Donna is a passionate and dedicated educator whose work reflects a deep commitment to preparing the next generation of long-term care administrators. From the very beginning of each semester, she sets high expectations while cultivating a supportive and engaging environment where students feel seen and valued. Donna makes it clear that she genuinely cares about her students’ success, recognizing the many challenges they often balance—including employment, caregiving responsibilities, and academic demands. She actively connects students with campus and community resources, ensuring they have the support needed to thrive.

Donna’s teaching extends far beyond traditional classroom instruction. She is an innovator in experiential learning, having developed the Design Innovation: Intergenerational Long-term Care Mobility Project, an interdisciplinary course that brings students together with older adults, eldercare facilities, and professionals from multiple fields. Through this collaboration, students rethink and redesign long-term care practices while developing creative, real-world solutions that enhance quality of life for residents.

Beyond the classroom, Donna creates transformative opportunities for connection and impact. She engages students with The Legacy Project (TLP), Inc., a national nonprofit that pairs students with older adults to preserve personal histories and foster meaningful relationships. Through a partnership with Maplewood Senior Living in Cuyahoga Falls, Donna facilitated student-resident collaborations that culminated in the publication of Connecting the Pieces of Our Lives, an 88-page collection of residents’ life stories. Students consistently describe this work as profoundly meaningful, expressing deep gratitude for the chance to form lasting intergenerational connections and contribute to preserving these important narratives.

Inspired by her students’ intelligence, resilience, and passion, Donna fosters an environment of mutual respect and growth. Her dedication to student success, commitment to innovation, and ability to create impactful, real-world learning experiences make a lasting difference—not only in the lives of her students, but in the future of long-term care.