Laura K.M. Donorfio

Associate Professor

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CURRICULUM VITAE

Educational Background:

Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, 1996
     Concentration: Adulthood & Aging
M.A., Human Development and Family Relations, University of Connecticut, 1991
     Concentration: Intergenerational Relationships

Selected Professional Awards & Achievements:

• Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, UConn Foundation Office of Alumni Relations, 2019 (university-wide)
• Fellow, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, UConn, 2018 (university-wide)
• Excellence in Teaching Award (Behavioral & Life Sciences), College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, UConn, 2018 (CLAS-wide)
• Convener, Intergenerational Learning, Research, and Community Engagement Interest Group, Academy for Gerontological in Higher Education, Gerontological Society of America, 2013-2020
• Chair, Teaching Institute, Academy (formerly Association) for Gerontology in Higher Education, Gerontological Society of America, 2008-2020
• Fellow, Service-Learning, Office of Public Engagement, UConn, 2015-2016 (university-wide)
• Fellow, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, 2014
• Recognition for Teaching Training Program, Center for Teaching and Learning Development, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, 2012
• Member-at-Large, Executive Committee, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, 2011-2013
• Chair, Publications Committee, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, 2011-2012
• Distinguished Teacher, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, 2009
• Excellence Award for Teaching Promise, American Association of University Professors, UConn, 2009
• Visiting Fellow, AgeLab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2001-2009
• Convener, Qualitative Research Formal Interest Group, Gerontological Society of America, 2008-2011
• Top Performer Award, Research Department (Liaison Gerontology & AARP), The Hartford Financial Services Group, LLC, 2000
• Business of the Year Award, Large Company, Corporate Gerontology Department, The Hartford Financial Services Group, LLC, 1999

Research Areas:

Current Research

• Behavioral and Social Processes that Impact the Development, Health, and Well-being of Sexual Gender Minority (SGM) Populations and Their Families Across the Lifespan
• Development of Appropriate Interventions to Enhance the Development, Health, and Well-being of SGM Populations and Their Families Across the Lifespan
• Drag Expression and how it Interfaces with Dragism, Coping, Resilience, and Generativity

Research

• Later Life Dependencies
  • Family Caregiving and Filial Responsibility
  • Older Drivers and Transportation
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
  • Innovative Andragogy and Geragogy Platforms
  • Innovative Intergenerational and Lifelong Learning Approaches
• Qualitative Research Design and Methods

Television:

• Donorfio, L.K.M., & Adam Zagroba. (2020, May). Dragnificent! The Learning Channel (TLC). Season 2, Pretty in Pink, Episode 6. (Previous season called Drag Me Down the Aisle). Nationally chosen to work with four award winning Drag Queens who have appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race– Alexis Michelle, BeBe Zahara Benet, Jujubee, and Thorgy Thor.

Selected Publications:

• Donorfio, L.K.M. (2020). AGHE’s Teaching Institute 2019 Highlights & Looking Ahead. The AGHExchange, 42(3), https://www.aghe.org/publications/aghexchange.
• Andreoletti, C., & Donorfio, L.K.M. (2020). Consider Making Your Careers in Aging Week Intergenerational: Ideas from the ILRCE Sponsored Symposium. The AGHExchange, 42(3), https://www.aghe.org/publications/aghexchange.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. (2019). AGHE’s Teaching Institute–What is it? Why is it? And a decade in the making! The AGHExchange, 41(3), https://www.aghe.org/publications/aghexchange.
• Froude, C., Rigazio-DiGilio, S., Donorfio, L.K.M., Bellizzi, K. (2017). Contextualizing the young adult female breast cancer experience: developmental, psychosocial, and interpersonal influences.  The Qualitative Report, 22(6), 1488-1510.
• Vhetter, R., Myllykangas, S.A., Donorfio, L.K.M., & Foose, A.K. (2011). Using creative movement as a stress reduction intervention for the caregiver. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance, 82(2), 35-39.
• Donorfio, L.K.M., Vhetter, R., & Vracevic, M. (2010). Effects of three caregiver interventions: support, educational literature, and creative movement. Journal of Women & Aging, 22(1), 61-75.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. & Chapman, B. (2009). Engaging the older learner on growing old—positively. The LLI Review, 4, 9-21.
• Donorfio, L.K.M., Mohyde, M., D’Ambrosio, L., & Coughlin, J. (2009). To drive or not to drive? That isn’t the question—Defining self-regulation among older drivers. Journal of Safety Research, 40, 221-226.
• Donorfio, L.K.M., D’Ambrosio, L., Coughlin, J., & Mohyde, M. (2008). Health, safety, self-regulation and the older driver: It’s not just a matter of age. Journal of Safety Research, 39, 555-561.
• Donorfio, L.K.M., Mohyde, M., Coughlin, J., & D’Ambrosio, L. (2008). A qualitative exploration of self-regulation behaviors among older drivers. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 20(3), 323-339.
• D’Ambrosio, L.A., Donorfio, L.K.M., Coughlin, J., Mohyde, M., & Meyer, J. (2008). Gender differences in self-regulation patterns and attitudes toward driving among older adults. Journal of Women & Aging, 20(3/4), 265-282.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. & Healy, C. (2008). Teaching an Interactive Television Course on Adulthood and Aging: Making it Happen. Educational Gerontology, 34(6), 1-19.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. & Kellett, K. (2006). Filial responsibility and transitions involved: A qualitative exploration of caregiving daughters and frail mothers. Journal of Adult Development, 13(3-4), 158-167.

Selected Presentations:

• Donorfio, L.K.M., (2020, November). Celebrating AGHE’s Tenth Annual Teaching Institute. Video Presentation at AGHE Networking Event at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), virtual.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. (2020, November). Important Considerations in Developing and Evaluating Intergenerational Service-Learning Programs.  In S.N. Leedahl (Chair), Evaluation Research for Intergenerational Programs: Rigorous Methods, Best Practices, and Challenges. Symposium presentation at the annual meeting of GSA, virtual.
• Donorfio, L.K.M.(2020, November). Using Technology to Connect the Generations and Understand Lifelong Learning.  In S.N. Leedahl (Chair), Older Learners in Higher Education: Age-Friendly University (AFU) Models in and Beyond the Classroom. Symposium presentation at the annual meeting of GSA, virtual.
• Donorfio, L.K.M., Karasik, R., Kishimoto, K., & Newsham, T.M.K. (2020, July 21). Starting the Conversation: Anti-Racist Pedagogy and Gerontology. AGHE Webinar & Teaching Brief. https://www.geron.org/images/gsa/AGHE/AGHE_Teaching_Brief_Antiracist_Pedagogy.pdf
• Dibble, K., Donorfio, L.K.M., Preston, B.A., Atehortua, V., Anerson, A., Kessler, T., Chan, J., & Bellizzi, K. (2020, April). Perceptions and Experiences of Women Testing Positive for BRCA1/2 Genetic Mutations: A Qualitative Analysis. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco, CA.
• Dibble, K., Donorfio, L.K.M., Preston, B.A., Anerson, A., Atehortua, V., Kessler, T., Chan, J., & Bellizzi, K. (2020, April). Genetic Counseling Preferences and Psychosocial Outcomes for Women Testing Positive for BRCA1/2 Mutations. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the American psych-oncology Society, Portland, OR.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. (2019, February). AGHE’s Ninth Annual Teaching Institute: From 18 to 108: What Teaching and Training Could Look Like at an Age-Friendly University. Creator and co-presenter of preconference at the annual meeting of GSA, Austin, TX.
• Montepare, J., Manoogian, M., Karasik, R., Hanks, R., Andreoletti, C, & Donorfio, L.K.M. (2019, November). Using Innovative Intergenerational Strategies to Boost Careers in Aging. Discussant for symposium session presented at the annual meeting of GSA, Austin, TX.
• Donorfio, L.K.M., Karasik, R., Elliott, K., Greenberg, P.A., & Kishimoto, K. (2019, November). Preparing Future Aging Professionals for a Racially, Interdisciplinary, and Intergenerationally Diverse Workforce. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of GSA, Austin, TX.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. (2018, November). A History of Intergenerational Learning and Programming in the U.S. Presenter at the Intergenerational Learning, Research, and Community Engagement Interest Group meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA.
• Andreoletti, C., Donorfio, L.K.M., Hanks, R.S., June, A., Karasik, R.J., Manoogian, M., & Montepare, J. (2018, November).  Using Innovative Intergenerational Strategies to Boost Careers in Aging.  Symposium session presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA.
• Borrero, L., Bergman, E., Donorfio, L.K.M., & Reinemann, T. (2018, March). Technology as a Means to Foster Intergenerational Relationships: The Possibilities are Endless. Workshop session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Atlanta, GA.
• Pitheckoff, N., Borrero, L., Donorfio, L.K.M., Greenberg, P., Kruger, T., & Reynolds, L. (2018, March). You Really Can Do This: Next Steps in Teaching in an Online Environment.  Workshop session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Atlanta, GA.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. & Holley, L. (2018, March). Pecha Kucha: Intergenerational Relationships and Programming. Presenter at AGHE Networking Event at the annual meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Atlanta, GA.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. (2018, February). AGHE’s Eighth Annual Teaching Institute: Intergenerational Experiential Learning in the Classroom and Online: Successful Models from Simple to Complex.  Chair, Organizer, and Co-presenter of one-day teaching institute at the annual meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Atlanta, GA.