About OLLI

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Iowa was developed through a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation in the summer of 2006.

OLLI at Iowa

The University of Iowa Center on Aging (COA) has developed a university-based Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) that uses new learning environments to engage older adults in life-enhancing experiences. In cooperation with existing University and community resources, the OLLI serves as a source of new class-based, service-based and experiential learning for older adults using four main focus areas:

1. Civic engagement focus
   A Senior Community Leadership Program will expose older adults to the composition, challenges and opportunities in their community and state. Topics will help participants achieve a new sense of connection to and awareness of the community’s governance and infrastructure, social, cultural, economic, environmental, educational and political characteristics, resources and other issues.
   
2. Entrepreneurial focus
   Older individuals will be linked to University resources, faculty and students to learn about and help influence business, social and technological innovations. UI resources may include the Tippie College of Business, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, and the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, as well as Iowa Workforce Development. We will explore mentoring, job shadowing, joint venture investigations, fellowships, introductory courses and career assessment to develop this learning environment.
   
3. Health and well-being focus
   This focus uses experiential learning that goes beyond traditional fitness activities, health promotion information and disease-focused courses. For example, older adults can explore new ways to navigate health care systems, understand the aging process, consider culturally diverse and alternative healthcare, and examine connections to spirituality, the arts and humanities, as well as other outlets that may help illuminate personal meaning and promote a sense of well being.
   
4. Class-based learning focus
   OLLI at Iowa offers classroom-based courses of interest that take advantage of UI resources. Current faculty, emeritus professors, experienced community educators and other learning resources provide course content or activity direction for the OLLI. The Carver College of Medicine Mini-Medical School Program and the UI Alumni Association will use UI resources to provide lecture-type forums on topics of interest around the state, as well as in the Iowa City area.

Whenever possible, the OLLI will include exposure to new technologies and innovative learning strategies, in combination with intergenerational, multidisciplinary and multicultural elements. Implications of relevant emerging research, clinical, and policy findings also will be incorporated into learning experiences.

Staff

Julie Bobitt, Program Director

2159 Westlawn

Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319.384.4222

Email: julie-bobitt@uiowa.edu

 

 

Linsey Abbott, Program Assistant

2159 Westlawn

Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319.384.4221

Email: linsey-abbott@uiowa.edu

 

 

OLLI at Iowa Board of Directors

 

Board President

* Connie Benton-Wolfe, President and CEO of the Center for Active Seniors Inc. (CASI) and Jane's Place Adult Day Health Center in Davenport

Vice President

* Del Bonney, Program Consultant, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health

Past President

* Tom Wilson, CEO and director for Family Resources Inc. in the Quad Cities area

Board Members

* Sam Becker, University of Iowa Foundation Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies

* Susan Boyd, former President of Elder Services, Inc.

* Kevin Kregel, UI Professor in Dept. of Integrative Physiology & Dept. of Radiation Oncology

* Jay Semel, Associate Vice President for Research at The University of Iowa

* Margaret Wenk, scenery and costume designer for the UI Division of Performing Arts