4:30-5:30 p.m

143-F. Embracing Students as Future Leaders in Aging Services

The field of aging services faces a pressing challenge: finding innovative strategies to recruit and retain employees to meet the projected demand of 20 million caregiving positions by 2040. Fresh approaches are essential to tackle this critical need. This session will present a solution that includes actively recruiting from colleges and universities that offer aging services and gerontology programs. Representatives from Metropolitan State University of Denver will demonstrate how to stay ahead of the recruitment curve by creating entry-level job opportunities, volunteer experiences, intergenerational learning moments, and internships to attract college graduates to the field. Attendees will hear from current students, alumni, and faculty and leave with practical strategies for collaborating with educational institutions to address the workforce shortage.

• Amy Dore, Professor & Program Director, Aging Services Leadership, Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Jessica Flores-Faisal, Student, Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Jackie Schwartz, Student, Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Nikia Tucker, Student, Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Kris Geerken, Adjunct Instructor, Metropolitan State University of Denver