P ROGRAM R EVIEW F OR C ENTERS AND I NSTITUTES
Center/Institute: Center for Successful Aging
Director/Administrator : Dr. Debra J. Rose
College/Academic unit : College of Health and Human Development, Department of
Kinesiology
Contact Information: Successaging@fullerton.edu
Date: December 19, 2012
Name of primary authors if different
From Director/Administrator:
Self-Study
1. Mission
Established in 1998 the mission of the Center for Successful Aging is the promotion of health and vitality and the reduction of frailty and disability in later years this is accomplished through the center’s educational, research and service activities. Specific goals include conducting interdisciplinary research on issues related to healthy aging; providing professional training of students and healthcare practitioners working with older adults; offering a variety of health, psychological and functional assessments; conducting a range of community-accessible programs based on the principles of whole-person wellness; collaborating and partnering with community agencies and organizations to provide innovative programming and services aimed at improving the quality of life in later years; and serving as an advocate for affecting public policy related to healthy aging and fall risk reduction.
2. Goals and Activities
The Center has linked its activities to its goals. Related to the research goal the center has conducted a number of funded and unfunded research projects. In addition, research primarily focusing on healthy aging issues and reducing falls has resulted in the publication of a number of scientific and professional articles, books, book chapters and reports. Internship and practicum experiences are offered through the Departments of Health Science and Kinesiology providing opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in professional practice in oncampus facilities or at more than 50 community outreach sites established by the Center. Centerbased assessments of physical and psychological function are provided to all participants in
Center programs. Many of the screening and assessment tools now being administered were developed and validated by Center faculty and are widely used in the United States and internationally. Several programs have been developed providing opportunities for community

members 50 and over to participate in individualized and group-based physical activity and whole person wellness classes. The center has established community partnerships and outreach.
Collaborative partnerships have been established with community college and adult education districts and other agencies in southern CA to train instructors to lead community-based health promotion programs. Leadership of the Center is active advocacy at regional, state and national level working with collaborative partnership with Fall Prevention Center of Excellence at the
University of Southern California.
3. Resources and Sustainability
Revenue received by the Center from 2008-12 was derived from three main sources: external grant funds- $430,354; Community Outreach/Certification Program Fees- $86,155; and
Donations -$8,360. Total revenue from all sources $524,870. The Center has access to state-ofthe art program and laboratory facilities sustained support (both financial and professional) from the departments of Kinesiology and Health Science and the College of Health and Human
Development.
4.
Organizational Structure and Governance
The Center has a Director, an Operations Manager, an Events and Programs Coordinator and several Graduate Student Assistants. There is a Community Advisory Board which meets twice a year its primary role is to provide feedback on the Center’s activities and identify important needs in the community and the role the Center might play in addressing those needs.
5. Highlights and Accomplishments
Awards and recognition, grants and contracts, peer-reviewed scholarly articles and abstracts, books and book chapters and curriculum development and programming abound. Debra Rose the Center director was recently appointed to Exercise and Rehabilitation Advisory Council,
National Osteoporosis Foundation. D. Rubin (PI; 2011-15). Co-investigator on Congressional directed medical research program, U.S. Army medical research command - “Physical activity interventions in individuals with Prader Willi Syndrome”. 1.4M; Co-investigator. Center staff created Development of Balance and Mobility specialist aquatic instructor training course.
6. Planning and Strategic Outlook
At the end of each academic year the faculty and staff of the Center meet to evaluate its programs, activities and current goals and to develop goals for the upcoming year. The goals are then shared with the Community Advisory Board. The Community Advisory Board provides feedback and recommendations for adoption or modification. Recently, the Center has expanded is mission and adopted a Whole Person Wellness approach that guides the Center’s research, education, and service activities.
7.
Viability
The Center is now entering its 14 th year of operation and the leadership does not believe that any of the activities or operations of the Center need to be modified, refocused or discontinued.
However, there is a plan to move the Center for Successful Aging placing it under the umbrella

of the Institute of Gerontology. The Center is currently housed under the Health Promotion
Research Institute. The Center maintains that it is responsive to directly addressing the health promotion needs of older adults and the community agencies and organizations with which it partners. The Center is nationally and internationally recognized for the research conducted by its faculty, staff and students.
8 . Appendices
Center for Successful Aging- Organizational Flowchart
Summary and Recommendation(s)
The Center for Successful Aging has a clear mission with established goals to implement the mission. The mission and goals have been effectively linked to the
University’s Mission and Goals. Center goals are reviewed/updated/refined annually by the faculty and staff with input and feedback from the Community
Advisory Board. An array of awards and recognitions, grants and contracts, peerreviewed scholarly articles and abstracts, books and book chapters and curriculum development and programming are indications of a dynamic and highly productive enterprise. The director of the Center was recently elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Executive Board of the National Academy of Kinesiology. The Center has excellent physical resources and a vital revenue base streaming from external funding, community outreach/certification and various program fees. In addition to its community partnerships and collaborations the Center provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to complete internships, conduct research projects and acquire practical and leadership skills.
The Center for Successful Aging has the hallmarks of excellence and is recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for the research conducted by its faculty, staff and students.
Note: There is a plan to move the center (currently housed under the Health
Promotion Research Institute) to the Institute of Gerontology.
If this occurs the center should provide notification of this move .