Laci Cornelison

Laci Cornelison's interest in gerontology took root early, growing up around the world of aging services while her mother worked in a nursing home — an experience that sparked a lasting commitment to improving the aging experience.

Laci currently serves as Director of the Center on Aging and Chair of the Gerontology Program. In her role as Director, she has led the reorganization and growth of the Center on Aging, building it into a university-wide hub and community resource for all things related to aging — connecting research, education, and outreach to serve students, professionals, and the broader community. She holds professional credentials as a gerontologist, licensed nursing home administrator, and licensed social worker, reflecting a broad, interdisciplinary approach to the field.

As an educator, Laci teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, preparing the next generation of professionals to meet the needs of an aging society. Her career also includes direct leadership and clinical practice in an innovative, person-centered care community, program leadership for the Kansas PEAK 2.0 initiative, and ongoing research that spans issues in aging, caregiving, and quality of life.

Through this combination of leadership, teaching, clinical experience, and research, Laci is committed to advancing person-centered, evidence-based approaches that support older adults and the systems that serve them.