Miami University Scripps Gerontology Center Receives Grant To Research Older Learners

Blair Donovan

Miami University Journalism Student

Miami University's Scripps Gerontology Center was awarded a $1.4 million grant from the United States Department of Education. The three-year grant became effective July 1.

This grant will go toward researching older students in the labor market. Phyllis Cummins, assistant director of research for the Scripps Gerontology Center, is spearheading this research with two doctoral associates, two co-investigators at Miami, and a co-investigator at the University of Michigan.

"Our focus is adults ages 40 and above, and that age group represents about half of the labor force, but there has been very little research to examine their experiences at community colleges or any higher education," said Cummins. "Because of rapid technology changes, it’s important that individuals of all ages keep their skills up to date."

Research methods

The research will involve case studies of three Ohio community colleges: Clark State Community College, Rio Grande Community College, and Cuyahoga Community College. So far, they've conducted focus groups and interviews at two of the case study colleges. They'll also look at labor market data for older adults attending community colleges in Ohio and other states to look at patterns.

"We’re only a few months into a three-year grant, but our hope is to identify challenges and barriers that older students face and suggest some interventions that would contribute to student success," said Cummins.

As an older student herself, Cummins was drawn to this research topic when she returned to school as a doctoral student.

"I started the doctoral program in 2009," said Cummins. "It was heightened because, during the great recession, a lot of older adults experienced long term unemployment because they lacked skills for jobs in demand, so they needed to update theirs skills or be trained in a new occupation."

As part of the grant, the research findings are expected to be publicly disseminated. Kimberly Logsdon, associate director of communications and public relations for the center, says she is responsible for circulating the research findings. The grant funding agency expects journal articles and entries from the research, which Logsdon will help share. Cummins said they will also present their research at various aging and education conferences.

The Scripps Gerontology Center has received two other major grants this year. The center received a $1 million grant from the Ohio Department of Medicaid to improve the quality of life for nursing home residents. The second grant, also from the Ohio Department of Medicaid, was for $717,852 and will go towards the center's Opening Mind through Art program.

Cummins hopes the research conducted through the grant will benefit older students by providing additional resources so that they can succeed in community college. --Contributed photo