Nazareth University chosen as a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network
First university in the Western New York region and one of just five in New York state.
Rochester, NY (08/05/2026) — Nazareth University is the first higher education institution in the Western New York region chosen to join the Age-Friendly University Global Network for its commitment to supporting positive and active aging, earning Nazareth the distinction of being an Age-Friendly Champion. Nazareth is also one of just five colleges or universities in New York state that are part of the global network, and one of only approximately 150 worldwide.
The Age-Friendly Global Network serves as a collective platform for higher education to increase educational opportunities across the life-span. Nazareth has demonstrated commitment and continues ongoing efforts to promote age-friendly policies, research, services, and initiatives.
A central component of Nazareth's engagement with aging and health is the work of its College of Interprofessional Health and Human Services. The College provides clinical education to undergraduate and graduate students across a wide range of professional programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, art and music therapy, social work, nursing, public health, and physician assistant studies, with the first cohort of physician assistant students beginning in January 2026. Many of these programs operate pro bono clinics on campus through Nazareth's York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute -providing thousands of hours of therapy and wellness services annually to uninsured and underinsured members of our community while also serving as an essential component of student clinical training.
"Participation in the Age-Friendly University Global Network will further strengthen Nazareth's commitment to lifelong learning, inclusivity, and engagement across the lifespan," said Nazareth University President Maureen Finney, Ed.D., PA-C. "Our membership will allow us to collaborate with peer institutions, share effective practices, and develop innovative educational and research initiatives that respond to the evolving needs of older adults and the communities we serve. Through this partnership, we aim to expand opportunities for research, teaching, and intergenerational engagement that benefit both our students and the broader community.
President Finney says Nazareth Professor David W. Steitz, Ph.D., and director of Nazareth's gerontology program since 2005, was instrumental in earning the Age-Friendly University Global Network designation. He will lead Nazareth's efforts to advance the principles of an Age-Friendly University.
Since 2009, Steitz has led a collaborative partnership with St. John's, a regional leader providing a continuum of care for older adults including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care. This partnership allows Nazareth students to learn alongside older adults who participate directly in gerontology coursework on the St. John's Meadows campus. An innovative extension of this partnership is the student-in-residence program, in which Nazareth students live within a St. John's community for three weeks during the semester, participating in community life while gaining first-hand insight into the experiences of older adults living in residential care communities.
Furthering this model of engagement, Steitz and Nazareth students regularly engage with the Monroe County Office for the Aging, Lifespan, the Monroe County Aging Alliance, and AARP. These partnerships enhance the personal and professional development of his students and ultimately contribute to a more age-friendly campus and Rochester community.
AARP named Monroe County and the City of Rochester Age-Friendly Livable Communities in 2024, and Steitz's classes of St. John's and Nazareth students were key partners of the Monroe County Aging Alliance - working with cities, towns, and villages in and around Rochester to help them become more inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities.
Steitz also serves as co-director of Nazareth's spiritual care program. In 2025, he received the Carter Catlett Award for Excellence in Aging or Long-term Care Services from Lifespan of Greater Rochester. He is a member of the Monroe County Council for Elders and the Monroe County Aging Alliance.
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Nazareth University is chosen as a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network.