Generations Connect

​Generations Connect, formerly Senior Ambassadors Program, launched in September 2020 as an initiative led by MSU’s AgeAlive and involving a wonderful collaboration with East Lansing’s Prime Time Seniors Program, East Lansing’s senior center, and the Social Science Scholars Program, a selective academic initiative at MSU which recruits small cohorts of able and socially conscious students. A shared commitment to enhancing the quality of community life for Greater Lansing seniors led these three organizations come to together. The dedication and professional expertise of AgeAlive and Prime Team was combined with the excellence, passion, and kindness of a remarkable group of MSU undergraduates in order to create the Generation’s Connect befriending initiative and the Town & Gown lecture and discussion series. Both are entirely free.

The befriending initiative reflects the fact that seniors and undergraduates stand to gain by forging authentic relationships, currently over Zoom. By enjoying their interactions with these special students, seniors benefit in terms of having another opportunity for simple enjoyment and the kind of regular, meaningful social connection which is known to enhance psychological and physical wellbeing. The students themselves benefit equally from having the chance to make a new friend, from putting their academic commitments and pressures to one side, from gaining advice from a senior with more life experience, and from learning about times quite different from their own. These are win-win, mutually rewarding friendships and we are excited to see the program grow.

Town and Gown is another intergenerational initiative which has been designed for the enjoyment of seniors and students who desire more intellectual engagement. Every week a new speaker, usually an MSU faculty member, presents on their research to an audience via Zoom and then answers questions from participants. Topics have ranged from climate change, the effects of social media and mental health to medieval history, the science of policing, and income disparities in Michigan. We have also enjoyed the company of MSU musicians and the reflections of the CIA’s station chief in Moscow during the 1980s. All of these sessions have been moderated by undergraduates in the Social Science Scholars Program and the Town and Gown now has an enthusiastic local following.

Apply to be matched with a senior host or a student ambassador through ​Generations Connect

Please complete the following questions to register for Generations Connect by clicking the start now button below. If you have additional questions or concerns, please email Melissa Fore (foremeli@msu.edu). Afterwards, be sure to complete and submit your Criminal Background Check outlined on the form.

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How Does it work?

The Generations Connect, formerly Senior Ambassadors, brings together Greater Lansing seniors and Michigan State University students to form mutually beneficial friendships. The goal is for senior ‘hosts’ and student ‘ambassadors’ to engage in regular, meaningful conversations. Participants will feel the warmth of human connection, exchange wisdom and experience, and learn from one another.

The Generations Connect has been matching local hosts and ambassadors since August 2020 and is always eager to hear from Greater Lansing seniors who would like to be connected with an MSU ambassador. The service is entirely free and all student ambassadors are carefully selected, vetted, and trained. You will be supported throughout the process and the Senior Ambassador Program team is here to assist and guide seniors and students throughout their time in ​the program. If interested, please fill out the application here our team will contact you shortly!

Testimonials from Past and Current Pairs

Macken & Penny

“The weekly conversations I have with my host, Penny, are insightful, interesting, and exciting. Penny always offers an informed angle on current and historical events around the world, largely because she has spent so much of her life abroad in Asia, Europe and South America. When we’re not engaged in political discussion, Penny and I share life stories, which allows us to both learn from and better understand each other. I’ve been able to do more than just learn from Penny’s experiences through our conversations—they have also allowed me to improve my abilities to communicate and empathize with others.” – Macken

Susan & Stella

“It was great to be able to talk face to face with a younger person during the time of Covid isolation. Stella and I had many excellent conversations sharing information about our activities and our goals for the future. I especially enjoyed talking with Stella about her classes, her family, and the clothes she made. Rose is an incredibly talented clothes designer but has different goals for her life. Our weekly talks this past year really brightened my days when many of my usual activities had been cancelled. Many thanks to Stella and to the people who came up with the idea of pairing college students with seniors. Our talks brightened my life this past year and gave me some badly needed person to person connection.” – Susan

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