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 gain skills and enrich 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 & Adult Ed: Enroll
Senior Planet: Mindfulness Apps
12-1:15 p.m., Friday, April 18
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: April 15
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present and aware. You can practice mindfulness through simple activities. This lecture introduces mindfulness and its physical and mental benefits, such as reducing anxiety, improving memory and lowering blood pressure. You’ll learn about popular apps that teach breathing and meditation techniques, as well as new technology like wearable breath monitors and smart yoga mats.
Senior Planet: MyChart
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 23
In-person at Whiting City Hall
Registration deadline: April 15
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Has your doctor or healthcare provider ever mentioned MyChart? Come learn about this electronic health record portal that works both in a web browser and an app. We’ll go over how MyChart can help you keep all your health information in one place, communicate with your providers and have a virtual visit. You’ll also learn about the portal’s privacy and security features.
Senior Planet: Understanding Internet Plans
10:30-11:45 a.m., Thursday, April 24
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: April 21
Free and open to adults ages 60+
In this lecture, we will break down the different parts of a home internet plan so that you can choose the best option for your household. We will go over important terminology from hotspot to bandwidth. Participants will learn about the best internet speeds for different kinds of activities from emailing to gaming. We will also discuss tips for talking with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and for saving money on your bill.
Senior Planet: Intro to Estate Planning Resources & Tools
1-2:15 p.m., Monday, April 28
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: April 20
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Estate planning may sound intimidating or something that requires a lot of resources. Creating an estate plan just means making sure that your health, finances and anything you own is handled according to your wishes. In this case, a simple plan is better than no plan! In this lecture, you will get an overview of some common documents found in an estate plan. We will also cover free or low-cost resources and digital tools to help you get started with a simple estate plan.
IUN Community Garden: Companion Planting
12-1:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 29
Zoom meeting
Registration deadline: April 27
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Dolly Foster, Indiana Accredited Horticulturist, to learn about companion planting, the age-old practice of placing plants together in the garden so they benefit each other. Companion Planting helps the garden fight off garden pests naturally by deterring pest infestation. This presentation will focus on companion planting for vegetables and herbs.
Senior Planet: Introduction to AI
1-2:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 30
In-person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: April 22
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!
Public Showcase: Preserving History through Multimedia Art
6-8 p.m., Friday, May 2
In-person at IU Northwest
Free and open to adults of all ages
>> RSVP by May 1 for the Public Showcase
All members of the campus and community are invited to join CURE for a showcase of the amazing multimedia art created by participants in the Senior University: Preserving History through Multimedia Art classes. During the classes, participants learned the basics of color theory, video editing, audio editing, graphic design as well as how to utilize Canva, a free online design platform. These skills were used to create a multimedia work of art, which participants will present at this showcase. The classes were taught by Jessica Renslow, a multimedia specialist and award-winning writer/filmmaker.
These activities are made possible in part by South Shore Arts and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Adult Ed/Senior U: The Power of Equity: Homeownership 101
10-11:30 a.m., Monday, May 5
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: April 20
Free and open to adults of all ages
Are you interested in owning your own home but not sure where to start or if it’s right for you? Then join Terry Taylor, realtor at The Nickla Group, to learn the steps it takes to become a homeowner. Mr. Taylor will also discuss the benefits of homeownership, including equity growth.
Register online or call 219-980-6978.
Senior University: Smartphones III for Androids
2-4 p.m., Tuesdays, May 6 through 20
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: April 22
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you’ve taken Smartphones I and II, then get ready because the advanced smartphones course you’ve been waiting for is now open for enrollment! Led by technology wizard, Brittany Taylor, these sessions are designed for those who are ready to do more than just send texts and make phone calls with their Android smartphones. Participants will learn how to use GPS, type directly on a PDF, lock apps, and so much more!
Senior University: Smartphones III for iPhones
2-4 p.m., Thursdays, May 8 through 22
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: April 24
Free and open to adults ages 55+
If you’ve taken Smartphones I and II, then get ready because the advanced smartphones course you’ve been waiting for is now open for enrollment! Led by technology wizard, Brittany Taylor, these sessions are designed for those who are ready to do more than just send texts and make phone calls with their iPhone. Participants will learn how to use GPS, type directly on a PDF, lock apps and so much more.
Senior Planet: Staying Safe Online
2-3:30 p.m., Friday, May 9
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: April 29
Free and open to adults ages 60+
This hands-on workshop reviews important tips for keeping your personal information safe while enjoying the benefits of the internet. Learn how to recognize suspicious emails, tips for safe browsing and best practices for shopping online. Chromebook laptops will be provided.
Senior Planet: Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs at a Glance
2-3:15 p.m., Monday, May 12
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: May 4
Free and open to adults ages 60+
Did you know that viruses are only one type of malware that can harm your computer? In this lecture, we will go over different types of malware and how they work. We will also introduce some anti-virus programs and malware remover software and go over how these tools can be used to prevent and get rid of malware infections. Attend this lecture to learn how to keep your device safe!
Senior Planet: Introducción a la IA - Presentado en español (Introduction to AI - Presented in Spanish)
1-2:15 p.m., Miércoles, 14 de mayo (Wednesday, May 14)
En persona en la Biblioteca 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 años o más (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.
(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!).
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.
Register online or call 219-980-6978.
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 deadlines: May 4 (in-person), May 16 (Zoom)
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.
Register online or call 219-980-6978.
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 6
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 deadlines: May 13 (in-person) and May 26 (Zoom)
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.
Register online or call 219-980-6978.
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.
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
Fundamental Courses: Enroll
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.
