Intergenerational and Lifelong Learning at 猫咪社区app University
Rita Bloom walks across the 猫咪社区app University campus every Monday and Thursday morning to attend an 8:10 a.m. class, Moral Philosophy, taught by Megan Kaczmarek. For many students, an 鈥8:10鈥 is an academic challenge in their schedules; it鈥檚 an early start to the day many students find to be a learning curve itself. Even Rita admitted she was looking for a later start time for her class at first. But Rita, who is 鈥93 years young,鈥 is happy even to have the chance to attend her 鈥8:10.鈥
Rita is a community participant of the AU Alumni and Community Audit Program. The program, managed by the Office of Alumni Relations, is open to all AU alumni and to community members in certain zip codes around the university who are 55+. For Rita, the opportunity to engage on campus is a bright spot in her schedule.
To many who know her, Rita is the definition of a lifelong learner who challenges ideas and norms. Some expect people to slow down in their 90s, but Rita is an inspiration to living a full life. Nine years ago, when Rita was 84, she also partook in the audit program鈥攖hat time taking a literature course. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about the nuts and bolts,鈥 Rita said regarding her interest in taking Moral Philosophy. 鈥淚鈥檝e lived a full life and learned a lot of things from it. Now I want to learn from the professionals and not just 鈥榯he real world.鈥欌
Rita has lived in Washington, DC her whole life and has been able to explore numerous opportunities for lifelong learning. She鈥檚 been involved in museums, music, the fine and performing arts, and cultural opportunities provided by living in the nation鈥檚 capital, even taking a class at the Smithsonian Institution. Yet with all these experiences, Rita still feels that 鈥渢here鈥檚 nothing like auditing a college course.鈥 She stated how she loves the opportunity to engage with 鈥渁 different generation鈥 and how 鈥淸it鈥檚 important] to hear from diverse voices.鈥 She loves the chance to listen to those with less life experience because she can see the world from new eyes. She described how listening听to new听ideas 鈥渋s like opening a door to what's next.鈥澨齌o Rita, going back to learning after spending听decades in her career is exciting. 鈥淚鈥檝e lived the past 鈥 I won鈥檛 see the future,鈥 she describes, 鈥渂ut I want to learn what鈥檚 to come even when I鈥檓 gone. I want to know what鈥檚 next.鈥
Another audit participant this semester, Grace Anderson, SIS/BA 鈥21, finds herself on the end of the generational spectrum from which Rita is learning. 鈥淭his class has pushed me out of my comfort zone, in good ways,鈥 Grace says. 鈥淚鈥檓 very much an introvert, and I鈥檝e been learning to communicate with people and come out more.鈥 Grace finished her AU career online due to the pandemic, and she鈥檚 been grateful to be back on campus as an alumna. This semester Grace audited the SOC course National Park Service Video Project, a master鈥檚-level environmental filmmaking production practicum taught by Maggie Stogner.
Grace is new to her job at the White House Visitor Center, managed by the National Park Service. It was her employer who encouraged Grace to take this class. 鈥淚 would not have had this opportunity to audit a master鈥檚 level course without the support of my job,鈥 she said. Grace, with her bachelor鈥檚 in international studies, has no background in filmmaking. When Grace joined the class, she was 鈥渜uite nervous鈥 to be surrounded by people who were more versed in the field. She also knew that the students and professor already had relationships with each other, especially considering the close connections people in a master鈥檚 program form. She was worried she wouldn鈥檛 find a place. Thankfully, 鈥渢he students and the professor have ensured that I feel welcomed and supported as I learn these new skills,鈥 she says.
Grace says the audit program has helped her find a community on AU鈥檚 campus she never thought she鈥檇 have. 鈥淲hen COVID happened, I thought my time on campus was over. I didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 be able to come back. Through this program it feels like I am officially finishing my college career,鈥 she says.
To both Rita and Grace, the ability to engage in lifelong learning with the university is a gift. 鈥淟ifelong learning, to me, means that you are able to put yourself out there,鈥 Grace says. 鈥淲herever you go, you鈥檙e furthering your personal or professional [life].鈥
Grace was excited to know that the university offers unique and educational ways to remain connected. 鈥淎t 23 or 93, you鈥檙e still able to learn鈥 she said. For Rita, lifelong learning means that 鈥渢he door is always open to come in, at any point of your life.鈥 Rita, who even enjoys going to jury duty, said, 鈥淚鈥檓 curious about everything life has to offer and [the audit program] is a way to gain knowledge of the world around you.鈥 And in closing, Rita gave some wisdom she encourages all of us to remember: 鈥淣o matter how old you are, you鈥檙e sitting on the cusp of a whole new world.鈥
The AU Alumni and Community Audit Program is managed by the Office of Alumni Relations with ample support from campus partners, including academic staff from each school and college, the Student Health Center, and the AU Registrar鈥檚 Office.
For other ways to engage in lifelong learning with the university, explore the , the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at AU , and these community resources. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon鈥攁nd maybe you鈥檒l bump into Rita or Grace along the way.