Affordable community classes for lifelong learners coming to CSU Spur

By Office of Engagement and Extension Staff

Learning doesn’t have to be an individual pursuit; it can create opportunities for social connection. As people age, they experience better mental and physical health when they have access to places that foster togetherness, allowing them to spark friendships and create stronger community connections.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers opportunities for people 50 and older to engage with like-minded people who want to widen their intellectual horizons by exploring a wealth of topics, engaging in stimulating discussions, and looking at the world from a different perspective.

Learning through community

Henry Weisser laughs while presenting a history lesson
Henry Weisser, a former CSU professor and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute educator, shares stories about British royals during one of his OLLI classes.

Starting in spring, OLLI has 12 courses launching for the first time at CSU Spur. This new partnership will bridge Spur’s public-facing educational and research opportunities with OLLI’s history of engaging classes and expert instructors.

These 12 new courses not only give lifelong learners the opportunity to engage in new subjects but also foster beneficial community connections.

OLLI is a member-based, member-driven community of lifelong learners aged 50 and better. OLLI provides continuous opportunities to gain knowledge of the ever-changing world and to enjoy a community where members can share new insights, exchange ideas, ask questions, and spark new curiosities while making new friends.


Snapshot of the spring classes at CSU Spur

From wellness to watercolors, there is something for everyone in these new OLLI classes. Most classes are between $10 and $30 with the exception of the six-hour Loose Watercolor Painting class priced at $125. Tuition assistance is available.

Exploring mindfulness

Colorado State University Extension’s Sue Schneider, a medical anthropologist, integrative health coach, certified mindfulness instructor, and author, will lead a course on mindfulness in March. In her course, Mindfulness: It’s Not What You Think!, she will explore fundamental mindfulness principles and practices that can help us to see our minds more clearly, stabilize the flow of activity, and rewire our brains through positive neuroplasticity. 

Sue Schneider
Sue Schneider

“People are often really curious about mindfulness and if it can help them reduce their stress, live their lives more fully, and be of service in the world. But they don’t often get access to basic explanations and practices that can help them learn to incorporate mindfulness into their everyday lives,” said Schneider. 

People face many challenges in their daily lives and intentional mindfulness directly impacts our experience of, and interaction with, the world we live in.

In her recent blog article, “Why Mindfulness Matters,” Schneider outlines how we can take the steps to develop awareness by quieting and stabilizing the mind, practices that she will work through in her course, and a few of which are outlined below: 

  • Sit in silence for a few minutes and follow your breath. Notice what arises. 
  • Put your hand on your heart and send yourself compassion. Notice how that feels. 
  • Take a mindful walk and pay attention to your body. Notice the sensations. 
  • Respond to a stressful moment by offering yourself care. Notice what happens. 

“I’m most excited about sharing some fundamental principles and practices that they can experiment with during and after the class,” states Schneider. 

Mindfulness is a practice, set of attitudes, and way of being that supports our ability to choose how to be in relationship with our mind, according to Schneider. This course will give lifelong learners the ability to develop powerful wellness habits that enhance their mental health, skills that pair well with other classes offered in the spring. 

Hands-on with watercolor

Steve Griggs, a prominent watercolorist with both the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society and the Colorado Watercolor Society, will lead a class on watercolor in April where he will construct a painting from start to finish while learners paint along with him. Griggs will take participants through the process step by step, demonstrating how he moves through the steps to create a painting. 

Regarding his relationship to painting, on his website Griggs shares, “I like to think of my paintings as a love letter to the people, places, and moments that make up the human experience. A single painting might speak a thousand different stories to a thousand different people. Nevertheless, a painting can remind us that, although our stories might differ, we are all connected. The experience of being human makes us one.” 

While learning a new skill or new concept is important, it isn’t the only thing OLLI courses have to offer. These two classes allow lifelong learners to rethink the way they look at the world through content and connections. Like Griggs’ perception of paintings, these courses can highlight the various ways we are all connected. 

These are just two highlights out of the 12 unique classes OLLI is offering in the spring. Check out the OLLI at CSU Spur website to see what else is being offered, like courses on hydroponic gardening, soil science, and various history and literature courses.


Next steps

OLLI’s lifelong learning courses can be an entryway to intellectual exploration, social connection, and personal growth. Challenging your mind with new and exciting people can foster community and enhance physical and mental health. 

For this spring term only, non-members can also register for OLLI courses offered at the CSU Spur campus without an active OLLI membership. Participants are only responsible for the price of the class. This unique opportunity for non-members to explore OLLI classes was made possible through a generous grant from the CSU System. 


View OLLI’s full course catalog

Discover 100+ online and in-person courses offered this spring by checking out the full course catalog.