When Broadview at Purchase College
was first envisioned, its location on a college campus promised older adults something truly unique: the opportunity to remain intellectually curious, socially connected and actively engaged with younger generations. Today, that vision, nearly three years after we first opened our doors, has blossomed into a vibrant, living reality that redefines what a senior living community can be.Coming to Broadview in June after a long career in the senior living industry, I was excited to see what Broadview’s commitment to intergenerational learning was all about. What I discovered was a warm, welcoming community of active seniors who were very youthful, vibrant and eager to continue contributing to their community.
But
just how much Broadview residents were contributing to the lives of the college students was underscored when SUNY Purchase president Dr. Michael Steiper was invited to join me and Broadview Resident Council president Dr. Eric Rakow for a conversation about our evolving relationship. The conversation highlighted the many ways Broadview residents and SUNY Purchase students, faculty and staff are learning from — and supporting — one another. Residents are continuing to learn while sharing decades of professional and personal experience with students preparing to enter the workforce.
The visionary concept of a senior living community on the campus was first proposed by former SUNY Purchase president Thomas J. Schwarz in 2003, but it wasn’t realized until 2011 when legislation signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo allowed the college to lease about 40 acres of land to create the community. After years of false starts and stops, the first seniors began moving in, in December 2023.
Mentorship that shapes the future
The heart of our partnership lies in its profound impact on SUNY Purchase students through mentorship. Broadview’s intergenerational mentoring program currently features more than 40 resident mentors who support students through career-development events, mock interviews, informal conversations and dedicated individual relationships.
This mentorship takes on even greater significance through specialized fields. For instance, a group of our residents with medical backgrounds is actively mentoring students interested in healthcare careers — a mission made even more timely by the new pathway between SUNY Purchase and SUNY Upstate Medical University. For first-generation college students or those without established professional networks, the guidance of retired physicians and healthcare executives is invaluable. They help students understand the realities, demands and rewards of a medical career, instilling humanism and broad liberal arts perspective. Other mentoring groups include those in the marketing and communications fields.
Plans are already underway to expand these structured mentorship opportunities across various academic and professional fields, ensuring that more students can find guidance from seasoned experts who have walked the path before them.
A community built on reciprocity
Broadview residents are deeply committed to the well-being of the broader campus. Our residents regularly contribute to the college’s food pantry and Swap Shop to assist students facing financial challenges. Whether providing necessities or welcoming students who stay on campus over Thanksgiving break for a special Friendsgiving dinner, our residents take pride in being a home away from home. They also attend concerts and performances at the Performing Arts Center, providing a supportive audience for students.
Looking forward, our partnership will only grow stronger. We are exploring expanded academic access, holding select classes directly at Broadview to accommodate residents with varying mobility, coordinating campus events more closely and establishing a proposed President’s Leadership Society at Broadview to give residents an active voice in advising college leadership.
The power of intergenerational living
Our experience at Broadview proves why more senior living communities should be built on college campuses. By embedding a senior living community directly onto a higher-education campus, we bridge the gap between generations, creating a mutual exchange of wisdom, energy, and perspective.
Furthermore, research and everyday practice continue to show the remarkable cognitive and emotional benefits seniors experience through intergenerational engagement. Staying active in a community of learners keeps the mind sharp, combats isolation, and fosters a renewed sense of purpose.
Intergenerational living is a powerful model for the future — one where experience meets curiosity, and where communities grow stronger together across the generations.
Rob D’Elia is executive director of Broadview.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Senior living belongs on NY college campuses. Here's why | Opinion
