Ms. Jena Rathell

Now, Jena Rathell is hoping to change that.

"Young people should realize many of them don't want to face these issues, but it will catch up with them," said Ms. Rathell.

Issues such as affordable housing, health care and Social Security for an aging baby boomer population are conundrums that Ms. Rathell, a student at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, wants to tackle. Now, she will have the opportunity to do so.

The 20-year-old from Edgewater was recently named the first recipient of The Erickson School Achievement Scholarship at UMBC. The scholarship provides full tuition and fees per academic year for a qualified student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at UMBC in Management of Aging Services.

Ms. Rathell is a new student at UMBC in Catonsville this semester and is part of the inaugural class of the college's Erickson School of Aging Studies.
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A 2004 graduate of Annapolis High School, Ms. Rathell earned her Associate's Degree in Business Administration at Anne Arundel Community College. Although she has transfer credits, it will take a little over two years for her to earn her B.A. in Management of Aging Services. But that doesn't diminish Ms. Rathell's enthusiasm or determination.
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Ms. Rathell was fascinated by his presentation about the future of Social Security, Medicare and the intergenerational issues raised by shifting demographics.

"It really just struck me academically," she said.
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Ms. Rathell currently juggles her studies while working part time as a waitress at Wharfside Bar and Grill in Edgewater. The young student is thinking of how she might serve the elderly though marketing or working in the government.

"I am thinking of going towards marketing because it's funny when a lot of commercials target my generation, when the older people have money and want to do things," she said. She added that government work also appeals to her, especially working with changes and problems with affordable housing for seniors.

On Sept. 7, the Erickson School of Aging Studies welcomed its inaugural class at a ceremony in the Albin O. Kuhn Library on the UMBC campus. Part of the ceremony included recognizing Ms. Rathell, who was thrilled to meet the program's founder, Mr. John Erickson.
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The program's broad scope also appeals to Ms. Rathell.

"There's a lot of job opportunities because the program has the study of public policy, business management and the study of aging," she said.