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 Accomplishments & Awards:

• Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Fellow Award, University of Connecticut (2018)
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Connecticut (2018)
• Convener, Intergenerational Learning, Research, and Community Engagement Interest Group, Academy for Gerontological in Higher Education, Gerontological Society of America (2013-present)
• Office of Public Engagement Service-Learning Faculty Fellow, University of Connecticut (2015-2016)
• Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Fellow (2014)
• Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Executive Committee, Member-at-Large (2011-2013)
• Chair Publications Committee, Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (2011-2012)
• Academy (formerly Association) for Gerontology in Higher Education Teaching Institute, Gerontological Society of America (2010-present)
• Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Distinguished Teacher (2009)
• American Association of University Professors Excellence Award for Teaching Promise, University of Connecticut (2009)
• Visiting Fellow, AgeLab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2001-2009)
• Convener, Qualitative Research Formal Interest Group, Gerontological Society of America (2008-2011)

Research Specializations:

• Innovative Pedagogical, Andragogical, and Geragogical Approaches
  • Intergenerational Learning
  • Lifelong Learning
  • Experiential Learning
• Innovative Teaching Platforms
• Qualitative Research Design & Methods
• Family Caregiving and Filial Responsibility
• Transportation Issues and Older Drivers

Selected Publications:

• Donorfio, L. (2019). AGHE’s Teaching Institute–What is it? Why is it? And a decade in the making! The AGHE Exchange, 41(3), https://www.aghe.org/publications/aghexchange.
• Froude, C., Rigazio-DiGilio, S., Donorfio, L., 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. (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.
• Abushakra, J., Damron-Rodriguez, J., Donorfio, L.K.M., & Elfenbein, P. (2017, July). Integration and Assessment of the Gerontology Education Competencies (GECs) into the Curriculum. Workshop session presented at the 21st IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, San Francisco, CA.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. (2017, March). AGHE’s Seventh Annual Teaching Institute: Teaching in Online Environments and Navigating the Myths and Realities of Developing Dynamic High-Quality Courses. Chair, Organizer, and Co-presenter of one-day teaching institute at the annual meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Miami, FL.
• Donorfio, L.K.M. & Pitheckoff, N. (2017, March). Strategies for Integrating Service Learning in Online Courses. Workshop session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Miami, FL.
• Donorfio, L.K.M., Elliot, K.S., Greenberg, P.A., Karasik, R., & Kishimoto, K. (2017, March). Teaching Approaches to Understanding Heterogeneity, Inequality and Context of Aging. Symposium session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, Miami, FL.
• Donorfio, L.K.M., Draper, J., & Yakovich, J. (2017, March). Teaching Undergraduates Aging Through Service Learning in an Intergenerational Lifelong Learning Environment. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Region Campus Compact Conference, New York, NY.