MURFREESBORO, TN - Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has earned the distinction of being the first higher-education institution in Tennessee to receive official recognition as an age-friendly university…That was Dr. Deborah Lee, holder of the NHC Chair of Excellence in Nursing at MTSU. Lee serves as director of the Positive Aging Consortium.

MTSU earned the distinction of being the first higher-education institution in Tennessee to join the Age-Friendly University Global Network (AFUGN) — an international consortium focused on enhancing the lives of older adults through inclusive education and engagement.

Over the next five years, the aging population in Tennessee—and across the U.S.—is expected to reach a significant milestone…According to U.S. Census data, 1.6 million Tennesseans are aged 60 and older, making them the fastest-growing demographic in the state. That group is projected to make up nearly 20% of Tennessee’s total population in the coming years.

Dr. Brandon Grubbs, co-founder of the Positive Aging Consortium and associate professor of exercise physiology at MTSU, told WGNS that he plans to advance new research focused on the aging population…His research will aim to identify and enhance positive health outcomes for older adults.

The Age-Friendly University Global Network designation aligns with a broader international effort inspired by the World Health Organization’s 2006 Age-Friendly Cities and Communities initiative, which encourages the development of inclusive, accessible environments for all ages.

To learn more about MTSU’s age-friendly initiatives, visit: mtsunews.com/mtsu-age-friendly-university-network. Hear our recent interview HERE.