Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Northwestern: A Vibrant Community for Lifelong Learners

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Northwestern University stands as a testament to the idea that curiosity never retires. It's a thriving, member-driven learning community that provides adults with intellectually stimulating experiences. Serving over 1,500 adults on the Evanston and Chicago campuses, OLLI generates an exciting curriculum of more than 100 study groups per semester.

What is OLLI?

At the heart of Northwestern's OLLI is a shared learning experience called peer learning. Peer learning is a uniquely energetic experience. Members, who come from all walks of life, pursue learning for pure pleasure. There are no tests or grades, fostering an environment of intellectual exploration and personal growth. OLLI embodies lifelong learning, providing opportunities to explore diverse subjects, become active participants in a learning community, and meet other lifelong learners.

The Peer Learning Experience

OLLI's classes are known as study groups because members share knowledge with other members while learning from them at the same time. Weekly study group discussion leaders stimulate lively and orderly discussion based on the assigned material and the goals of the discussion. Being a weekly discussion leader is not required for new members, but it is strongly recommended for all others at least once a semester. Virtually all members report that they learned the most about their subject the week(s) they led the discussion. Discussion leaders should not take sides but rather draw out various points of view, not trying for total agreement but rather an expression of all sides of an issue.

Volunteer coordinators are members of OLLI who conceive study group topics, select the material to be used, and provide the syllabus. When a text is used, the coordinators have researched its selection and are thoroughly familiar with its content.

A National Network

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Northwestern is part of a larger network of 125 Osher Institutes located across the United States at prestigious universities and colleges. The Bernard Osher Foundation supports these programs, which aim to provide lifelong learning opportunities for mature adults. The Foundation began to consider programs targeted toward more mature students not necessarily well served by standard continuing education curricula in the fall of 2000. Courses often attract students of all ages eager to accumulate units to complete degrees or to acquire specific job skills. In early 2001, an endowment grant was given to the University of Southern Maine to improve and extend its excellent programs, and the name "Senior College" was changed to "Osher Lifelong Learning Institute." Shortly afterward, Sonoma State University, a member of the California State University (CSU) system became a grantee. Beginning in the fall of 2002, the Foundation issued Requests for Proposals to campuses in the California State University and University of California systems. At present, the Foundation supports 125 lifelong learning programs on university and college campuses across the country, with at least one grantee in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Foundation has not been highly prescriptive in the type of lifelong learning program it has chosen to support.

Read also: Lifelong learning for adults

Courses and Study Groups

OLLI offers year-round sessions of study groups: small, two-hour, seminar-style discussions that meet weekly in the daytime. Study groups are offered either in-person at our Chicago and Evanston locations, or virtually, meaning they can be joined from anywhere you have an internet connection! The 4-week Winter session is all virtual, allowing members to avoid Chicago's inclement weather and accommodating members who travel in the winter months. OLLI members generate an exciting and intellectually challenging curriculum of more than 100 study groups per semester.

How to Get Involved

Membership

To participate in OLLI at Northwestern, one must become a member. As a member-driven program, OLLI relies on the active participation of its members to shape the learning experience.

Proposing a Study Group

Current OLLI members have the opportunity to propose their own study groups. The call for proposal dates for all sessions are posted on the OLLI calendar. To propose a study group, members can attend a Study Group Committee planning session on Chicago campus, or an OLLI Connect meeting on the Evanston campus, in the fall or the spring. The process involves reading the proposal instructions, drafting a proposal, and submitting it on the official online proposal form.

Volunteering

OLLI thrives on the contributions of its volunteer coordinators and other volunteers. These individuals play a crucial role in planning programs and enriching the OLLI experience. Volunteering provides an excellent way to meet new friends and become engaged in the program.

Benefits of Lifelong Learning

Participating in OLLI offers numerous benefits, including:

Read also: Lifelong Learning Opportunities

Intellectual Stimulation: Engaging in stimulating discussions and exploring new topics.
Social Connection: Meeting like-minded individuals and forming lasting friendships.
Personal Growth: Expanding knowledge, developing new skills, and pursuing personal interests.
Community Engagement: Contributing to a vibrant learning community and sharing knowledge with others.

OLLI at Other Universities

Other universities also have OLLI programs. For example, OLLI at the University of North Florida (UNF) is the region’s premier community for adults aged 50 and better who are passionate about learning, connecting, and thriving. UNF’s lifelong learning program was established in 2006 and welcomed into the OLLI network a year later. Self-organized member volunteers work together to plan the programs so you’re sure to find something that appeals. OLLI’s Advisory Council’s mission is to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability as a member-centered, volunteer-led, volunteer-staffed organization. Members with significant experience as students, instructors, and volunteers serve on the council. If you are interested in serving, we encourage you to become active as a volunteer.

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