Age Friendly University Designation
St. Catherine University recently received the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Designation and joined the Age-Friendly University Global Network.
Joining the AFU Global Network is a natural extension of our values and reflects our dedication to creating and maintaining age-friendly environments, expanding educational access, and fostering intergenerational connections that enrich campus life and the greater community.
The Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network movement aims to shape how we live and work by increasing educational opportunities across the lifespan.
Why is the AFU designation important to St. Kate’s?
- Our mission is to educate women to lead and influence.
- Our vision is to be respected globally for educating women who transform the world.
- We welcome all without distinction in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
We aim to create a culture that values aging as a time of continued growth, contribution, and meaningful engagement throughout the lifespan.
Why does this matter?
With this distinction, St. Catherine University seeks to deepen our efforts through intentional collaboration that lives out our mission. We are eager to contribute to a global dialogue that reframes aging not as a challenge to be managed, but as a phase of life rich with potential and purpose.
Ahead of this initiative, St Kate’s coined the term “Gerojustice,” aimed at understanding and modifying the mechanisms of aging to facilitate longevity. Beginning in July 2026, Provost Baird established a leadership team to coordinate, direct, and align initiatives that are happening across campus and with community partners.
“By joining this Global Network, our institution demonstrates leadership in advancing research, programs, and partnerships that value the contributions of older adults and promote a culture of belonging across generations. This milestone marks an important step forward in our shared mission to create academic communities where individuals of all ages feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.”
- Melanie Homan, application committee co-chair
Shifting the perspective
Ageism in healthcare is far-reaching, leading to inequitable treatment, inappropriate diagnoses and management, suboptimal decisions, and hindered communication.
Globally, ageism has been associated with worse health outcomes in a vast majority of studies across numerous countries and health domains, and its impact is comparable to or even greater than that of racism. This can result in older adults being less likely to receive necessary care for various diagnosable conditions, as treatment plans are often based on age rather than their actual health needs. The intersection of racism and ageism magnifies the negative effects on health outcomes.
Elder Teacher Program with Carondelet Center
Established in 2013, this course provides students with clinical/fieldwork experience as participants in an interprofessional healthcare team. Now led by Mira Blume and Kirstina Lofgren, the program brings students together in small interprofessional teams to work alongside Elder Teachers, residents of Carondelet Village. Teams review residents' health status, discuss treatment plans and psychosocial, physical, or other interventions, and explore new ways to optimize each resident's health, independence, and vitality.
Senior Fitness Testing with Presbyterian Homes
Students in the Graduate Occupational Therapy program engage in older-adult coursework, completing pre-readings, course lectures, and class activities on the psychological, physical, sensory, and environmental risk factors for falls in older adults. Upon conclusion, students synthesize their learning by conducting senior fitness assessments at two senior living complexes within a 5-mile vicinity of campus.
Longevity & Aging minor
We designed a multidisciplinary Longevity and Aging minor aligned with NIA’s Health Disparities Research Framework and the Hallmarks of Aging, and assessed by competencies developed by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). This minor can be shaped to help students from any major expand their appreciation of the “longevity dividend and the increasing complexity and richness that aging brings to our society” (AFU principle 7).
Chapel Choir
Chapel Choir performs at one to two Sunday Masses per month. In addition, Chapel Choir participates in joint concerts with University Choir, special events, the Baccalaureate Graduation, and the Mass of the Holy Spirit. This choir is open to students and community members, with participants spanning seven decades.
I-SAIL Simulated Patients
St. Kate’s invites older adults to participate in a variety of simulation activities with Interprofessional Education (IPE) and our on-campus Simulation Lab (I-SAIL). They may serve as simulated patients and other roles, as determined by the specific learning outcomes and scenarios for each activity.
Learn more about becoming a simulated patient
Rebuilding Together Minnesota
Occupational Therapy students engage with Rebuilding Together Minnesota (RTMN) to conduct home safety evaluations and provide home modification and equipment recommendations for older adults in the community. Students refine observational skills, practice interview techniques with homeowners, and become familiar with specialized assessments for home safety. This partnership has provided over 175 home evaluations for low-income older adults in the 7-county metro area, with modifications provided by RTMN volunteers.
Contact us
Co-Chairs:
Aimee Zellers
azellers253@stkate.edu
D'Ann Urbaniak Lesch
dulesch@stkate.edu
Melanie Homan
mhoman768@stkate.edu