OLLI at UMass Boston

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UMass Boston is a membership-based community of adults aged 50 and older who enjoy learning and spending time with like-minded people. With a mission of fostering accessible lifelong learning, individual growth, and social connection, OLLI provides more than 140 non-credit courses, special lectures, social events, theater outings, and field trips in the United States and abroad. As they prepare to celebrate their 25th anniversary next year, Director Jim Hermelbracht shared some facts about OLLI at UMass Boston with Beacons.   

1. OLLI at UMass Boston is one of only five Osher programs in the nation housed in a gerontology or nursing department. With this rarity, OLLI is able to tap into the expertise and resources provided by the Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences to connect learners directly with faculty, staff, and graduate students.  
    
2. OLLI at UMass Boston is the only lifelong learning program in the nation that provides free access to the Mango Language Program, allowing members to learn more than 70 languages at their own pace. “Learning a new language is wonderful at keeping the mind active and engaged,” said Hermelbracht. “So, the Mango offering is an invaluable part of supporting our mission of engaging our members both intellectually and socially.”  
    
3. Stonewall at OLLI is the first OLLI-based special interest group in the U.S. specifically aimed at creating an active engagement and support network for LGBTQIA+ seniors. According to Hermelbracht, this group provides a unique and meaningful resource for members. “Many LGBTQIA+ seniors probably had a very different coming out experience than if you were to talk to our undergraduate students,” he said. “Some of these folks have come out later in life and find this group to be a wonderful resource for building and sustaining community connections.” 
    
4. The OLLI Scholars program at UMass Boston gives graduate students from across the university the opportunity to propose and teach courses for OLLI members on any number of topics. “It’s a wonderful intergenerational experience,” said Hermelbracht. “It gives our UMass Boston graduate students some teaching experience if they desire it, and our members really enjoy the fresh knowledge.” Each year, cohorts of 15 to 20 OLLI Scholars teach 30 or more courses and receive a stipend. 
    
5. The oldest current OLLI member at UMass Boston is 96 years old and stays involved in OLLI through its virtual and online programs. OLLI resumed in-person activities after moving to fully remote programming during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hermelbracht said the hybrid model is here to stay. “Fifty-five to sixty percent of our programs are still online, which gives wider accessibility. Maybe folks don’t have the physical mobility they used to, or they just cannot get to one of our on-site programs. Our online programs have been able to provide community and help decrease isolation.”  

Interested in joining OLLI or learning more about the program? Contact the UMass Boston OLLI team at ollireg@gmail.com or on Facebook (OLLIUMASSBOSTON).