“My life has changed in a direction I never would have seen it go
had I not been an MAS student. I hope to make you all proud
as I move forward in my career in aging.”
Sophia Casale, MAS ’23, lifestylist, Chelsea Senior Living, NY
Students who enroll in the Management of Aging Services master’s and certificate program at UMass Boston bring a passion for making a difference in the lives of older adults. Dedicated, compassionate, and innovative, they become leaders in a broad range of careers in aging, from home and community-based services to advocacy organizations, state and municipal organizations, care management, transportation, and housing.
As non-traditional students—their average age is 45—our MAS students typically balance their studies with full-time work and caring for children and aging relatives. For students whose finances are stretched thin, the Lillian Glickman Student Support Fund offers help with program fees, tuition, and related costs.
The Lillian Glickman Student Support Fund for Management of Aging Services honors one of three co-founders of the Management of Aging Services master’s and certificate programs and a co-director until her retirement in 2019. Before joining UMass Boston, Lillian Glickman served as Massachusetts’ Secretary of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs for five years and assistant secretary for nine years.
A consummate leader, innovator, advocate, and champion for older adults and their families, Glickman’s work in program development, management, and administration positively impacted older adults throughout the Commonwealth. In her retirement she serves on the boards of multiple nonprofit organizations and continues to engage in community advocacy.
Glickman’s sensitivity helped shape the supportive, flexible nature of the MAS program, says Ellen Birchander, co-founder and co-director of the MAS the program with Glickman, who became its sole director in 2019.
“Lillian’s commitment to student success in the field of aging is tireless. She recognizes the difficulty of balancing a strong leadership role in the field with the responsibilities of caring for family, a challenge that so many of our students face.”
Ellen Birchander, co-founder and co-director, MAS program (at left, with Glickman at program’s 20th anniversary celebration)
“This program changes the lives of most people who take it.”
Debby Dodds, MAS ‘14, adjunct MAS faculty and director of caregiver engagement, Generation Connect
“This program truly forms a community, a family, even though most students only meet each other online. Our students and alumni are optimistic, energetic, compassionate, open and warm. They know they can make positive differences in the lives of older adults and that there is strength in their shared vision.”
Ellen Birchander
“Each class gave me another set of tools, not one tool, and they were all connected. Learning is a bunch of connections rather than singular subjects.“
Sharon Rose, MAS ‘17, social gerontologist and entrepreneur
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