The Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) is celebrating a successful first year and looking forward to a second year full of dynamic programming. ALL is a collaboration between the Center for Applied Liberal Arts (CALA), the Center for Global Affairs (CGA), and the English Language Institute (ELI), designed to support and engage a diverse community of students studying for personal enrichment.
Welcoming students of all ages, ALL offers a wide range of daytime courses and other custom programming in current affairs, arts, languages, ESL, and the humanities. ALL launched its website last fall, offering students a virtual hub to explore course offerings across departments, communicate with peers, access resources, and learn about upcoming events. “We are proud of what we have been able to achieve thus far with ALL,” says Dr. Eve Mayer, Assistant Director, CALA. “The intellectual engagement and social connection that our courses offer have been particularly necessary during this year of isolation.”
The unexpected pivot to remote programming in 2020, while challenging in many respects, allowed for a broader ALL community than would otherwise have been possible. “One of the benefits that virtual offerings have provided us is the ability to expand our audience beyond the tri-state area,” says Michelle D’Amico, Director of Continuing Education and Public Programs (CGA). “For global affairs in particular, there is important added value in this as it provides for more robust conversations that include perspectives from diverse geographic areas.”
A particular highlight of the first year was the success of the Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) Book Club, led by SPS scholars and academic directors. Readings were selected in conjunction with other NYU programs such as NYU Reads and included Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, Exit West, and Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America. Book club participants joined author and United Nations NGO founder Roberta Seret for a special preview and discussion of the first book in her Transylvania Trilogy. “The Academy of Lifelong Learning Book Club brings together all members of the NYU community, including students and faculty as well as friends of the Academy of Lifelong Learning,” says Alicia Kubes, Associate Director, CALA. Participants especially enjoyed invaluable access to faculty members and meaningful connections within the ALL community.
In the coming year, ALL will feature new instructors, courses, and public programs to engage its growing community. “We will continue to experiment to find ways of reaching new students and community members through courses and events,” says Dr. Mayer. “Our goal is to develop programming that is accessible and inclusive.” The ALL Book Club kicks off the year on October 12th, with a discussion of the Fall 2021 NYU Reads selection Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The author will give a separate virtual talk to the NYU community in September (date TBA). Sign up here to join this virtual discussion and join the Academy of Lifelong Learning private group on Facebook for status updates.
Interested in learning more about the Academy of Lifelong Learning and our courses for Fall 2021? Register to join us for our virtual Info Session on Tuesday, August 31st at 12 PM EST, or check out our website here!
Have questions, feedback or ideas? Please contact us at sps.all@nyu.edu.