Livability for Longevity Symposium- Changing Needs for an Aging Metropolis

As communities across the United States confront rapid population aging, widening health disparities, and growing pressures on family caregivers, the question of how to design livable, age-friendly systems of care has become increasingly urgent. The 2026 Livability & Longevity Symposium brings together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to explore scalable, evidence-based strategies that strengthen mental health, social connection, and community supports for older adults while advancing intergenerational well-being.

View the digital program here.

 Agenda

8:30 - 9:00 am - Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 9:10 am - Welcome Remarks and Introduction to Dr. Karen Fingerman - Dr. Jacqueline L. Angel

9:10 - Dean JR DeShazo

9:15 am - Introduction- Keynote - Dr. Karen Fingerman

9:20 - 9:50 am - Keynote - Dr. Namkee Choi

9:50 - 10:00 am - Q & A - Dr. Namkee Choi

10:00 - 10:30 am - UT Austin IDC Feasibility Study -  Simulation Findings:  Monique Jones, Rita Olso, and Laura Zhang, UT Austin Graduate Students. 

10:30 - 11:00 am - Participant Poll 

Presiders, Bryce Boswell and Emily Green, UT Austin Graduate Students. 

11:00 am - 

Neda Norouzi, Associate Professor, UT San Antonio Architecture and Planning.

Mandi Golman, Supervisor of Schoolyards and Grounds for Austin ISD’s Sustainability Office

 Immediately followed by Luncheon

About the Speakers

Jacqueline L. Angel is a professor of public affairs and sociology and a faculty affiliate at the Population Research Center and the LBJ School Center for Health and Social Policy at The University of Texas at Austin. She did her postdoctoral training in mental health services research at Rutgers University and at the Pennsylvania State University Program in Demography of Aging. Her research examines health and retirement issues in the U.S., with a focus on older minorities, the impact of social policy on the Hispanic population, and Mexican-American families. Dr. Angel is the author/co-author/editor of 80 journal articles, 30 book chapters, and 10 books.

Karen Fingerman is a Professor of Human Development & Family Sciences at UT Austin. She studies adult development and aging and is currently the Director of the Texas Longevity Consortium at  UT Austin and the Research Director of the Center on Aging & Population Sciences. She also oversees the Graduate Portfolio in Aging & Health.  Dr. Fingerman's research focuses on social and emotional processes across adulthood, health, and well-being.

Dean JR DeShazo As the 12th dean of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, JR DeShazo leads one of the nation’s premier public policy schools, ranked No. 1 in Texas and uniquely positioned within a top-tier research university in one of America’s most innovative hubs of government, commerce and technology. Founded in 1970 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to expand access to the halls of power, the LBJ School offers a range of nationally ranked degree programs that prepare students to take on society’s most pressing challenges.

Since arriving in Austin in 2021, DeShazo has bolstered the LBJ School’s reputation as a center for impactful policy education and research – mirroring the rising global profile of UT Austin. His focus on expanding academic reach, enhancing faculty research, and enriching the student experience has driven growth in enrollment, research output, financial stability, and academic programming.

Dr. Namkee Choi is a Louis and Ann Wolens Centennial Chair in Gerontology. Dr. Choi’s nationally recognized research has transformed access to mental health care for low-income, homebound older adults. Drawing on a series of NIH-funded trials, Dr. Choi will present findings on tele-delivered behavioral activation (Tele-BA) and problem-solving therapy (Tele-PST), demonstrating how technology-enabled and lay-delivered interventions can expand reach, reduce costs, and address workforce shortages while maintaining strong clinical outcomes. Her work offers a pragmatic model for integrating mental health services into aging and community-based systems, with implications for equity, cost-effectiveness, and implementation at scale. 

Vanessa Fuentes serves as a Council Member for the city of Austin. She represents District 2 on the Austin City Council – one of the fastest-growing regions in Central Texas and home to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. She serves on the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Transportation Policy Board and is Chair of the National League of Cities’ Transportation & Infrastructure Services Committee. A strong advocate for equitable and sustainable urban development, she champions initiatives that prepare cities for rapid growth through smart infrastructure, multimodal transit, and workforce development. Vanessa also holds a Master’s in Public Leadership from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.

Alexandria Anderson, Community Advocate for Aging in Place and Intergenerational Equity (East Austin). Alexandria is a retired World Class NIKE American sprinter who specialized in the 100 and 200 meters. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, she competed on several USA World Medal Winning International Teams for 8 years (2009-2017). In 2018, she decided to retire and continue in the fitness industry. Receiving her ACE Personal Training Certification in January 2018, Alexandria continues to pursue her passion for fitness, nutrition, and sports. In Fall 2018, she launched her business Essential Fitness ATX, with a mission to bring a holistic training experience that integrates training for the brain, body, and breath. “With this customized approach, you will unlock your full potential in the gym and in life.” She is heavily involved in community organizations such as the Austin Neighborhood Council, Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association, and AALI (African American Leadership Institute) Austin, nonprofits such as Raasin in the Sun, and volunteers on a weekly basis.

Neda  Norouzi Ph.D,  is a tenured Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), specializing in healthcare facilities planning and design, universal design, and inclusive environments for aging populations. Holding a Ph.D. in Architecture and Design Research, alongside Master of Architecture and Master of Urban and Regional Planning degrees, she advances community-engaged scholarships at the intersection of architecture, human development, and accessibility. Her research and presentations, including those on intergenerational spaces and smart home technologies for healthy aging, align closely with livability and longevity themes.​

Mandi Golman, is the Supervisor of Schoolyards and Grounds for Austin ISD’s Sustainability Office and leads the design and stewardship of Austin ISD’s outdoor spaces, centering sustainability through the integration of green infrastructure that meets both district and community standards. Her work focuses on maintaining healthy, engaging schoolyard environments, activating these spaces through partnerships and joint-use initiatives with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, and tracking assets through a GIS-based mapping system.

She earned her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s degree in Ecosystems and Sustainability from Colorado State University. Mandi is also a LEED® Green Associate™ and a certified natural playground designer through North Carolina State University.

Sarah Holden is a marketing and program management professional currently pursuing a Master's degree in Health Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin. As a cancer survivor and young-onset-cancer awareness advocate, she brings a unique perspective that bridges the worlds of healthcare, business, and community engagement.

Sarah earned her B.S. in Communication Studies from The University of Texas at Austin, graduating with University Honors. She is currently completing her second year of graduate coursework in the Humanities in Health and Medicine program, where she serves as a Teaching Assistant and focuses on medical research, healthcare policy, and nonprofit studies.

Chloe Baker is currently a second-year law student at The University of Texas School of Law. Before law school, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, with a minor in English and a concentration in Business & Public Policy. During her undergraduate studies, she served as the university’s Student Conduct President, where she examined and worked to advance various university policy initiatives as an appointed student body representative. After graduation, she worked at Goldman Sachs as a Private Asset Management Legal Analyst, where she developed a strong interest in the intersection of finance, public policy, and legal regulation.

As part of her legal studies, Chloe is currently enrolled in Dr. Jacqueline L. Angel’s advanced policy and practice seminar on Aging, Health & Social Welfare, in which she and her classmates have spent the semester examining intergenerational day center models and analyzing potential public support for a municipal bond to fund the creation of such a facility in Austin, Texas. She joins the symposium as a co-moderator of the expert panel and is grateful for the opportunity to learn from the panelists and guests who have generously shared their time and insights.

Laura Zhang is a third-year law student at The University of Texas School of Law. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Plan II Honors and Neuroscience and a certificate in Art History. After graduating from college, she worked in Dallas and Washington, D.C., as a health strategy consultant for Accenture. In that role, she collaborated with the nation’s largest healthcare payers and providers to advance their growth and equity initiatives. 

Rapporteurs

Sabrina Tsegai is a third-year law student at the University of Texas School of Law. Prior to attending Texas Law, she completed her bachelor's and master's in Political Science at the University of Texas at Dallas. During Sabrina's time in law school, she worked in-house at an insurance company and at a state agency supporting the public retirement system in Texas. 

Zihan Zhang is a second-year master student of Public Affairs at LBJ school. She holds a Bachelor of Public Administration from East China University of Science and Technology, where she graduated in June 2024. Prior to graduate school, Zihan served as a project planner at the General Institute of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Planning and Design under China's Ministry of Water Resources in Beijing.

Monique  K. Jones is a third-year law student at The University of Texas School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Sam Houston State University, with minors in Sociology, Legal Studies, and Psychology, graduating with Honors. At UT Law, she has been involved in pro bono work, including the Parole Pro Bono Project, and has pursued coursework at the intersection of law and policy.

Bryce Boswell is a 3L at the University of Texas School of Law. In 2022, he graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. After graduating from college, he worked as a legal assistant for a civil litigation firm in Springfield.

Rita Olson is a 2nd year MBA student at the University of Texas at Austin. She graduated from the University of Washington in 2019 with a B.Sc in Microbiology, where she researched tuberculosis diagnostics for low-resource clinical settings. After finishing her undergraduate studies, she worked in the pharmaceutical space. During her MBA, Rita has served on the McCombs Graduate Business Council as Sustainability Representative, is a recognized Health Innovation Fellow, and is currently a finalist in the Nucleate Texas Activator program with an eco-tech team.

The Advanced Policy and Practice Seminar in Aging, Health, and Social Welfare graduate class from the University of Texas At Austin synthesized and presented their research.

Parking & Directions

Parking for attendees is available in the Manor Garage. No permit is required to park in the garages; just pull a ticket on your way in and process it at the exit, a pay station, or the garage office before you leave. Fees are calculated based on the amount of time you are in the garage. 

Directions to the LBJ School

Evaluation and follow-up questions please email: jangel@austin.utexas.edu