Ashton Mazour is a senior in the College of Education and Human Sciences at UNL majoring in family science and minoring in gerontology. She will be interning with OLLI through early August. While she will be shadowing and assisting OLLI staff, her primary responsibility will be to develop a Cyber-Seniors technology program.
The Cyber-Seniors technology program will be an intergenerational program that pairs college students with older adults who want help learning to use computers, smart phones and tablets. OLLI at UNL’s program will be modeled after a Cyber-Seniors program offered by OLLI at the University of Rhode Island. Because technology needs vary, the program can be easily modified to fit people’s individual technology needs.
“The program is so much more than gaining technology tips,” said Dee Aguilar, OLLI coordinator. “It offers an opportunity for older adults and students to interface, engage and learn from each other,” she said.
Ashton was introduced to OLLI at UNL when Dee Aguilar spoke at one of her classes. She became intrigued with the OLLI program. “I was fascinated with what Dee had to say about OLLI and later went to the OLLI website to learn more. I think I watched every single video on the website and knew that OLLI was the place where I wanted to do an internship,” said Ashton. “I can definitely seeing myself learning and having fun this summer.”
Ashton will be attending some OLLI classes and events this summer. If you see her, introduce yourself and say hello. She’s enthusiastic to meet you.