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My term as the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) has come to an end. It has been a very rewarding 11 years and I feel confident that the journal is in good shape when I hand over the reins to the highly capabl...

For several decades, the history of interdisciplinary education and the development of AGHE initiatives have been closely linked. The need to educate colleagues on methods and benefits of interdisciplinary/ interprofessional cooperation toward service and research of aging has never waned. In this presentation we (a) highlight how AGHE has performed as a potent incubator for progress in this area and (b) use a few examples to illustrate how notable resulting efforts have improved geriatric care. For example, early and significant infusion of federal funds for gerontology training programs supported multi-disciplinary university-based centers, the Veterans Health Administration created interprofessional geriatric training programs, foundations such as John A. Hartford and Josiah Macy founded team training and interprofessional education programs, and the Health Resources and Services Administration funded Geriatric Education Centers and Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs. Efforts to advance interdisciplinary/interprofessional education have been fruitful and AGHE’s role as an incubator continues to evolve.

A telehealth program supports meaningful partnerships between urban geriatric specialists and rural health care providers to facilitate increased access to specialty care.

The AGHE Symposium will highlight the many ways that education has advanced interdisciplinary work, innovative programs, intergenerational services and community engagement in the field of aging over the last decades. Presenters will reflect on how these educational modalities can inform the future of gerontology education. Educators have innovated over decades to develop a field characterized by a diversity of programs, including internships, applied learning experiences in research, policy and practice, and leadership. The history of AGHE and interdisciplinary education are linked, with AGHE serving as an incubator for the advancement of change in this area. Over the course of the last five decades, funding from federal and foundation initiatives have resulted in multi-disciplinary university based centers, interprofessional team training programs, and workforce development initiatives. These efforts have improved the health and well-being of older adults and contributed to the development of new collaborative care systems. AGHE members have also long been involved in intergenerational teaching and learning strategies, including service-learning and community activities. Intergenerational work in the field of aging has helped to shape the Age-Friendly University initiative which calls for colleges and universities to promote intergenerational learning through reciprocal sharing of expertise among learners of all ages. Finally, the AGHE community has long promoted engaged learning with opportunities for students to interact with community partners through programs such as community-based research and clinical experiences and local policy efforts. The ideas presented in the symposium will lead to reflection on how AGHE can expand its value as GSA’s educational arm.

GSA COVID-19 Task Force members collaborated with AGHE to develop multiple teaching briefs and biblio briefs on various topics to support faculty who had to adjust to online teaching quickly. Task Force members will review those documents, as well as the AGHE listening session to identify where educators and students need additional support.

The AGHE Presidential Symposium, related to the theme of the annual scientific meeting, underscores the importance of networks, collaborations and partnerships in advancing education in gerontology and geriatrics. AGHE has been at the forefront of many innovative programs since it was founded in 1974, contributing to the growth of the field and the recognition of education as one pillar of the field of gerontology and geriatrics, along with research, policy and practice. This symposium highlights three ongoing initiatives that promote connections and collaborations. The first paper discusses the Age-Friendly University (AFU) network which is made of institutions around the globe who have committed themselves to becoming more age-friendly in their programs and policies. AGHE endorses the AFU principles and invites its members and affiliates to call upon their institutions become part of this pioneering initiative. The AFU initiative is one of several international activities that AGHE, global leaders in education on aging, has engaged in. The second paper describes international networking activities such as collaborations with international organizations including the World Health Organization and connecting international and US students. In the third paper, initiatives to connect disciplines and professions through competency-based education and curricula are discussed. For instance, the Gerontology Competencies for Undergraduate and Graduate Education and the Program of Merit promote competency-based gerontology education across disciplines and professions.

The innovative 5013c accreditation body, Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council (AGEC), is the first of its kind with its global purview of gerontology programs. The purpose of AGEC is to serve as an accrediting entity for bachelors and masters programs, both nationally and internationally. AGEC uses competencies involving skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to educate a prepared workforce in the gerontological field. While this is a critical function, how is receiving an AGEC accreditation perceived by academic institutions? This paper will discuss survey results examining perspectives from both students and administrators. The survey examining attributes of institutions which influence student attendance decisions involved a sampling of graduate students and administrators from the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) member institution directory. The discussion of results will highlight the perceived benefits and value-added to degree programs attaining an AGEC accreditation.