Institute for Senior Living
Education. Service. Research.
Serving as a transdisciplinary global institute
for operations excellence in senior living
Granger Cobb Institute Naming
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 clinical assistant professor, Scott Eckstein, 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
Steering Committee
Industry Partners
Chris Belford
Executive Vice President, American Healthcare Investors
Maribeth Bersani
Chief Operating Officer, Argentum
Matt Bromen
Human Resources Director, ERA Living
Adam Clark
Vice President of Growth Strategies, Aegis Living
Caitlin Cobb
Communications Manager, Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation
Cassie Cobb
Director of Customer Experience, PrettyLitter
Patrick Dooley
Chief Operating Officer, Milestone Retirement Communities, LLC
Barb Duffy
Shareholder, Lane Powell
Mark Finkelstein
Columbia Bank, Director
Tana Gall
Chief Executive Officer, Blue Harbor Senior Living
Bre Grubbs
Senior Vice President, Leisure Care/180
Chris Guay
Founder & President, Vitality Senior Living
Justin Hutchens
Chief Executive Officer, HC-One, UK
Chris Hyatt
Chief Operations Officer, New Perspective Senior Living
Bob Kramer
Founder & Strategic Advisor, National Investment Center (NIC)
Jerry Meyer
President Emeritus & Board of Directors, Aegis Living
Gary Milner
Canyon Ranch
Travis Palmquist
Vice President & General Manager, Senior Living PointClickCare
Bill Pettit
President, R.D. Merrill Company (Merrill Gardens)
David Schless
President, American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA)
Mark Southern
AVP Food and Beverage, VI Senior Living
Steve Tarr
Gartner EXP, Senior Executive Partner
Melanie Werdel
Columbia Pacific Advisors
Shamim Wu
Chief Operating Officer, Elmcroft Senior Living
Faculty Fellows
Cory Bolkan
WSU Associate Professor: Human Development
Minyoung Cerruti
WSU Instructor, Interior Design Program, School of Design & Construction
Diane Cook
WSU Chair/Professor: School of Electrical Eng & Comp Science
Julia Day
WSU Assistant Professor of Construction Management, Director: Integrated Design & Construction Lab, School of Design and Construction
Maureen Edgecombe
WSU Professor, Psychology
Shelly Fritz
WSU Assistant Professor of Nursing
Mel Haberman
Executive Associate Dean and Director, College of Nursing
Laura Hill
WSU Chair/Professor, Human Development
Zihua Ma
UNLV Hospitality: Assistant Professor In Residence (SHBM PhD Alumni)
Deb Nelson
WSU Instructor, Human Development
Catherine VanSon
WSU Associate Professor, College of Nursing
Raven Weaver
WSU Assistant Professor, Department of Human Development
WSU Administrative Team
Darcie Bagott
SHBM Administrative Assistant
Kelvin Chiang
SHBM Graduate Student
Scott Eckstein
SHBM Clinical Professor
Michelle Snyder
CCB Assistant Director of Development
Nancy Swanger
SHBM Director
Help Support Us
Contact Us
Scott Eckstein
Clinical Assistant Professor
Senior Living Executive-In-Residence
scott.eckstein@wsu.edu
(424) 262-1288
In the News
WSU launches Institute for Senior Living