About

AgeAlive is a recently established program within Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. We seek to leverage and expand MSU’s assets related to aging, including research, education, training, service and outreach spanning all disciplines across all MSU units that are addressing major aging issues. AgeAlive will establish, coordinate, and showcase a cohesive aging network that benefits all affiliates including students and community engaged partners, promotes holistic well-being throughout the lifespan, and is widely known and respected.

  • Join all other Big10 and the majority of AAU Universities by establishing a cohesive, respected initiative focused on major aging issues through research, education, training, service and outreach.
  • Establish a strong network of Affiliates that cross all status and sector boundaries to promote maximum inclusivity, diversity, and interdisciplinary/intergenerational aging-related research, service and educational opportunities.
  • Enhance faculty and partner portfolios through identifying and affiliating with a clearly defined aging entity with access to a network of leaders, scholars, potential collaborators in all fields, and community members.
  • Engage in active university-community partnerships to create environments that recognize and support a rich quality of life throughout the lifespan.
  • Promote a holistic view of health, well-being, and quality of life that recognizes and supports the value of meaning, purpose, and the arts and humanities.
  • Be a force for changing an anti-aging culture and promoting a positive “agescape” that values and respects persons of all ages.

Why is this important?

The U.S. population is rapidly aging which has wide-ranging impacts on all of us including MSU faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, and students. It provides an opportunity to engage in making a positive difference at individual, community, and global levels. AgeAlive will directly impact MSU’s local, national, and global influence and reputation, particularly for eldercare workforce and healthcare quality, outcomes, policy and cost issues and the socio-cultural agescape. Such a program will lead to new collaborations that will ultimately increase external research funding and position MSU for NIH Center funding. It will also attract major donors and foundation funding in support of a wide array of programming.

​Clare Luz, PhD, was appointed Director in December, 2017. She is a nationally recognized gerontologist with extensive clinical and research experience in the aging field, particularly related to the eldercare workforce and the intersection of the arts, humanities, and health. The AgeAlive Advisory Board is comprised of MSU faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, and community members.

Vision

A world in which there is respect, wellbeing and quality of life for all people of all ages and abilities

Mission

Position MSU as a premier leader in the field of aging by serving as the university’s hub for advancing, connecting, and leveraging aging related research, education and community engagement