Welcome to the Lifelong Learning Academy

While the Lifelong Learning Academy has just recently been formally organized, its roots actually extend wide and deep with the Western Michigan University community. WMU emeriti, faculty, and staff have collaborated for years on educational opportunities for older adults. Recently, due to the combination of a growing desire on the part of WMU administration to provide support for academic activities for older adults, and the continued commitment of WMU emeriti to lifelong education, the WMU Lifelong Learning Academy was established.

Western Michigan University has recently formed the Lifelong Learning Academy. The purpose is to:

• Provide intellectual and cultural stimulation, personal growth, and social engagement for adults in an informal, lively, learning atmosphere.
• Enrich and extend the quality of life for participants.
• Create an academy of learners who can share what they have learned and experienced during their lives.
• Experience what so many have learned at over 400 Lifelong Learning programs at colleges and universities around the world.

Planning for the Lifelong Learning Academy began with WMU emeriti faculty, the WMU Associate Vice President of Community Outreach, and Extended University Programs. The executive committee was established during the summer of 2010, and the committee has focused on garnering support and participation from community representatives from around the Kalamazoo area.

The LLA is proud to announce our partnership with WMU's Center for Gerontology, which will provide classroom and office space for the LLA in the state-of-the-art College of Health and Human Services building.