Center for Urban and Regional Excellence courses for January, February 2026

Range of free and low-cost courses include communication, finance, health, technology and more

Indiana University Northwest’s Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) offers a variety of non-credit courses and educational programs that aim to assist people of all ages gain skills and enrich their lives as we face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities. 

CURE offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages through its Community Garden, Senior University/Senior Planet, Reading Skills and Adult Education programs. CURE is now enrolling for the following offerings:

Senior University/Planet and Adult Education Courses

For Senior University/Senior Planet and Adult Education Courses, register online at the link below or call 219-980-6907 unless otherwise noted.
Senior & Adult Ed: Enroll

Senior Planet: Online Tools for Contacting Your Lawmakers

2-3:15 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: Jan. 11
Free and open to adults ages 60+

Learn how online tools can help you stay informed and get your voice heard. We’ll review several non-partisan websites that can help you identify your elected officials, find their contact information, understand how they vote on bills and tell them what you think about important issues.

Senior Planet: Intro to Digital Wallets

1-2:15 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: Jan. 14
Free and open to adults ages 60+

OR

12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20
In-person at the Duneland Family YMCA
Registration Deadline: Feb. 18
Free and open to adults ages 60+

What item can you not leave home without? If you said your phone, this lecture is for you! If you said your wallet, you should probably come too! The digital wallets on our smartphones allow us to go about our daily lives without ever needing to pull out our actual wallets. In this presentation, we’ll review the basic features of the most popular digital wallets, Apple Wallet and Google Wallet and talk about their many uses beyond purchases. We’ll also discuss features/considerations for security and privacy.

Senior Planet: Tech Tips for Disaster Preparedness

1-2:15 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Jan. 19
Free and open to adults ages 60+

Did you know that technology is an essential part of being prepared for emergencies and natural disasters? In this session, we’ll explain how technology can help you prepare. We’ll discuss and demonstrate useful features of the FEMA and Red Cross apps, including setting alerts. Additionally, we’ll review built-in smartphone features that can come in handy in the event of an emergency and explore how to keep phones and essential devices charged during a prolonged power outage. Finally, we’ll discuss how you can use social media to get emergency and other important information from local and national authorities.

Senior Planet: Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs at a Glance

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23
In-person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Jan. 21
Free and open to adults ages 60+

Did you know that viruses are only one type of malware that can harm your computer? In this lecture, we will go over different types of malware and how they work. We will also introduce some anti-virus programs and malware removal software and go over how these tools can be used to prevent and get rid of malware infections. Attend this lecture to learn how to keep your device safe!

Senior University: Cyber Security

4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IUN
Registration deadline: Jan. 20
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Are you concerned about the security of your social media accounts? Not sure how to determine if an email is fraudulent? Would you like to ensure you are making a transaction on a secure site? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then join us and learn cybersecurity fundamentals. This session will focus on securing personal information, safely conducting online transactions and identifying scams and phishing attempts. Register today so that you can learn to protect yourself while online!

Senior Planet: Intro to Chatting with AI

10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 29
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: Jan. 27
Free and open to adults ages 60+

Curious about using ChatGPT or Gemini but not sure where to start? In this lecture, we’ll explore tips for using generative AI chat programs so you can make them work for you. You’ll learn how to write questions, or prompts, that are specific and effective at getting helpful responses. Whether you plan to use them at work, for personal projects, or just for fun, we’ll show you how this tech can help you with all sorts of tasks. We’ll also cover best practices for privacy and security so you can be a confident user.

Adult Ed/Senior U: National News Literacy Week Workshop: Why Standards-Based News Is Critical in the Age of AI

3-4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Feb. 3
Free and open to adults of all ages

In this session, Nico Casas, a librarian from IU Northwest, will discuss viewing news through social media, fact-checking sources, how standards-based news works and how AI is affecting what we see online. Participants will learn techniques for evaluating information sources, including the SIFT Method and reverse image searching, as well as how to identify “pink slime” journalism. National News Literacy Week (Feb. 2-6, 2026) is an annual event presented by the News Literacy Project, The E.W. Scripps Company and USA Today, which promotes education for skillful navigation of today’s news and information landscape.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

Senior Planet: Digital Tools for Brain Health

1-2:15 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: Feb. 4
Free and open to adults ages 60+

Stay sharp with technology! In this lecture, we’ll explore digital tools to support habits that can help you stay sharp, including wearable devices, engaging websites and informative podcasts. Discover practical resources to keep your mind active and enhance your cognitive wellbeing in today’s digital world.

Senior Planet: Technology for Aging in Place

2-3:15 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: Feb. 8
Free and open to adults ages 60+

In this lecture, you’ll learn how home assistants, smart appliances and wearables can save you time and money, help you manage health conditions and even give you greater peace of mind. We’ll also discuss best practices for maintaining your privacy and security when using this technology.

Senior U: Introduction to Public Speaking

12:30-2:30 p.m., Thursdays, Feb. 12, 19 and 26
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Feb. 9
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Statistics show that more people fear public speaking than death! Seasoned communications professional, Chelsea Whittington, is coming to the rescue to help those who find it difficult to speak before groups and large audiences. Join this in-person series to get tips on how to prepare for an oral presentation while learning common practices that help perfect your public speaking, whether in-person or in a virtual environment.

Senior U: Decluttering Your Android Device

4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Feb. 9
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Join Brittany Taylor in this hybrid lecture learn how to declutter your Android smartphone and/or tablet. The session will provide step-by-step instructions for freeing-up storage space, such as how to delete unnecessary apps, upload photos to a computer and more. We will also discuss how to clear personal data from a device that is ready for replacement and ways to properly dispose/recycle it. In-person participants should bring the smartphone and/or tablet they would like to declutter and/or clear of personal data.

Senior Planet: Tips for Being News Savvy Online

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 18
In-person at Whiting City Hall
Registration deadline: Feb. 16
Free and open to adults ages 60+

Sharing the news with others? In the digital age, anyone can publish anything on the internet, even if it’s completely false. This lecture will explain the way technology has made it easier to create and spread misinformation. We’ll discuss tools to evaluate news sources and review helpful fact-checking sites. You’ll learn why it’s important to read and check your sources before sharing!

Senior Planet: Banking and Finance Apps at a Glance

10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 19
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: Feb. 17
Free and open to adults ages 60+

In this lecture, we’ll explore a free, mobile banking demo site where you can familiarize yourself with some of the most popular features of mobile banking, including built-in budgeting features that can help you take better control of your finances. We’ll also go over the industry standards that banks employ to keep your money safe and discuss the steps you can take to avoid scams. Finally, we’ll introduce some popular budgeting apps and provide a brief overview of the world of digital payments.

Adult Ed/Senior U: Sarcopenia and Healthy Aging: Avoiding the Decline from Vitality to Frailty

12-1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Feb. 19
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join John Bobalik, ACSM-Certified Exercise Physiologist with an MS in Exercise Physiology, to learn about sarcopenia – the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, power, mobility and balance – and what you can do to prevent it. Participants will learn how sarcopenia develops, the role of genetics and lifestyle and the impact of sarcopenia on the body and daily life. Participants will also learn how to prevent the loss of muscle mass through strength training, including how to safely begin a strength training program and the types of exercises and frequency recommended.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

Senior U: Decluttering Your iOS Device

4:30-6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: Feb. 16
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Join Brittany Taylor in this hybrid lecture to learn how to declutter your iPhone and/or iPad. The session will provide step-by-step instructions for freeing-up storage space, such as how to delete unnecessary apps, upload photos to a computer and more. We will also discuss how to clear personal data from a device that is ready for replacement and ways to properly dispose/recycle it. In-person participants should bring the iPhone and/or iPad they would like to declutter and/or clear of personal data.

Senior Planet: Passwords, Passkeys and More

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26
In-person at the St. John Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Feb. 24
Free and open to adults ages 60+

Protecting your online accounts starts with strong password practices. In this lecture, we’ll review password basics before exploring options like single sign-on, passkeys, multi-factor authentication and password managers. Learn why these password alternatives are safe ways to simplify your digital life and keep your personal information secure.

Senior Planet: AI and Disinformation

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27
In-person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Feb. 25
Free and open to adults ages 60+

Disinformation refers to false information created to mislead people and it’s nothing new. But today’s AI-powered tools and social media have made it easier and faster to create and spread disinformation. In this lecture, we’ll explore how AI is used to create convincing deepfakes and clone voices, making it challenging to distinguish between real and fake content. We’ll also review best practices for evaluating information and explore tech tools that can help identify content created with AI.

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 allowing you to 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. 
Fundamental Courses: Enroll

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. 
Career Training Programs: Enroll

Adult Education: Comprehensive Career Tracks
24/7 Access; Start dates vary
Cost varies; Courses for adults

These online Career Track programs offer students an opportunity 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 offer opportunities for national certification, externship placement and/or career support.
Comprehensive Career Tracks: Enroll

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