The University of Akron, Akron OH

Hollis-Sawyer, L. (2021). Differential treatment of older workers due to COVID-19 accommodations: Potential issues of ageism and age discrimination. Journal of Elder Policy, 1(3), 155-174.

Patrick, J., Hayslip, B., & Hollis-Sawyer, L. (2020).  Adult development and aging. Sage.

Sawyer, T., Nebl, P., & Hollis-Sawyer, L. (2020). Black belt statistics: A competency-based approach (plus SPSS and R). Cognella.

Cole, E., & Hollis-Sawyer, L. (Editors) (2020). Older women who work: Resilience, choice, and change. APA Books.

Hollis-Sawyer, L. (2020). Use it or lose it: Older women and civic engagement. In Cole, E., & Hollis-Sawyer, L. (Editors), Older women who work: Resilience, choice, and change. APA Books.

Selected Professional Awards

Recipient of the 2021 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Titles for Older Women Who Work: Resilience, Choice, and Change (APA Books, 2020).

Recipient of the 2017 British Medical Association (BMA) “Highly Commended” book   recognition designation for the Hollis-Sawyer, L. A., & Dykema-Engblade, A. (2016). Women and positive aging: An international perspective. Academic Press book. Awarded at the BMA Award Ceremony in London, UK on September 11, 2017.  

Recipient of the 2017 American Psychological Association Division 35 Denmark Women  and Aging Award. Awarded at the APA Conf. in Washington, DC on August 5, 2017.   

Recipient of the 2014 American Psychological Association (APA) Division 20 Mentorship Award in Adult Development and Aging. Awarded at the APA Conference in      Washington, DC on August 9, 2014.    

Recipient of the 2014-2018 Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) Program of Merit Award (as Gerontology Coordinator). Awarded at the AGHE Conference in Denver, CO on March 1, 2014.    

Room BBH 307E
91Porn
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

Ph.D., Spring 1999, Developmental Psychology. Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

M.S., Summer 1990, Psychology. University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX

B.A., Spring 1988, Psychology. University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX

Takahashi, M. & Kato, H. (in press). Psychology of religion in Japan. Cambridge handbook of psychology and religion. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Takahashi, M. (Ed.). (2020). The empirical study of the psychology of religion and spirituality in Japan. San Antonio, TX: Elm Grove.

Takahashi, M. (2019). Relationship between wisdom and spirituality: An expanded theoretical model with mysticism and gerotranscendence. In J. Gluck and R. J. Sternberg (Eds.), The handbook of wisdom (pp. 626-646). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Takahashi, M. (2017). Relational Wisdom and happiness in late adulthood. In A. S. Dick and U. Muller (Eds.), Advancing developmental science: Philosophy, theory, and method. New York: Routledge.

Takahashi, M. (Producer/Director). (2007). Last Kamikaze: Testimonials from the WWIIsuicide pilots. [Motion picture]. United States: phi phenom production (Available from Documentary Educational Resources, Inc., 101 Morse St., Watertown, MA 02472-2554).

Room BBH 307 A
91Porn
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

From 2012 to 2015, the number of people aged 65 and older rose by 55 million globally, and this aging population trend will steadily grow through at least the year 2050 (The Aging World: 2015 by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2016). Northeastern’s 18 credit hour minor in Gerontology program is designed to give undergraduates an introductory knowledge of aging issues from different perspectives and across more than one discipline.

Faculty

Faculty represent a wide-range of specializations and research interests. Faculty from the Psychology Department and other undergraduate programs across campus contribute to the training of the Gerontology minor students.

In comparison to other minor programs, the minor in Gerontology offers “real world” undergraduate training within a growing field for entry-level career opportunities. Training in the Gerontology minor is in direct response to the increasing need for undergraduates to have some knowledge in aging issues as they assume various entry-level positions in the helping professions or aging-related service industries. This minor is equally beneficial for students engaging in ongoing eldercare responsibilities within a family or other care context. The tuition cost for the minor is comparatively low among comparable Gerontology minor programs in the Chicago area.

The gGrontology minor would be complementary in training with majors in social work, psychology, sociology, education, and business (among other helping and applied disciplines).

The gGrontology minor is designed to graduate undergraduates who have an introductory knowledge of aging concepts. This is accomplished in the following ways:

• Students learn how to write academic papers and critically analyze research.
• Students complete 120 hours of entry level on-site internship training in a well-established, aging-related organization.
• Students are able to tailor the minor’s focus through the selection of an interdisciplinary elective (e.g., sociology of aging) with the coordinator’s approval. A second elective is needed if the PSYC 202 course is waived for Psychology majors.

Knowledge and Skills

Upon completion of the minor, students acquire a knowledge of:

• current research findings regarding aging trends and issues,
• available library resources to conduct research on an aging topic,
• different theories of human development,
• "real world" issues of aging-related population trends and associated social needs within communities,
• ethical issues in working with aging adults (e.g., care ethics), and
• multidisciplinary perspectives on aging processes and outcomes.

By the end of completing the coursework, students learn skills in how to:

• conduct searches for scholarly articles and books using research databases (e.g., PsycInfo),
• write a research paper incorporating both proper grammar and sixth edition APA style formatting,
• critically analyze concepts and theories presented in coursework,
• accomplish professional activities through an internship on-site training experience in an aging-related  organization, and
• present learning in the classroom (e.g., a PowerPoint presentation).

… among other learning outcomes.

A student who completes the Gerontology minor may find employment in entry-level positions (some additional professional training may be needed) in a/an:

• senior center
• adult daycare center
• community center
• public housing site working with older residents
• retirement community
• aging agency
• long-term care facility

Please check out the following websites for more information on careers in gerontology: ,,.

For more detailed career information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor

Take a closer look at the minor in Gerontology and the courses offered toward the program.

If you are interested in the program or have questions, please contact Gerontology at (773) 442-5840. 

Feel free to contact the program coordinator, Lisa Hollis-Sawyer, l-hollissawyer@neiu.edu, for more information.

91Porn is home to students from all corners of the world and is one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the nation. Our small class sizes, flexible schedules and dedicated faculty can help you succeed in your studies.

We offer an education with value.

Ph.D. The Pennsylvania State University

B.A. Morehouse College

Abdul-Adil, J., Drozd, O., Irie, I., Riley, R, Silas, A., Farmer, Jr. A., & Tolan, P. (2009).  University-community mental health center collaboration: Encouraging the dissemination of empirically-based treatment and practice. The Community Mental Health Journal, 46(5), 417-422.

Sarah Pekoc, MA., Jaleel Abdul-Adil, PhD., Alvin Farmer, PhD (2017). Treating Violence Exposure: A Case Study Using Community and Evidenced-Based Practices in Chicago. Poster session presented at the Cultural Impact Conference at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Jaleel Abdul-Adil, A. David Farmer Jr., Gibson, L., & Liza Suarez, (2018). Hip-Hop H.E.A.L.S. (H³) Clinical Intervention Manual for Child Trauma and Community Violence Exposure (First Edition). 

Jaleel Abdul-Adil, A. David Farmer Jr., & Liza Suarez, (2018). Hip-Hop H.E.A.L.S. (H³) Prevention Manual for Child Trauma and Community Violence Exposure (First Edition).

Child and Family Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Farmer is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides clinical services to children and families. His goal is to develop clinical interventions that address the mental health outcomes of violence exposure and trauma and is especially interested in examining evidence-based clinical interventions with Disruptive Behavior Disorders and trauma and violence exposure.

BBH 307 H
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
United States

It is projected that there will be an increase of 236 million adults aged 65 and older from the time period of 2015 to 2025 in the world (The Aging World: 2015 by the U.S. Census Bureau, 2016). By design, the 21 credit hour Gerontology Senior Advocate Certificate program is in response to an increasing number of careers related to elder advocacy needed to help this growing aging population trends in the coming decades.

This certificate is designed for professionals currently working with or wishing to work with a growing aging clientele and who see a need to better understand aging issues. The certificate is also beneficial to individuals faced with elder caregiving responsibilities and who want to be a better advocate for their care recipient.

Faculty

The faculty teaching in the Gerontology Senior Advocate Certificate program represent a wide range of specializations and research interests, ranging from lifespan development to specialization areas within the field of gerontology (e.g., industrial gerontology). Instructors within the program are also practitioners, consultants, and/or administrators who offer real-world insights for students regarding careers in the burgeoning areas aging-related support services and other occupational opportunities.

Credit hours required: 21

ADMISSION INFORMATION

The program admits students for the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Northeastern’s gerontology program is the only public state university in northern Illinois offering a post-baccalaureate certificate specifically designed for the training of elder advocates. Further, the gerontology is nationally recognized as a quality graduate program within the field of aging.

The Gerontology Senior Advocate Certificate program is designed to graduate well-prepared elder advocates who can effectively serve a growing and diverse aging population on a local, national, and global level. This is accomplished in the following ways:

• Students complete 120 hours of on-site practicum training in a well-established, aging-related organization.  
• Coursework reinforces a strong research model for students, with a solid grounding in human developmental theories.
• Students learn important skills of good academic writing and critical analysis in reading and writing. Each course in the curriculum emphasizes the development and utilization of these important skills over time as their knowledge increases from introductory to more advanced levels of information.
• The program has flexible course offerings for both working professionals and lifelong learners with busy lives. Both core and elective courses are offered during the evening and on Saturdays, and many of our elective courses are now fully online.
• Program faculty assist students with career opportunities and professional development throughout the program and even after graduation.
• The tuition is the most cost effective in comparison to other comparable gerontology certificate programs in the Chicago area.

Knowledge and Skills

By the end of the training, students acquire a knowledge of:

• both classic theories of human development (foundational) and "state-of-the-art" research content and processes within specialty areas of aging,
• available library resources to conduct research on an aging topic,
• "real world" aging-related legislation, policies, and service related issues affecting the lives of older adults within communities; and
• ethical issues in interacting with older adults (e.g., care ethics).

Students also learn skills in how to:

• find scholarly research articles on different aging topics using research search databases (e.g., AgeLine and PsycInfo research databases),
• accurately read and interpret research within the field,
• synthesize research to summarize in a literature review,
• write a research paper incorporating both proper grammar and sixth edition APA style formatting,
• critically analyze concepts and theories presented in coursework and related research activities,
• conduct professional activities in an aging organization related to their specific career interests through practicum on-site training, and
• present topics and research in various presentation formats in the classroom or at a conference (e.g., a PowerPoint presentation).

...among other learning outcomes.

The job title “elder advocate" is increasingly a part of healthcare and other age-related service occupations. There are many aging organizations which emphasize senior advocate training on their websites (e.g., AARP; Alzheimer’s Association). The following are some possible career opportunities related to the certificate training (some additional professional training may be needed):

• patient and family care advocate in healthcare settings,
• client care advocate in a health care services organization,
• senior services specialist in an educational institution,
• care advocate in a hospice care situation working with families,
• advocate for hospital health care transition planning,
• care coordinator,
• geriatric care manager, and
• aging social services case manager guardianship in a department on aging.

Check out the following websites for more gerontology career information:,,.

For more detailed career information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor

Take a closer look at the Gerontology Senior Advocate certificate and the courses offered toward the program.

If you are interested in the program or have questions, please contact Gerontology at (773) 442-5840. 

Feel free to contact the program coordinator, Lisa Hollis-Sawyer, , for more information.

91Porn is home to students from all corners of the world and is one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the nation. Our small class sizes, flexible schedules and dedicated faculty can help you succeed in your studies.

We offer an education with value.

Learn more about Northeastern and our programs today!

Gerontology Program Degree Opportunities

Lisa Hollis-Sawyer, Ph.D., Gerontology Program Coordinator

Lisa A. Hollis-Sawyer, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Master's Gerontology program and Psychology Department at 91Porn. She received her doctorate in Industrial Gerontology from The University of Akron and conducted post-doctoral aging-related training at Boston University. Her research interests range from eldercare to aging workforce issues. Her current research is focusing on the impact of children's literature regarding aging on early aging perceptions and associated stereotyping tendencies.

Masami Takahashi, Ph.D., Generativity Club Faculty Advisor

Masami Takahashi is a Full Professor in the Master’s In Gerontology program and Psychology Department at 91Porn. He received his undergraduate training in Texas, and eventually received his Ph. D. in Developmental Psychology from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. His research interest has been focusing on age-appropriate psychological constructs such as wisdom and spirituality. In addition, he also films aging experiences in various cultures. Currently, he is investigating psychosocial profiles of former suicide bombers during the WWII.

What Can I Do with a Major in Gerontology?

Gerontology is the physical, mental, and sociological study of aging. It includes the study of changes in adults as they age, the ways that society changes with an aging population, and the ways we apply this information to programs and policies for older adults. A degree in gerontology prepares the student for careers working with older adults or as advocates for the elderly. Sample

Job Titles

(Please note: some of these careers may require further education.)

Related Major Skills

Apply Today!

Students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Gerontology should contact the NEIU Graduate Admissions office in order to apply!

*NEW* AGHE Program of Merit Designation

In Fall 2013, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education designated the NEIU gerontology program as a program of merit. This designation indicates that the NEIU gerontology program has a standard of excellence in both offering a quality education and career training for its students.

 Further merits of the Gerontology Program include: Dr. Lisa Hollis-Sawyer receiving an American Psychological Association (APA) Division 20 Mentorship in Gerontology Award in 2014. 

Gerontology Student Testimonials

The Gerontology program at NEIU provided a unique educational experience that profoundly impacted my personal and professional life.  The program offered the opportunity to learn and understand various theoretical principles, and how those principles can be understood in our current political, social and cultural climate, as well as how our knowledge can be applied in real practical settings.  Most importantly, this program prepared me to work in the aging field.  This program is extraordinary because of the professors who continuously challenge students while giving support and guidance, and the students who bring diverse cultural and professional backgrounds and experiences allow stimulating learning experience.  

~Jessica Moon, M.A. in Gerontology Graduate May 2016

"The Gerontology Program at NEIU is an excellent foundation for anyone who wishes to change the future of the rapidly growing population of older adults. Offered courses examine aging from multiple perspectives, preparing students with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience. During the studies I gained the academic knowledge and skills that will definitely help me to better serve older adults."

~Katarzyna Zajac, M.A. in Gerontology Graduate May 2015

Video Testimonials

Program Mission

Established in 1991, the mission of the Gerontology Program at 91Porn NEIU) is to contribute to the quality of life of older adults through education, research and community service. To that end, the program seeks to train practitioners through a broad education in the history, characteristics, and circumstances of this older population and prepare them to make a contribution to direct service, advocacy, and research. As such, this program is appropriate for individuals working in the field, for those seeking professional level entry into the field, and also for those whose interest is in studying aging for their own academic or personal growth.

Program Goals

The Gerontology Program is designed to meet the educational needs of a variety of student groups: those already working with the elderly, those contemplating a career change, and those working in other fields who wish to increase their knowledge of aging processes. To address these needs, students complete a set of required courses providing a solid background in the concepts of gerontology. Additional elective courses permit the student to gain expertise in either counseling/clinical or administration/social policy. This combination of general and specific course work prepares students for positions in direct service or in administration and policy analysis. The program is also structured to ensure the development of skills in both theoretical and applied research, enabling students to be proficient consumers, reviewers, and generators of research in gerontology.

Career Opportunities in Gerontology

The gerontology faculty members fully support our students in training for careers in the aging field. Check out information on various careers in the field at , , , and contact the program coordinator (l-hollissawyer@neiu.edu) for further guidance in finding your career in a growing job market with an equally growing aging population.

M.A. in Gerontology Program Overview

The M.A. in Gerontology curriculum consists of 36 credit hours organized into three components: classroom courses, experiential learning, and independent research. Each of these components provides an opportunity for a specific type of learning; all are intended to be coordinated around the student's focus in the program. The classroom component will provide the theoretical knowledge and the academic skills necessary for success in the other two. The experiential component will give students the opportunity to apply, as well as to increase, their knowledge and skills by working in agencies and programs for the elderly in the greater Chicago land area. Finally, the research component allows students to integrate what they have learned from both of the above and to produce a thesis or pass a new comprehensive exam option that demonstrates their mastery of the interdisciplinary field of gerontology.

New Gerontology Senior Advocate Certificate Overview

The new post-baccalaureate Gerontology Senior Advocate Certificate curriculum consists of 21 credit hours encompassing core and elective classwork from the master’s degree program. Students take courses with master’s degree students and can transfer all 21 credit hours into the M.A. in Gerontology for continuing education purposes.

For more information, please refer to the list of options to the left to access important information about details of the program, tentative course offerings, and other information helpful to potential and current gerontology students.

Advising and Applying to the Gerontology Program

If you have any questions and/or would like to set up a meeting to discuss your interest in gerontology further, please feel free to contact the gerontology program coordinator for information:

Dr. L. Hollis-Sawyer, Gerontology Coordinator
Bernard Brommel Hall, BBH 307-E
Phone: (773) 442-5846
E-mail: l-hollissawyer@neiu.edu

Dr. Masami Takahashi
Bernard Brommel Hall, BBH 307-A
(773) 542-5845
E-mail: m-takahashi@neiu.edu

Generativity Club and SIGMA PHI OMEGA Honor Society

Dr. Takahashi is the faculty supervisor for both the gerontology club (Generativity Club) and the honor society in gerontology (Sigma Phi Omega). Please contact Dr. Takahashi for more information and how you can be involved!