Gary, Ind. -- Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers a variety of non-credit courses and educational programs that 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 learning opportunities for all ages through its Community Garden, Senior University, Reading Skills, and Adult Education programs.
CURE is enrolling now for fall sessions. The offerings include:
IUN Community Garden: History and Symbolism of Roses
11 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, October 19
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: noon, October 18
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Susan Radovich, Master Gardener, for this live Zoom session and learn about the discovery, uses (300 B.C. and on), and the symbolism of roses, including rose colors and the duality of beauty and thorns. The session will also explore the use of phrases such as “sub rosa,” which means “under the rose” or “confidentially,” as well as the three main classifications of roses (Species Roses, Old Garden Roses, and Modern Roses). Register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
IUN Community Garden: Preserving Indiana’s Northwest Ecologies
5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 16
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: noon, November 15
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join TNC, The Nature Conservancy, for a discussion of the vibrant and diverse ecosystems of Northwest Indiana and how you can get involved in preserving them. From dune and swale to prairies complete with wild bison, the northwest part of the Hoosier state has enough ecosystems to keep TNC’s stewards busy. You’ll learn from Kankakee Sands director Trevor Edmonson and Southern Lake Michigan Rim director Joel Perez-Castaneda about the ecology and history of their various preserves before hearing from Esmé Barniskis about volunteer opportunities and internships that are available to the CURE community. Register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
Senior University: Introduction to Virtual Calls: Part I
3 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, November 2
In-Person Session at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: noon, November 1
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
If you are interested in learning the very basics of using the video communications platform, Zoom, and would also like to receive in-person assistance, then this is the session for you! During this session, Brittany Taylor will walk participants through the steps needed to begin using Zoom (downloading, installing, and joining a meeting). Participants should bring the mobile device on which they plan to use Zoom (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.). Those planning to use Zoom on a non-mobile personal computer are also welcome to join and take notes/follow along. Register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
Senior University: Introduction to Virtual Calls: Part II
4 to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, November 9 and 16
Zoom Meetings
Registration Deadline: noon, November 8
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
This live, online series is intended for those ready to become more familiar with the video communications platform, Zoom. During these live, online sessions, Tavetta Patterson will introduce participants to audio and video controls as well as various meeting features used in Zoom. Participants will also be provided with tips for scheduling their own activities on Zoom, such as virtual celebrations of special occasions with friends and family. Previous participation in Introduction to Virtual Calls: Part I is advised (sessions will be conducted virtually via Zoom), though is not required. Register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
Senior University: The Musical History of Miles Davis
6 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, November 15 and Thursday, November 18
Zoom Meetings with option to join by phone
Registration Deadline: noon, November 12
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Trumpeter, composer, and band leader, Miles Davis had an incredible influence on jazz music. In these live Zoom sessions, we will listen to the music of Miles and examine the many changes he made in the music of jazz. From Bebop to Cool Jazz to Hard Bop to Modal to Electric, Davis had a hand in them all, and in most cases, led the way. Join us for a look at one of the most fascinating musicians in all of music. To register, contact CURE at 219-980-6907 (to join by phone call) or register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
Senior University: Solving the Medicare Puzzle with SHIP
Noon to 1:15 p.m., Thursday, November 18
Zoom Meeting with option to join by phone
Registration Deadline: noon, November 17
Free and open to anyone age 55 and better
Join us for this live Zoom meeting and learn about Medicare’s various parts and how SHIP, the State Health Insurance Program, can help you put the pieces together and make informed health insurance decisions that optimize access to care and benefits. This session will discuss Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap, and Advantage Plans, and will explore the ways in which SHIP empowers, educates, and assists Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers through objective outreach, counseling, and training. To register, contact CURE at 219-980-6907 (to join by phone call) or register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
Adult Education/Senior University: Business Building Basics
4 to 5 p.m., Wednesdays, October 13 through 27
Zoom Meetings
Registration Deadline: noon, October 12
Free and open to adults of all ages
This three-part Zoom series will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with resources they can use to start living their dream of business ownership. During the course of the workshop, participants will receive a business plan template, an entrepreneur’s guide for doing business, tools to help focus products and services, and strategies for building a debt-free business as well as a success team. Register online at: go.iu.edu/3AVG.
Adult Education/Senior University & Gary EnVision Center: How to Market your Small Business Online
1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays, November 4 and 11
Zoom and Facebook Live
No Registration Required
Offered in collaboration with the Gary EnVision Center/Gary Housing Authority, this two-part seminar is designed to help business owners, both established and budding, with the process of taking their brands online. Areas highlighted include social media, email marketing, and website development. The Zoom meetings are open to Gary residents (join using Meeting ID: 656 209 3363 and Passcode: teamwork). All others can watch the live stream of the sessions on Facebook at: facebook.com/OfficialGaryHousingAuthority/videos.
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. Fundamental courses include 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. 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. 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. Our 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: Comprehensive Career Tracks
24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Cost varies; Courses for adults
These online Career Track programs offer students a chance to hone their skills in a variety of professions—from the arts to healthcare to web development. All programs are available in the self-paced format and have opportunities for national certification, externship placement, and/or career support. For select healthcare programs, there is also the option for the instructor-led format, in which content is facilitated by live instructors with scheduled webinars and interactive activities. Enroll, learn more, or view all Comprehensive Career Tracks at iun.edu2.com.
Reading Skills Programs
Schedule and cost varies
Programs for all grade levels
Offered in partnership with the Institute of Reading Development, programs are specifically designed to give students the skills, motivation, and individual support they need in each grade level. Students attend a dynamic, live online class each week, during which they 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.
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 seven 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 Lakeshore. 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.
