USF School of Aging Studies

The University of South Florida proudly offers this convenient, well-designed, online ALF Core Training course for prospective assisted living administrators or individuals interested in learning about assisted living.

Upon successful completion of this 26-hour course, you will receive a certificate of completion. If you want to become an administrator, you must then register to take the state core competency test (the state registration fee is $200). Florida law requires you to complete both the core training and pass the competency test within 90 days of your employment as an administrator.

You are able to register and find additional information for the self-paced-online course at: https://usf-cbcs-alf.catalog.instructure.com/courses/4184

We are pleased to announce that Jessica Yauk has also successfully defended her dissertation. Join us in congratulating her on this significant accomplishment. 🥳🥂

We are pleased to announce that Joanne Elayoubi has successfully defended her dissertation. Please join us in congratulating her on this significant accomplishment. 🥳🥂

Layla Santana has been selected as the 2026 AGHE Student Leadership Award recipient!

This award honors a student whose leadership truly advances the mission of AGHE and the goals of their AGHE‑affiliated institution. Layla’s dedication, passion, and commitment to the field of gerontology make this recognition incredibly well‑deserved.

She will be celebrated during the AGHE Presidential Symposia & Recognition Event held as part of GSA’s Annual Scientific Meeting (November 4–7, 2026) in National Harbor, MD.

Congratulations, Layla!

Doctoral student Layla Santana received the Poster Presentation Award in the Social and Behavioral Sciences category (including Education) for her poster presentation at the 2026 USF Graduate Student Research Symposium.

Her poster, “Can Social Activity Participation Attenuate Age-Related Cognitive Decline? A 12-Year Longitudinal Analysis,” was co-authored with Debra Dobbs, PhD, professor and director of the School of Aging Studies, and Dr. Hongdao Meng, PhD, professor and director of the doctoral program in the School of Aging Studies.

Distinguished University Professor William E. Haley, PhD and Nan Sook Park, PhD, MSW collaborating with USF alumna Yuri Jang, PhD, of USC, on a National Institute on Aging–funded study evaluating K‑Savvy, a culturally tailored caregiver education program.

The project builds on the evidence‑based Savvy Caregiver Program, a widely implemented intervention that helps family caregivers understand dementia, manage challenging behaviors and reduce caregiver stress. The program adapts this proven model specifically for Korean American caregivers by offering instruction in Korean and integrating cultural perspectives on family caregiving, dementia and help‑seeking.

The USF Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Studies and Florida Policy Exchange Center in the School of Aging Studies recently hosted the “Improving Care for People Living with Dementia and Their Family Care Partners”.

The conference welcomed 100 attendees who through a keynote presentation, panel discussions, practical instruction, and an immersive virtual experience, attendees explored the realities of dementia care and the critical role of care partners.

Read more about the conference here:
https://www.usf.edu/cbcs/news/2026/improving-care-for-people-living-with-dementia-and-their-family-care-partners.aspx