The "CSU Gerontology Summit on Excellence in Teaching" will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Thousand Oaks Room in the University Student Union on the east side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge

"This is a rare opportunity to influence gerontology education and the well being of older Californians for decades to come," said Debra Sheets, an assistant professor in CSUN's Department of Health Sciences and coordinator of the university's Interdisciplinary Gerontology Program.

"California has more than five million older adults, one of the largest populations of older adults in the nation, and one of the most diverse. It's really important that we continue to develop and expand our gerontology programs and education," Sheets said. "This summit is our chance to really get together and talk about how to address the future needs of education and gerontology."

Approximately 70 gerontology experts and faculty from CSU campuses across the state are expected to attend the event. They will discuss ways of strengthening gerontology education within the system as well as raising awareness of the critical need for gerontology instruction, research and practice within the CSU.

Among the topics to be discussed at the conference are instructional technologies for gerontology in the 21st century, integrating academic, applied and professional experiences in gerontology internships, and statewide perspectives on gerontology curriculum and program development.

For more information about the summit, call Debra Sheets at (818) 677-2344 or Rosalie Gilford, professor of sociology at CSU Fullerton, at (714) 278-2447.