OLLI's mission, as part of the University of Miami, is to provide adults 50 years old and older with intellectual stimulation, social interaction, service opportunities, and outreach to the university and to the greater community.
Our vision is to be a world class, member-driven learning community, accessible to and meeting the needs of a diverse and growing population of older adults in South Florida.
As part of our mission and vision, we encourage:
- Supportive peer-group interaction
- Appreciation of life experience
- Lifelong stimulation and growth
- Physical activity
- Social interaction
- Creative expression
- The satisfaction of learning, teaching, and volunteering within OLLI
- Opportunities for community service
Founded in 1984 as the Institute for Retired Professionals (IRP), the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Miami’s first home on the UM campus was in the Plumer Building. Much like OLLI today, the IRP was a community- based membership organization of retirement- aged people who shared a love of learning.
In 2005, OLLI received its first grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation. The grant was one of several gifts made across the country at the time to advance the interests of lifelong learning and to augment the national network of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes. As an Osher- funded program, it was then named Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Miami.
In 2008, OLLI moved to Lau Founders Hall. This building was once the UM faculty club and was renovated to accommodate OLLI by creating classrooms, lecture spaces and a kitchen area. Over the next few years OLLI continued to develop and membership increased. OLLI established an Advisory Council, created volunteer committees, and drafted Bylaws to strengthen and support OLLI as it grew.
By 2014, OLLI’s membership had grown substantially, and OLLI applied for and was provided with a second grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation. This provided OLLI with some additional support needed to accommodate the increase in membership while continuing to offer quality courses and programming.
Today, OLLI continues to provide not only courses on a wide variety of topics, but also a community for people 50 years old and above who are interested in adding an intellectual dimension to their lives, in a university setting.
