Graduate student advocates for dignity in aging

This story is part of an occasional series, Why Liberal Arts, that explores how a liberal arts education helps people grow as thinkers and leaders and opens doors to meaningful careers.

Growing up in Nigeria, Onyinye Faith Mbanefo’s grandmother, who raised her, assured her that she would attend college, despite her family’s financial struggles and access to education.

Now a third-year student in Virginia Tech’s M.S. to Ph.D. in the Adult Development and Aging program, Mbanefo credits her grandparents as her greatest inspiration. Years spent caring for her homebound grandfather led her to launch the Onyinye Mbanefo Foundation earlier this year. The organization advocates for better care, resources, and legal protections for older adults in Nigeria. Mbanefo said technology, and the leadership team she built in Nigeria, allows her to manage the foundation from Virginia.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in cooperative economics and management from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria, in 2021 before coming to Virginia Tech in 2023. Mbanefo is also a graduate research assistant in the Center for Gerontology. 

She shares about her passion for helping the elderly and how her education is preparing her for the future.

What inspired you enroll in the program?

Before I went to college, I spent years working alongside my grandmother in farming, while also caring for my homebound grandfather who had a stroke. These years were emotionally challenging, and I can’t overstate how impactful they were in shaping my perspective on aging. My grandfather passed away in 2022, but the experience of caregiving and the struggle for support in rural settings left me with a deep-seated desire to improve the lives of older adults, especially those in underserved communities.

When I found Virginia Tech’s Human Development and Family Science [Adult Development and Aging] program, it felt like the natural and practical next step. What stood out to me about the program was its holistic approach to aging, looking beyond just physical care to focus on social, emotional, and policy factors affecting older adults. The focus on practical, community-based solutions to the challenges older adults face, especially in rural areas like the one I grew up in, made it the perfect fit for me.

What is the goal of your foundation?

I spent countless hours alongside my grandmother witnessing the deep emotional, physical, and logistical struggles that caregiving involves. What I saw made me realize how little support is available for older adults, especially in rural areas where resources are scarce. My foundation focuses on filling that gap. A core element of our work is advocating for policies that support aging populations, from better healthcare services to stronger legal systems that protect against elder abuse. The foundation’s mission is not just to provide care, but to empower individuals, families, and communities to recognize and address the challenges that older adults face. Through the foundation, I hope to inspire others to see aging as a stage of life to be embraced with dignity, respect, and adequate support. In March, we held our first outreach in Uyo State, Nigeria. An 89-year-old woman stood up and said, "I thought we had been forgotten." It’s moments like these that remind me of the real impact we can make.

How has your time as a student at Virginia Tech influenced your work?

From the first day I arrived, the support I’ve received from the faculty, my peers, and the program itself has made me feel at home. The Human Development and Family Science program has been a space where I’ve been able to grow as both a researcher and an advocate for older adults. I call the Center for Gerontology my home. The people there have supported me every step of the way, offering guidance, resources, and a community that has made me feel seen and valued. Every experience, every lesson learned, has reinforced my dedication to improving the lives of older adults.

If you could change one thing about how society approaches aging, what would it be?

Too often, aging is seen as something to be feared or avoided – something to be hidden away. I would love to see a shift where aging is celebrated as a natural and valuable part of life. Society should embrace the wisdom, experience, and richness that older adults bring, rather than pushing them aside. There needs to be a stronger focus on creating inclusive communities where older adults are not only cared for but also empowered to contribute. This means offering them more opportunities to be seen, heard, and respected in every aspect of society. Aging should not be a time of isolation or neglect, but a time where people continue to live with dignity, connection, and purpose.

What type of career do you hope to pursue after graduation?

I hope to live in a community where I can continue my work with older adults, whether in the U.S. or in Nigeria. My ideal career would involve working in policy advocacy or program development, focusing on creating better support systems for aging populations, particularly in rural areas. I hope to make a significant impact through my work by expanding the Onyinye Mbanefo Foundation internationally, while also growing in my academic career. My goal is to combine my work in the field with further academic growth, contributing both to practical change and scholarly advancements in the field of aging.

Some answers were edited and condensed for clarity.