Caring Data – A Better Way to Support Virginia Commonwealth University's Gerontology Program
How Caring Data Helps VCU's Gerontology Program Develop Leaders Who Will Shape the Future of Aging Services
The field of gerontology sits at the intersection of medicine, psychology, sociology, public health, policy, and direct care. Professionals trained in gerontology don't just work with older adults—they lead organizations, design systems, advocate for policy change, and conduct the research that drives how care evolves. Building that professional pipeline requires more than classroom instruction. It requires a connected, well-supported learning community.
Virginia Commonwealth University's Gerontology Program in Richmond prepares students for careers across the aging services spectrum—from clinical practice and community programming to administration, policy, and research. As one of the region's premier gerontology programs, it serves a diverse student body that enters aging services work with a depth of training that many in the field never receive.
Caring Data helps VCU's Gerontology Program keep its academic, clinical, and professional development resources organized and accessible for the students who will become tomorrow's aging services leaders.
Key Organization Supporting Gerontology Education
Virginia Commonwealth University – Gerontology Program
Contact Name:
Gerontology Program Office
Full Address:
901 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23284
Phone:
(804) 828-1565
Email:
gerontology@vcu.edu
Website:
https://www.vcu.edu
Description:
Virginia Commonwealth University's Gerontology Program prepares students for careers in aging services, clinical practice, research, and policy through interdisciplinary academic training, practicum experiences, and professional development in one of the nation's most comprehensive gerontology curricula.
How VCU's Gerontology Program Supports Its Students
University gerontology programs build professional capacity on multiple fronts:
- Providing interdisciplinary coursework spanning biology of aging, clinical care, policy, administration, and research methods.
- Coordinating practicum and field placement experiences in diverse aging services settings.
- Supporting career development, professional networking, and entry into aging services careers.
- Building connections between students and employers in nursing homes, hospitals, policy organizations, and research institutions.
- Preparing students to pursue certifications, advanced degrees, and specialized roles in gerontology.
Where Academic Program Communication Gets Complicated
- Students in different tracks—certificate, undergraduate, graduate—need access to different resources without confusion.
- Practicum coordination involves diverse placement sites with different preceptor expectations and documentation requirements.
- Career development resources such as employer networks, certification pathways, and professional associations may not be visible to all students equally.
- Alumni transitioning into the workforce may not know how to access continued support or resources after graduation.
How Caring Data Supports VCU Gerontology
- Track-organized resource hub: Certificate, undergraduate, and graduate students each access relevant curriculum resources, practicum guidance, and career tools.
- Practicum coordination support: Placement site requirements, preceptor expectations, and documentation standards are clearly organized.
- Career launch resources: Professional associations, certification pathways, and employer connections are accessible alongside academic content.
- Alumni continuity: Graduates can access ongoing professional development resources after completing their degree.
Supporting Practicum Readiness, Career Development, and Alumni Engagement
Practicum Preparation
- Students arrive at placement sites fully prepared for site-specific documentation and professional expectations.
- Practicum coordinators see which students have completed placement preparation steps before their start date.
Career Development
- Students at every stage access organized resources on gerontology certifications, professional associations, and employer pathways.
- Career readiness is built throughout the program, not introduced only in the final semester.
Alumni Engagement
- Graduates stay connected to professional resources that support their continued growth in aging services.
- VCU can track alumni engagement with professional development content and build a stronger alum network.
Virginia Case Example: VCU Gerontology Program
A cohort of 18 graduate students in VCU's Gerontology Program was preparing for practicum placements at seven different sites—including a hospital geriatric unit, two long-term care communities, an Area Agency on Aging, and a policy research organization. Each site had distinct preceptor orientation requirements and documentation expectations.
Before Caring Data:
- The practicum coordinator distributed site-specific guidance to each student individually via email, tailored to their placement.
- Three students arrived at their sites having reviewed the wrong version of the orientation document because the coordinator had updated a file after the initial email was sent.
- One student placed at the AAA didn't know the site required a signed confidentiality agreement until the site supervisor mentioned it on the first day.
- After graduation, the program lost contact with most students within two semesters, with no organized path for alumni to access professional development resources.
After implementing Caring Data:
- Site-specific practicum guides were organized by placement location, each with current documentation requirements, preceptor contacts, and orientation expectations.
- Students could access their site's guide at any time, and the coordinator updated all students automatically when any guide was revised.
- Confidentiality agreements, health clearance requirements, and orientation checklists were visible before placement day.
- An alumni resource section gave graduates continued access to certification pathways, continuing education, and professional association connections.
Site preparation issues dropped to zero and alumni engagement with VCU's professional resources increased significantly.
What Leaders Are Saying
"Gerontology students are building careers that will define the future of aging services. The least we can do is make sure they're organized and supported every step of the way. Caring Data helps us do exactly that."
— Gerontology Program Leader, Virginia Commonwealth University
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