Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a vibrant member-driven program of Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies serving over 1500 adults on the Evanston and Chicago campuses. Composed of seasoned learners from all walks of life, OLLI members pursue learning for pure pleasure: there are no tests and no grades. Members of our cooperative learning community generate an exciting and intellectually challenging curriculum of more than 100 study groups per semester. These study groups are small, two-hour, seminar-style discussions that occur weekly in the daytime. Study groups are proposed, designed, and facilitated by fellow members and cover a wide range of topics including civic engagement, contemporary issues, creative arts, history and government, literature, science and technology, and social sciences.