Center for Urban and Regional Excellence courses for September, October 2026

Range of free and low-cost courses includes art, 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

Community Garden: Rain Gardens
1-2:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24
Zoom meeting
Registration deadline: Sept. 22
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join Dolly Foster, Purdue Extension Horticulture Program Assistant, to learn how to create a beautiful garden near your home that will help control storm water and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It seems that storm water management has recently become an increasingly important issue for municipalities. If most homes and businesses had rain gardens on their property, the storm sewers would not be overburdened, which would mean less flooding. Attend this lecture and learn how to disguise storm water management as a beautiful garden on your property.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

Senior Planet: Intro to Selling Online
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25
In-person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Sept. 23
Free and open to adults age 60+

Want to make some extra money? Online marketplaces make it easy to sell almost anything- from your vintage collectibles to handmade crafts! This lecture will introduce you to different online platforms for selling all kinds of items, including furniture, clothing, household items and more! We’ll also cover some tips and best practices for safely using these platforms so you can avoid scams and sell confidently!

Adult Ed/Senior U: Chase Money Skills: Improving Credit and Managing Debt
12:20-1:20 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28
Concurrent: Zoom and In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Sept. 24
Free and open to adults of all ages

In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to improve your credit and better manage any debt you may have, including building a positive credit history, reducing your credit utilization and dealing with delinquent debts. The session will be led by Tammi Davis, Chase Community Manager.

Note: This presentation will not be recorded.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

Senior Planet: Intro to Learning Apps: Languages and the Arts
1-2:15 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2
In-person at the Banta Center, Valparaiso
Registration deadline: Oct. 1
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!

Adult Ed/Senior U: “Memories of My Grandfather” Telenovela
12:30-1:15 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Sept. 27
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join us for the screening premiere of “‘Memories of My Grandfather,” a telenovela series of a multigenerational Hispanic family and the emotional journey after their grandfather’s diagnosis.

Hispanic Americans are disproportionately impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. They are 1.5 times as likely as White Americans to develop the disease and face greater barriers to receiving a timely diagnosis. A Q&A will follow the screening to discuss themes in the telenovela, such as early detection, diagnosis and early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Information, resources and support for individuals and families facing dementia will be provided. This IUN Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) event is presented in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association and the HHM Committee.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

Senior U: Knitting Clinic: Finishing Work
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Oct. 4
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Join Jane Whedbee, fiber artist, knitter and designer, for this knitting clinic focusing on finishing work. This will include instruction in edging, blocking and sewing up your project. Participants can bring a project they want to finish OR they can bring knitted sample pieces to work on for practice (or both). Prerequisite: prior knitting experience is required.

Senior U: Intro to Email and Internet
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Fridays, Oct. 9, 16, 23 and 30
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Oct. 5
Free and open to adults ages 55+

If you have a working knowledge of computers (i.e., you can access an email account) and are ready to take the next step, then join Chelsea Whittington for this In-person series! The email component of the series will introduce participants to basic email terms and actions such as forwarding messages, attaching photos and documents and sending messages to multiple parties. The internet component will define basic internet terms and teach participants how to access and surf the internet safely.

Senior Planet: Tech Tips for Disaster Preparedness
12:30-1:45 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9
In-person at the Duneland Family YMCA, Chesterton
Registration deadline: Oct. 7
Free and open to adults age 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.

Adult Ed/Senior U: Solving the Medicare Puzzle with SHIP
12:15-1:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 12
Concurrent: Zoom and in-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Oct. 8
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join Megan Rogers, Northwest Region Supervisor for SHIP (State Health Insurance Program), at IUN or on Zoom to learn about Medicare’s various parts and how SHIP can help you put the pieces together and make informed health insurance decisions that optimize access to care and benefits. This session will discuss Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap and Advantage Plans and will explore the ways in which SHIP empowers, educates and assists Medicare-eligible individuals, their families and caregivers through objective outreach, counseling and training.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

Senior Planet: Online Shopping
2-3:15 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 13
In-person at the Crown Point Community Library
Registration deadline: Oct. 11
Free and open to adults age 60+

Online shopping lets you buy products on the internet from your computer and have them shipped to your home or anywhere! Online stores often have larger inventories and lower prices, so you can quickly find the best deal. This lecture will provide a general introduction to shopping online using the popular website Amazon.com. You’ll learn how to search for products, make comparisons and add items to an online shopping cart.

Senior U: Watercolor Sketching
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Wednesdays, Oct. 14, 21 and 28
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Oct. 6
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Join Deb Weiss, a state-licensed, 30+ year visual and art history educator, for this introductory-level class in which we will be exploring the use of watercolors as a sketching tool. Not precise or intimidating, this process will be about looking, not thinking. Like impressionism, our watercolors will be instant and light-filled; let it be lighthearted and whimsical! Our pieces will be small in size but filled with information and character. Participants will produce many pieces quickly, without thought or pressure.

Senior Planet: Staying in Touch as Landlines Change
1-2:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14
In-person at the Munster Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Oct. 12
Free and open to adults age 60+

Telecom companies are in the process of updating copper lines across the country. This lecture will explain why copper lines are being phased out, the benefits of modern technology and what next steps you can expect. Additionally, we will review some alternatives to traditional landlines, including those that allow you to keep your number and phone, as well as mobile phone options and more. Finally, we’ll share important resources to help you understand where to find additional information and what options may be available to you.

Senior Planet: Tech Tips for Disaster Preparedness
10-11:15 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 15
In-person at the Hammond Senior Center at Pulaski Park
Registration deadline: Oct. 13
Free and open to adults age 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.

Community Garden: Invasive Species: From Awareness to Action in Your Landscape
1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21
Zoom meeting
Registration deadline: Oct. 20
Free and open to adults of all ages

Join Jean Bernius, Co-Chair of the Lake County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), for a deeper exploration of invasive species and their impact on urban and suburban environments. Building on the introductory session presented by AJ Popovic in June, this presentation will focus on why invasive species are problematic in urban and suburban gardens and landscaping. We will cover the human and pet risks associated with invasives, how invasives hide/crowd out native and other plants and suggestions for alternative plantings that promote beauty, habitat and pose less risk to our pets, our trees and ourselves.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

Senior Planet: AI & Disinformation
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 22
In-person at the St. John Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Oct. 20
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: Using Facebook Marketplace
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23
In-person at the Merrillville Branch of the Lake County Public Library
Registration deadline: Oct. 21
Free and open to adults age 60+

Did you know your Facebook account includes access to the largest peer-to-peer online marketplace in the nation? Facebook Marketplace makes it easy for you to buy and sell almost anything directly to other users. This workshop will show you how to browse the marketplace for that item you’ve always wanted and how to create listings to sell the items you no longer need. We’ll show you how to filter the search results, check out the seller’s information, save items you like, manage your listings and more! Prerequisite: You must already have a Facebook account for this workshop. Please come prepared with a mobile device and your Facebook username and password.

Senior U: Chase Money Skills: Ways to Help Protect Your Finances as You Age
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Monday, Oct. 26
Concurrent: Zoom and In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Oct. 22
Free and open to adults ages 55+

In this workshop, you’ll learn simple tips to help protect your accounts and finances and how to plan for the future, including creating a financial care plan. Tammi Davis, Chase Community Manager, will lead the session.

Note: This presentation will not be recorded.

Senior U: Knitting Clinic: Pattern Stitches
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27
In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Oct. 25
Free and open to adults ages 55+

Join Jane Whedbee, fiber artist, knitter and designer, for this knitting clinic focusing on understanding and trying out pattern stitches. In this session, participants will learn to read and follow the written abbreviations for stitches and processes and to make the more advanced stitches that create cables, openwork and texture in knitting. Basic knitting supplies will be provided (needles and yarn). Participants are welcome to bring their own supplies as well. Prerequisite: prior knitting experience is required.

Adult Ed/Senior U: 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s
12:20-1:20 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29
Concurrent: Zoom and In-person at IU Northwest
Registration deadline: Oct. 27
Free and open to adults of all ages

Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause memory, thinking and behavior changes that interfere with daily living. Join Katelynn Krick, Alzheimer’s Association community educator, to learn about common warning signs of Alzheimer’s and what symptoms to look for in yourself and others, as well as tips to approach someone who is experiencing changes in their memory, the benefit of early detection and diagnosis and more.

Register online or call 219-980-6978.

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
Costs vary; 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
Costs vary; 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

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IU 2030: Service to our State and Beyond

IU Northwest will improve the lives of the people and economic vitality of Northwest Indiana and beyond by fostering and strengthening collaborative relationships that promote, build and sustain the well-being of the campus and our communities.