Program Overview

Human Development and Family Science Faculty Publications

The University of Rhode Island (URI) Engaging Generations Cyber-Seniors Program has provided over 500 students from 19 different majors with the opportunity to mentor older adults through internships and service learning courses.

Program Overview

• The program integrates a three-pronged approach where students complete field hours,
  • enhance the Career Readiness Competencies employers seek in graduates as determined by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE),
  • and complete the components necessary to earn the Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center Interprofessional Teamwork in Geriatrics and Gerontology Certificate.

Program Details

Key Elements

The program focuses on building age and digital inclusivity across campus and throughout the state.

Student Experience

• Survey data related to the student experience is presented in the paper "Beyond the Classroom: An Internship Model That Builds Age-Friendliness & Career Readiness."
• The paper describes the key elements of this internship model.

Publication Information

Publication Title

Journal of Intergenerational Relationships

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Souza, K., Leedahl, S. N., Pascuzzi, E., & Morelli, A. (2024). Beyond the Classroom: An Internship Model That Builds Age-Friendliness & Career Readiness. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships , 111.

Department

Human Development and Family Science

Date of Original Version

2024

Authors

• Kristin Souza , University of Rhode Island
• Skye N. Leedahl , University of Rhode Island
• Emma Pascuzzi , University of Rhode Island
• Alexandra Morelli , University of Rhode Island

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Since 2015, the University of Rhode Island (URI) Engaging Generations Cyber-Seniors Program has provided over 500 students from 19 different majors with the opportunity to mentor older adults through internships and service learning courses. Due to the pandemic, interest in the program significantly increased from the community and from students in need of opportunities to work with individuals. As a result, a robust internship program was developed that focused on building age and digital inclusivity across campus and throughout the state. The program integrates a three-pronged approach where students complete field hours, enhance the Career Readiness Competencies employers seek in graduates as determined by the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), and complete the components necessary to earn the Rhode Island Geriatric Education Center Interprofessional Teamwork in Geriatrics and Gerontology Certificate. This paper will describe the key elements of this internship model and present survey data related to the student experience.