Range of free and low-cost courses include finances, gardening, health, technology, and more
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 in gaining skills and enriching 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/Senior Planet, Reading Skills, and Adult Education programs. CURE is now enrolling for the following offerings:
Senior University & Adult Education Courses
For Senior University and Adult Education Courses, register online at the link below or call 219-980-6907 unless otherwise noted.
Senior Planet: Introducción a la IA – Presentado en español (Intro to AI – Presented in Spanish)
1 a 2:15 p.m., miércoles, 14 de mayo (Wednesday, May 14)
En persona en la Biblioteca Pública del Condado de Lake en Munster (in-person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library)
Fecha límite de inscripción: 6 de mayo (registration deadline: May 6)
Gratis y abierto a cualquier persona de 60+ (Free and open to adults ages 60+)
Siente curiosidad por la IA? ¿Quiere aprender más sobre Chat GPT? Esta presentación explicará algunas de las ideas básicas sobre la inteligencia artificial. ¡Hablaremos sobre cómo se usa la IA hoy en día, cuáles son sus limitaciones actuales y cómo dará forma al futuro! Esta sesión se presentará en español. Usuarios de correo electrónico, regístrense en línea en: go.iu.edu/3AVG . Todos los demás llamen al 219-980-6907. (Curious about AI? Want to know more about Chat GPT? This lecture will introduce some of the basic concepts around artificial intelligence. We’ll talk about how AI is being used today, what its current limitations are, and how it will shape the future! This session will be presented in Spanish.)
IUN Community Garden: Herb Spiral Workshop
10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday, May 19
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: May 11
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Rebecca Koetz, Purdue Extension Educator – Urban Agriculture, and learn to build an herb spiral. An herb spiral is a type of permaculture design that maximizes space for growing herbs by creating a raised, spiral-shaped garden bed. In the event of inclement weather, the session will be rescheduled for Thursday, May 22, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Adult Ed/Senior U: Age Well with Smart Nutrition
12:30-1:30 p.m., Monday, May 19
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: May 16
Free and open to adults of all ages
In this session, CoAction will provide an overview of senior nutrition programs that may be available to eligible individuals, and the Food Bank of NWI will discuss a range of supplemental nutrition programs designed specifically to support older adults.
Senior Planet: Digital Tools for Brain Health
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, May 21
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: May 18
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Stay sharp with technology! In this lecture, we’ll explore digital tools to support habits that can help you stay sharp, including wearable devices, engaging websites, and informative podcasts. Discover practical resources to keep your mind active and enhance your cognitive wellbeing in today’s digital world.
Adult Ed/Senior U: Securing Your Legacy: Essential Strategies for Estate & Wealth Planning
12:30-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 28
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: May 25
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join April Ratcliff, Senior Personal Trust Officer with Horizon Bank, for an informative and engaging seminar to gain key strategies to protect your assets, minimize taxes and ensure your loved ones are taken care of. Topics covered will include an explanation of basic estate planning documents (i.e., wills, trusts and powers of attorney), how to safeguard your assets for future generations, techniques to reduce estate and inheritance taxes, how to streamline asset transfers and avoid probate, the importance of planning for incapacity and how to avoid common mistakes.
Senior Planet: Intro to Digital Wallets
10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, May 29
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: May 20
Free and open to adults ages 60+
What item can you not leave home without? If you said your phone, this lecture is for you! If you said your wallet, you should probably come too! The digital wallets on our smartphones allow us to go about our daily lives without ever needing to pull out our actual wallets. In this presentation, we’ll review the basic features of the most popular digital wallets, Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, and talk about their many uses beyond purchases. We’ll also discuss features/considerations for security and privacy.
Senior Planet: Introduction to Managing Your Privacy Online
12-1:15 p.m., Friday, May 30
In-person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: May 22
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Concerned about privacy when online? Unsure about accepting cookies? Then come learn about some essential privacy tips! In this introductory lecture, we’ll review how ads target us online, how to limit tracking, where to find browser settings and extensions to better control how our information is shared. We’ll also discuss some of the key features of password managers and why they’re a safe and secure option.
Senior University: Smartphones IV for Androids
2-4 p.m., Tuesdays, June 3, 10 and 24
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: May 20
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you’ve taken Smartphones I, II and III, then get ready because the advanced Android smartphone course you’ve been waiting for is now open for enrollment! In this concurrent series, Brittany Taylor will teach participants how to use emojis, bitmojis, memojis and QR codes, as well as how to create flyers and memes with their Android smartphones.
Senior University: Smartphones IV for iPhones
2-4 p.m., Thursdays, June 5, 12 and 26
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: May 20
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you’ve taken Smartphones I, II and III, then get ready because the advanced iPhone course you’ve been waiting for is now open for enrollment! In this concurrent series, Brittany Taylor will teach participants how to use emojis, bitmojis, memojis and QR codes, as well as how to create flyers and memes with their iPhone smartphones.
Senior University: Microsoft Word Basics
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Fridays, June 6, 13 and 20
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: May 27
Free and open to adults ages 55+
New to Microsoft Word or in need of a refresher? Then join us at IU Northwest for this three-part course! In these sessions, Chelsea Whittington will review the terminology and steps for creating a standard document. Participants will then learn how to develop more advanced creations, including flyers and resumes. We will also cover shortcuts that make using Microsoft Word easy and fun! This series will be held in a computer lab at the IUN campus.
Senior Planet: Intro to Digital Wallets
2-3:15 p.m., Monday, June 9
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: June 1
Free and open to adults ages 60+
What item can you not leave home without? If you said your phone, this lecture is for you! If you said your wallet, you should probably come too! The digital wallets on our smartphones allow us to go about our daily lives without ever needing to pull out our actual wallets. In this presentation, we’ll review the basic features of the most popular digital wallets, Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, and talk about their many uses beyond purchases. We’ll also discuss features/considerations for security and privacy.
Senior University: Introduction to Knitting
1-3 p.m., Wednesdays, June 11, 18 and 25
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: June 3
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join Jane Whedbee, fiber artist, knitter and designer, for this beginner-level knitting series. Participants will learn the fundamental terminology and methods needed to follow a basic knitting pattern. This will include learning casting on (starting), mastering the core stitches and patterns and binding off (finishing) a piece of knitted fabric. Knitting needles (size 7), yarn, and other basic materials will be provided.
Senior Planet: Intro to AI
1-2:15 p.m., Monday, June 16
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: June 8
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Curious about AI? Want to know more about Chat GPT? This lecture will introduce some of the basic concepts around artificial intelligence. We’ll talk about how AI is being used today, what its current limitations are and how it will shape the future!
Adult Ed/Senior U: Hope is Not a Strategy
6-7 p.m., Tuesday, June 17
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: June 8
Free and open to adults of all ages
Are you in the retirement redzone or recently retired and worried about how to navigate the unknown? Do you have a plan in place that will allow you to enjoy your golden years, even with all the uncertainty? Or are you just hoping that it will all work out and winging it without a plan? If you want to enjoy your golden years with confidence, you want to have a plan in place! Join Investment Advisor, Aaron Patten, for a presentation that will address some of the key areas of concern that pre-retirees and retirees can face in retirement and how to overcome these challenges with confidence!
Register online or call 219-980-6978.
Senior Planet: Introducción a la IA – Presentado en español (Intro to AI – Presented in Spanish)
11 a.m. a 12:15 p.m., viernes 20 de junio (Friday, June 20)
En persona en la Biblioteca Pública del Condado de Lake en Merrillville (in-person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library)
Fecha límite de inscripción: 12 de junio (registration deadline: June 12)
Gratis y abierto a cualquier persona de 60+ (Free and open to adults ages 60+)
¿Siente curiosidad por la IA? ¿Quiere aprender más sobre Chat GPT? Esta presentación explicará algunas de las ideas básicas sobre la inteligencia artificial. ¡Hablaremos sobre cómo se usa la IA hoy en día, cuáles son sus limitaciones actuales y cómo dará forma al futuro! Esta sesión se presentará en español. Usuarios de correo electrónico, regístrense en línea en: go.iu.edu/3AVG . Todos los demás llamen al 219-980-6907. (Curious about AI? Want to know more about Chat GPT? This lecture will introduce some of the basic concepts around artificial intelligence. We’ll talk about how AI is being used today, what its current limitations are, and how it will shape the future! This session will be presented in Spanish.)
Reading Skills Programs
Schedule and cost vary
Programs for all grade levels
Reading Skills Program: Enroll
Offered in partnership with the Institute of Reading Development, these programs are specifically designed to give students the skills, motivation and individual support they need at each grade level. Students attend weekly classes that build skills and provide great experiences with terrific books. Between classes, students practice reading and complete fun, interactive lessons that develop core skills and build confidence.
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 allowing you to 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.
Adult Education: Career Training Programs
24/7 Access; Start at any time
Cost varies; Courses for adults
Career Training Programs: Enroll
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.
Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks
24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Cost varies; Courses for adults
Comprehensive Career Tracks: Enroll
These online Career Track programs offer students an opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of professions—from the arts to healthcare to web development. All programs are available in a self-paced format and offer opportunities for national certification, externship placement and/or career support.
All Indiana University events/programs, groups, activities, educational, cultural, and historical observances are open to all members of the Indiana University community.
About IU 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 Park. The campus has a diverse student population of approximately 3,500 degree-seeking students and 1,800 dual-credit students and has been recognized by the Department of Education as a minority and Hispanic serving institution. The campus offers Associate, Baccalaureate, and Master’s degrees 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, the region’s only four-year medical doctorate program. As a student-centered campus, IU Northwest is committed to academic excellence characterized by a love of ideas and achievement in learning, discovery, creativity, research, and community engagement. Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring.