Center for Urban and Regional Excellence courses for June, July 2026
- By: Indiana University Northwest
- Last Updated: June 3, 2026
Free and low-cost courses include business, finance, gardening, 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, 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 Planet: Is that AI?
1 to 2:15 p.m., Friday, June 5
In-Person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration Deadline: June 4
Free and open to adults age 60+
Or
12:30 to 1:45 p.m., Friday, July 10
In-Person at the Duneland Family YMCA, Chesterton
Registration Deadline: July 8
Free and open to adults age 60+
With the advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, AI programs can now create text, images, and much more. At first sight, it may be hard to tell if what you see was created or altered by AI. In this session, we’ll teach you tips and tools to help you determine if an image or piece of writing was generated by AI. We’ll also discuss what tech companies like Google are doing to create systems to detect the use of AI.
Senior U: Business Building: Financial Security Strategies
2 to 4 p.m., Fridays, June 5 and 12
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: June 4
Free and open to adults ages 55+
This two-part series is designed to equip older adult entrepreneurs with strategies to fund their business dreams and move from uncertainty to confident, intentional financial planning. Led by Tavetta Patterson, these interactive sessions will focus on pricing products and services for real profit, understanding the true cost of running a business, and developing savings, debt‑reduction, and reserve‑building strategies that support long‑term stability. Participants will also explore creative funding options, ways to diversify revenue, and opportunities to expand offerings in the digital age. Whether you’re dreaming big or ready for your next step, this workshop provides practical tools to help your business thrive with purpose and financial strength.
Senior Planet: Digital Coupon Tools
1 to 2:15 p.m., Wednesday, June 10
In-Person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: June 8
Free and open to adults age 60+
If you like saving money on groceries and everyday items, then this lecture is for you! We’ll introduce you to the world of digital couponing and a variety of tools to help you get started. You’ll learn about coupon websites, apps, and browser extensions as well as tips for getting the best deals.
Community Garden: Invasive Species: What They Are and Why They Matter
12 to 1 p.m., Thursday, June 11
Concurrent – Zoom and In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: June 9
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join AJ Popovic Northwest Indiana Regional Specialist with SICIM (State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management) for an introduction to the topic of invasive species. The presentation will explain what precisely makes a species invasive, how invasive species are introduced and spread, and what each of us can do to address this issue.
Senior U: Chair Yoga and Gentle Movement
5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Tuesdays, June 16, 23, and 30
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: June 7
Free and open to adults ages 55+
Join Tiffany Green-Mikell, certified yoga instructor and somatic wellness practitioner, for these movement-based sessions that will emphasize chair yoga and gentle somatic practices. Participants will be guided through slow, accessible movements that support relaxation, awareness, and overall wellbeing. All movements will be adaptable and chair-friendly, with options offered to meet participants where they are physically. No prior yoga or movement experience is required.
Senior Planet: Technology for Aging in Place
10 to 11:15 a.m., Thursday, June 18
In-Person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration Deadline: June 16
Free and open to adults age 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 Planet: AI & Disinformation
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Thursday, June 25
In-Person at the St. John Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: June 23
Free and open to adults age 60+
Or
1 to 2:15 p.m., Thursday, July 23
In-Person at the Maria Reiner Center, Hobart
Registration Deadline: July 21
Free and open to adults age 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.
Senior Planet: Digital Vaults
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, June 26
In-Person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: June 24
Free and open to adults age 60+
What if you could keep your most important papers safe, organized, and accessible—without a filing cabinet? Digital vaults can help! In this session, we’ll explore what digital vaults are, how they differ from general cloud storage, and the kinds of documents they’re designed to protect. You’ll learn how they can support estate planning, emergency preparedness, and long-term peace of mind. We’ll also cover key privacy and security concerns, and you’ll see demos of several popular digital vault services in action.
Senior Planet: Facebook
1 to 2:15 p.m., Wednesday, July 8
In-Person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: July 6
Free and open to adults age 60+
Curious about Facebook but concerned about privacy? Interested in learning how to set up a profile or a page? Want to learn more about Facebook Live? This lecture offers an overview of Facebook’s evolution, its most popular features, and tips for getting in on the action. It will also cover privacy settings as well as the role of advertising on Facebook.
Community Garden: Plant Propagation from Stem Cuttings, Layering, and Divisions
1 to 2 p.m., Monday, July 13
Zoom Meeting
Registration Deadline: July 12
Free and open to adults of all ages
Join Dolly Foster, Purdue Extension Horticulture Program Assistant, to learn about one of the best garden practices you can do – propagating plants. Make more plants for free! What’s not to love? Propagating at home can be tricky. This program will cover the procedures and pitfalls of making your own plants.
Senior Planet: Passwords, Passkeys, and More
2 to 3:15 p.m., Tuesday, July 14
In-Person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration Deadline: July 12
Free and open to adults age 60+
Or
1 to 2:15 p.m., Friday, July 17
In-Person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration Deadline: July 15
Free and open to adults age 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: Tech Basics for Caregiving
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Monday, July 20
In-Person at IU Northwest
Registration Deadline: July 16
Free and open to adults age 60+
Caregiving is challenging in different ways for both the caregivers and the recipients of care. Thankfully, there are a variety of tech tools that can make caregiving easier for both and allow people to do more on their own. In this lecture, we’ll explore ways to integrate technology into your daily routine: from scheduling reminders with your phone or home assistant, to accessing selfcare resources and making the most of telehealth appointments. We’ll also explore options for ordering and receiving essential items like groceries and prescription drugs from the comfort of your home.
Senior U: Budgeting to Get What You Want!
1 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesdays, July 21 through August 4
Zoom Meetings
Registration Deadline: July 19
Free and open to adults age 55+
Take charge of your money with confidence! Led by Rebecca Kendall, this 3-part series is designed to help you understand your spending, set priorities, and make your dollars work toward what truly matters. Participants will learn how to build a simple and effective budget, understand needs versus wants, and navigate common spending challenges. We will also discuss tips for saving money and for avoiding financial scams.
Senior Planet: Cloud Storage
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, July 31
In-Person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration Deadline: July 29
Free and open to adults age 60+
In this lecture, you’ll learn the basics of cloud storage – a technology that lets you store documents, images, and other media files remotely while giving you greater accessibility, reliability, and protection for your important data. We’ll discuss what it is, why it’s the future of data storage, and demonstrate a few of the most popular services currently available to consumers.
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.
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.
