The University of Hartford in West Hartford is again offering classes for adults.

By Roz Green

As the school year approaches, classrooms around West Hartford begin to fill up. However, this year it isn’t just children packing classrooms and hitting the books, it’s adults as well. 

At the University of Hartford’s Presidents’ College Lifelong Learning program, adults of all ages ranging from their 30s to their 90s, are also preparing to attend classes this coming school year. “Minus the new backpacks or blisters from new shoes, but these students can’t wait to get back to the books,” said Meg Aldrich, the Presidents’ College Marketing Coordinator, who emphasizes how eager and excited these adults truly are. 

For over two decades, Presidents’ College has been one of the top lifelong learning programs in the Northeast right here in West Hartford. It offers residents and others across the state a way to stay intellectually engaged and continue learning. 

Taught by professors as well as community experts, Presidents’ College offers short, non-credit courses for adults and seniors, usually around two or three sessions in length. Some topics consist of the arts, history, literature, current events, science, and engineering. Furthermore, there is no membership fee. Students pay a small fee for each course they take.

The program’s offerings provide a multitude of opportunities for adults and seniors to stay knowledgeable about the topics such as the latest artificial intelligence, climate change, jazz, cryptocurrency, or cases held before the Supreme Court. Students are also able to take a peek behind the scenes of things including opera, concerts, and plays, and they are also able to attend performances with fellow classmates. 

Beyond the classroom, students are able to engage socially and make new connections, as they have the opportunity to have lively discussions of literature, history, and politics in class. This program not only gives students a way to learn and expand their knowledge, but it gives students the chance to make social connections and interact with others. 

The philosophy of the Presidents’ College is, “Learning Connects the Curious.” Students come to learn but stay for connections. Discussions in the classroom often “spill over into coffee or lunch afterwards,” and allow for friendships to blossom and bloom. 

Originally, the Presidents’ College was designed specifically for students ages 55 and older. However, the program has begun to notice the growth of younger learners, from ages 35 to 50, that were interested in going back to school. “They miss the intellectual stimulation of college,” said Aldrich, who emphasized how the program is able to give them opportunities for academic enrichment outside of their work lives. 

On Wednesday Sept. 10, The Presidents’ College will host its Fall 2025 Kickoff from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The event will include wine, cheese, and live jazz, which will give the students the initial chance to spark new friendships. It will be followed by “mini-interviews”, conducted by the Presidents’ College Director, Michele Troy, along with professors that will be teaching in the fall. The event allows prospective students to meet possible fellow classmates and instructors and helps them learn about and register for upcoming classes.

Early courses for the semester begin Sept. 15. For more information about courses, or if you are looking to register, visit the Presidents’ College Lifelong Learning Program website. 

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