Most members join OLLI because of the courses taught by university faculty, emeritus faculty, and area experts that we offer each Fall and Spring. Before long, however, they discover that OLLI offers so much more. Study Groups are one hidden gem of OLLI. Groups are organized and led or co-led (facilitated) by OLLI members on a wide variety of topics designed to encourage active discussion and engagement. The study group facilitator does not need to be an expert on the topic. The facilitator’s primary function rather is to organize the group and facilitate the discussion. Facilitators can lead all sessions or can ask for volunteer leaders among group members to lead some of the discussions. These groups often are the place where members discover their community of fellow lifelong learners.

Four study groups sessions (summer, fall, winter, spring) are offered during the year at times when courses are not in session. They typically meet for 6 sessions.

Each study group costs $20. Study group costs are a la carte - members pay for all of the study groups for which they register.

If you would like to discuss the OLLI Study Group program, please contact Kathryn Williams at kfw@illinois.edu or 217-244-9141.