Age-Friendly Celebration Event
Building an Age-Friendly Future
Shaping how we live and work by increasing educational opportunities across the life span.
Join us as UW-Green Bay celebrates its official designation as an Age-Friendly University, a commitment to creating a campus community that values lifelong learning, intergenerational connection and inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Learn from our partnering organizations why the aging population is so important to the strength of the community. Discover how UW-Green Bay is supporting lifelong learning efforts.
Date & Time
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
8:30-10:30 a.m.
Free Event
No Cost to Attend
Celebration Event Schedule
Tuesday, November 4
8:30-9 a.m.
Networking & Resource Fair
Networking and social time with a coffee bar. Visit with organizations participating in our Resource Fair.
9-9:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Jess Lambrecht, Executive Director, Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Training, UW-Green Bay
9:15-9:45 a.m.
Keynotes
Connected & Curious: The Keys to Mental Wellness in Later Life
Darrin Wasniewski, Senior Associate State Director, Community Outreach, AARP Wisconsin, will give a keynote presentation. Staying connected and curious isn’t just a mindset—it’s a strategy for lifelong wellness. By embracing learning, social engagement and the Six Pillars of Brain Health, older adults can strengthen their minds, enrich their lives and build resilience against isolation and cognitive decline.
Age & Ability Inclusion Starts with Connection
Helen Sampson, Public Strategist, Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, will explore how meaningful connections—between individuals, communities and institutions—can foster greater inclusion across age and ability.
9:45-10 a.m.
Together on Campus & in the Community
Kate Burns, Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UW-Green Bay, will provide remarks.
10-10:30 a.m.
Resource Fair Continues
Meet Our Keynote Speakers
Darrin Wasniewski
Senior Associate State Director, Community Outreach, AARP Wisconsin
Darrin Wasniewski is a champion of Livable Communities and lifelong engagement, serving as Senior Associate State Director of Community Outreach for AARP Wisconsin. He works to create walkable, inclusive spaces that foster social connection and support learning at every age. Drawing on a rich background in community development and public space revitalization, Darrin helps communities thrive through thoughtful design and meaningful collaboration.
Helen Sampson, LCW
Public Policy Strategist, Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources, Wisconsin DHS
Helen Sampson works on variety of projects including reframing aging and disability and age-friendly initiatives. She provided direct service and leadership in hospice and community-based organizations focused on serving older adults and persons with disabilities. She comes to her current position following 14 years of leadership in Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) work after returning to her home state of WI. She is passionate about continual learning in service of creating positive, meaningful impact for systems and people. She earned a master's degree in social work.
The Treasures
of Growing Older
At UW-Green Bay's Center for Aging, we recognize the privilege of learning from older adults.
Later life is more than a time of disability or ill-health. It's a time of new opportunity and new moments. Through UW-Green Bay's Center on Aging, you can join a community of people who celebrate getting older. The Center's goal is to involve the broader community as we provide education and share knowledge about adult development and aging processes with students and faculty from business, humanities, psychology, nursing, social work and other areas.
Championing Learning at Every age
UW-Green Bay is honored to stand among the world’s leading institutions as a proud member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network—reaffirming our commitment to inclusive, lifelong learning for people of all ages. The Age-Friendly Global Network serves as a collective platform for institutes of higher education committed to creating inclusive and supportive environments across the lifespan.
Need Guidance?
If you need additional guidance, please contact Kayle Petitjean, Office of Professional Continuing Education, at professionaled@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2642.