusive approach to healthy and active aging. As one of only two universities in Pennsylvania to hold the AFU designation, Penn State promotes age-friendly policies, research, services, and initiatives that support the well-being and contributions of individuals across all ages.

The Ten Principles of an Age-Friendly University set a framework for higher education institutions to embrace age-friendly practices. Penn State has demonstrated ongoing efforts across colleges, campuses, departments, centers, and institutes toward these principles.

To encourage the participation of older adults in all the core activities of the University, including educational and research programs.
To promote personal and career development in the second half of life and to support those who wish to pursue second careers.
To recognize the range of educational needs of older adults (from those who were early school-leavers through to those who wish to pursue Master’s or Ph.D. qualifications).
To promote intergenerational learning in order to facilitate the reciprocal sharing of expertise between learners of all ages.
To widen access to online educational opportunities for older adults to ensure a diversity of routes to participation.
To ensure that the university’s research agenda is informed by the needs of an aging society and to promote public discourse on how higher education can better respond to the varied interests and needs of older adults.
To increase the understanding of students of the longevity dividend and the increasing complexity and richness that aging brings to our society.
To enhance access for older adults to the university’s range of health and wellness programs and its arts and cultural activities.
To engage actively with the university’s own retired community.
To ensure regular dialogue with organizations representing the interests of the aging population.

The Age-Friendly University principles closely reflect our vision and mission as a land-grant university committed to providing education, success, and lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life.

—Neeli Bendapudi, Penn State President

University-Wide Collaboration and Commitment

Penn State’s AFU designation applies to all campuses and colleges, representing the University as a whole. As such, a task force established to secure AFU status and ensure ongoing commitment to the AFU Principles reflects holistic membership across Penn State.

Harrisburg Community Advisory Board members and Penn State faculty and staff at the December 2024 meeting. — Harrisburg Community Advisory Board members and Penn State faculty and staff at the Center for Health Aging December 2024 meeting.

Brynn Rousselin, Executive Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Amy Lorek, Assistant Director, Engagement & Learning, Center for Healthy Aging
Janice Whitaker, CGNE Administrator, Education Program Manager, Tressa Nese and Helen Diskevich Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence

College of Agricultural Sciences – Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education
College of Arts and Architecture – Center for the Performing Arts
College of Health and Human Development – Department of Human Development and Family Studies
College of Medicine – Division of Geriatric Medicine
Eberly College of Science
Human Resources
Intercollegiate Athletics
Office of the Physical Plant
Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses
Office of the Vice President for Educational Equity
Office of the Vice President for Research
OLLI at Penn State
Penn State Alumni Association
Penn State Extension
Penn State Outreach – Office of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity
Penn State Sustainability
Penn State World Campus
Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing – Tressa Nese and Helen Diskevich Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
Strategic Communications
University Faculty/Staff Retiree Club

Alignment with Penn State’s Goals

The activities and initiatives completed to receive the AFU designation, as well as the ongoing work to retain the status, align across multiple goals on Penn State’s roadmap to transform the educational experience for our students, cultivate a welcoming community where everyone feels proud to be a Penn Stater, embolden our world-class research, champion health care, and deliver on the promise of our land-grant mission.

Growing (Inter)disciplinary Research Excellence

Penn State will leverage the breadth and depth of its scholarship and expertise to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the Commonwealth, nation, and world.

Increasing Land-Grant Impact

Penn State will be a key contributor to the economic development, innovation environment, workforce growth, and overall vitality of the Commonwealth.

Transforming Health Care Through Academic and Clinical Synergy

Through our unified academic health system, we will drive advancements in state-of-the-art patient care, public health initiatives, medical education, and research to serve our region, the Commonwealth, and society in unparalleled ways.

Penn State’s Ongoing Commitment to the AFU Principles

As part of the AFU commitment, member universities must identify two or more Principles for continuous improvement between initial designation and the renewal period in 2029. The task force has elected to focus efforts on:

Principle 6: Address the Needs of an Aging Society

To ensure that the university’s research agenda is informed by the needs of an aging society and to promote public discourse on how higher education can better respond to the varied interests and needs of older adults.

Principle 8: Enhance Access for Older Adults

To enhance access for older adults to the university’s range of health and wellness programs and its arts and cultural activities.

Connect with the AFU Team

To connect with an AFU task force member, share your ideas for amplifying or being involved with Penn State’s AFU activities, or learn more about the designation, complete this short interest form.

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