Meet the division volunteer: Grace Caskie, PhD

Initially, I joined Division 20 (Adult Development and Aging) because I had taken a postdoctoral research associate position to work with K. Warner Schaie and Sherry L. Willis at Penn State in what was then called the Gerontology Center (now the Center for Healthy Aging). Because both of my postdoctoral mentors had been past presidents of Division 20, and because I was so warmly welcomed by this community of aging-focused scholars, joining Division 20 was an easy decision. With my own doctoral training having been in quantitative psychology, being a member of Division 20 gave me valuable insights into, and information about, my newly adopted field of applied study and introduced me to many of the leading scholars in adult development and aging. Division 20 membership also helped me connect with other early-career scholars in adult development and aging and build my professional network, with many of those initial contacts becoming colleagues and good friends over the years.

I’m not sure exactly what year I joined Division 20, but I’m sure that I’ve been a member for at least 25 years!

In 2007, I was invited by my friend and colleague, Jennifer A. Margrett, to co-edit Division 20’s newsletter with her, after the other two co-editors had rotated off this service. As an assistant professor on the tenure-track, taking advantage of this opportunity was a great way to get involved in national-level professional service. But, more importantly, being Division 20’s newsletter editor was a wonderful way for me to learn all about the Division and to gain insights into its inner workings. I really enjoyed connecting with many Division 20 leaders and members via my role as the division’s newsletter editor—so much so that I continued in this role until 2023! Having this birds-eye view of how the division did its work and my long history of involvement in Division 20’s executive committee helped me decide to accept a nomination to run for Treasurer of Division 20, a role in which I served from 2019–2022. I was then nominated to run for president of Division 20, and I was truly honored and pleased to serve in this role last year. This year, I am serving as the immediate past-president, which I’m happy to say has been a lot less work than being president, as I continue to support our new president, Wally Boot, and to promote the mission of Division 20.

It’s easier than you think to get involved! Division 20 is especially welcoming of new volunteers and leaders. I know it may seem intimidating to reach out or to volunteer yourself for professional service, and I would encourage anyone who has an interest in getting more involved at a national level to reach out to the Division 20 leadership. Having a broad array of voices with different perspectives is crucial to the success of any division. You can always find something to do that fits your unique skills and talents and the time that you have available to give.

Division 20 is a diverse group with a wide variety of interests with the fields of adult development and aging. Our membership includes both scholars and practitioners, and we have a good mixture of folks across all career stages from students and early-career professionals to retirees. With the aging of our nation’s population, issues related to adult development and aging will be more at the forefront than ever, and the field of psychology would benefit if more folks take a lifespan perspective in their work.

My favorite place to travel is anywhere my 23-year-old daughter wants to go. She is my most faithful travel companion as my spouse does not enjoy travel as much as we do. She and I both love to go to the beach and to see Broadway shows in New York City. Next on our travel list is a trip to Dublin in March so that my daughter and I can visit my niece, who is doing a year of study abroad at Trinity College. I’ve never been to Ireland, so I’m really looking forward to exploring a new country! If you have suggestions for what to see, feel free to send them my way.

Contact: Grace Caskie