Leading Age Award
Mirabella at ASU Wins Leading Age Arizona Innovation Award
May 25, 2022
On May 20th, Mirabella at ASU was awarded a Leading Age Innovative Award at the Arizona LeadingAge Conference. Mirabella at ASU accepted the award at a special ceremony at the conference. The leadership team at Mirabella at ASU— Jared Dhaenens, Lindsey Beagley, Darla Esnard, and Michael Great—also presented at the conference by sharing information on how Mirabella at ASU has integrated programming, shared space, and facilitated university partnership.
The award distinguishes and recognizes Mirabella at ASU as innovative because of three distinct reasons—location, roles on campus, and full campus integration.
Location
Mirabella’s location within the “arts & culture corridor” of the main ASU campus in vibrant Tempe eliminates the real and perceived boundaries between the retirement community and the campus community. Residents can easily walk on campus to participate in activities and meet new people. Students and faculty leverage the Mirabella at ASU spaces and community to advance their teaching and learning objectives. In the first year alone, Mirabella at ASU hosted over 50 faculty and special guest speakers.
Active Roles on Campus
Mirabella at ASU residents not only receive the benefit of access to ASU’s thousands of undergraduate and graduate course offerings, but they are also encouraged to engage in meaningful roles on campus. Residents are mentors, professional teaching assistants, research participants, citizen scientists, guest lecturers, dissertation reviewers, among other roles.
Full Campus Integration
A dedicated university-funded office resides within the Mirabella at ASU to promote the vision for the community’s full campus integration. In addition to enrolling residents in classes and arranging tours and campus engagement activities, this also includes supporting residents to navigate the technology needed to be successful on a 21st century college campus. The office also helps to advocate for resident’s full inclusion to participate at every level of the university.
Continuing to Innovate
Mirabella at ASU illustrates the highest standard of partnership and mutual investment between senior living providers and universities. This innovative model is designed to enhance what research has already indicated are factors which contribute to healthy and resilient aging – intergenerational community, purpose-driven engagement opportunities, and an intellectually-engaging environment.
Mirabella at ASU is honored to have received this recognition as an innovative UBRC in Arizona, and we hope to continue innovating over the years to come.