Silver Ingenuity is a program designed to connect UTD retirees with mid-career students returning to university, fostering knowledge exchange, social engagement and resilience. It leverages the vast experience of retirees while supporting students with valuable mentorship and professional insights. The program aims to bridge generational gaps, combat retiree isolation and enhance university life for experienced professionals re-entering academia. Also, the students will be teaching basic AI and IT skills to retirees.
Our fundraising goal is $10,000 to support the launch and sustainability of the program. Meeting this goal will allow us to:
- Provide paid student volunteers who will facilitate retiree engagement.
- Cover transportation costs for visits to retirees.
- Organize social events like meals, Watering Hole discussions and podcast sessions.
- Offer technology training to retirees to help them stay connected and contribute remotely.
By reaching our goal, we will create a structured, meaningful and sustainable program that fosters innovation and collaboration between generations.
- Student Volunteer Salaries: $7,200 (four students, $12/hour, three hours per visit, five visits per week for three months).
- Transportation Costs: $2,400 (four students, 40 rides/month, $15 per ride).
- Meal & Engagement Costs: $400 (for shared meals and networking events).
If we raise more than $10,000, additional funds will be used for:
- Expanding the number of student volunteers to reach more retirees.
- Organizing larger-scale events such as panel discussions, networking sessions and interactive workshops.
- Providing advanced technology training for retirees, including video conferencing, AI tools and cybersecurity awareness.
- Offering small stipends for retirees who contribute significantly to mentorship and project collaborations.
This project will have an impact:
- For retirees: Reduced social isolation, increased tech literacy and a renewed sense of purpose.
- For mid-career students: Intellectual stimulation, mentorship opportunities and real-world problem-solving exposure.
- For UTD and the community: Stronger intergenerational ties, innovative collaborations, and a model for future engagement initiatives.
Silver Ingenuity is an initiative under ArtSciLab at UT Dallas, with support from faculty, crowdfunding specialists and external advisors.
- Lead Author: Mrigank Sharad Khare.
- Crowdfunding Team: Marten Weldon, Meron Getu, Mitchell Nicholas.
- Advisors: Prof. Roger Malina (ArtSciLab), Neil Reid (Grantsforyou INC), Jason Brogden, Patricia Olynyk, Janeil Engelstad, Max Kazemzadeh.
Our Mission: To build meaningful, resilient collaborations between generations by engaging retirees and experienced professionals in knowledge-sharing, mentorship and community-building at UT Dallas.
- Unique Approach: Unlike traditional mentorship programs, Silver Ingenuity focuses on retirees AND mid-career students, leveraging their expertise to solve real-world problems.
- Creative Initiatives: Watering Hole discussions, Creative Disturbance podcast participation, and hands-on tech training for retirees.
- Long-Term Sustainability: Future collaboration with local community centers, University clubs and retirement organizations to expand impact.
This initiative is one of the first of its kind at UT Dallas — a structured, intergenerational collaboration program.
- It turns retirement into an opportunity for contribution and learning.
- It helps mid-career professionals reintegrate into academia meaningfully.
- It creates new pathways for innovation by combining experience with fresh academic insights.
