This week’s Roundtable featured Andrew Carle, a nationally recognized expert in senior living innovation and a professor in the Aging and Health Program at Georgetown University.
As founder of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com, Andrew is a pioneer of the University Retirement Community (URC) model—a rapidly growing concept that blends lifelong learning with senior living. He shared how this model is redefining aging by connecting older adults with dynamic, intellectually rich university environments.
Andrew explored how URCs meet the needs of today’s retirees—among the most educated in history—by offering continued growth, intergenerational engagement and deeper purpose. He also discussed the benefits for universities navigating enrollment shifts and for senior living providers looking to evolve. From new certification standards to creative partnership paths, Andrew offered a fresh perspective on how URCs are changing the future of aging.
A BOOMING MODEL FOR A NEW GENERATION
University Retirement Communities (URCs) are no longer niche—they’re the fastest-growing segment in senior living. With highly educated baby boomers seeking connection, purpose and stimulation, the campus setting is becoming the natural next chapter for active aging.
A WIN-WIN FOR UNIVERSITIES IN TRANSITION
Facing enrollment declines and a shifting donor base, universities are discovering strategic value in URCs. These partnerships offer new revenue streams, deeper alumni ties and a powerful way to serve a changing community where adults 65+ will soon outnumber those under 18.
A CLASSROOM WITHOUT WALLS
URCs aren’t just homes—they’re dynamic learning hubs. Residents attend lectures and performances, while students gain hands-on experience through internships, jobs and volunteer work. The result is an intergenerational environment rich in purpose, relevance and real-world learning.
A BRAND POWER MONEY CAN’T BUY
For senior living providers, partnering with a university unlocks something no ad campaign can deliver: lifelong brand loyalty. Residents bring decades of emotional connection to their alma maters, making the campus affiliation both meaningful and marketable.
A PATH FOR EXISTING COMMUNITIES TO LEVEL UP
Communities that weren’t purposely built as URCs can still evolve into strong university partners. With proximity, initiative and structured programming, even standalone providers can “partner their way” into the model—bringing a new dimension to their resident experience.
CERTIFICATION THAT SIGNALS QUALITY AND CONNECTION
A new certification program, based on a 5-criteria model Carle established in 2006 and which has been widely accepted as the standard for defining a “University Based Retirement Community (UBRC),” has been launched as a component of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com.
Varsity’s Roundtable is a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here.
