Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) has expanded its online presence and announces its summer non-credit programs, which aim to assist people of all ages gain skills and enrich their lives as we face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.
CURE offers a variety of remote learning opportunities for all ages through its Adult Education, Community Garden, Senior University, and Summer Reading Skills programs.
CURE is enrolling now for summer sessions. The offerings include:
Adult Education: Pharmacy Technician Career Exploration
5:30 to 7 p.m., Monday, July 20
Free and open to anyone age 18 and over
Join Georgianne Glavas, state licensed and nationally certified pharmacy technician, for this live, online session and explore a career as a pharmacy technician. Attendees will learn what pharmacy technicians do and the education and skills needed for a career working in the pharmacy. To enroll, contact CURE at cureiun@iun.edu or 219-980-6978 by Friday, July 17.
Adult Education: Fundamental Courses
24/7 Access; All classes start new every month
Cost varies; Courses for adults and young adults/teens
Online fundamental courses are informative, fun, and convenient. Complete any course entirely from home, at any time of the day or night. Popular courses include Speed Spanish, Accounting Fundamentals, Introduction to Microsoft Excel, and A to Z Grant Writing. Fundamental courses include both instructor-led courses and self-paced tutorials. Instructor-led courses run for six-weeks with monthly start dates and feature an instructor-moderated discussion board so that you can interact with your classmates. Self-paced tutorials are designed for completely independent learning, without instructor moderation, and can be started at any time. Enroll, learn more, or view all fundamental courses at ed2go.com/iunadulted.
Adult Education: Career Training Programs
24/7 Access; Start at any time
Cost varies; Courses for adults
The online, open-enrollment career training programs are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional-level positions for many in-demand occupations. Programs are designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, providing you with effective web-based learning programs. Instructors/mentors are actively involved in your online learning experience, responding to any questions or concerns, encouraging and motivating you to succeed. Enroll, learn more, or view all career training programs at careertraining.ed2go.com/iun.
Adult Education/Senior University: Social Security and COVID-19
5 to 6:30 p.m., Monday, Jul. 13
Free and open to anyone age 18 and over
Join Social Security Administration (SSA) public affairs specialists for this live, online session and get the facts about what the SSA is doing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will learn how their benefits—Retirement, Disability, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Widows—are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will discuss how you can receive assistance from the SSA, despite offices being closed to the public, as well as how you can protect yourself from fraudulent phone calls and other scams. To enroll, contact CURE at cureiun@iun.edu or 219-980-6978 by Friday, July 10.
Community Garden: Eating to Improve Immunity
2:30 to 4 p.m., Thursday, July 9
Free and open to anyone age 18 and older
Join Kimberly Davis, nutrition education program assistant for Purdue Extension, during this live, online session and learn how to improve your immunity through the foods you eat. Participants will learn how to plan meals that include foods high in the vitamins and nutrients needed to support a healthy immune system. To enroll, contact CURE at cureiun@iun.edu or 219-980-6978 by Thursday, July 8.
Senior University: Introduction to Smartphones
Open enrollment: July 1 through July 31
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Is your smartphone outsmarting you? It won’t be for long if you register for this self-paced, online tutorial on how to operate your Android or iPhone. Watch and re-watch Brittany Taylor’s recorded tutorials and learn how to download apps, check email, send texts, customize your settings, and much more – all at your own pace. Show your smartphone who's smarter! To enroll, contact Senior University at curesu@iun.edu or 219-980-6907 by Friday, July 31. Participants will have access to the tutorial from the date of registration until Friday, Aug. 21.
Senior University: Introduction to Social Media
Open enrollment: July 13 through Aug. 10
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Interested in getting a comprehensive introduction to social media? Created by a seasoned social media strategist, Chelsea Whittington, this tutorial covers social platforms of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Watch and re-watch the recorded tutorials at your own pace and learn the basics of each platform and how to get started developing your own profiles, including privacy settings and social media etiquette. To enroll, contact Senior University at curesu@iun.edu or 219-980-6907 by Monday, Aug. 10. Participants will have access to the tutorial from the date of registration until Monday, Aug. 31.
Senior University: WiFi the Unseen Hero: An Introduction to Wireless Networks
2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Thursdays, July 16, 23, and 30
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
This live, online series will provide participants with a better understanding of wireless networks. Each week, participants will learn additional information regarding how to SAVE data, search the web at HEROIC speeds, and RESCUE their phones from suspicious connections! To enroll, contact Senior University at curesu@iun.edu or 219-980-6907 by Wednesday, July 15.
Senior University: Introduction to Virtual Calls
5 to 6 p.m., Thursdays, July 16, 23, 30, and Aug. 6
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Are you seeking to connect with your friends and family members while social distancing? Do you miss seeing the smiles of your friends and family members? Has social distancing made it difficult to communicate? Join these live, online meetings and learn to communicate through virtual video calls utilizing Zoom, Google Duo, and FaceTime. During this four-part series, participants will be provided with valuable tools to communicate with friends and family. To enroll, contact Senior University at curesu@iun.edu or 219-980-6907 by Wednesday, July 15.
Senior University: Live Your Best Life
12 to 1 p.m., Wednesdays, Aug. 5, 12, 19, and 26
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
This live, online series is a delightful blend of mind, body, and spirit activities...tea, readings, meditation, assignments, and stretch/relax in loose collaboration with Deepak Chopra's 21 Days of Abundance. So get your quiet spot, pillow, and journal and join us for this four-part, recharge series led by Becky Mateja Lombardini. To enroll, contact Senior University at curesu@iun.edu or 219-980-6907 by Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Senior University: Remaining Safe in Times of Disaster: Emergency Preparedness for Seniors
10 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 21
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Join Crystal Shannon, associate professor of nursing, for this live, online session, which will explore the vulnerability of older adults to disaster and emergency events. Through the use of shared experiences, stories of survivors, and film footage, this session will highlight the value of disaster planning, the needed steps to prepare for emergency situations, and the specific tools required for our personal emergency response. Emergency plans and self-assessments of disaster vulnerability will be completed. To enroll, contact Senior University at curesu@iun.edu or 219-980-6907 by Thursday, Aug. 20.
Summer Reading Skills Programs
Schedule and cost varies
Programs for students of all ages: children and adults
Offered in partnership with the Institute of Reading Development, students in this program attend a dynamic, live online class each week. During class, students can see, hear and speak with each other and their teacher in real time. Every class is full of engaging discussions and class activities. Between classes, students complete independent reading assignments and interactive online lessons that build skills and confidence. Enroll, learn more, or view all reading skills programs at iun.readingprograms.org or call 1-800-903-2173.
About the Center for Urban and Regional Excellence
The Center for Urban and Regional Excellence at Indiana University Northwest engages the university and the community in partnerships that jointly formulate programs and policies to support thriving Northwest Indiana communities. The Center works collaboratively with organizations in all sectors to address challenges and co-create solutions in diverse areas including economic development, government efficiency, nonprofit leadership development, public safety, transportation policy, environmental sustainability, health disparities, and arts and culture.
About Indiana University Northwest
One of eight campuses of Indiana University, IU Northwest is located in metropolitan Northwest Indiana, approximately 30 miles southeast of Chicago and 10 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Park. The campus has a diverse student population of approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students and 1,500 dual-credit students. The campus offers Associate, Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees in a variety of undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional degree options available from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Business and Economics, the School of the Arts and the School of Education. The campus is also host to IU School of Medicine-Northwest-Gary, which actively involves students in research and local healthcare needs through its four-year medical doctorate program. IU Northwest emphasizes high-quality teaching, faculty and student research and engagement on campus and in the community. As a student-centered campus, IU Northwest is committed to academic excellence characterized by a love of ideas and achievement in learning, discovery, creativity and engagement. Indiana University Northwest is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. The University actively encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups.
