Building a national network of student leaders in gerontology: Reflections on the student representative program

ABSTRACT

The Canadian Association on Gerontology’s Student Connection facilitates a national Student Representative program to promote the field of gerontology at local post-secondary institutions. Student Representatives are expected to host professional development and networking events on their campus to bring together students interested in the field of aging. Student-run groups help foster interest in aging-related careers and research, yet few studies explore how these groups are developed and sustained. As part of this quality improvement project, we examined (1) who participates as a Student Representative; (2) why students choose to participate in the program; and (3) how Student Representatives fulfil their role (including barriers and facilitators). We conclude with a discussion of the challenges that the Student Connection’s executive committee has faced supporting this national network and identify opportunities to further enhance the program. Practical implications to support student engagement and promote sustainability of student-driven aginginterest groups are outlined.

KEYWORDS:

• Student group
• aging-interest group
• interprofessional
• leadership

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the Canadian Association of Gerontology Board of Directors for their ongoing support of the Student Connection - Connexion Étudiante. We thank our CAG Board Liaisons Dr. Verena Menec (Professor, University of Manitoba) and Dr. Lori Weeks (Professor, Dalhousie University) for their support of the Student Connection’s work.

We would also like to acknowledge former Student Connection - Connexion Étudiante Executive Committee members as well as current and former Student Representatives who volunteered their time to promote gerontology among students across Canada.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Funding support for the Student Connection - Connexion Étudiante is provided by the Canadian Association on Gerontology.