The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) has honored Dr. Rona Karasik with its Hiram J. Friedsam Mentorship Award.
The award recognizes individuals who have contributed to gerontological or geriatrics education through excellence in mentorship to students, faculty and administrators.
Karasik is a professor and director of the Gerontology program at St. Cloud State University. She also serves as editor-in-chief of the journal Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, a peer-reviewed publication and the official journal of the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, the GSA’s educational member group.
Karasik has more than 30 years of experience developing and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in areas of aging related to dementia, health, ethics, housing, community and diversity. Her current research focuses on gerontological pedagogy, and she has published extensively on service-learning, internships, and integrating anti-racist pedagogy into the gerontology classroom. She is also co-author of the edited volume “A Hands-On Approach to Teaching about Aging: 32 Activities for the Classroom & Beyond.”
Karasik has worked with Gerontology & Geriatrics Education as an author, reviewer, and associate editor for gerontology education. She has served on the national executive boards of both AGHE and Sigma Phi Omega (the international academic honor and professional society in gerontology). She has twice participated in the updating of the AGHE Standards and Guidelines for Gerontology Programs and has been the recipient of several teaching honors, including the AGHE Distinguished Faculty award.
The GSA is the country’s largest organization devoted to the field of aging. Karasik is one of 23 individuals honored by the organization through this year’s awards program.
The GSA salutes outstanding research, recognizes distinguished leadership in teaching and service, and fosters new ideas through its awards. Nominated by their peers, the recipients’ achievements serve as milestones in the history and development of gerontology.
The awards will be presented at the GSA’s annual Scientific Meeting in November in Indianapolis.
