Intergenerational and Intercultural Programs

OLLI Scholars

Each year, up to 20 University of Minnesota (UMN) graduate students and postdoctoral researchers are selected to develop curricula and teach OLLI courses in their respective areas of expertise.

The scholars receive valuable teaching experience and stipends of $1,000, funded in part by donor contributions to the OLLI Scholars Program Fund. Members benefit from learning about the current research and scholarship happening at the University and in a variety of fields.

Intergenerational. Reciprocal. It's a fortuitous match and, year after year, both scholars and members express gratitude for learning from and contributing to the growth of one another.

“The combination of passionate graduate researchers/teachers with intellectually ambitious OLLI students is genius. It allows institute members to support both their host university and the scholars, all while learning from impressive new generations as their academic careers are launching,” says Steve Thaxton, UMN ’80, executive director of the Osher National Resource Center at Northwestern University.

The brainchild of OLLI founder and former director Steve Benson, the program has hosted nearly 300 OLLI Scholars since 2008.

Become an OLLI Scholar

Would you like to join the nearly 300 UMN graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who have participated in the OLLI Scholars program? Now's your chance! Applications for the 2023–24 academic year are being accepted on an ongoing basis.

Be sure to read the Overview for Applicants prior to submitting your application!

Apply to be a 2023-24 OLLI Scholar

Overview for Applicants

OLLI is part of the University’s College of Continuing and Professional Studies and belongs to a national network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes established by the Bernard Osher Foundation. The OLLI community is composed of mature adults aged 50+, all of whom are active lifelong learners who value high-quality noncredit courses.

The OLLI Scholars Program invites UMN graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to apply for paid, short-term teaching opportunities during one of three academic year terms: fall, winter, spring.

Those who are selected to be OLLI Scholars will receive a $1,000 stipend to prepare and present a single seven-week course. Because OLLI courses are noncredit, there is no grading, papers, or tests.

We anticipate that approximately 75% of OLLI’s fall 2023 courses will be offered in person, with the remaining 25% offered via Zoom. Selected scholars will receive mentoring and support in developing a course designed for the OLLI demographic, an OLLI primer, and hands-on training and best practices for teaching via Zoom.

Note: An OLLI Scholar must be an enrolled student during the term in which their course is delivered. Scholars are also required to obtain a written endorsement from their advisor prior to teaching.

OLLI Term Dates

OLLI term dates are as follows:

• Fall: October 2 to November 17, 2023
• Winter: mid January to early March 2024
• Spring: late March to early May 2024

OLLI courses are 90 minutes per session and take place on weekdays at one of the following times: 

• 10–11:30 a.m.
• 12:30–2 p.m.
• 2:30–4 p.m.

After You Apply

A committee of OLLI staff and member-volunteers will conduct a preliminary review of all applications. This is followed by one-to-one interviews between candidates and committee members, and then additional review by the committee. Candidates will be notified in late June.

Culture Corps

As lifelong learners who are curious about the world, OLLI members embrace experiences that offer unique perspectives and insights. Enter Culture Corps, a program of the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office that encourages international students to become active in the University community. 

Created in 1998 by Dr. Mohammed Bari, the program provides international students with opportunities to share self-initiated projects related to their cultural experiences and knowledge in order to enrich cross-cultural understanding. 

An annual ISSS scholarship allows OLLI to host several graduate students each year, giving them valuable teaching experience and OLLI members the learning they crave. This program helps to fulfill mutual visions of an inclusive and engaged international learning community.

Do you have questions about Culture Corps? Contact ISSS.