October 6, 2023
For Jen Holz, M.A. ’08, management of aging services, there is clearly a “before” and “after” in her career journey. Recently honored with the AARP 2023 Maureen McCoy Award for Excellence, Holz—associate state director for community outreach for AARP Maryland—attributes her graduate study experience in The Erickson School of Aging Services as a defining point in her life.
“I truly had no idea the effect the program would have on my life moving forward,” said Holz, who graduated with the first cohort of master’s students. “Prior to joining the program, my interest in this field was just that: interest—and a very good job. Once I embarked on my journey, things took a different turn. My eyes were opened to what it means to age well, to see gaps in services and broken systems, and to live with purpose and culture change. Human aging took on an entirely different meaning for me personally and professionally—and I was sold. I am committed to this field for the rest of my working days.”
The annual Maureen McCoy Award for Excellence recognizes one staff member from among 53 state and territorial offices for their outstanding service and performance in advancing the AARP’s community outreach and volunteer engagement.
According to the AARP, Holz was specifically cited for her efforts in organizing PROTECT Week, an annual educational series of events involving 22 partner organizations from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors designed to highlight scams and fraud that target older people. She also has been instrumental in promoting livable communities, guiding nine jurisdictions in Maryland to join the AARP World Health Organization Network of Age Friendly Communities.
“Jen Holz embodies the mission of The Erickson School of Aging Studies,” said Dana Burr Bradley, dean of the school. “We are in the business of producing leaders to navigate the challenges and opportunities created by today’s longevity economy. Since graduating from our master’s program in 2008, Jen has continually delivered knowledge, passion, and results to improve the lives of older persons—not only here in Maryland, but well beyond our state with the AARP’s national reach. We congratulate Jen on this well-deserved honor and thank her for her work.”
Over the course of her career with the Maryland AARP, Holz has advanced to fill leadership roles in communications, event planning, and community service. She continues to stay connected to The Erickson School and has engaged student interns pursuing their own career goals in the field of aging services management. “One of the greatest benefits to the program was the network of high-level professionals, experts, critical thinkers, and passionate advocates I was connected to—and to this day, I still benefit from those connections,” Holz said.
To discover more about the Master of Arts in the management of aging services and other programs offered by The Erickson School, contact erickson@umbc.edu or call 443-543-5677.
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About the Erickson School of Aging Studies
Founded in 2004—and the only named school at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County—the Erickson School of Aging Studies combines a passion for creating leaders and scholars in aging with a genuine connection to real-world business and management applications. The Erickson School blends the critical elements of aging studies, management, and public policy in both its Bachelor and Master of Arts degree programs in the management of aging services as well as three graduate certificate programs. All academic programs are designed with a particular focus on preparing leaders to address expanding global opportunities generated by and within the longevity economy.
Contact: Tony Hoppa, 585-831-0629 or ahoppa1@umbc.edu