Carnegie Mellon University

About Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie Mellon University

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) offers its members rich opportunities to increase their knowledge, enhance their skills, interact with their peers, and increase their social and cultural awareness. 

We provide our members a wide range of courses taught by members, volunteers, faculty from CMU and other regional colleges and universities, and representatives from community organizations, all eager to share their expertise and engage in dialogue with their peers.

Our academic calendar is divided into three terms of two sessions each. Courses typically meet for 90 minutes, 4 to 6 times during a session. On average, about 140 courses are offered each term.

  • We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that resides on the CMU campus, but operates independently from the University.
  • We are part of the Bernard Osher Foundation network of 120 programs on campuses across the country.
  • Osher at CMU is a volunteer driven organization governed by a Board of Directors. In addition, we have a paid staff that administers the program for the benefit of our members.

Osher and Carnegie Mellon University are two separate organizations that interact in many ways, enriching one another and the surrounding community they share. Our membership is a reflection of the University’s commitment to nurturing individuals for a lifetime.

What Osher Provides CMU

We provide the University with audiences for artistic and musical performances, patronage of dining facilities, volunteers for research projects conducted by students and faculty, and an opportunity for current and retired faculty to share their passions and expertise with eager, mature students. Osher is used by CMU researchers as part of their broader impact statements on grant proposals.

Membership in Osher provides CMU alumni with an opportunity to strengthen their connection with the Oakland campus.

What CMU Provides Osher

The University, instrumental in the founding of our lifetime learning program, continues to provide our program with a rich cultural and educational environment, classrooms and office space, technical assistance, and many other support services.