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The College of Health and Human Services wishes to congratulate Annette Rodrigues, MSG, on her new appointment as the next Executive Director of the , taking over for Patti LaPlace who currently serves in the position. 

Annette has served as Program Manager for the at California State University, Long Beach (91��Ƭ��), where she manages interdisciplinary aging-related initiatives, collaborates with faculty and community partners, and advances the aging workforce through student mentorship and experiential learning opportunities.

“Annette is driven by a passion to improve quality of life for older adults and to create meaningful, lifelong learning opportunities that keep them engaged and connected,” said current OLLI Executive Director , who will be retiring in December. Patti has served as the Executive Director of OLLI since 2022, taking over for long-time OLLI Director Barbara White. Patti has also served as a lecturer for the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies. 

“The nice thing about working in OLLI is that I have a lot of retired folks I can get good advice from,” Patti said. “I come from a recreation and leisure background, so I recognize that leisure activities can play a role in redefining yourself in many ways, including in retirement. I see this everyday with OLLI.”  

Committed to the mission of lifelong learning, Annette Rodrigues is enthusiastic about leading an organization that exemplifies healthy aging through engaging educational courses, meaningful social connection, intergenerational engagement, and strong community partnerships. As a gerontologist, she brings an evidence-based perspective on aging and adult learning, ensuring that OLLI programs are engaging, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs and interests of older adult learners. As Executive Director, she looks forward to working with OLLI staff, members, and volunteers to strengthen community engagement, expand member participation, and build collaborations across academic departments, creating new opportunities to engage older adults, students, faculty, and the broader community in lifelong learning.

A proud 91��Ƭ�� alumna, Annette holds a Master of Science in Gerontology, a bachelor’s degree in human development, and a Certificate in Gerontology. She is also a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional(CMDCP) and a Certified Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) Administrator. Her graduate research project on Montessori-based approaches to dementia care was recognized with the College of Health & Human Services Outstanding Graduate Project Award and has since been published as a handbook for implementation in adult day care settings.

Her professional background combines academic training in gerontology with leadership experience across higher education, nonprofit organizations, and community-based aging programs. She brings a collaborative and strategic approach to leadership, with experience in partnership-building, grant development, and financial oversight to support sustainable program growth.

Her work focuses on improving overall well-being and quality of life for older adults through purpose-driven engagement and lifelong learning. Inspired by her experience as a caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease, she is committed to person-centered care and fostering meaningful engagement and social connection among older adults.