Dr. Jan Mutchler – Alumna Spotlight
Director, Gerontology Institute; Professor of Gerontology, McCormack Graduate School of Policy & Global Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Hometown: Oxford, MS
BA in Sociology (1978)
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Why and when did you decide to major in sociology?
I decided to major in sociology during my second year as an undergraduate. I entered Ole Miss without a declared major and as I was trying out different fields of study I took one or two sociology courses during my first year. I had never been exposed to sociological thought before, and I found it to be a fascinating and useful way of looking at the world. During my second or third year I took a course in demography from Professor Max Williams and from that point on I was hooked: sociology and demography was what I wanted to study moving forward.
Please tell us some significant accomplishments/favorite memories from your time at UM.
I enjoyed my classes, and learned a lot. I was involved in the Honors program, which at that time was very new or maybe even just in development, but it offered some very challenging courses that pushed me well out of my comfort zone. That program also gave me the opportunity to do research with faculty members and to write an honors thesis, which was a wonderful opportunity to start down a path of independent research. Other than specific courses and professors, what I remember most fondly was the job that I had on campus. For three years I worked in the Comptroller’s office with wonderful people who challenged and encouraged me in many ways. For me, working and studying was a good balance and I am grateful that Ole Miss offered me that opportunity.
How would you summarize your educational/career path since UM?
I went directly from UM to a doctoral program at the University of Texas, Austin, where I earned my PhD in Sociology with a specialization in Demography. I applied to the UT program because Professor Williams suggested it to me, having taken the time to understand my goals and interests. He also wrote what must have been a very good letter of reference for me, because I was awarded a great fellowship to attend UT.
My graduate experience was exceptional and has led to a career that has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to do work that has meaning and impact. My entire career has been as a faculty member, first in sociology departments and since 1999, in the Gerontology Department at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. As a professor, I mentor and teach doctoral students in gerontology and carry out research on socioeconomic, cultural, and family-based factors as they relate to outcomes central to well-being in later life, including health, financial well-being, and family relationships. I also direct the Gerontology Institute at UMass, Boston, where we carry out basic and applied social and economic research on aging, and engage in public education on aging policy issues, with an emphasis in income security, long-term services and supports, healthy aging, age-friendly communities, and social and demographic research on aging.
What do you see as the value of studying sociology in today’s world?
The study of sociology can inform many of the most critical issues in our world today. Sociology offers the opportunity to learn about factors that shape who we are, the way we think, and the choices we make. These factors include elements of our close environment, like families and close relationships, as well as broad social influences like political and economic factors, schools, and health care systems. Sociology offers unmatched insight into the nature and influence of inequality, whether we’re talking about inequality across age groups or other social and demographic groups, or across communities, populations, and nations. From a practical point of view, sociological insights improve understanding and effectiveness in a multitude of fields and professions.
