MPA Senior Leadership Students Discuss Issues Surrounding Aging Population

Clark University’s MPA Senior Leadership program recently convened a residency in Springfield, Massachusetts, to address the multifaceted challenges facing the aging population. The event featured a panel of experts who examined the legislative impacts of the "Big Beautiful Bill" on elder care, family caregivers, and nonprofit service providers. This discussion is particularly relevant for the senior care sector as it highlights the systemic vulnerabilities and workforce shortages currently impacting the delivery of services to older adults.

On May 8, Clark University’s MPA Senior Leadership program hosted a residency in Springfield, Mass., featuring a panel of experts to discuss critical issues affecting the aging population. The panel included Jen Benson, president of AARP Massachusetts; Caitlin Hodgkins, policy director for the House Committee on Rules at U.S. Representative Jim McGovern’s Office; and Anna Randall, executive director of Greater Springfield Senior Services. Moderated by faculty member Joseph O’Brien, the group explored the potential impact of the “Big Beautiful Bill” on elder care and the role of local governments and nonprofits in responding to the evolving needs of seniors.

A central theme of the discussion was the concept of “interconnected program fragility,” where changes or cuts to a single program—such as SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, or senior centers—can cause cascading failures across the entire support network. These systemic risks are compounded by the rising cost of living, food and fuel insecurity, and a persistent caregiver workforce shortage. For the senior care industry, these factors represent significant operational and financial challenges that require coordinated policy and community-level interventions.

The residency also served as a platform for MPA students to share their professional experiences and the specific solutions they are implementing in their communities to combat these issues. Clark’s MPA for Senior Leadership is designed as a low-residency program to cultivate ethical and innovative leaders who can address complex public challenges. By focusing on the intersection of policy and practice, the program aims to prepare leaders to navigate the pressures facing the aging services sector, including disaster management and mental health crises.