BGSU meeting growing demand for healthcare professionals serving the aging population

As America's population rapidly ages, BGSU is preparing students for high-impact roles in healthcare and long-term care

By Branden Ferguson

As one of fewer than 50 colleges nationwide offering a bachelor’s degree in gerontology, Bowling Green State University is uniquely positioned to prepare students for in-demand careers supporting the country's rapidly aging population.

Recent graduates Dezarae Racz and Olivia Grillot chose BGSU for its top gerontology degree program and a passion for working with aging populations. Their paths crossed during internships at Bowling Green Manor, a local long-term care facility in Bowling Green, Ohio, that actively partners with the University.

Grillot said the internship strengthened her career goals in healthcare and elder care.

“Bowling Green Manor emphasized patient-centered care, which gave me real-world insight and reinforced my passion for working with older adults,” she said.

Racz, who worked as an activities assistant in the facility, gained experience across multiple aspects of senior care.

“I was able to interact directly with residents while also collaborating with administrators and department leaders," Racz said. "It gave me a full view of how long-term care facilities operate.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, one in five Americans will be retirement age. By 2034, adults 65 and older are projected to outnumber children under 18, driving demand for careers in gerontology, geriatric nursing and healthcare administration, among others.

To meet that demand, BGSU emphasizes active, community-based learning. Students engage in volunteer work, site visits and service hours that connect classroom lessons to real-world settings.

“I appreciated that our classes built in time to visit long-term care centers and volunteer for activities,” Racz said. “It was a meaningful way to get involved while working directly with older adults.”

The program’s interdisciplinary design allows students to take courses in areas such as administration, nutrition, recreation and service planning. That range helps students build practical skills they can apply immediately.

“BGSU gave me a strong foundation in communication, interviewing, management and more,” Grillot said. “I was able to apply those skills directly in my internship, and I will continue to use them throughout my career.”

While their shared experiences brought them together, their paths are beginning to branch apart.

Grillot plans to continue her education to become a geriatric nurse. Racz has already started graduate-level coursework in long-term care administration.

“I am pursuing my master’s in long-term care administration through BGSU,” Racz said. “The fully online program, along with a six-month administrator residency, will prepare me for my goal of becoming an administrator at a long-term care facility.”

BGSU was among the first institutions in the country to receive national accreditation for its long-term care specialization. Its Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Gerontology with a long-term care administration focus prepares graduates to sit for licensure exams in Ohio and many other states. Alumni go on to manage programs, practices and policies that support the health and well-being of aging populations.

For both students, the BGSU experience offered more than a degree.

“My experience at BGSU has gone beyond what I imagined,” Grillot said. “I had professors who genuinely cared about my success, and I built friendships and memories that will stay with me.”

“BGSU changed my life,” Racz said. “Through the Thompson Scholarship Program, I have been able to pursue my education as a first-generation college student. I am the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree, and that means everything to me.”

As the need for professionals in aging services continues to grow, BGSU graduates are well-positioned to lead and innovate in geriatric care, healthcare administration and senior living management.