FDLTCC College for Seniors classes are in full swing

The College for Seniors Program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is up and running with a new schedule of Spring Semester 2019 courses.

College for Seniors is a unique program featuring a variety of non-credit courses that local seniors can enroll in for a small fee, and which take only a short amount of time to complete. The program was established to provide lifelong learning programs within a supportive environment, targeted at learners 50 years of age and over but open to everyone.

Sprouted in 2009 and nurtured by a small group of enthusiastic participants, the program has firmly planted its roots as part of the educational programming at the college. The program fits nicely with current educational offerings, and is integral to the college’s efforts to extend learning to those who are not traditional college-age students.

“It’s been an incredibly eye-opening experience for me to see what a huge need and desire there is from seniors for continuing education as we put together the new course schedule,” said Stacey Johnson, administrative assistant in the continuing education department at FDLTCC. “College faculty, people who really know the subjects, are teaching most of the classes, except there’s no homework, no papers, no tests. Participants can just enjoy the information and soak it all in.”

Full-time instructors and staff at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College as well as community members volunteer their time and expertise to teach classes in the program. As a program with limited fiscal resources, the instructors’ willingness to volunteer their time helps make it possible for the college to deliver services to this non-traditional age-group of learners.

A variety of short courses are offered each semester to stimulate the intellectual, emotional, and physical well-being of older adults in order to enrich and enhance their lives. The courses range from one class meeting to up to seven sessions, with fees ranging from $5 to $30 per course. A typical class size is just 6 to 12 students.

“College for Seniors is a great way to increase knowledge of specific subjects, with no need of prior education, exams, or homework,” said Johnson. “We encourage participants to come ready to learn, and to share interactive experiences in the classroom.”

Current classes offered for Spring Semester 2019 include Genealogy, Beginning Spanish language, Watercolor Painting, Understanding iPads, Survivor’s Guide to Millennials, Microsoft Word, Cultural Humility, What Stream Critters Can Tell You, Harvesting Wild Plants, and several others.

“Our College for Seniors program is a great opportunity for veteran learners to keep the mind sharp and build camaraderie through mingling, interacting, and connecting with students on campus,” said Johnson. Classes are held in Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College’s classrooms, with a few including outdoor activities to complement the learning experience.

College for Seniors students are even issued an official college identification card, which entitles participants to free admission into games, discounts at local merchants, and the ability to check out items from the college library.

For more information about College for Seniors or to request a free catalog of current courses as well as future courses and campus events, contact Stacey Johnson at [email protected] or call 218-879-0775.