A Memo from CCAPS Dean Bob Stine
I hope this finds you safe and healthy! We’re all learning new ways of working, socializing, and learning at a distance. We’re also learning how to be more flexible as we make plans (and alternate plans) for the future.
It will not be a surprise to you that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the University of Minnesota, including on our students, faculty, staff, finances, and the programs of which you are so much a part. You have seen this impact first hand as spring and summer LearningLife courses, Headliners events, and the Encore Transitions series were canceled or rescheduled for a future date. These decisions were made to keep us all safe, and I appreciate your patience and understanding. Many of you generously allowed us to retain your refunds, and that alone says a lot about how much you value what we do.
Some of you may be familiar with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), which is also a part of CCAPS. OLLI has had to make similar programming adjustments, and is also facing the retirement of their Executive Director, Peg Lonnquist. Given the complementary nature of OLLI, LearningLife, Headliners, and Encore Transitions, we will be joining these programs into a single unit that will develop and manage a unified portfolio of lifelong learning programs.
The new unit will be led by Anastasia Faunce, whom nearly all of you know. Anastasia has a long and successful career in adult education, enrichment programming, and the literary arts and is highly qualified to lead this bold new venture. I expect much of the programming you are used to will remain the same, and there may be more! There are still many things to be worked out and I appreciate your patience as we work to ensure a smooth transition for all.
Thank you again for your dedication to and participation in our programs. We are excited to host you again as soon as we can, and eager to introduce you to OLLI if you are not already familiar with the program.
Bob Stine
Dean, College of Continuing and Professional Studies
Published May 4, 2020