By James Bunn, Chief Marketing Officer, Concordia College New York

Feb. 28, 2018:  Some retirees from lower Westchester are making plans to earn a college degree, but they will not be joining the 18-year-olds checking into dorms next fall. The retirees are taking advantage of a new credit degree called SeniorU to be offered at Concordia College in Bronxville starting September 2018.

SeniorU taps into the natural desire of seniors to keep learning and growing all their lives. It enables senior citizens to learn something worthwhile while making new friends and enriching themselves mentally. The program hopes to spur seniors to new levels of thinking and communicating so they can be heard, can advocate for themselves, and can enjoy healthier, fuller lives.

The fully accredited SeniorU college degree makes learning fun with classes that are participatory rather than all lecture-based. “The goal for SeniorU is not just learning, but learning how, through a re-imagined college curriculum that relates directly to retirees’ lives,” added Dr. James Burkee, executive vice president of Concordia College New York. 

Here’s a taste of what students will be learning:

• How to connect with loved ones–by using the computer and cell phone in technology classes that do not assume any prior knowledge.
  

• How to understand works of art–by creating art using authentic techniques and then viewing related masterpieces at The Met.

• How to improve circulation and posture–by practicing breathing and movement techniques with an age-appropriate focus. 
  

• How to protect personal assets and manage daily finances–by employing practical math and business skills.

First announced in October of 2017, the program is a partnership between the educational experts at Concordia College New York in Bronxville and the experts on aging at Wartburg in Mount Vernon. A very important aspect of the program is that seniors themselves have helped drive every aspect of the program’s development from community input to curriculum to faculty recruitment to class structure. SeniorU has truly been created by seniors, for seniors. 

Key aspects of the program are:

• Option of a 2-year associate of arts degree or 4-year bachelor of arts degree

• Classes will initially meet on the beautiful, senior-friendly Wartburg campus in Mount Vernon 3 days a week for 5 hours–with lunch included

• Transportation will be provided from designated pick-up points in lower Westchester pending enrollment numbers from each pick-up point

• Open to retirees with a previous degree, HS diploma, or GED; help finding transcripts is available from Concordia

• Potentially free of cost for qualified applicants (application help available)

• Enrolling now for fall ’18; call Concordia College at 914-337-9300, ext. 2124

• Find more information at www.concordia-ny.edu/SeniorU

“There are thousands of seniors in this region who are within the 'liberation phase' of their lives, yet many have not had the opportunity to obtain a college degree,” said Dr. David J. Gentner, Wartburg president & CEO. “SeniorU is truly unique and will help set a precedent in how we define a retired life going forward. As a senior service provider, Wartburg is thrilled to be a part of SeniorU.”

Pictured here:  The Administration Building of Concordia College.

Photo by A. Warner