Uncrowned Community Builders

Dr. Chalon E. Anderson is a native Oklahoman. She attended the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) receiving her B.S. and M.Ed, in health education and gerontology respectively. She is also a certified radiological technologist. She furthered her education at Oklahoma State University where she obtained a Ph.D. in family relations and gerontology and became the first African American female to receive a doctorate in gerontology in Oklahoma.

Currently, she is a full Professor at UCO in the Department of Psychology, where she has been teaching since 1991. Dr. Anderson has developed graduate and undergraduate courses at UCO and in the Human Relations Department of the University of Oklahoma (OU). She is also a faculty member for Oklahoma University's Advanced Programs, which provides graduate education to U.S. personnel in the Armed Forces. Through that program, Dr. Anderson has taught internationally at military facilities in Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy and South Korea. Prior to joining the faculty at UCO, she taught in the Radiology Program at Rose State College from 1984-1991.

Dr. Anderson has published three books and over 24 articles. Her presentation resume includes over 75 presentations on a national, regional and state level covering minority health, aging, cultural diversity, lifespan development, biological and psychological aspects of aging and many other subject areas. In addition to teaching she has received grant funding for research from state and federal agencies. She currently serves as a peer reviewer for the national publisher, McGraw Hill, and two publications of the American Society on Aging - The Older Learner, and Diversity Currents.

Dr. Anderson has served on state and national boards addressing policy issues for senior populations. She was selected as a volunteer to represent the State of Oklahoma at the 2005 White House Conference on Aging that convened in Washington, D.C. She is a board member and a past vice president for the Retire Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). She represented the organization twice at the Senior Summit, a project sponsored by the County Commissioners of Oklahoma. Dr. Anderson has also served as a board member of the Alzheimer's Association and the Oklahoma State Board of Nursing Homes.

Currently, she is on the Leadership Council of the American Society on Aging (ASA) and a committee member on ASA's Minority Concerns Committee. Additionally, she is a member of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, a current member and past national officer Member-at Large for the Sigma Phi Omega National Honor Society in Gerontology, and a current member and past board member of the Oklahoma Psychological Society.

Dr. Anderson is involved in community outreach through her membership in the Oklahoma City Links, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Corpus Christi Church and her life membership with the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City. Her volunteer efforts also include service to senior centers in Oklahoma City.

Dr. Anderson hosted a community talk show (Urban League in Focus) on cable television, and later on radio. The show provided the community with information from individuals that serve citizens in Oklahoma City and central Oklahoma.

She has received a numerous of awards for her service to the State and the community, including the Black Liberated Arts Center's Olen Nalley Community Support Award given to the Arts Committee of the Oklahoma City Links Inc. which Dr. Anderson chaired. A Certificate of Appreciation from the Tenants' Association of the Charles Atkins Opportunity Gardens, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Alzheimer's Association of Oklahoma County, the Black Media Association's Award for Excellence in Public Information Television - Talk Show Host, and an award for Outstanding Professional Service for Radio Programming from the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City.

During her teaching career Dr. Anderson has often been recognized for her efforts in and contributions to the field of education and gerontology. Following is a partial listing of some awards and recognitions that she has received:

* The Elizabeth H. Threat Diversity Initiative Award (UCO),
* The Faculty Merit Award for Scholarly/Creative Achievements (3 years) (UCO),
* The McNair Scholars' Research Grant Mentor Award (UCO),
* The Hauptman Fellowship Award for Research (UCO),
* Certificate of Academic Excellence (Oklahoma State University)
* The Research Grant Mentor Award of the Dr. Joe C. Jackson College of Graduate Studies and Research (UCO)
* The Faculty Merit Award for Teaching (UCO)
* Selected as Favorite Professor by the Alpha Lambda Delta Academic Honor Society (UCO),
* The Outstanding Faculty Mentor- The Dordick Award (UCO),
* Recognized as Sponsor of the Year by the Faculty Student Organization (UCO),
* Recipient of Certificate of Appreciation from President's Club for Service and Guidance to Students (2 years) (UCO),
* Fellow-The National Multicultural Leadership Institute (University of Oklahoma)
* Recipient of Certificate of Appreciation, Experimental Psychology Class (UCO),
* Recipient of Certificate of Appreciation from the Oklahoma Geriatric Education Center, and
* Research Fellow for the National Institute on Aging's Summer Institute on Minority Aging, Bethesda, Maryland.

Dr. Anderson actively brings her dedication and expertise to the service of her students, colleagues, the State of Oklahoma and the community.