Michigan State University’s Digital Companions program was launched on Friday, September 11 at the East Lansing Public Library, bringing MSU students and older adults together to build digital skills, relationships and intergenerational connections. The 6-week series, which starts the first week of October at seven locations around the Greater Lansing area, pairs MSU students […]
For Zhenmei Zhang, Ph.D., aging is about much more than what happens after someone turns 65. The Michigan State University professor studies how family relationships, social connections and health across the life course can influence how people experience aging, including their risk of dementia later in life. “I think one of the misconceptions is that […]
Community members gathered at the MSU Museum on Friday, July 17, for an MSU AgeAlive Town & Gown session that transformed scientific data into an immersive learning experience through Science on a Sphere. Hosted through a partnership between the MSU Museum and several MSU and community organizations, this was the first Town & Gown session […]
When people think about learning at Michigan State University, they often imagine lecture halls and classrooms. This month, however, the Town & Gown Series is offering community members a chance to experience something much more immersive. On Friday, July 17, community members can participate in a special Town & Gown session featuring Science on a […]
A new Michigan State University initiative is using technology to connect older adults one-on-one with college students and other community members to enhance digital literacy – and in the process is creating opportunities for “connection” between people. The project is made possible through funding from AARP to the Virtual Connections program in the MSU School […]
At Michigan State University, Artist-in-Residence Zahrah Resh is building something that looks delicate at first glance—paper butterflies, garden installations, quiet creative spaces—but carries the weight of illness, grief, healing, and human connection. Her work with AgeAlive and IMPART Alliance did not begin as a formal university role. Instead, it started as a personal project that slowly grew into a community-centered practice built around one […]
As a program assistant for AgeAlive, Erin Filipich helps organize leadership council meetings, support community partnerships and keep programming running smoothly. While much of her work happens behind the scenes, she says every task plays a role in a bigger goal: creating meaningful connections across generations and building a stronger community around aging. For Filipich, AgeAlive is about more than just events. She […]
AgeAlive has been honored with a Program of Merit designation by Generations United for the second consecutive year in recognition of its efforts to foster meaningful intergenerational connections. This designation highlights the effectiveness of AgeAlive’s diverse programming in bringing together younger and older adults to share experiences, knowledge and support. Generations United defines intergenerational programs […]
A recent MSU AgeAlive Town & Gown session at Michigan State University brought together students, physicians, and community members to discuss how to better care for people experiencing homelessness. The program, Spartan Street Medicine, focused on a simple but powerful idea: bringing health care directly to people who cannot easily get to clinics or hospitals. […]
Students and older adults filled the room at the East Lansing Public Library on March 31, 2026, for the Generations Connect Spring Fling. The event, coordinated by Michigan State University students as part of the MSU AgeAlive Generations Connect program, brought together people of different ages for a night of crafts, food and conversation. The Spring Fling is one of the […]
