Leadership - USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
Source: https://gero.usc.edu/about/the-school/leadership
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:32
Leadership - USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
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In 2012, Pinchas Cohen, MD, became dean of the USC Leonard Davis School. During his tenure the school has exponentially increased the size of its faculty, student body and funding and made significant advances in improving health and wellbeing across the lifespan. Dean Cohen is supported in his efforts by a team of vice, senior associate and assistant deans.
A message from Dean Pinchas Cohen
I am delighted to welcome you to the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. We are proud to be the preeminent leader nationally and internationally in the field of gerontology, the study of aging across the lifespan.
We are a small school that offers a rigorous, highly personalized experience with eminent, caring faculty within a large, world-class research university. It is literally the best of both worlds!
As pioneers in both on campus and online gerontology education, we offer bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees; postdoctoral and certificate programs; and the option to minor in gerontology.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all older adults everywhere through our research, service, and education. We couldn’t take our responsibility of reimagining aging around the world more seriously.
Learn more
Leadership Team
Pinchas Cohen, MD
Distinguished Professor of Gerontology, Medicine and Biological Sciences
Dean, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
William and Sylvia Kugel Dean’s Chair in Gerontology
Sean Curran, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Vice Dean
Dean of Faculty and Research
James E. Birren Chair in Gerontology
Maria Henke, MA
Senior Associate Dean
Co-director of the Andrus Gerontology Center
David Eshaghpour, MSW
Senior Associate Dean for Advancement
Jennifer Ailshire, PhD
Professor of Gerontology and Sociology
Associate Dean of Research
Associate Dean of International Programs and Global Initiatives
Donna Benton, PhD
Research Associate Professor of Gerontology
Assistant Dean of Cultural Affairs
Mireille Jacobson, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Assistant Dean of Academic Initiatives
Christian Pike, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Assistant Dean of Research
John Walsh, PhD
Associate Professor of Gerontology
Associate Dean of Education
Lali Acuna
Senior Business Officer
Wendy Snaer
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Visit Us
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
3715 McClintock Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Privacy Notice
Notice of Non-Discrimination
Digital Accessibility
Contact Us
(213)740-5156
ldsgero@usc.edu
Support Us
How to Give
ABOUT
Our School
History
What is Gerontology?
Our Expertise
Faculty & Staff Portal
Contact Us
NEWS
Newsroom
Honors and Awards
Publications
Resources for Journalists
Aging is Happening Newsletter
PROGRAMS
Undergraduate Programs
Master’s Programs
Certificate Programs
PhD Programs
Professional Education
CONNECT
Facebook
LinkedIn
TikTok
Twitter / X
YouTube
Instagram
Podcast
© 2026 USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Close Menu
About
About Us
Our mission to promote healthy aging for all people, communities and societies is more vital than ever.
Our School
Overview
History
Leadership
Partnerships
Honors and Awards
Cultural Affairs
Board of Councilors
Our Field
Overview
What is Gerontology?
Gerontology Careers
Our Gerontology Expertise
Our Impact
Our Building
Overview
Andrus Gerontology Center
Sophie Davis Art Gallery
Facilities
School Resources
Administrative Staff
Gerontology Directory
Employee Resources
Faculty & Staff Portal
Jobs at USC Leonard Davis
Contact Us
Admission
Admission
Our students come from around the world and from many walks of life, and they’re all here for unique, important reasons.
Overview
Undergraduate Applicants
Master’s Applicants
PhD Applicants
Graduate Certificate Applicants
Doctorate of Longevity Arts and Sciences Applicants
International Applicants
Online Education
Resources
Request Information
How to Apply
Newly Admitted
Tuition and Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Office Hours
Academics
Academics
At the USC Leonard Davis School, you can earn an undergraduate gerontology degree, an accelerated five-year undergraduate or graduate degree program, a doctoral degree, or a minor in aging.
Undergraduate Programs
Human Development and Aging (BS)
Lifespan Health (BS)
Minor in Gerontology: Individuals, Societies, and Aging
Minor in Gerontology: Science, Health, and Aging
Minor in Geroscience
Master’s Programs
Aging Services Management (MA)
Applied Technology and Aging (MS)
Gerontology (MS)
Gerontology (MA)
Long Term Care Administration (MA)
Medical Gerontology (MA)
Senior Living Hospitality (MA)
Aging Biology (MS)
Specialized Master’s Programs
–
Master’s Programs in Nutrition
Foodservice Management and Dietetics (MA)
Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity (MS)
Lifespan, Nutrition and Dietetics (MS)
Nutritional Science (MS)
Additional Programs
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
Doctorate of Longevity Arts and Sciences
Professional Education
–
PhD Programs
PhD in Gerontology
PhD in Geroscience
Academic Resources
Academic Advisement
Career Development
Advisement FAQs
Online Education
Students
Students
Students of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology share a deep compassion, an inspiring enthusiasm and a vision of an improved quality of life for older adults.
Overview
Undergraduate and Graduate Students
PhD Students
Internships
MSNHL Supervised Practice
Research Opportunities
Academic Conduct
Student Life
Student Organizations
Study Abroad
Alumni Stories
Career Development
Finding Support
Student Resources
Resources Overview
Student Handbooks
Course Catalogue
Schedule of Classes
Academic Calendar
USC Student Affairs
USC Student Health Center
Faculty
Research
Research Overview
Institutes and Centers
Projects and Initiatives
Cores
Multidisciplinary Colloquium Series
Research Opportunities
Research Funding Awards
Research Events
News & Events
News
Event Calendar
Podcast
Publications
Resources for Journalists
Stay Connected
Social Media
Videos
Alumni
Stay Connected
USC FightOnline
Alumni Stories
Support the USC Leonard Davis School
Giving
Giving Overview
Why Give
How to Give
Giving Priorities
Join the Dean’s Circle
Contact the Development Office
More
Jobs at USC Leonard Davis
Faculty & Staff Portal
Vitality Magazine
twitter
facebook
linkedin
youtube
rss
instagram
spotify
tiktok
Close Search
Leadership
Home
»
About
»
Our School
»
Leadership
In 2012, Pinchas Cohen, MD, became dean of the USC Leonard Davis School. During his tenure the school has exponentially increased the size of its faculty, student body and funding and made significant advances in improving health and wellbeing across the lifespan. Dean Cohen is supported in his efforts by a team of vice, senior associate and assistant deans.
A message from Dean Pinchas Cohen
I am delighted to welcome you to the University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. We are proud to be the preeminent leader nationally and internationally in the field of gerontology, the study of aging across the lifespan.
We are a small school that offers a rigorous, highly personalized experience with eminent, caring faculty within a large, world-class research university. It is literally the best of both worlds!
As pioneers in both on campus and online gerontology education, we offer bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees; postdoctoral and certificate programs; and the option to minor in gerontology.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all older adults everywhere through our research, service, and education. We couldn’t take our responsibility of reimagining aging around the world more seriously.
Learn more
Leadership Team
Pinchas Cohen, MD
Distinguished Professor of Gerontology, Medicine and Biological Sciences
Dean, USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
William and Sylvia Kugel Dean’s Chair in Gerontology
Sean Curran, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Vice Dean
Dean of Faculty and Research
James E. Birren Chair in Gerontology
Maria Henke, MA
Senior Associate Dean
Co-director of the Andrus Gerontology Center
David Eshaghpour, MSW
Senior Associate Dean for Advancement
Jennifer Ailshire, PhD
Professor of Gerontology and Sociology
Associate Dean of Research
Associate Dean of International Programs and Global Initiatives
Donna Benton, PhD
Research Associate Professor of Gerontology
Assistant Dean of Cultural Affairs
Mireille Jacobson, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Assistant Dean of Academic Initiatives
Christian Pike, PhD
Professor of Gerontology
Assistant Dean of Research
John Walsh, PhD
Associate Professor of Gerontology
Associate Dean of Education
Lali Acuna
Senior Business Officer
Wendy Snaer
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Visit Us
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
3715 McClintock Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90089
Privacy Notice
Notice of Non-Discrimination
Digital Accessibility
Contact Us
(213)740-5156
ldsgero@usc.edu
Support Us
How to Give
ABOUT
Our School
History
What is Gerontology?
Our Expertise
Faculty & Staff Portal
Contact Us
NEWS
Newsroom
Honors and Awards
Publications
Resources for Journalists
Aging is Happening Newsletter
PROGRAMS
Undergraduate Programs
Master’s Programs
Certificate Programs
PhD Programs
Professional Education
CONNECT
TikTok
Twitter / X
YouTube
Podcast
© 2026 USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
Close Menu
About
About Us
Our mission to promote healthy aging for all people, communities and societies is more vital than ever.
Our School
Overview
History
Leadership
Partnerships
Honors and Awards
Cultural Affairs
Board of Councilors
Our Field
Overview
What is Gerontology?
Gerontology Careers
Our Gerontology Expertise
Our Impact
Our Building
Overview
Andrus Gerontology Center
Sophie Davis Art Gallery
Facilities
School Resources
Administrative Staff
Gerontology Directory
Employee Resources
Faculty & Staff Portal
Jobs at USC Leonard Davis
Contact Us
Admission
Admission
Our students come from around the world and from many walks of life, and they’re all here for unique, important reasons.
Overview
Undergraduate Applicants
Master’s Applicants
PhD Applicants
Graduate Certificate Applicants
Doctorate of Longevity Arts and Sciences Applicants
International Applicants
Online Education
Resources
Request Information
How to Apply
Newly Admitted
Tuition and Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Office Hours
Academics
Academics
At the USC Leonard Davis School, you can earn an undergraduate gerontology degree, an accelerated five-year undergraduate or graduate degree program, a doctoral degree, or a minor in aging.
Undergraduate Programs
Human Development and Aging (BS)
Lifespan Health (BS)
Minor in Gerontology: Individuals, Societies, and Aging
Minor in Gerontology: Science, Health, and Aging
Minor in Geroscience
Master’s Programs
Aging Services Management (MA)
Applied Technology and Aging (MS)
Gerontology (MS)
Gerontology (MA)
Long Term Care Administration (MA)
Medical Gerontology (MA)
Senior Living Hospitality (MA)
Aging Biology (MS)
Specialized Master’s Programs
–
Master’s Programs in Nutrition
Foodservice Management and Dietetics (MA)
Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity (MS)
Lifespan, Nutrition and Dietetics (MS)
Nutritional Science (MS)
Additional Programs
Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
Doctorate of Longevity Arts and Sciences
Professional Education
–
PhD Programs
PhD in Gerontology
PhD in Geroscience
Academic Resources
Academic Advisement
Career Development
Advisement FAQs
Online Education
Students
Students
Students of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology share a deep compassion, an inspiring enthusiasm and a vision of an improved quality of life for older adults.
Overview
Undergraduate and Graduate Students
PhD Students
Internships
MSNHL Supervised Practice
Research Opportunities
Academic Conduct
Student Life
Student Organizations
Study Abroad
Alumni Stories
Career Development
Finding Support
Student Resources
Resources Overview
Student Handbooks
Course Catalogue
Schedule of Classes
Academic Calendar
USC Student Affairs
USC Student Health Center
Faculty
Research
Research Overview
Institutes and Centers
Projects and Initiatives
Cores
Multidisciplinary Colloquium Series
Research Opportunities
Research Funding Awards
Research Events
News & Events
News
Event Calendar
Podcast
Publications
Resources for Journalists
Stay Connected
Social Media
Videos
Alumni
Stay Connected
USC FightOnline
Alumni Stories
Support the USC Leonard Davis School
Giving
Giving Overview
Why Give
How to Give
Giving Priorities
Join the Dean’s Circle
Contact the Development Office
More
Jobs at USC Leonard Davis
Faculty & Staff Portal
Vitality Magazine
youtube
rss
spotify
tiktok