Executives from Aegis Living, Merrill Gardens and Murano Senior Living are piquing interest in the senior living industry among Washington State University students participating in a new Corporate Scholars program through the university’s Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living.
The pilot program is part of a group of similar programs at the university’s Carson College of Business. All WSU juniors expecting to graduate in 2023 were eligible to apply for the GCISL Corporate Scholars program, which attracted students studying business management, international business, finance, accounting, management information systems, psychology and human development, criminal justice, environmental and ecosystems sciences, bioengineering and philosophy.
“The cornerstone of the program is its connection with corporations, the Carson College and students,” according to Sue McMurray, Carson College assistant director of communications, who wrote about the program in an online post. “It’s mutually beneficial in that students receive mentoring, internships and career opportunities, and industry partners obtain fresh ideas on relevant problems and a potential pipeline of new hires.”
The students lived among senior living residents for three days at a luxury Murano Senior Living community, operated by Leisure Care, and also toured an Aegis Living luxury community specializing in memory care and a Truewood by Merrill community for middle-income older adults, she said.
“Students interacted with CEOs and executive leadership of all three firms, learning insights about the range of services at each location, operations and the types of careers available,” McMurray said.
Scholars received $1,000 and completed the immersive internship experience, she said. As seniors, she added, they will receive $3,000 and develop projects to solve issues in the senior living industry.
“After the internship experience, students brainstormed over 30 concepts ranging from apps and other technology to physical and emotional tools supporting seniors,” McMurray wrote. “They selected final projects this fall and will work with industry mentors before final presentations to the GCISL Advisory Board and at WSU’s showcase for undergraduate research in spring 2023.”
Based on their experiences, students have shown interest in bringing a higher level of service to the middle market, combating social isolation, promoting intergenerational engagement and creating medical instruments, according to McMurray.
Read her full post here.
