Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Engage the mind, stimulate the senses and foster learning at any age with this unique selection of lifelong learning programs.
Learning for the love of it!
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of South Dakota lets you keep learning your whole life. With short-term, non-credit classes, OLLI offers programs designed for people age 50 and over, but classes are open to all ages and education levels. There are no tests and no grades, just fun!
Our Partners
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at USD is grateful for our partners who help us financially and by providing resources and educational opportunities to our members.
Faculty & Staff
Get to know the faculty and staff in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Thea Ryan
OLLI Director
Stacey Shepherd
Senior Secretary
Get involved with OLLI
Whether you join as a member, take a class or teach a class, we'd love for you to get involved with OLLI.
As an OLLI at USD member, you gain access to a wide range of non-credit courses. There are no grades and no tests. OLLI is all about learning for the love of it. Membership is required to take most courses, attend events and take advantage of other OLLI opportunities.
An OLLI at USD membership gets you:
- Unlimited class enrollment each term at all South Dakota locations, space permitting.
- Learn from and interact with live instructors, either in person or on Zoom.
- Stay involved with and learn about the world and current events.
- Opportunities to volunteer, including teaching, shaping future courses, marketing and more.
Membership Fees
Membership fees are non-refundable. In the event you change your mind about membership prior to the start of a term or are unable to attend classes due to a hardship, you may request a transfer of your membership to another person. Certain restrictions apply.
Contact us for more information.
There are several ways to join OLLI at the University of South Dakota:
1. Online (Recommended)
New to OLLI? Click on the JOIN and Register for Courses Online Now button below. and set up an account. Pay for membership and choose your classes. (We accept Visa, American Express, Discover or MasterCard. Fees paid to OLLI with a credit card will show up on your statement as payable to USD AUTHORIZE.NET. Credit cards are processed through a payment service. We do not store credit card numbers in our registration system.
OLLI Members Present and Past: Anyone who has taken OLLI courses in the past has an account and password. Log in below to renew your membership, register for courses, cancel courses and more.
Forgot your password?
2. Mail a Check
Send us a check along with your name, address, phone, type of membership and email to:
OLLI at the University of South Dakota
4801 N Career Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
3. In Person:
Bring the membership form with your payment to the OLLI at USD office at the address above. We are located in the Science and Technology Building on the southwest corner of the campus. Our offices are near room 122. Please call 605-274-9528 prior to arrival to ensure someone is in the office.
Once you've joined, it's now time to register for classes. Browse our most recent catalog to get a feel for the types of courses OLLI at USD offers.
Registration
Registration opens at a preset time each term. Members can log into the registration system and select classes at the appointed time or later. Members can also mail their course selections to our office and we will enter their selections after registration opens. Finally, members can call the office for assistance with registration.
Some classes fill quickly. Registering online is the best chance of getting into popular classes. Mailed registration forms are entered in the order in which they were received after registration opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I register for classes?
A: There are several ways to register for classes OLLI at the University of South Dakota.
Please note that, with your membership, most courses are no charge. However, some courses do incur an additional non-refundable fee for materials, transportation, admission and the like. These additional fees are noted in the course catalog along with how they should be paid (to the instructor or to OLLI).
1. Online (Recommended)
Register for classes online at any time. Pay any additional fees with a Visa, American Express, Discover or MasterCard. Fees paid to OLLI with a credit card will show up on your statement as payable to USD AUTHORIZE.NET. Credit Cards are processed through a payment service. We do not store credit card numbers in our registration system.
Join and Register for Courses Online
2. On Paper
Use the paper course registration form from the OLLI course catalog to either mail us your course selections or bring it to the OLLI office. Only personal checks, cashier's checks or money orders will be accepted with this method. Make all checks payable to USD-OLLI.
We no longer accept credit card numbers written on a form or phoned in due to information security concerns.
Mail:
Send the course registration form with your payment to:
OLLI at the University of South Dakota
4801 N Career Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
In Person:
Bring the course registration form with your payment to the OLLI at USD office at the address above. We are located in the Science and Technology Building on the southwest corner of the campus. Our offices are near room 122.
We are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for holidays. You may want to call before you come to make sure we are in the office.
Q: How many classes can I take?
A: Membership in OLLI entitles you to take as many classes and workshops as you want, as well as special events or other activities. We only ask that you cancel your registration should you decide before class starts that you can not attend after all. This frees up your seat for someone else and also allows us to prepare an accurate number of handouts for the class.
Q: How often are classes offered?
A: Classes are offered two times per year: Fall (September-November) and Spring (March-May). Classes are offered five days per week, with a few on Saturday, at a variety of sites to make it easier and more convenient to attend. Additional activities are offered throughout the year including: social events, speakers, field trips and more.
Q: In the event I change my mind or am not able to attend classes, are the membership or extra course fees refundable?
A: OLLI's policy is that we do not refund membership or extra course fees. In the event you change your mind about membership prior to the start of a term or are unable to attend classes due to a hardship, you may request a transfer of your fees to another person. Certain restrictions apply.
Q: What if I can't attend all the class sessions? Can I still register?
A: Yes, you can still register for classes even if you know you will not attend all sessions. We ask that if you are not able to attend at least half of the sessions of a regular class, please let us know as it will affect how many people can register for the class.
Q: Where are classes held?
A: Currently we offer courses in Sioux Falls, Brookings and Vermillion. Specific course locations are indicated for each course online and in the course catalog mailed to members each term.
Q: Can I teach for OLLI or be a volunteer?
A: Yes! Please contact us for information on teaching or volunteering for OLLI.
Q: What happens when the weather is bad?
A: If the public school system cancels classes due to weather in the community where your class is being held, OLLI classes will also be cancelled. The Director of OLLI reserves the right to cancel classes in the event of bad weather, even if the public schools do not cancel. In the event of a weather related cancellation, emails will be sent to OLLI members with email addresses who are enrolled in classes that day. OLLI will also post information on the OLLI website and will have information on the OLLI telephone voicemail system. If you have any questions, please call us for weather related closings. And stay safe.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers the opportunity to teach adult learners who have a passion for learning. At OLLI there are no grades, no tests, no credit – just the pleasure of sharing your knowledge and experience with those who are eager to learn. These unique students truly appreciate their courses and the expertise of those that teach them.
OLLI seeks instructors to teach a wide variety of areas, including:
- Art
- Foreign language
- History
- Current events
- International affairs
- Government and politics
- Philosophy and the social sciences
- Literature and writing
- Many other mind expanding topics
Instructors are welcome in Sioux Falls, Brookings and Vermillion. Preference is strongly given to those who have had significant teaching experience. Class scheduling is flexible, but typically a class meets once per week for two to four weeks, sixty minutes to two hours per class. You may also choose to offer a single lecture on a compelling topic. Classes are offered days, evenings and Saturday mornings. OLLI has two semesters per academic year: Fall (September - November) and Spring (March - May).
If you are interested in teaching an OLLI class, please download, complete and submit the course proposal form, along with a current résumé, to the address below. OLLI's Curriculum Committee meets once every month or two and someone will be in touch with you about your proposal within a month after you submit it. Please feel free to contact us directly with questions or to follow up on the status of your course proposal. OLLI reserves the right to select or reject courses proposals based on the needs of the program and interests of our members.
Before you develop your class curriculum, please download our OLLI Instructor Handbook.
Send course proposals to:
Program Director
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at USD
4801 N Career Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57107-1304
605-274-9529 or 605-274-9528
There are many ways to support OLLI. From introducing a friend to the benefits of OLLI membership to providing financial support to volunteering, we have many opportunities available. Please call our main office (605-274-9529) to inquire about these opportunities.
Tell a Friend
The best way for others to learn about OLLI is through their friends. Tell everyone you know and help us grow. We can provide flyers and catalogs. Just let us know what you need.
Volunteer
Volunteers are key to our success and affordability. Volunteer opportunities include curriculum development, marketing, business partnership development, fundraising, social events, community outreach and more.
Join the Booster Club
To keep your costs low, we annually asks members to donate to our OLLI. If you like our services, please consider giving.
Give a Gift Membership
Consider giving the gift of OLLI membership to a friend or relative. Gift certificates are available.
Become a Partner
We are grateful for the generous gifts of funds, instruction, and facilities that our partners provide each term.
Donate to OLLI
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is able to provide lifelong learning opportunities thanks to the generous contributions of people like you.
Donate today!