photo credit Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes

Now a network of 117 higher education institutions spread across the country, Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) offer college-level courses designed to appeal to the interests and experience of older adults. OLLI programs are adapted to the needs and desires of the communities they serve, but they benefit from OLLI’s National Resource Center, which provides a network for sharing innovations in lifelong learning and also sponsors an annual conference. The institutions comprising OLLI range from top research universities to community colleges, and all provide unique programs.

Duke University’s is one of the most successful Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes in the country. The program began as the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement, which was founded in 1977 as a joint venture between Duke Continuing Education and the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development. Duke became one of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes in 2004.

As one of the differences between older and younger students is the depth of their life experiences, Duke’s Osher program uses a study-group model that encourages the discussion and exploration of lecture materials. This is “learning for the love of it.” Members are sometimes teachers, often help select subject matter, and support the program in many other ways. Courses cover a broad range of fields, including natural science, art history, literature, philosophy and economics, and also include more practical courses such as computer literacy. Other options include fine arts classes, social events, guest speakers, and more. Chicago's OLLI program at Northwestern University follows a similar study-group model, recruiting participants to lead discussion groups based on weekly readings. Experienced coordinators develop course topics and create syllabi to build a general framework for study. 

Another Osher program, at Berkshire Community College (BCC) in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, makes full use of academic resources in the region through a partnership with Williams College and other local institutions. BCC's program also supplements course offerings with special events like snowshoeing, and trips to Boston and New York City, where participants enjoy museums, concerts, and social engagement. The trips out of the area are especially popular, as they are an enormous boon to older adults, who are often unable to drive or are uncomfortable with the idea of driving long distances.

For the Osher Foundation, creating relationships with colleges and universities has benefits beyond access to academic resources. Institutions of higher education have financial and physical resources that ensure long-term support for funded programs. In fact, in order to receive funding, host institutions must dedicate office space, classrooms, and other in-kind resources that ensure that they are committed to their lifelong learning programs and to making an impact in the communities they serve. This strategy allows the Osher Foundation to leverage its resources and maximize the effectiveness of its financial support.

Each year, the National Resource Center convenes leaders of OLLI programs for discussions about advances in lifelong learning, current and future challenges, the role of volunteers in the Institutes, and fundraising and other relevant topics. Through online forums and its annual conferences, the Resource Center enhances the capacity of Institutes and also influences the growing field of lifelong learning.

Find out more at http://www.osherfoundation.org/index.php?olli