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A Journey of Transformation

Phyllis Cummins began with a solid foundation in business. She majored in real estate and marketing from The Ohio State University. She further enhanced her acumen with a master’s in business administration from the University of North Florida. For over two decades, she excelled in the real estate sector, culminating in her role as Vice President and Chief Real Estate Appraiser at Prudential Financial, where she oversaw the valuation of a $10 billion real estate portfolio and managed a team of appraisers.

After 26 years with Prudential Financial, Cummins made a significant career pivot that would redefine her professional identity. She chose to delve into the field of gerontology, driven by a curiosity around the role of community colleges in career transitions for older workers. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in her career, characterized by rigorous academic pursuit and dedicated research.

Academic Pursuits and Contributions

After earning a Master of Science in Health Sciences, specializing in Gerontology at Florida Gulf Coast University, her thirst for knowledge led her to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University, where she completed her doctorate in social gerontology.

During her time at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University, Cummins made substantial contributions to gerontology through various roles. She engaged in teaching, grant writing, and supporting research projects related to workforce issues, mentoring, and disabilities studies. Her expertise and dedication earned her a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow position at Scripps Gerontology Center, where she focused on grant writing and research on older workers.

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúhip and Research Excellence

Cummins’ journey at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University continued as she took on roles of increasing responsibility. She served as a research scholar at Scripps, contributing to research on adult education, workforce training, and demographic projections. Her exceptional skills in securing funding and her strategic vision led to her appointment as Assistant Director of Research.

In June 2016, Cummins was named Senior Research Scholar at Scripps Gerontology Center, where she continued her impactful work until her retirement. Her role involved extensive grant writing, research, and mentoring, significantly advancing the understanding of adult education and workforce issues.

Teaching and Mentorship  

In addition to her research roles, Cummins served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology. Her dedication to mentorship has left a lasting impression on students and colleagues alike, inspiring the next generation of professionals. Takashi Yamashita ’11 was one of Cummins’ collaborators and he reflected in a retirement message to Cummins, “[your] work ethic is just outstanding, you get things done, you are very focused, very responsible, and a fantastic collaborator, we can always count on you.” Later Yamashita became a frequent collaborator producing 27 peer reviewed journal articles, 5 book chapters, and close to 30 presentations together.

Oksana Dikhtyar’ 21, another graduate assistant under Cummins was on a project looking at community colleges. Dikhtyar fondly recalls, “Phyllis always encouraged me to pursue my goals and recommended resources and actions that helped me archive them.” This mentorship continued when Cummins encouraged Dikhtyar to write a paper submission for a conference. Reflecting on this experience, Dikhtyar shared, “I felt confident because she trusted that I would follow through with the paper.” The paper later turned into a publication.

A Legacy of Dedication

Phyllis Cummins's career is a testament to her dedication, adaptability, and passion for making a difference. She not only switched careers, she excelled in her second career path, receiving the Researcher of the Year (2017) from the Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education. Cummins was a PI or co-PI on a total of $3,262,992.00 in grants.

As she steps into retirement, Cummins leaves behind a legacy of impactful research, inspired students, and a body of work that shows how older adults are essential in considering future workforce problems. Scripps’ wishes her all the best in this new chapter of her life.