Jaclyn Jerdan Receives SE4A Scholarship Award

University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work Student recently named recipient of the Southeast Association for Area Agencies on Aging Student Scholarship Award

Congratulations to Jaclyn Jerdan, a 2008 Southeast Association for Area Agencies on Aging Scholarship Award winner!  Her recognition not only honors her own accomplishments but provides recognition of Kentucky, the KIPDA Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living Region, and especially the University of Louisville's Kent School of Social Work's Master's Degree Program in Gerontology.

Ms. Jerdan's first job out of undergraduate school was working at Humana as a customer service representative in the Medicare department.  As you know, the challenges of Medicare are enormous, especially for older adults, but Jaclyn's love and desire to work with this population increased during her work at Humana. As she worked with the beneficiaries, her motivation grew to advocate on their behalf to assist them with getting what they need. This passion was also inspired by learning more about the various issues older persons have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.

Although Jaclyn has limited experience working with older adults, she has a strong desire to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to spend her professional career in gerontology. Her excitement has encouraged her to enroll in the University of Louisville's Kent School of Social Work Masters Degree Program in Gerontology. In her own words she says, "As you can see, I do not have tons of experience working in gerontology. It just happens to be the population that has a special place in my heart. I love working with older adults and have a huge respect for them." 

Ms. Jerdan will surely be an asset to the field of Gerontology.