Free and low-cost courses on art, music, health, technology and more offered through the Center for Urban and Regional Excellence
Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers a variety of non-credit courses and educational programs aimed to assist people of all ages in gaining skills and enriching their lives as they face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.
CURE offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages through its Senior University and Adult Education programs. CURE is enrolling for fall sessions from October through November.
To register for the courses below, please visit go.iu.edu/3AVG or call 219-980-6907.
Senior University: Job Search Strategies
1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18
Concurrent via Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Oct. 10
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Finding a job is much different in 2020 than it was in 2000! Do you know which websites you should use to find a job? Do you know how to market yourself? Do you know what to do in this different environment?
After this workshop, led by Joseph Poisson from WorkOne, you will be able to navigate the job search and know what tools, tips and techniques you can employ to find the right opportunity for you!
Adult Education/Senior University: Misinformation & Fake News in US Elections
6-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 19
Concurrent via Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Oct. 10
Free and open to adults of all ages
The United States election season is in full swing, and sometimes it can be very difficult to tell between unreliable news stories and unbiased coverage on candidates running for our local, state and national offices.
Presented through a non-partisan lens by Nico Casas, IU Northwest assistant librarian for teaching and learning, learn how to identify misinformation on the web and seek the unbiased information that will serve you best. Examples will include viewing news on popular social media networks, recognizing deep fakes and updated simple tricks.
Adult Education/Senior University: Effective Communication Strategies
1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 25
Concurrent via Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Oct. 17
Free and open to adults of all ages
Communication is more than just talking and listening - it’s also about sending and receiving messages through attitude, tone of voice, facial expressions and body language. As people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias progress in their journey and the ability to use words is lost, families need new ways to connect.
Join us to explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s, learn to decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia and identify strategies to help you connect and communicate at each stage of the disease.
Senior University: Watercolor Sketching
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursdays, Nov. 2, 9 and 16
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Oct. 26
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join Deb Weiss, a state-licensed, 30+ year visual and art history educator, for this introductory-level class which will be exploring the use of watercolors as a sketching tool. Not precise or intimidating, this process will be about looking, not thinking.
Watercolor is a portable medium. We will use it as a simple, colorful impression - visual notetaking of a scene or still-life. Like impressionism, our watercolors will be instant and light-filled, lighthearted and whimsical! Our pieces will be small in size but filled with information and character. Participants will produce many pieces quickly, without thought or pressure.
Senior University: Preserving Family History
2-3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Nov. 2
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Ever wondered how to take care of those old photographs, scrapbooks, and stories passed down from generation to generation? This session has got you covered.
Join Jeremy Pekarek, IU Northwest archivist, to learn more about best practices involving proper housing techniques, documentation, and digital materials.
Senior University: Phishing and Identity Theft
1-2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 13
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Nov. 3
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Phishing is an attempt to trick you into divulging personal confidential information that a cybercriminal can use to steal money or even your identity. If you have email, use social media, or even text on your mobile device, then you are a target for phishing.
Join us for this session so that you can learn to recognize the signs of phishing and stay safer online.
Senior University: Decluttering Your Windows Computer
2-4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14
Concurrent via Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Nov. 3
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join Brittany Taylor on Zoom or in person at IU Northwest to learn how to declutter your Windows computer. The session will provide step-by-step instructions for freeing up storage space.
We will also discuss how to clear personal data from a device that is ready for replacement and ways to properly dispose of/recycle it. In-person participants are encouraged to bring the laptop they would like to declutter and/or clear of personal data.
Adult Education/Senior University: Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body
1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15
Concurrent via Zoom and In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Noon, Nov. 7
Free and open to adults of all ages
For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science can provide insights into how lifestyle choices may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age.
Join the Alzheimer’s Association to learn tips from the latest research in the areas of diet, nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. We will also discuss hands-on tools you can use to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.
Senior University: Wellness on the Web
1-2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 4
Zoom meeting
Registration deadline: Noon, Dec. 1
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Get started on your journey to a healthier you by joining Leslie Kiser on Zoom for an introductory session on online health and wellness resources. During this session, we will discuss the types of websites you can use to learn about health issues, online workout resources as well as health-related mobile apps.
Senior University: History of the Guitar in Jazz
6-7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 11 and Thursday, Dec. 14
Zoom meeting
Registration deadline: Noon, Dec. 8
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join jazz pianist and composer, Billy Foster, for this session on the history of the guitar in jazz. During this two-part series, we will hear music from the early masters including Eddie Lang and Eddie Condon, mid-masters such as Charlie Christian and Les Paul and current masters like George Benson and John Scofield. We’ll listen to them play and explore their contributions to jazz music on the guitar.
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 so that you can 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.
Enroll, learn more, or view all Fundamental courses
Adult Education: Career Training Programs
24/7 Access; Start at any time
Cost varies; courses for adults
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.
Enroll, learn more or view all Career Training Programs
Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks
24/7 Access; start dates vary
Cost varies; courses for adults
These online Career Track programs offer students a chance 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 have opportunities for national certification, externship placement and/or career support.
Enroll, learn more or view all Comprehensive Career Tracks
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 Northwest is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. The University actively encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups.
