AUTUMN 2021

I applied to be part of the Scholars Program through Age-Friendly Columbus (AFC) and worked as a student intern at the Ohio State University's Age-Friendly Innovation Center. This experience has allowed me to network with and learn from nonprofits and advocacy groups devoted to geriatrics and serving the older adult population of Central Ohio.

I participated in several group discussions, met with members of City Council who have supported related legislation and funding for older adults and nonprofits like AFC, assisted with developing a spreadsheet with community stakeholders and city leadership to share data from AFC's most recent regional assessment survey, and led walk audits with members of the Columbus Advisory Council on Disability Issues (CACDI). My work on this interdisciplinary team allowed me to learn from my peers while contributing a unique lens and skillset to assist in the completion of worthwhile projects that impact the lives of older adults.

AUTUMN 2022

Most recently, I accepted a part-time position with AFIC as a Program Coordinator for their Safe Routes to Age in Place Through Villages project. The Ohio State Age-Friendly Innovation Center, Village in the Ville (Urban) and Union County Neighbor to Neighbor Village (Rural) will identify mobility challenges and opportunities through a document review and the examination of transportation utilization and outcomes through MyAmble, Helpful Village, and focus groups.

MyAmble is a mobile app created to collect data related to an individual’s transportation patterns and outcomes. Helpful Village is a service-management software used by Village partners. Data will document outcomes including technology utilization, transportation patterns, impact of trips on mood, loneliness and social connections, and confidence to age in place with the goal to create evidence-informed issue briefs for other Village leaders and local policymakers to guide program and policy development.