AARP Indiana Announces 2023 State Walking College Fellowships

Update: Join us for an episode of our community engagement show, This is IN, to hear more about AARP Indiana's State Walking College program. We will be hosting monthly conversations with the mentors and fellows within the program so you can learn more about what has been happening and what the intended outcomes are for walkability in the state of Indiana! Learn more about the June 22 episode on Facebook.


Twenty Hoosier advocates across the state have received Fellowships to participate in the 2023 Indiana State Walking College.

The program is presented in partnership with America Walks, a national education and advocacy organization which works to advance safe, equitable, accessible, and enjoyable places to walk and move by giving people and communities the resources to effectively advocate for change.

"We are delighted to welcome this group of passionate local leaders, who are working to improve walkability and livability in communities throughout the state," Emily Gorman, AARP Indiana director of outreach, said. "The Fellows represent a range of backgrounds and experiences, including community organizing, health and wellness, economic development, and planning.”

The Indiana State Walking College Fellows are:

Nick Badman from Indianapolis
Armica Bash Gaspar Indianapolis
Connie Blair from Gary
Linda Fitzgerald from Connersville
Emily Gorman from Indianapolis
Tamara Guynn from Indianapolis
Haley Hale from Evansville
Heather Hiller from Merrillville
Sarah Larson from Bloomington
McKenzie May from Evansville
Alex Nation from Indianapolis
Addison Pollock from Indianapolis
Steve Raber from Tipton
Michael Roeger from Fort Wayne
Frank Stone from Indianapolis
Erik Tilkemeier from Evansville
Audrey Turner from Indianapolis
Sheika Turnley from Indianapolis
Elisa Worland from Richmond
Riley Zipper from Indianapolis

Fellows will complete a series of modules covering leadership development, coalition-building, walkable community design, local public policy, and strategic planning. The instructional content includes online study materials, video-conferenced discussion forums with other Fellows, and community assignments. Each Fellow will receive one-on-one coaching from a Personal Mentor to assist them in developing a Walking Action Plan for their community.

The following Walking College Mentors have been appointed to provide individual coaching and facilitate group discussions among the Fellows:

• Pete Fritz, Healthy Communities Planner with Indiana Department of Health
• David Heinold, Assistant City Planner and ADA Coordinator, City of La Porte, IN
• Marjorie Hennessy, Program and Policy Manager, Health by Design in Indianapolis
• Britt Redd, Principal Planner for Land Use Strategy with the City of Indianapolis