Mirabella at ASU earns first-in-nation certification

Mirabella at ASU, the innovative senior living community located on the Arizona State University campus, has been awarded the nation's first certification as a University Based Retirement Community.

This certification, established by UniversityRetirementCommunities.com, not only recognizes Mirabella at ASU's unique integration with university life but also empowers consumers — both seniors and their adult children — to make more informed decisions when choosing a retirement community.

The new designation provides a valuable benchmark for those seeking an intellectually stimulating and intergenerational living environment in their retirement years. It offers clear criteria that help distinguish university-based communities, the highest level of university-integration, from other senior living options, which may only have a loose affiliation with an academic institution.  This allows prospective residents and their families to easily identify communities that prioritize lifelong learning and academic engagement.

Tom Dorough, executive director of Mirabella at ASU, expressed his enthusiasm about the certification: "We are honored to be the first retirement community in the nation to receive this prestigious UBRC certification. It validates our mission to provide a truly unique living experience that bridges the gap between generations and fosters continuous growth and learning for our residents. This recognition reinforces our commitment to redefining retirement living in collaboration with Arizona State University."

UniversityRetirementCommunities.com, launched in fall 2023, is the first directory and information resource website dedicated exclusively to the rapidly growing model of senior living communities hosted by or formally connected to universities or colleges. The site currently lists more than 80 such communities across the nation.

“As the number of URCs has grown and continues to grow with the retirement of the Baby Boomers, we felt it imperative to bring structure to this sector, in particular recognizing communities that achieve the highest level of integration and potential for long term success with a host academic institution,” said Andrew Carle, founder of UniversityRetirementCommunities.com.

“Mirabella at ASU was not just certified, but it achieved the highest certification available,” Dorough said.  “We are honored to have received a perfect 100 points, establishing the gold standard for this category.”

The certification criteria Mirabella at ASU met include community proximity to campus, documented resident-to-university and student-to-community programming, a continuum of senior living services, resident-to-university connection and a formal relationship between the community and university that supports long-term operational success. 

In addition to its on-campus location, Mirabella offers numerous opportunities for lifelong learning, participation in university events, and student-to-resident interactions, along with a full continuum of independent and assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services. Approximately 30% of residents have a past connection to the university as alumni or retired faculty or staff. The community holds a 99-year land lease through the university’s real estate division. 

“UBRCs are cross-sector innovations that have the power to re-imagine retirement to be more active, learning-centered, and intergenerational which we know are associated with healthy, resilient aging," said Lindsey Beagley, senior director of lifelong university engagement for the community. "Students also benefit tremendously from the opportunity to learn with and from the most experienced people in our society. It's a win-win for everyone."

This certification is expected to set a new standard for university-based retirement communities across the nation, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and intergenerational connections in senior living. UniversityRetirementCommunities.com not only serves as a comprehensive directory for seniors seeking these unique living arrangements but also as a valuable resource for academic institutions and providers looking to develop new or enhance existing University Retirement Communities.