Board of Directors
Donna Schafer has served as Executive Director of the National Association for Professional Gerontologists since 2006. During that time she has written and spoken frequently about the need to professionalize Gerontology, including accreditation of Gerontology degree programs, credentialing (and eventual licensure) of Gerontology program graduates, and hiring of educated Gerontology professionals. Currently she is working with other NAPG members and a coalition of partner organizations to advocate for the inclusion of "Gerontology/Gerontologist" as a preferred hiring category in the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.
Dr. Schafer's most recent publications include (with co-authors Drs. Anabel Pelham, Pauline Abbott, and Carroll Estes) "Professionalizing Gerontology: Why AGHE Must Accredit Gerontology Programs," Gerontology and Geriatrics Education (forthcoming); and, with Dr. Pelham, "Accreditation: The Missing Manual," AGHExchange, 2010. Dr. Schafer has presented on the topics of professionalizing the workforce in Gerontology and the future of academic Gerontology programs at the annual meetings of the American Society on Aging (San Francisco, 2011), the Gerontological Society of America (New Orleans, 2010), the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (Reno, 2010; San Antonio, 2009), and the International Association for Gerontology and Geriatrics Congress (Paris, 2009). (Links to some of the above material can be found on the News and Links Page of this website.)
Prior to her association with NAPG, Dr. Schafer retired after six years as Dean of Research, Graduate Studies, and International Programs at Humboldt State University (California) where she also was Professor of Sociology and Executive Director of the Humboldt State University Sponsored Programs Foundation. Dr. Schafer served as a member of the Gerontology faculty at San Francisco State University for 12 years and was Associate Dean of the Graduate Division for six of those years. She is Past President of the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics, the California State University Graduate Deans Council, and the Western Association of Graduate Schools.
Before moving to California, Dr. Schafer was a Research Associate in the Gerontology Center at the University of Kansas, where she earned her Ph.D. She has served on the boards of community and social service organizations in San Francisco and Kansas City. She is author or co-author of three books (The Urban Elderly: A Study of Life Satisfaction; The Dynamics of Aging; and Reminiscence and Nursing Home Life) and numerous articles and conference presentations focusing on various topics in social Gerontology, Gerontological education, and graduate education.
Anabel Pelham, Ph.D., CPG, President
apelham@sfsu.edu
Anabel Pelham, Ph.D. is president of the National Association of Professional Gerontologists (NAPG) and professor and founding director of the Gerontology Program at San Francisco State University. She served as program director/chair for 15 years. She is currently professor and director of the Institute on Gerontology at San Francisco State University. Dr. Pelham enjoys a 30 year career in the field of aging. She has presented and published widely in the field and has served as the principal investigator or project director of multiple domestic and international funded research or program development grants and contracts.
Dr. Pelham's most recent relevant publications (with co-authors Dr. Donna Schafer, Dr. Pauline Abbott, and Dr. Carroll Estes) include "Professionalizing Gerontology: Why AGHE Must Accredit Gerontology Programs," Gerontology and Geriatrics Education (forthcoming); and, with Dr. Schafer, "Accreditation: The Missing Manual," AGHExchange, 2010.
Dr Pelham has expertise in qualitative research methods, graduate gerontology curriculum development, geriatric care management, life-long learning, service learning, community development and international/global aging. Dr. Pelham has taught for several years in the European Masters in Gerontology (EuMaG) Summer School and taught in Ireland, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, Malta, The Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal and Finland. Dr. Pelham's current interests are compassion as a core value and professionalizing the discipline of Gerontology.
Dr. Pelham is past president of the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics (CCGG) and is an active member of ASA, GSA and serves on the AGHE's International Task Force. Dr. Pelham is co-chair of the board of Senior New Ways, a member of the Advisory Council of Grupo Dabvsa, Mexico, and a City Commissioner for the City of Los Altos, California.
Pauline Abbott has over 30 years of experience in the field of Gerontology. Currently, Director of the CSU Fullerton Institute of Gerontology and Ruby Gerontology Center, she has presented and published in a wide range of areas in gerontology with expertise in gerontology education, program development, life-long learning, and public policy. Past President of the California Council for Gerontology and Geriatrics, and Sigma Phi Omega (National Gerontology Honor Society), she is an AGHE Fellow and task force member.
A congressional appointee of Congressman Ed Royce to the White House Conference on Aging 2005, she has been recognized as Woman of the Year in Education by the Red Cross with the Spectrum Award in 2003, and the Shining Star of Education by Woman Sage in 2006. Dr. Abbott has been actively involved in developing and shaping statewide aging related public policy including the Master Plan for Aging in California under two governors. She serves on numerous boards of senior service organizations as well as city and faith based commissions on aging.
Barbara Gillogly has a Ph.D. in Human Development with an emphasis in aging from the University of California, Davis. She has been the chair of the Gerontology Department at American River College for the past 20 years and has taught in the fields of aging, development, and psychology for over 25 years.
The American River College Gerontology degree is the only community college program to be designated as a Program of Merit from the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). She has been a board member of California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics (CCGG) and the chair of the community college committee of AGHE. In addition she is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a private practice working with older adults and their families.
