Scholars (2023-2024)

Age-Friendly Scholars are the next generation of leaders passionate about aging issues and the global age-friendly movement, creating a more welcoming and inclusive region for all ages.

Age-Friendly Scholars are local undergraduate and graduate students across disciplines who are learning how to apply age-friendly concepts to their careers. Students in this two-semester program attend group learning sessions, network with community partners and contribute to ongoing Age-Friendly projects.

The first class (2023-2024) included nine students in fields such as information systems, public health and engineering at four local colleges: Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh and Penn State Greater Allegheny).

Kenya Brown, 28

Carlow University

MSW and MBA

"I'm excited about getting older for the wisdom I will gain and the people I will make meaningful relationships with."

What can younger people do to counter ageism? Actively seek opportunities to engage with and learn from people of all ages. You can learn just as much from someone younger, older and even the same age as you.

What makes this region a good place to grow up and grow old? There are many advocates here who understand how the intersectionality between aging and other identity factors impacts individuals in our community and are working to create a more inclusive environment for all.
Ashawnti Buckner, 21

University of Pittsburgh

BA, Health Services Management

"'Age-friendly' means appreciating older adults as the fully fledged human beings they are."

What older adults have had an impact on your life? My grandparents. It’s amazing to me how they started family with no resources, no high school education and at the height of the Civil Rights movement. They laid such a strong foundation for me to obtain my education.

What excites you about getting older? I am learning to equate aging with experience. As I grow older I am excited to flourish in my career and impact as many people as I can. I know I have room to grow as a person and that will come with lived experience.
Kenna Campbell, 20

University of Pittsburgh

BS, Publich Health

"'Age-friendly' means valuing people of all ages and meeting their needs."

What older adults have had an impact on your life? From an early age, my grandpa impressed upon me the importance of traveling and exploring different perspectives and backgrounds. He instilled in me an early appreciation for the complexity of the world and people.

What excites you about getting older? Reflecting on your past experiences is a large part of getting older. The older I get, the more opportunities I have to get to know myself.
Justin Lam, 21

Carnegie Mellon University

BS, Biomedical Engineering

BS, Chemical Engineering

"Growing older represents the promise of discovering something new about myself or the world around me."

What does "age-friendly" mean to you? Age-friendly means creating an environment that respects the needs of people of all ages. Being “age-friendly” includes the built environment and the environment created by the spoken word.

What excites you about getting older? As I age, I hope to continue to find new ways to satisfy my curiosity. Every day, I wake up excited because there is an endless horizon of opportunities to embrace new experiences, explore new places and deepen current relationships.
Melina Martin, 29

University of Pittsburgh

MPH, Behavioral and Community Health Sciences

"Growing older means more time to spend with the people I love, doing the things I love."

What does “age-friendly” mean to you? To me, "age-friendly" means a place where everyone belongs.

What can younger people do to counter ageism? Expand your community. When you meet and get to know people of a range of ages, it's easier to see people as individuals, not stereotypes.
Annika Santhanam, 18

Carnegie Mellon University

BS, Information Systems

"'Age-friendly' means promoting inclusivity among all age groups!"

What older adults have had an impact on your life? My teachers have been kind and compassionate and have given me a lot of advice about my career and personal topics. They have helped me understand the value of hearing about and learning from older adults’ experiences.

What can younger people do to counter ageism? Countering ageism starts with being aware of it. Having conversations about age, aging and our own internalized stereotypes on aging can help us identify and counter ageism in our personal lives and spread the impact to counter ageism as a community!
Piper Toto, 22

University of Pittsburgh

BS, Mechanical Engineering

"We are so lucky to age. I can't wait to see more of the world, meet new people and learn new things."

What older adults have had an impact on your life? My grandfather worked in the steel mills and I think of him every time I drive through Homestead, watch the Steelers or see the bridges lit up at night. When I think of Pittsburgh I think of family, and how even when they're gone I will still feel them when I look out at the skyline from my roof in South Oakland.

What can younger people do to counter ageism? Communicate. I have plenty of friends who feel lonely, confused or like they're experiencing something nobody could understand, but we fail to turn to the generation who has lived through similar things. We can teach each other, understand each other and love each other more if we are just willing to try.
Caroline Watson, 24

University of Pittsburgh

OTD, Occupational Therapy

"'Age-friendly' means a place where people of all ages can thrive."

What older adults have had an impact on your life? My patients have shown me that it is important to be resilient and live life to the fullest because you never know what obstacles life will challenge you with and tomorrow is never guaranteed.

How can younger people counter ageism? Let’s start by rejecting the narrative that aging is bad. Younger people need to be taught from a young age that we are aging every day and it is OK to embrace what might come with aging.
Eva Wilstermann-Luna, 21

Penn State Greater Allegheny

BS, Biobehavioral Health

"Aging is a journey of self-discovery and personal fulfillment."

What does “age-friendly” mean to you? It embodies a societal ethos where opportunities and resources are inclusive, a shift towards an environment where individuals of all ages are empowered, respected and afforded equitable access to services and spaces.

What can younger people do to counter ageism? Younger people can counter ageism by educating themselves about it, challenging stereotypes, fostering intergenerational connections, amplifying the voices of older adults and leading by example.