Lifelong University

Older woman in classroom settingDo you strive to continue to learn about new subjects on a regular basis? Then UNI's Lifelong University is the program for you. Courses and class formats include a variety of four-week, three-week and one-time workshops.

 UNI’s Lifelong University is one example of our commitment to serving Iowans of all ages. The program, geared toward the lifelong learner, will offer non-credit courses taught by retired and current UNI faculty and staff. The courses will be taught on campus or in the community on weekdays. 

UNI offers a world-class university education, providing personalized experiences and creating a lifetime of opportunities. So come join us for the adventure, and take a class just for the fun of it!

Western Home Communities       New Aldaya Lifescapes

Western Home Communities and New Aldaya Lifescapes are now proud partners of Lifelong University at the University of Northern Iowa, providing space and funding for the services offered through the program.

Making Sense of Immigration in the Cedar Valley: People, Policies, Rights, and Realties

This class will explore:
1. The various immigrant and refugee communities in Iowa–who they are & why they came
2. Immigration policies and rhetoric, and their impact on local communities
3. The work of CVAIRR and other immigrant advocacy groups in the state
4. Resources for furthering one’s understanding

Instructor: Lisa Speicher Munoz, Professor of Sociology

Dates: Wednesday, September 3, 10, 17, and 24

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Western Home Communities - Windridge Dining Room

Cost: $50.00

Radical Women, Digital Lovers, and Global Dreams- Mini Courses

We will explore how history, politics, technology, and society intersect through four engaging presentations with discussion. Topics range from women’s radical political movements and the power of health ideals to the promises and risks of AI and immigration as a tool for economic development.

Week One: Women and Political Radicalism
Week Two: Health, Fitness, and Power
Week Three: AI and the Human Future
Week Four: Immigration, Foreign Investment and Economic Development

Instructor: Emily Machen, Associate Dean for Student Success and Professor of History

Dates: Wednesday, October 1, 8, 15, and 22

Time: 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m

Location: Western Home Communities - Windridge Dining Room

Cost: $50.00

Music for Resistance and Protest

Music has played an important role for self-expression for most of human history. This course will explore the role that music plays in acts of resistance and protest, in the United States and around the world. The course will begin with defining core concepts like “music”, “protest”, and “culture”. From there, we will explore the different roles that music has played in protest and resistance movements throughout history and around the world. Weekly topics will focus on coalitions, as a tool for effective messaging, and as a call to action for demonstrators – and we will explore different how different eras and movements have used music in these ways. Possible topics will include the labor movement of the 1940’s and 50's, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and its connection to the modern-day Black Lives Matter movement, the role of music in the Arab Spring protests of the early 2010’s, among others.

Instructor: Kyle Fleming, Assistant Professor of Music Therapy

Dates: Thursday, October 9, 16, 23, and 30

Time: 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Western Home Communities, Windridge Dining Room

Cost: $50.00

The Baroque Era in Four Paintings (and a lot of Engravings)

This course will look at the history of the seventeenth century in Europe through the work of four well-known artists of the era. Each artist will open the way for a discussion of the events and social conditions that gave rise to their works.

Instructor: Charlotte Wells, Emeritus Professor

Dates: Tuesday, November 4, 11, 18, and 25

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Western Home Community, Windridge Dining Room

Cost: $50.00

‌UNI at 150: A Tradition of Service, a Future of Innovation

Born out of the civil war, UNI began as the primary educator of Iowa teachers, grew into a multidisciplinary comprehensive University focused on undergraduate education. The course will examine key moments, individuals and developments that made UNI what it is. The course will also look forward to key trends and technologies that will define the next 25 years

Instructor: Steve Carignan, Executive Director of Gallagher Bluedorn

Dates: Monday, November 3, 10, 17, and 24

Time: 10:00 a.m to 11:30 a.m.

Location: Western Home Communities - Windridge Dining Room

Cost: $50.00

Additional Information

Location Addresses

‌Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center
8201 Dakota Street 
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Center for Energy & Environmental Education
8106 Jennings Drive 
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Western Home Community 
5311 Hyacinth Drive 
Cedar Falls, IA 50613

Registration Policies

Full refunds will be granted prior to the first day of each class. No refunds are allowed once the class has begun.

Minimum class size must be attained to hold class. If a class is cancelled because of low enrollment, a refund will be granted. You will receive a letter indicating which class(es) you are enrolled in. The letter will verify your registration and remind you of the day, time and location of your class.

UNI Severe Weather Announcements

You will receive an email if class is cancelled due to weather

Try the first class for FREE before deciding if you would like to continue with the rest of the classes. PLEASE still register to attend prior to the first class.