Faculty/Staff Information

Doctorate (Ph.D.), Urban Studies. Field Areas: Community Development and Gerontology. Portland State University, Portland, OR. Dissertation Title: Challenges, Experiences, and Future Directions of Senior Centers Serving the Portland Metropolitan Area. Fall 2009 – Spring 2015.

Graduate Certificate, Gerontology. Portland State University. Fall 2009 – Winter 2013.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Community Development. Concentration: Housing and Economic Development. Portland State University. Fall 2007 – Winter 2009.

Associate of Arts (A.A.). Front Range Community College, Fort Collins, CO. Fall 2004 – Spring 2006.

Professor, Department Head. Western Oregon University, Department of Gerontology: Aging and Older Adulthood. Fall 2025-Present.

Associate Professor. Western Oregon University, Department of Gerontology: Aging and Older Adulthood. Fall 2020-Spring 2025.

Assistant Professor. Western Oregon University, Department of Gerontology: Aging and Older Adulthood. Fall 2016-Spring 2020.

Instructor. Marylhurst University, Department of Human Sciences. Spring 2016.

Instructor. Portland State University, School of Community Health. Fall 2015 – Spring 2016.

Instructor. Portland State University, University Studies. Summer 2015, Winter 2016.

Project Coordinator. Portland State University, Institute on Aging. Oral Health America Wisdom Tooth Project: “Tooth Wisdom: Get Smart About Your Mouth.” Fall 2015.

Surveyor. MIG, Inc., Portland, OR. Tualitin Hills Parks and Recreation District Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. Summer 2015.

Instructor. Portland State University, Urban Studies and Planning. Summer 2015.
Office Coordinator. Marten Law, Portland, OR. June 2013 – June 2015.

Teaching Assistant. Portland State University, School of Community Health. Fall 2013 – Spring 2014.

Interviewer. Portland State University, School of Community Health. Multnomah County Adult Care Home Program Resident Satisfaction Survey 2013. Summer 2013.

Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant. Portland State University, Institute on Aging. Fall 2009 – Spring 2013.

Board Member; Education & Membership Committees. Oregon Gerontological Association (current)

Co-Convener. Environmental Gerontology Interest Group. Gerontological Society of America (GSA) (2018–current)

Member, Age-Friendly Design Committee. Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) (2016–current) 

Member, Publications & Resources. Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) (2016–2018)

Member, Publications Committee (AGHE Representative). Gerontological Society of America (GSA) (2016–2018)

Member. Gerontological Society of America (GSA) (2010–Present)

Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR

●     GERO 320 – Introduction to Aging; credits: 4 (in-person & hybrid)

●     GERO 420 – Global Aging; credits: 4 (in-person)

●     GERO 410W – Gerontology Practicum I; credits: 4 (hybrid)

●     GERO 415 –Aging in Our Physical & Social Environments; credits: 4 (in-person & hybrid)

●     GERO 460 – Housing & Long-Term Care Options for Older Adults; credits: 4 (in-person & hybrid)

●     GERO 480 – Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Management; credits: 4 (in-person & hybrid)

●     PSY 311 – Developmental Psychology; credits: 4 (in-person & online) 

●     PSY 483/583 – Adulthood & Aging; credits: 4 (in-person)

Environmental gerontology; age-friendliness; community health; home and community-based services; health disparities; service-learning; policies that create healthy, inclusive cities and communities for people across the life course; programs that support healthy aging and improve quality of care among older adults.

Cannon, M., Finlay, J. & Bergman, L. (2023). COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts on Community Connections and Third Place Engagement: A Qualitative Analysis of Older Americans. Journal of Aging and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1080/26892618.2023.2225179  

Finlay, J., Meltzer, G., Cannon, M.L., & Kobayashi, L. (2021). Aging in place during a pandemic: A qualitative study of neighborhood engagement and environments since the COVID-19 pandemic onset. The Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnab169

Cannon, M.L., Kerwood, R., Ramon, M., Rowley, S., & Rubio, H. (2021). Laying the groundwork for becoming an Age-Friendly University: A multi-phase study. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2021.1974016

Cannon, M.L. (2021). Higher education outreach. In L.W. Kaye (Ed). Handbook of Rural Aging. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis.

https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003128267

Cannon, M.L., Perkinson, M.A., DeLaTorre, A.K., Martinez, I.L., Ozer, E., Sweatman, W.M., Browne, R., Claver, M.L., & Dobson, E. (2019). Service-learning through conference-based, interdisciplinary workshops on age-friendly design. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2019.1643337

Manoogian, M. & Cannon, M.L. (2018). Integrating student-focused career planning into an undergraduate gerontology curriculum. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2018.1457530

Cannon, M.L. (2017). Impacts of organizational ties for senior centers: Findings from a collective case study in Portland, Oregon. Journal of Aging Studies, 42, 9-14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2017.06.002

Neal, M. B., Cannon, M., DeLaTorre, A.K., Bolkan, C., Wernher, I., Nolan, E., Norori, M.L., Largaespada-Fredersdorff, C., Brown Wilson, K. (2016). Addressing the needs of Nicaraguan older adults living on the edge: A university-community partnership in international service-learning. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 38(1), 119-138. DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2016.1259161

Cannon, M. (2015). What is aging? Disease a Month, 61(11), 454-459. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.disamonth.2015.09.002

Hasworth, S. & Cannon, M. (2015). Social theories of aging for health practitioners. Disease a Month, 61(11), 475-479. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.disamonth.2015.09.003

Lipsky, M., Cannon, M., & Lutfiyya, M.N. (2014). Gender and health disparities: The case of male gender. Disease a Month, 60(4), 138-144. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.disamonth.2014.02.001

Lutfiyya, M.N., Cannon, M., & Lipsky, M. (2014). An argument for male gender as a root cause or fundamental social determinant of health. Disease a Month, 60(4), 145-149. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.disamonth.2014.02.002

Neal, M. B., Hammer, L. B., Pines, M. A., Bodner, T. E., & Cannon, M. L. (2013). Working caregivers in the “Sandwiched Generation.” In R. Burke, J. Field, & C. Cooper (Eds.), Handbook on Aging, Work & Society. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.

Cannon, M. (2010). “Leather” (Chapter 14) in Heying, C., Brew to Bikes: Portland’s Artisan Economy. Portland, OR: Ooligan Press.

Cannon, M. (2009). Portland’s artisan economy: The arts and crafts sector. PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal, 3(1), article 15. DOI: 10.15760/mcnair.2009.56

Undergraduate Publications (Sponsored)

Ryden, K. & Schultz, S. (2022). Fear and frustration: An examination of the social and political effects of COVID-19 on U.S. older adults. Faculty sponsor: Cannon, M.L. PURE Insights, 11(10). 
https://digitalcommons.wou.edu/pure/vol11/iss1/10

Kerwood, R., Ramon (Kondash), M., Rowley, S., & Rubio (Wehr), H. (2019). Opportunities for a senior center and university to serve as third places and advance age-friendliness in their community. Faculty sponsor: Cannon, M.L. PURE Insights, 8(1). https://digitalcommons.wou.edu/pure/vol8/iss1/9/

Cannon, M.L., Johnson, C.J., Winters, E. (2023, November). Informal Caregiving Experiences: Challenges and Opportunities for an Age-Friendly University. Poster session at the 75th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Tampa, FL.

Cannon, M.L., Kerwood, R., Ramon, M., Rowley, S., & Rubio, H. (2019, November). Laying the groundwork for becoming an Age-Friendly University: A multi-phase study. Poster presentation at the at the 71st Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Austin, TX.  

Kerwood, R., Rowley, S., Kondash, M., Wehr, H., & Cannon, M (Mentor). (2019, May). Opportunities for partnership between a senior center and university to create a more age-friendly community. Student presentation at the 14th Annual Academic Excellence Showcase, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR.

Cannon, M.L., Johnston, R. Kerwood, R., Kondash, M., & Wehr, H. (2018, November). Opportunities for partnership between a senior center and university to create a more age-friendly community. Poster presentation at the at the 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA.

Johnston, R., Kerwood, R., Wehr, H., & Cannon, M (Mentor). (2018, May). Older adults’ attitudes and decisions toward using a college campus and a senior center as a third place. Student presentation at the 13th Annual Academic Excellence Showcase, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR.