Gerontology certificate program at UMass Boston honored

BOSTON - Feb. 19, 2014 - PRLog -- The Frank J. Manning Certificate in Gerontology at UMass Boston, has for the second consecutive time since 2009, been honored with the designation of Program of Merit by the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) and will be recognized at AGHE’s 40^th Annual Educational Leadership Conference, Feb. 27-Mar. 2 in Denver, CO.

The Frank J. Manning Certificate in Gerontology, based in the College of Public and Community Service at UMass Boston, is one of 14 programs nationwide and one of only two undergraduate certificates to receive this honor.  The Program of Merit designation was bestowed in recognition of the demonstration of the highest levels of performance in terms of curriculum development, faculty productivity, student outcomes and strong linkages to the community.

“This program is unique among many institutions of higher education. This is one of the first programs of this type to leverage online learning as an effective modality for reaching a wide audience,” says Philip DiSalvio, Dean of the College of Advancing and Professional Studies, the college that administers the program at UMass Boston.

“The program which is now in its third decade, numbers more than 1,000 alumni,” says Nina Silverstein, the program director of undergraduate gerontology at UMass Boston and recipient of the AGHE 2014 Hiram J Friedsman Mentorship Award.

“Our committed faculty and passionate students of all ages are ensuring the highest quality of life for our ever-growing aging population,” Silverstein says.
“Whether in a classroom, online, in applied research or working in the field, the Manning Certificate is continuing to make a difference to the more than 1.3 million older adults that call Massachusetts their home.”