Starting this fall, the Rio Verde Community Association (RVCA) is partnering with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Arizona State University to enhance lifelong learning opportunities for residents.

OLLI’s mission is to provide learning experiences and a community in which adults ages 50 and over engage in non-credit, university-quality programs, member-driven experiences, campus-based learning opportunities, and community partnerships. Endowed by the Bernard Osher Foundation, it is housed in the School of Community Resources and Development within the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at ASU.

OLLI-ASU offers intellectually engaging courses and other learning activities for lifelong learners at multiple sites, including three ASU campuses and several partner sites throughout the greater Phoenix area. It also provides learning opportunities online. For further information about OLLI-ASU, see lifelonglearning@asu.edu.

Fall 2023 OLLI-ASU memberships for Rio Verde residents will be provided at no cost. For access to the complimentary fall membership link email doris@rioverdehoa.org. OLLI-ASU members may register for programs of interest at a cost of $14 per session.

Jared Swerzenski, director of OLLI-ASU, will provide a full overview of the Rio Verde/OLLI partnership for interested residents at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, in the Rio Verde Community Center Multi-Purpose Room. “Will Artificial Intelligence Destroy Our Economic, Social, and Political Systems?” is the topic of Dr. Braden Allenby’s class at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Rio Verde Community Center Multi-Purpose Room. Allenby is the President’s Professor and Lincoln Professor of Engineering and Ethics, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

The Rio Verde membership link will include registration information for this course and for other OLLI-ASU classes. The cost of 2024 OLLI-ASU memberships will be reduced for Rio Verde residents.

Semester memberships will be reduced from $20 to $15 and annual memberships will be reduced from $50 to $30. Four classes will be held in Rio Verde in 2024 and there will be two complimentary zoom classes.

The OLLI-ASU partnership has been designed to augment the ASU Lecture Series organized by Frank Haggard. The Rio Verde/OLLI partnership planning group included Jill Arnold, Frank Haggard, Linda Hefter, Rick Lindenberger and Doris Findling.

A 2024 program planning committee will be formed. Contact Jill Arnold at jarnold@rioverdehoa.org if interested in participating.