University Partnerships Help ClarkLindsey Strengthen Workforce Development and Innovation
- ClarkLindsey
- Oct 29, 2018
- 3 min read
Senior living organizations are increasingly turning to universities to help address workforce shortages and support new approaches to aging services. ClarkLindsey in Urbana, Illinois has built a long‑running, multifaceted relationship with the University of Illinois that demonstrates how powerful these collaborations can be. Through shared research, student engagement, and hands‑on learning opportunities, the partnership supports both organizations while contributing to broader industry needs.
What Happened
ClarkLindsey has expanded its collaboration with the University of Illinois, building on a long history of informal connections. The relationship now includes research initiatives, classroom engagement, guest lectures, campus outreach, and internship opportunities. One of the most visible efforts is the CHART program, where university researchers use a ClarkLindsey apartment as a living laboratory to study aging, technology adoption, and daily life among older adults. Projects have explored tools such as voice‑activated devices and companion robotics, giving researchers real‑world access while exposing ClarkLindsey to emerging ideas.
The partnership also extends into workforce development. ClarkLindsey staff regularly visit university classrooms across disciplines—including social work, dietetics, industrial design, and business—to introduce students to career paths in aging services. The organization hosts frequent student tours and maintains a long‑standing internship program that draws participants from the University of Illinois and other local schools. High school students can also participate through job‑shadowing experiences that introduce them to a variety of roles within the community.
Since launching its internship program in 2011, ClarkLindsey has welcomed 90 interns and hired seven of them as employees. To make the experience more accessible, the organization offers an intern‑in‑residency option that provides temporary housing for students who commit to full‑time hours, including time spent supporting resident engagement. Interns come from a wide range of academic backgrounds—not only health‑related fields but also environmental studies, art and design, and psychology—contributing to projects that improve both resident life and workplace culture.
Why This Matters
The senior living sector faces a significant workforce shortage, with national projections indicating the need for more than a million additional employees in the coming years. Partnerships like the one between ClarkLindsey and the University of Illinois help address this challenge by introducing students to aging‑services careers early, offering meaningful hands‑on experience, and creating pathways into long‑term employment. These collaborations also bring new ideas, research insights, and generational perspectives into senior living communities, supporting innovation in care, technology use, and resident engagement.
For universities, the partnership provides access to real environments where students and faculty can study aging, test new technologies, and better understand the needs of older adults. This creates a mutually beneficial ecosystem that strengthens both education and service delivery.
Key Details at a Glance
ClarkLindsey has deepened its long‑standing relationship with the University of Illinois.
The CHART program allows researchers to study aging and technology in a real‑world setting.
Staff regularly guest‑lecture in university classes across multiple disciplines.
ClarkLindsey hosts tours and outreach events to engage students directly.
The internship program has welcomed 90 students since 2011 and hired seven.
An intern‑in‑residency option provides temporary housing for full‑time interns.
Interns contribute to projects ranging from resident engagement to environmental design.
Broader Context
Across the country, senior living organizations are exploring university partnerships as a strategy to strengthen workforce pipelines, support applied research, and create more dynamic intergenerational environments. High‑profile university‑affiliated communities, such as those connected to Arizona State University and Washington State University, reflect a growing trend toward integrating aging services with academic institutions. ClarkLindsey’s experience shows how these collaborations can evolve organically over time and expand into meaningful, multi‑layered initiatives that benefit students, researchers, older adults, and the broader community.
Source Attribution
This post is based on publicly reported information originally covered by Senior Housing News.
