Jennifer Sasser

Department Chair

Ph.D. in Human Development, Oregon State University
M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Oregon
Gerontology/Social-Psychology/Feminist Theory
B.S. in Psychology/Music, Willamette University

Subjects/Courses

History & Philosophy of the Human Sciences
Introduction to Social Science Inquiry
Qualitative Inquiry
Research Methods in the Human Science
Re-envisioning America: Gender & Culture in the Late 19th Century
Multi-disciplinary Perspectives on Aging
Embodiment in Later Life
Theorizing & Researching in Gerontology
Gerontology: Synthesis & Action
Interdisciplinary Research Methods & Thesis Preparation I, II, & III
Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry

Professional Activities

Delegate, State Policy Conference, White House Conference on Aging (1995)

Marylhurst University committees include:

University Faculty Council, Chair (2001-2007)
Assessment Committee
Center for Learning Partnerships
Faculty Development Committee
Mary's Woods Advisory Committee

Professional Associations

Oregon Gerontological Association, President (2008-2009)
Gerontological Society of America
Association for Gerontology in Higher Education
American Association of University Professors

Presentations

Living Theory: Enacting Principles of Critical Gerontology in Daily Life. Association for Gerontology in Higher Education Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon (February 2007)

Aspirational Adult Education and Assessing the Ineffable. Holistic Outcome Assessment: Classroom Practice & Institutional Technology in the Service of Learning. With Simeon Dreyfuss. Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Annual Conference, Chicago (November 2005)

Instigating Reflexive Inquiry: Innovative Learning Projects for Adult Learners. Integrated Learning: Connecting Theory to Students’ Knowledge and Skill. With Simeon Dreyfuss and David Plotkin. Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Annual Conference, San Diego (November 2003)

Theorizing and Enacting Bodily Histories: Designing and Implementing A Graduate Seminar in Embodiment in Later Life. Gerontological Society of America 52nd Annual Scientific Meeting, San Francisco (November 1999)

Meeting the Needs of an Aging Society through Holistic Understanding: Developing and Implementing an Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Gerontology. Gerontological Society of America 51st Annual Scientific Meeting, Philadelphia (November 1998)

Women's Sexuality in Later Life. 21st Annual Gerontology Conference, Oregon State University (April 1997)

The Point of Confluence: The Developmental Importance of Menarche in the Bodily Histories of Older Women. Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meetings, Washington, D.C. (November 1996)

Development and Factor Analyses of a Scale Measuring Control Among Family Care Givers and Care-recipients. Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meetings, Atlanta, Georgia (November 1994)

Publications

Books:

Lee, Janet and Sasser-Coen, Jennifer. Blood Stories: Menarche and the Politics of the Female Body in Contemporary U.S. Society. New York: Routledge. (1996)

Juried Articles:

Sasser, J. (2005). Synthesis and Action: Designing and Implementing a Capstone Gerontology Seminar. Educational Gerontology: An International Journal. (2005)

Lee, Janet and Sasser-Coen, Jennifer. Memories of Menarche: Older Women Remember their First Period. Journal of Aging Studies, 10(2). (1996)

Sasser-Coen, Jennifer. Qualitative changes in creativity in the second half of life: A life-span developmental perspective. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 27(1), 18-27. (1993)

Book Chapters:

Pratt, Clara C., Sasser-Coen, J., Acock, A. and Hafner-Eaton, C. Health and functional status. In Margaret Neal and Clara C. Pratt (Eds.), Aging Oregonians: Trends and Projections. Portland, Or.: Oregon Gerontological Association and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Oregon. (1993)

Pratt, C. C., Sasser-Coen, J., Acock, A. Long-term care. In M. Neal and C.C. Pratt (Eds.), Aging Oregonians: Trends and Projections. Portland, Or.: Oregon Gerontological Association and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Oregon. (1993)

Pratt, C.C., Sasser-Coen, J. and Acock, A. Social and mental well-being. In M. Neal and C.C. Pratt (Eds.), Aging Oregonians: Trends and Projections. Portland, Or.: Gerontological Association and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Oregon. (1993)

Awards

Excellence in Academic Service & Teaching, Marylhurst University (2008)
AARP/Andrus Foundation Doctoral Fellowship in Gerontology (1993)
Gerontology Student of Year, Oregon Gerontological Association (1992)
Hawthorne Fellowship, Oregon State University (1992)
Gerontology Scholarship, Oregon Retired Educators (1991)
Noel Kaestner Award, Willamette University (1989)