Karasik Chosen to Lead Gerontology & Geriatrics Education Journal

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) — the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging — has named Rona J. Karasik, PhD, FAGHE, FGSA, of St. Cloud State University as the next editor-in-chief of the journal Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, effective January 2022. This peer-reviewed publication is the official journal of GSA’s educational member group, the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE).

“On behalf of the editor search committee and myself, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Karasik as the next editor-in-chief,” said Ishan C. Williams, PhD, FGSA, the chair of GSA’s Program, Publications, and Products Committee. “Dr. Karasik brings a wealth of experience in leadership, editorial experience, and gerontology education. Her leadership and active engagement in AGHE provide additional strengths she can draw upon — to amplify the educational preparation and endeavors for scientists and professionals who study aging within social and behavioral contexts or those who intend to work with older adults in a variety of capacities.”

Gerontology & Geriatrics Education is published and owned by Taylor & Francis. It focuses on the exchange of information related to research, curriculum development, program evaluation, classroom and practice innovation, and other topics with educational implications for gerontology and geriatrics. It is designed to appeal to a broad range of readers, including faculty, students, practitioners, administrators, and policy makers and is dedicated to disseminating cutting-edge and evidence-based knowledge in the field of gerontology and geriatrics education.

“I am honored to be selected as the next editor of Gerontology & Geriatrics Education and am grateful for the unparalleled mentorship of Dr. Judy Howe, the journal’s current editor,” Karasik said. “I look forward to working with GSA and the editorial team as we strive to uphold the journal’s excellent standards and continue to build on its attention to diversity, innovative educational approaches, interdisciplinary and inter-professional collaboration, and translational work emphasizing application of educational research and content. Under Dr. Howe’s leadership, Gerontology & Geriatrics Education has grown significantly in readership and impact, and stands out as the premier scientific journal for pedagogy in gerontology and geriatrics.”

Karasik is a professor and director of the Gerontology Program at St. Cloud State University. She 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.

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The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society — and its 5,500+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA’s structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society.