Gerontology Student Ambassadors

Cayley Grable

cayleyg@k-state.edu

Major: Athletic Training, Pre-Physical Therapy
Year: Junior

From a young age, I have been involved with the older population. Both of my great grandparents were at a nursing home, so I was frequently visiting. I feel as if there are so many stereotypes around them and I am wanting to help break them. Before getting signed up for Gerontology, I had no idea the impact this class would have on me. It is important to educate ourselves to know that no aging experience is the same. This major has made me think outside the box. My love and respect for aging has expanded drastically. My end goal is to be a Physical Therapist. I know that what I am learning now will be carried over with me through out my time in my career.

Cora Malone

cora0414@k-state.edu
Major: Psychology
Year: Senior

My passion for working in Geriatrics came from growing up with many of my great grandparents. I used to go to the senior center with my great grandma and help her serve lunch and play Skip-bo with her and her friends. I would run errands with my great grandparents, help them bake, and help them around the house. I cherish the memories I have with all my great grandparents and hold them close to my heart.

I started working at the Manhattan Senior Center in September 2023. I teach physical fitness classes, and I also had the opportunity to do my internship there in the Spring of 2024. During my internship, I led various activities for senior residents at the Manhattan Housing Authority. I also work at Via Christi Village as an activity assistant. Being able to see the residents do their favorite activities and make them feel more at home is extremely rewarding. I hope to be an activities director or an administrator for a long- term care facility.

Taking Gerontology classes, declaring Gerontology as a secondary major, and being a Gerontology ambassador has provided me with so much knowledge and guidance. I feel so lucky to be able to share my passion with others and I hope to guide more students into the Gerontology path.

Morgan Eberle

mbeberle@k-state.edu
Major: Life Science, Pre-Physician Assistant
Year: Junior

I have worked as a CNA at a nursing home for a few years now and have loved making connections with the residents I come into contact with, while also helping them with their activities of daily living. I also have countless memories of going to the senior center with my grandparents when I was little and forming amazing relationships with not only them but also other older adults. I think this experience is what made me want to join the Gerontology ambassadors and have it as a minor. I believe Gerontology will help me understand older adults much better in my career as a future Physician Assistant. I am so excited to help spread information about this program to other current and future K-State students!

Delaney Lucero

delaneyl@k-state.edu
Major: Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Science
Year: Sophomore

My whole childhood was spent with my grandma in her garden. Her friends would come over and I would listen to their stories about life and their experiences. This gave me the opportunity to volunteer at nursing homes to plant flowers with them and visit them. Seeing the joy that it brought them to have someone to talk to about their lives was something I will always remember. These experiences are what drove me to join the Gerontology ambassadors and also minor in Gerontology. After taking the Introduction to Gerontology class I knew this program was something I wanted to explore further. Being an ambassador has given me many incredible opportunities and I hope to further share those opportunities with students and gain their interest in Gerontology. I think my experience with Gerontology will benefit my future career in Athletic Training and life in general.

Connor Leach

connorsl@k-state.edu
Major: Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Science
Year: Sophomore

Gerontology is something that I feel has been underlooked and underrated in terms of how important it really is. Everyone will age, everyone has loved ones who are older, it is important to learn the best ways to age gracefully and how to take care of older loved ones. For me, I have plenty of older relatives that I love. It is important to me to learn how to take care of those individuals, as well as educating others on the importance of Gerontology. When I started at Kansas State University I was focused on only the younger population with my major. Now, after learning more about Gerontology, I am focused on widening my education to help multiple populations when I get into the workforce.

Karlyn Gustin

karlyng@k-state.edu
Major: Human Development and Family Studies, Long-Term Care Administration
Year: Junior

From the moment I first met the Long-Term Care Administrator whre my grandparents live, I immediately knew this was a career that I wanted to pursue. I want to work with families, residents and staff to create a positive and welcoming community in a long-term care home. As I began to learn more about this career, I became more and more excited about the thought of being a Long-Term Care Administrator. I want to assist families and residents with transitioning into living or having a loved one live in a long-term care home. From the moment I first met the faculty at the Center on Aging, they helped me to learn more about my future career and have given me professional opportunities as well! With the secondary major in Gerontology with an emphasis in Long-Term Care Administration, I am going to be prepared for my future career!