Anteaters Across the Ages: From the classroom to improved community health

by Laura Perry

In Dr. Lindsay Holt’s research methods and evaluations class, MEPN students are tasked with identifying an opportunity for a community health improvement project.

The direction for the Fall 2024 class offered something unique: to work directly with a specific community. It started when Founding Dean Adey Nyamathi approached Holt with a suggestion: would the students be interested in exploring community health improvement opportunities at University Hills, the biggest housing academic project in the U.S. with 1600 homes and 3500 residents, mostly faculty. It is a diverse neighborhood with international and local residents, families, and retirees. 

Holt first met with representatives of the University Hills Homeowner’s Representatives Board and then had three members of the board talk to the class. The representatives presented their goals: build a stronger sense of community, foster intergenerational relationships, and identify and engage community members at risk for social isolation.

“The board had settled on the theme of intergenerational thriving,” said Susan Pearlman, one of the board members.”

The students were excited by the theme and came up with topics for their research to address the outlined goals that included access to transportation, social isolation, fitness in the elderly community, intergenerational homes, first time dads, and work/school life balance for students with families.

At the end of the quarter, their research posters were presented to the University Hills community and were very well received. Two topics – social isolation and a partnership with the Family Resource Center (FRC) on campus- were selected by University Hills to move forward. 

The following quarter, the cohort moved from the research and evaluations class to leadership and management in health care course. Six students in the class – Sana Mutalib, Li (Julie) Chiu, Mengyao (Miya) Cheng, Ankit Shah, Maitri Patel, Sarah Tan – took the ideas selected to the next step and divided the project into two parts:  

1. A survey with social isolation in mind with questions such as “How connected do you feel to the University Hills community?” and “What would make it easier for you to feel more connected to the University Hills community?”
2. An event that they thought would address inter-generational connection and social isolation by bringing the FRC to University Hills. The nursing school is the first school on campus to try and create a relationship with FRC.

As parents of young children, for Chiu and Cheng the Family Resource Center has been a vital source of connection. “Knowing that many University Hills residents are international faculty and families with young children like mine, I am eager to share this valuable resource with them,” said Li. 

Called Anteaters across the Ages, the students created a fun-filled day that included children’s activities and volunteer opportunities to be held at the University Hills Community Center. 

“We were taking RSVPs and hadn’t received had much response,” said Sana Mutalib. “But on the actual day, we were surprised to see that there was a lot of interest!”

Overall, approximately 140 participants came to the event – nearly two-thirds of whom were families. Residents who were walking by stopped in to see what was going on.

The fun activities included a pottery wheel, bubbles, readings, and a polaroid booth. 

Mutalib brought her pottery wheel. “I was showing kids and parents how to use the pottery wheel. They loved seeing how to build something with their hands, build something, touch something and see what you made. It gave them a fun outlet for creativity.”

“Most residents didn’t know about Family Resource Center and now people are using the services,” said Pearlman.

Excited at the possibilities, University Hills is looking for other ways to partner with the School of Nursing. “I think this could be self-sustaining and go on for years,” said Holt.

“The students brought their heart and soul and their life experience into learning in a real environment with a focus on caring,” said Pearlman. “They saw this project as a model for care, compassion and cooperation rooted in real people’s lives.”

Three students want to remain involved. the relationship with University Hills and will continue the work into the next quarter.

Li (Julie) Chiu shared what she learned from this unique opportunity: “As this was our first collaboration with University Hills, getting started was the most challenging part. However, connecting with individuals who share the same passion and working together has been incredibly rewarding. This may be just a small step, but it holds boundless possibilities for the future. By creating a platform for different groups to connect, exchange resources, and collaborate, we are fostering meaningful relationships and long-term opportunities.”