Lifelong University
Learning as a way of life, not a time of life

Rice’s Lifelong University brings the best of higher education to retirement communities across the country and throughout our region.

Featuring dynamic virtual and community-based learning, Lifelong University welcomes retirement community residents and staff to learn from and with Rice faculty, other experts and each other. This custom-designed pilot program fills a need for accessible, university-quality education in the later years of life. Lifelong University invites participants to share their own rich life experiences and celebrate the joy of learning for life.

University-caliber lifelong learning. Intellectual and social engagement are essential to flourishing, especially as we age. Rice’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies created Lifelong University to share university-caliber learning throughout the fullness of life. Lifelong University invites retirement community residents and staff to learn from and with Rice faculty, other subject matter experts and one another.

Dynamic virtual and community-based education for older adults. Lifelong University is designed to be intellectually stimulating, accessible and welcoming. This unique educational series blends dynamic, joyful virtual and community-based learning experiences. Spanning arts, humanities, sciences and social science, Lifelong University shares intriguing research, thought-provoking questions and illuminating insights from art history to zoology and so much more.

Accessible, unlimited learning. Lifelong University is dedicated to ensuring that learning is unlimited by age, life stage, location, physical ability, financial resources and other factors.

Globally relevant, locally rooted. Lifelong University features nationally and internationally renowned scholars and educators exploring topics of global relevance. Our programs are also crafted to encourage connections to local people and places, inviting participants to share and celebrate their own rich life experiences.

Community + learning + engagement. Developed by the Rice Continuing Studies’ Center for Community Learning and Engagement team, what makes Lifelong University distinct from other virtual learning opportunities is its integration of community and engagement into lifelong learning. We’ve also designed Lifelong University to reflect best educational practices, to be responsive to community input and to be enhanced over time.

Read on to learn more about Lifelong University.

Please note that Lifelong University is currently in a pilot stage. While we are not accepting new communities at this time, we’d be glad to notify you when opportunities open in the future. See the FAQs below for more information. 

How Lifelong University Works

Lifelong University courses are held at retirement community sites. They are facilitated by site program staff with groups of independent and/or assisted living residents.

Participating sites receive a comprehensive suite of curricular materials custom-designed by Rice University faculty, instructors, and staff. These elements provide everything site staff need to lead high-quality educational programs with minimal preparation. They can also be used as inspiration for creating a range of related programs customized to your unique community, place and people.

Current Lifelong University program components include:

  • A library of short, engaging recorded lectures with a wide variety of topics
  • Periodic live virtual programs with Rice faculty and instructors
  • Lesson plans for site staff
  • Group activities and thoughtful discussion prompts
  • Handouts and promotional materials
  • Recommended resources and activities for deeper explorations
  • A dedicated program website, discussion board and ongoing support for participating site staff
  • Opportunities for residents and staff to share input on topics, speakers and more

Lifelong University Participating Communities

Belmont Village Senior Living is the only retirement community organization taking part in the current pilot of Lifelong University. Thirty-four Belmont Village sites across the U.S. are currently participating in Lifelong University.

Lifelong University is grounded in insights that arose from our earlier “micropilot,” which tested the basic model for Lifelong University. Belmont Village Senior Living was one of two retirement community organizations with multiple sites across the nation that took part in the micropilot. We are grateful to our micropilot participants for their generous insights.

In the future, we anticipate extending Lifelong University to other retirement communities nationwide and to other organizations serving older learners of all economic backgrounds in the Houston region.

What Participants and Site Staff Are Saying

  • “This program has been wonderful for my residents. This is something they look forward to every week. It sparks new conversations … The topics are so varied in interest, and I'm learning throughout the process as well. It's just truly an amazing program.” - LLU site staff member

  • “It’s not like going to school. It’s more like learning something new in an exciting way … making friendships and connections.” - LLU program participant

  • “You can learn so much in a short amount of time.” - LLU program participant

  • “I loved that it was taught in an accessible way that met the audience where they were.”- LLU site staff member

  • “Our residents love it … I’ve never seen the room more packed for things I would never have expected … It brings up … memories and discussions …, not just in this space, but at the dining room table as well. I really appreciate it, and I think you will love it too. It comes with so much pre-built into it, it helps remove some of the planning aspect of us, without removing the creativity.”  - LLU site staff member

  • “It really is a co-created experience … which gives joy to the residents … our residents love it.”  - LLU site staff member

  • “You’re never too old to learn.” - LLU program participant

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring Lifelong University to my community?

Contact LLU@rice.edu if you’d like to be informed about future opportunities to take part in Lifelong University. 

How can I learn about teaching in Lifelong University?

University faculty and other expert instructors interested in teaching in Lifelong University may contact LLU@rice.edu

How can I learn more about Lifelong University?

Please contact LLU@rice.edu if you have any other questions about Lifelong University.

Media inquiries may be made to Andrew Bell (andrew.bell@rice.edu) in the Rice Public Affairs office.

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