Alumni Update: Where are they now?
Name: Brian Kaskie
Degree(s) Received: Ph.D. in Gerontology
Year of Graduation: 1998
Job title: Associate Professor
Company:University of Iowa
Location (city and state): Iowa City, IA
Please briefly describe your position and your company:
I am an Associate Professor in Health Management and Policy in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa. I teach graduate courses and doctoral seminars that focus on the intersection between the aging population and public health policies. I conduct research on public policies that concern older adults—I document what these policies are, study how they are formed, and then consider how these policies impact organizational practices and individual outcomes. I also serve federal, state and local officials by helping them formulate viable policy alternative to the opportunities and challenges presented by the growing population of older adults.
Why did you choose to study gerontology at the USC Davis School?
I wanted to piece together a degree program that would allow me to acquire expertise in policy analysis, empirical research, and the aging population. At that time, there was no other program that tried to effectively bridge the divide between academic research and policy, especially in matters pertaining to the aging population. I was impressed by the complement of faculty members and the enthusiasm among the students. I also loved the USC campus and living in LA.
How did you learn about your current position? Was it through an internship, a previous job, or a connection through USC?
Job posting on the academic websites.
Please briefly describe how the USC Davis School’s curriculum helped prepare you for your current position.
The multi-disciplinary complement of faculty and the courses they offered allowed me to
develop a comprehensive view of the aging population, learn about the universe of policies most relevant to the aging population, and develop the skills needed to ask interesting stions and provide empirically based answers.
What advice would you offer to a prospective student interested in studying gerontology at USC?
The USC doctoral program was very appealing to me because I didn’t necessarily have to end up being a progeny of the faculty I studied under. This is very different from the traditional apprenticeship model that dominates doctoral training and requires students to assimilate their mentors’ interests and skills. Of course, when I decided to go on this road less traveled, I knew I had to be very well prepared because I would not benefit from having people in front of me. The USC program provided me a sufficient amount of flexibility and creativity to piece together different perspectives, form unique interests and skills, and set about on my own career path.
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