Center for Urban and Regional Excellence courses for November, December 2026

Range of free and low-cost courses include the arts, disaster preparedness, 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, Senior 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.

Register for courses here.

Senior U: Microsoft Word Basics

10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Fridays, Nov. 6, 13 and 20
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Nov. 4
Free and open to adults ages 55+

New to Microsoft Word or in need of a refresher? Then join us at IU Northwest for this in-person series! In these sessions, Chelsea Whittington will review the terminology and steps for creating a standard document. Participants will then learn how to develop more advanced creations, including flyers and resumes. We will also cover shortcuts that make using Microsoft Word easy and fun!

Senior Planet: Cloud Storage

1-2:15 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: Nov. 5
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.

Senior Planet: Shopping on Amazon Workshop

2-3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: Nov. 8
Free and open to adults age 60+

This hands-on workshop will provide a general introduction to shopping on the popular website Amazon.com. You’ll learn how to search for products, compare prices and evaluate product reviews. You’ll also learn about Amazon’s shipping options, as well as its app for your smartphone and/or tablet. Participants should bring a mobile device to the session (an Amazon account is not required).

Senior Planet: MyChart

1-2:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11
In-person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Nov. 9
Free and open to adults age 60+

Has your doctor or healthcare provider ever mentioned MyChart? Come learn about this electronic health-record portal that works both in a web browser and app. We’ll go over how MyChart can help you keep all your health information in one place, communicate with your providers and have a virtual visit. You’ll also learn about the portal’s privacy and security features.

Senior Planet: Passwords, Passkeys and More

12:30-1:45 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16
In-person at the Duneland Family YMCA, Chesterton
Registration deadline: Nov. 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.

Adult Ed/Senior U: Cyber Safety for Everyday Life: How to Spot and Stop Scams

12:20-1:20 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Nov. 15
Free and open to adults of all ages

Scammers often use fear, urgency and convincing messages to pressure people into acting quickly. Led by Ray Rayburn, his informative and interactive session will teach participants how to recognize tech-support scams, fake virus warnings, suspicious websites, gift-card payment demands, phishing messages and other common online threats. Participants will also learn practical ways to protect their passwords, personal information, financial accounts and devices. The session will use clear examples, audience participation and simple steps that anyone can follow – no advanced computer knowledge is required.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

Senior Planet: Finding Money Saving Programs Online

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

Did you know that billions of dollars’ worth of benefits and reduced-cost resources go unclaimed each year? In this lecture, we’ll explore three useful tools that can help you find benefits and other money-saving programs for yourself or others. We’ll demonstrate how to search on usa.gov, benefitscheckup.org and findhelp.org. We’ll also briefly discuss potential savings from Medicare Advantage Plans, utility rebates and internet companies.

Senior Planet: Digital Tools for Brain Health

10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 19
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: Nov. 17
Free and open to adults age 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 well-being in today’s digital world.

Senior Planet: AI All Around

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20
In-person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Nov. 18
Free and open to adults age 60+

If it seems like AI is showing up everywhere, it’s not just you! From searching the web to attending a Zoom meeting, AI tools are now available to help with most online tasks. In this lecture, we’ll explore many of the digital platforms and websites where generative AI is now available. We’ll discuss how the tools try to make tasks easier and go over privacy considerations to keep in mind when using them.

Senior Planet: Digital Vaults

1-2:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: Dec. 3
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: Food Delivery Apps

2-3:15 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: Dec. 6
Free and open to adults age 60+

Ordering food and other items from home is now easier than ever thanks to the internet and mobile apps. This lecture provides an overview of the most popular food delivery apps, such as DoorDash, Uber Eats and more. You’ll learn about the pros and cons, special features and best practices for using these apps.

Senior Planet: Intro to Booking Vacation Stays Online

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10
In-person at the St. John Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Dec. 8
Free and open to adults age 60+

Do you love to travel but miss the comforts of home when you’re away? Thanks to a variety of websites and apps, you can find your perfect home away from home almost anywhere in the world! This lecture introduces popular vacation rental sites, their common features and how to find great deals. Additionally, you’ll learn how to choose your vacation rental wisely and stay safe while traveling. Need to travel on a budget? We’ll also discuss alternatives to rentals, such as online platforms for home exchanges and housesitting!

Senior Planet: Intro to Learning Apps: Languages and the Arts

12:30-1:45 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11
In-person at the Duneland Family YMCA, Chesterton
Registration deadline: Dec. 9
Free and open to adults age 60+

Lifelong learning is fun and offers many benefits! There are hundreds of apps out there for every type of learner and all kinds of interests. This presentation will introduce you to apps that help you learn different languages, explore the arts and art history and even show you how to play instruments. If you want to learn it, there’s an app for that!

Senior Planet: Mobile Health Apps

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

Did you know that your smartphone is also a powerful health tool? This lecture introduces common health apps, like the iPhone Health app and the Samsung Health app. You’ll learn the main features such as activity tracking, food logging, data insights, integration with other apps and more! We’ll also discuss some considerations for using health apps including data and privacy.

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.

Enroll, learn more or view all Fundamental Courses

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.

Enroll, learn more or view all Career Training Programs

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.

Enroll, learn more or view all Comprehensive Career Tracks

All Indiana University events/programs, groups, activities, educational, cultural, and historical observances are open to all members of the Indiana University community.