Amy Kostelic

Amy Kostelic serves as an Associate Extension Professor in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky. Her role as an Adult Development and Aging Specialist focuses on translating academic research into practical extension programming and educational resources for communities, with emphasis on aging populations and family caregiving systems.

Her educational credentials demonstrate deep interdisciplinary expertise:

• Ph.D. in Gerontology from the University of Kentucky
• M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling/Gerontology from St. Cloud State University
• B.A. in Psychology, Religion, and Gerontology from Augustana College

Dr. Kostelic's research examines the intersection of cultural contexts and aging experiences, particularly through her international education programs in Greece and Costa Rica. Her work investigates how socioeconomic factors, lifestyle choices, and community support systems influence quality of life and longevity across diverse populations. She actively contributes to gerontological discourse through her membership in the Gerontological Society of America, Epsilon Sigma Phi, and the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences, emphasizing applied research that bridges academic theory with real-world community needs.

Her extension methodology transforms complex gerontological concepts into accessible public programming, empowering caregivers and aging individuals through evidence-based resources. The international dimension of her teaching creates unique comparative frameworks for understanding aging processes across Mediterranean and Central American cultural contexts.