Seton Hall Part-Time Faculty Brings Real-World Gerontology Experience to the Classroom

Seton Hall University alumna Samantha Yaccarino, a graduate of the University’s Interdisciplinary Gerontology Certificate program, has returned to her alma mater as an adjunct instructor, sharing her passion for working with older adults with today’s students. Yaccarino graduated from Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and attended Rutgers University to obtain her Master of Social Work degree.

This semester, Yaccarino welcomed Alyssa Volpe, OTR/L, a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist, to her Psychosocial Aspects of Aging class. Volpe works in a hospital setting with older adult patients, adults with cancer, and those in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). She evaluates patients’ functional status, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, and helps plan safe discharges, whether returning home or transitioning to rehabilitation.

“A handful of my students mentioned they were interested in Occupational Therapy,” Yaccarino explained. “I wanted to bring in other professionals to provide their expertise and real-life experiences to the classroom.” She hoped the talk would spark curiosity about fieldwork and inspire students to think about their own career paths.

Students responded enthusiastically. “Alyssa was an eloquent speaker and provided great information about the profession and the importance of working with a multidisciplinary team in healthcare,” Yaccarino shared.

Yaccarino credited Seton Hall’s Interdisciplinary Gerontology Certificate with shaping her own career in a past interview. “Taking gerontological-based classes alongside my internships made my education that much richer,” she said. “It helped me understand the challenges older adults live with and how to reduce the stigma around aging.”

Now balancing clinical work and teaching, Yaccarino values the program’s interdisciplinary approach. “Aging is inevitable, and the older adult population is growing at an exponential rate,” she noted. “Students planning to work with older adults should have foundational knowledge of how other professionals can provide the best health outcomes.”

Through engaging guest speakers and interactive coursework, Yaccarino hopes to inspire students across majors to see the dignity, resilience, and unique needs of older adults, just as the Interdisciplinary Gerontology Certificate inspired her own career. Programs like this one highlight Seton Hall’s commitment to preparing students for careers that meet the needs of a rapidly aging world.

About the Gerontology Certificate

Seton Hall’s Certificate in Gerontology offers an interdisciplinary concentration designed to prepare students to understand and enhance the quality of life for older adults. Open to students in any major, the program is especially valuable for those pursuing careers in nursing, social work, psychology, sociology, occupational therapy and related fields.

The certificate requires a minimum of 15 credits, including two required certificate courses and two electives, plus a hands-on internship (practicum or clinical) focused on older adults. With its blend of classroom learning and applied experience, the program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the growing needs of an aging society. To learn more about the certificate, please visit Undergraduate Certificate Gerontology or contact Dawn Apgar, Ph.D., at [email protected] 

Categories: Alumni, Education, Faith and Service