Teaching at the College for Seniors

At the heart of the College for Seniors program are dedicated volunteer instructors. While many instructors are retired academics, others with no formal teaching background have successfully facilitated learning experiences centered on their areas of passion, interest or expertise. CFS offers in-person, online and hybrid (simultaneous in-person and online) courses.

Teaching at the College for Seniors Frequently Asked Questions

Are College for Seniors instructors paid?

CFS instructors are volunteers. Besides the real rewards that come with sharing your expertise and/or passion with an active and engaged group of OLLI members, volunteer instructors receive credits to take CFS courses in future terms. If you have not already purchased them, volunteer instructors also receive a complimentary OLLI membership and on-campus parking permit.

How is teaching at CFS different from teaching in other environments?

OLLI’s audience consists primarily of retired, active older adults who are seeking lifelong-learning opportunities and a sense of community in life’s second half. OLLI members bring a lifetime of experience to the classroom and are active agents in their learning process. They take courses for the love of learning something new. Attendance is tracked for statistical reasons but can vary from class to class since OLLI members lead full, active lives outside the classroom. Participants are willing to spend some time prepping for class – for example, completing short readings – if needed. There are no papers, tests or grades at CFS.

Do I have to be a member of OLLI at UNC Asheville, or have taken courses at OLLI, to teach at CFS?

While it is not necessary for instructors to already be OLLI members or have taken courses at CFS, these are helpful for understanding the character and expectations of the OLLI community firsthand. During the course proposal review process, subject-area subcommittees will interview instructors and determine whether or not CFS is a good fit.

Do I have to live in Western North Carolina to teach at CFS?

OLLI members place a high value on community-building and learning about topics of local interest from members of the Western North Carolina community. For that reason, CFS courses are primarily taught by instructors who live, work or are otherwise connected to WNC. From time to time – and recognizing that “community” has taken on a broader meaning in our increasingly interconnected world – OLLI will consider course proposals from instructors living outside of WNC, especially those whose course ideas are requested by OLLI members but are not being offered by local instructors, and/or which significantly enrich our course offerings.

Do I have to be a professional teacher to teach at CFS?

While many instructors are retired academics, others with no formal teaching background have successfully facilitated learning experiences centered on their areas of passion, interest or expertise.

I have an idea for a course. Who can I talk to?

CFS’s course offerings are principally in the hands of 11 subject-area subcommittees. These subcommittees establish priorities for their areas of focus, interview instructors who want to teach in a new topic area, review course proposals and work with instructors to plan and promote success in the classroom.

• Business, law and finance
• Health and fitness
• History
• Languages, literature and writing
• Life transitions
• Math, science and technology
• Performing arts
• Personal development
• Religion and philosophy
• Social sciences
• Visual arts

Email the College for Seniors program manager, who will put you in touch with the appropriate subcommittee chair. An updated list of subcommittees and chairs is also available on the Governance and Committees page. (Curious about which subject areas are covered by each subcommittee? Consult this list.)

How and when do I submit a course proposal?

Course proposals are submitted via an online Google form. The course proposal form as well as a sample form (to help you prepare) are available on the Forms page.

CFS offers courses during four terms per year. In the fall and spring, courses last four or eight weeks; in the winter, courses last six weeks; and in the summer, courses meet either weekly for six weeks or daily for one week only. Course proposal deadlines are firm, setting into motion a comprehensive review process including time for subcommittees to review and consult with the instructor and for OLLI staff to prepare catalogs and registration. A current calendar is available on the College for Seniors page.

• Winter (6 weeks, January-February): Course proposals accepted June 1-August 1
• Spring (8 weeks, March-May): Course proposals accepted September 1-November 1
• Summer (6 weeks, June-July): Course proposals accepted December 1-February 1
• Fall (6 weeks, September-November): Course proposals accepted March 1-May 1

When will I know if my course proposal has been accepted?

The College for Seniors program manager will email you the final status of your course proposal within 4-6 weeks of the course proposal deadline.

Is there support available for instructors?

An important goal of CFS is to provide OLLI members with engaging, thought-provoking, meaningful and interesting courses taught by capable instructors. Instructor support is essential to that end. Some examples of instructor support include:

• Subject-area subcommittees assign a course liaison who is available to answer your questions and help refine your proposal through the review process.
• OLLI staff maintains an online repository of information including an instructor guide, comprehensive list of instructional resources, on-demand tutorials on PowerPoint and Zoom, and access to in-person and online research tools.
• The instructor-support subcommittee plans regular trainings on technology as well as classroom management and teaching/communication skills.
• Course participants volunteer to assist you during class.
• OLLI staff provides audiovisual support before, during and after class.

Have more questions about teaching at CFS?

Email our College for Seniors program manager or call 828.251.6873. We also offer information sessions each fall and spring for those interested in teaching at CFS; visit the Calendar page to find upcoming sessions and to sign up.