Nancy Orel

Associate Professor and Director Gerontology Program Department of Human Services 218 Health Center Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 419-372-7768 norel@bgsu.edu

Research/Teaching Interests:
Dr. Orel received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Bowling Green State University in 1978. She received her Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1983 from the University of Toledo and in 1999 she received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Toledo. Prior to joining the faculty at Bowling Green State University, she was the Executive Director of the Washtenaw County Council on Aging (Ann Arbor, Michigan). Dr. Orel’s professional background as a licensed professional counselor includes over 16 years of clinical experience working with older adults.

Dr. Orel’s research and the publications of that research have focused on intergenerational relationships with diverse family structures (e.g., multigenerational caregiving families, grandparent headed families) and the needs and concerns of vulnerable populations of older adults (i.e., Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender [LGBT] elders, older adults with HIV/AIDS).

Recent Publications:
Stelle, C., Fruhauf, C., Orel, N., & Landry-Meyer, L (revise and resubmit). Grandparenting in the 21st century: Issues of heterogeneity in grandparent-grandchild relationships. Journal of Gerontological Social Work.

Orel, N. (invited submission). Intergenerational relationships and informal care within the family: Addressing the needs of auxiliary caregivers. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships.

Fruhauf, C., Orel, N., & Jenkins, D. (2010). The coming-out process of grandfathers: Perceptions of their adult children’s influence. In C. Fruhauf & D. Mahoney (Eds.). Older GLBT family and community life (pp. 96-115). New York: Routledge.

Fruhauf, C., & Orel, N. (2009, November). Grandchildren caregivers: Individual and family  development, International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development Bulletin, 56(2), 12-16.

Emlet, C., Gerkin, A., & Orel, N. (2009). The graying of HIV/AIDS: Preparedness and needs of  the aging network in a changing epidemic. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 52, 803-814.

Scholarly Research in Progress:
Orel, N. Examining Physicians’ Communication with the Older Adult Population Regarding STDs and HIV/AIDS Transmission. (HSRV Project #H08O251UX2).

Orel, N. Changes in HIV/AIDS Related Knowledge and Attitudes Among Participants in an HIV/AIDS Education Program Specifically Tailored for Individuals Over the Age of Fifty. (HSRB Project  #H08P061FE7).

Orel, N. A Qualitative Analysis of Grandmothers and Grandchildren’s Perceptions of the Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship when Grandmothers Self-identify as Being Lesbian or Bisexual (HSRB Project #H04E178FFB)

Recent Honors and Awards:
2008 HIV/AIDS Service Award. Ohio Department of Health

2006 Community Service Award. Ohio Association of Senior Centers.

2004-2005 Clyde R. Willis Faculty Development Award. College of Health and Human Services

2000 Faculty Excellence Award. Presented by Lourdes College for teaching excellence and service to the college. Awarded by the Teaching, Learning, and Technology Committee at Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio.