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Washington State University
Carson College of Business Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living

Granger Cobb
Institute for Senior Living

Education. Data Analytics. Partnerships.

Solving real problems in real communities for real residents,

and those who serve them . . . in real time.


New! Senior Living Management Major

Senior Living is a growing, dynamic industry where residents 55+ make their homes in independent, assisted living, or memory care communities. This residential model promotes active, social interaction among residents and their families, while providing a safe and caring environment. Managers and professional staff make a positive difference for residents and enhance the quality of their lives on a daily basis. This degree will prepare students for:

  • Managerial positions and upward mobility in an industry that is nearly recession-proof
  • Purposeful work on a daily basis and throughout your career
  • Careers in a growing industry as the Baby Boomers move in
  • Training in sound business fundamentals, with a focus on hospitality operations
  • A very rewarding work-life balance

Where We Are

  • Industry-driven courses and program of study focused on operational performance
  • Partner with industry leaders to maintain curricular relevance and increase the number of professionals and students studying Senior Living Management
  • Courses led by full-time, industry experienced instructors who connects real-world operations with best-in-class education
  • Provide undergraduate students with immersive learning every semester at senior living communities
  • Students gain real-world industry experience through the school’s 1,000 hour industry/ internship graduation requirement

WHERE THE INSTITUTE WILL TAKE US

  • Serve as a source for research that will impact daily operations, improving lives for all stakeholders
  • Partner with industry leaders to maintain curricular relevance within the senior living program at Washington State University
  • Put Senior Living Management at the forefront of student career options

Who was Granger Cobb

Granger Cobb was a pioneer of senior living and always put people first. From owning one community in 1989 through becoming the CEO of Emeritus and a Brookdale board member, Granger was always gracious and grounded. He shared his passion for seniors and their families as a board member of industry groups such as Argentum, NIC, and ASHA as well as by teaching students in the senior living program at Washington State University. He touched countless lives, and his legacy will live on through the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living.

CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF GRANGER COBB

Nearly 300 people gathered Oct. 30 on the Pullman campus to celebrate the naming of the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living. As one person after another took the stage and spoke through tears and laughter about Cobb’s caring nature, it became easy to understand why Washington State University named the institute after a man who left an indelible mark on the past and future of the senior living industry.

Photos from the Event

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Steering Committee

Industry Partners

Chris Belford
Chief Executive Officer, Sinceri Senior Living

Matt Bromen
Human Resources Director, ERA Living

Jason Childers
Vice President, Merrill Gardens

Adam Clark
Vice President of Growth Strategies, Aegis Living

Patrick Dooley
Chief Operating Officer, Milestone Senior Living

Tanya Fitzgerald
Brookdale Senior Living, Vice President

Tana Gall
President, Merrill Gardens

Bre Grubbs
Executive Vice President, Leisure Care

Chris Hyatt
President, New Perspective Senior Living

Bob Kramer
President & Founder at Nexus Insights. Founder & Strategic Advisor, NIC

Travis Palmquist
Vice President & General Manager, Senior Living PointClickCare

Bill Pettit
Partner, Black Dog Capital Advisors

Matt Reiners
Co-founder, Eversound

David Schless
President, American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA)

Mark Southern
Principal, Avalon Hospitality Partners

Shamim Wu
Chief Operating Officer, UrgentMED

Faculty Fellows

Olusola Adesope
WSU Associate Dean for Research & External Funding, Boeing Distinguished Professor of STEM Education, Professor of Educational Psychology

Amanda D. Boyd
WSU Associate Professor, The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication

Michelle Carter
Professor at the Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester

Robert Catena
WSU Associate Professor, Kinesiology & Educational Psychology

Minyoung Cerruti
WSU Assistant Professor

Jeffrey Clark
WSU Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Deborah Compeau
Sr Assoc Dean Faculty & Research of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship, Carson College of Business

Diane Cook
WSU Regents Professor, School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

Rebecca L. Cooney
WSU Scholarly Associate Professor, The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication

Lynne Cooper
Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University

Brian J. Gates
WSU Professor, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Jenny Kim
WSU Professor, School of Hospitality Business Management

Zihui Ma
UNLV Hospitality, Assistant Professor In Residence (SHBM PhD Alumni)

Bidisha Mandal
WSU Associate Professor & Extension Economist

Amy Meredith
WSU Professor & Chair WSU Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences

Thorsten Merkle
ZHAW School of Life Sciences and Facility Management
Hospitality Management Competency Group

Paola Ossola
WSU Adjunct Faculty, César Ritz Colleges, Switzerland

Shikha Prashad
WSU Assistant Professor, Kinesiology & Educational Psychology

Shelby Ruiz
WSU Research Project Manager

Mario Saba
Founder, Higher Hospitality Academy of Switzerland

Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe
WSU Regents Professor, Department of Psychology

School of Hospitality Business Management Affiliate Faculty

Cory Bolkan
WSU Associate Professor, Human Development

Julia Day
WSU Associate Professor of Construction Management, Director: Integrated Design & Construction Lab, School of Design and Construction

Shelly Fritz
WSU Professor of Nursing

Catherine VanSon
WSU Professor, College of Nursing

Raven Weaver
WSU Associate Professor, Department of Human Development

WSU Administrative Team

Darcie Bagott
Program Specialist

Cory Wolfenbarger
Adjunct Faculty

Michelle Snyder
CCB Co-Chief Development Officer

Nancy Swanger
Founding Director

Molly Wolniewicz
Adjunct Faculty