Academic Credentials:
Master of Social Work – Bowling Green State University, August 2020 – May 2022
Licensure: July 13, 2022
Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Gerontology – Bowling Green State University, August 2016 – August 2017
Master of Arts in Education with a Human Resource Development Stran – The University of Findlay, Findlay, OH, August 2014 – December 2017
Juris Doctorate – Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, August 1993 – May 1996
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Arts Administration – The University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, August 1990 – December 1992
Professional Experience
TEACHING AND ADVISING
Assistant Professor of Gerontology
Social Work and Healthcare Professions, University of Findlay
2017 – Present
• Instructor of record for seven Gerontology courses, including The Aging Process, Sociology ofAging, Psychology of Aging, Ethics and Aging, Gender and Aging, Selected Topics in Gerontology,and Gerontology Internship
Club Advisor
Gerontology Club, University of Findlay
2014 – Present
Faculty Advisor
Phi Sigma Sigma, University of Findlay
2019 – Present
Affiliate Contract Reviewer
College of Health Professions, University of Findlay
• Reviewer of affiliate agreements between various health care providers and university programs, including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nuclear Medicine, Sonography, PET, and Physician Assistant
Visiting Professor of Gerontology
Social Work, University of Findlay
2016 – 2017
• Instructor of record for seven Gerontology courses, including The Aging Process, Sociology ofAging, Psychology of Aging, Ethics and Aging, Gender and Aging, Selected Topics in Gerontology,and Gerontology Internship
Adjunct Instructor
Social Work, University of Findlay
2009 – 2016
Adjunct Instructor
Owens Community College
2010 – 2013
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Attitudes about aging amongst college students: a comparison between the United States and Japan
Use of the Fabroni Attitude Scale, a 27-question instrument meant to measure the level of ageism in an individual, administered to college students in the United States and Japan for comparative research.
Aging simulation with students in the health professions: a lesson in empathy or instilling a fear of growing old?
Utilization of an aging “suit” which is meant to simulate aspects of the aging process as the students engage in a variety of activities of daily living in a home environment.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
• Gerontological Society of America – Abstract Reviewer for 2019 Conference • Alzheimer’s Association – Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team Leader
• Alzheimer’s Association – Dementia Coalition
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
Undergraduate Council, 2018 – Present
Secretary, 2020 – 2022
Faculty Senate, 2018 – Present
Secretary, 2022 – Present
Faculty Senate, 2018 – Present
IPE Committee, 2017-Present
Ad Hoc Committee, Academic Honesty Policy, 2017-18
Social Work Advisory Council, 2016-Present
COMMUNITY SERVICE
• Findlay Light Opera Company Board of Directors, 2018 – 19
• Silver Blades Figure Skating Club Board, 2014 – 18
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
• Gerontological Association of America
• American Society on Aging
• Phi Sigma Omega
• Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education (OAGE)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS
Disrupt Aging Classroom, AARP
Bridges Out of Poverty
Aging in America National Conference
No Wrong Door
Self-Care and the Helping Professions, BGSU Homecoming Lecture Series
Ohio Association in Gerontology and Education Conferences
Alzheimer’s Association, Medication Management and Safety in Dementia Care Alzheimer’s Association, Making Your Voice Count
Alzheimer’s Association Webinars
Council for Social Work Educators Conference, San Antonio
XTreme Aging, Macklin Intergenerational Institution
PUBLICATIONS
2017 – “States with the best elder-abuse protections – 2016″. WalletHub
PRESENTATIONS
National / International Peer Reviewed
Real World Relevance: Students Explore the Age-Friendliness in Their Hometowns, American Society on Aging National Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2022
Ageist Attitudes in Japanese College Students, USSH-UF Mini Conference, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, December 2017
Ageist Attitudes in Japanese College Students, Japan Foundation, Saitama Prefecture, Tokyo, Japan, July 2017
State Peer Reviewed
When the Professor Becomes the Student: A Gerontology-Informed Professional’s Reflections on an MSW Field Placement at a Geriatric Psychiatric Hospital, NASW Ohio Chapter Annual Conference, Columbus, Ohio, November 2021
Employing Service-Learning as a Tool for Engaging Students in the Community: Providing Opportunities to Apply Classroom Knowledge in the Field, Meredith Pitt, Tasha Ford, Charlie Stelle, and Wendy Watson, Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education, April 2021
Suit Up! Teaching Empathy through Aging Simulation, Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education Poster Presentation, April 2019
Community Engagement and Successful Aging: Teaching Research Methods through Service-Learning, Wendy Watson, Charlie Stelle, and Meredith Pitt, Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education, April 2018
Suit Up! Teaching Empathy through Aging Simulation, SoTL Conference, South Bend, Indiana, April 2018
Professional Presentations
A Day in the Life: Living with Dementia, Sojourn at Seneca presentation to Bridge Hospice, September 2021
The Grieving Process, Author, LeadingAge, August 2021
Suit Up! Teaching Empathy through Aging Simulation, University of Findlay Excel@Teaching Conference, March 2018
Invited Speaking Engagements / Presentations
Ageism in Healthcare, American Association of University Women
Gerontology – An Overview, American Academy of Professional Coders, Lima Chapter Gerontology – The Who, What, When, Where, and Why?, Social Work CEU Summer Session
Gerontology – An Overview, University of Findlay Health Professions Club
Gerontology and Me: A Multidisciplinary Approach, University of Findlay Health Professions Club