School Is in Session for Residents of Edgehill

This article was originally published in Westfair Business Journal.

Inspired Minds, Edgehill Style

As students returned to classrooms this fall, a new semester was also getting underway at Edgehill University. However, at Edgehill, residents are not simply returning to class. They are helping lead it.

Residents and “teachers” Susan and Ronald E. began Edgehill University, a college-style program at the continuing care retirement community. The university was inspired by their experience as study group leaders at the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement (HILR) when they were living in Massachusetts.

“We found that was a wonderful learning experience for retirees,” Susan said.

“In moving to Edgehill, it felt like a natural opportunity to introduce this model of peer-generated teaching and learning. We have discovered significant interest and enthusiasm, and now in our second year of classes, we are attracting a remarkable number of new learners. Not a day goes by when we do not have people of our Edgehill community thanking us and expressing their excitement about this new learning opportunity. And for us, it has been a wonderful way to get to know people in our new world.”

This fall, about 50 residents are participating in the program.

The Benefits of Lifelong Learning

According to the American Psychological Association, learning later in life boosts brain health and neuroplasticity and increases confidence, motivation and the willingness to take on new challenges later in life. Research from the National Library of Medicine also shows that older adults who actively engage in learning new skills may help maintain cognitive performance and reduce the effects of aging.

“Edgehill is home to intellectually curious and engaged residents, making Edgehill University a natural fit for our community,” said Edgehill Campus Executive Director Chris Cilano. “Beyond the enjoyment and enrichment lifelong learning provides, research has shown that continued learning can support cognitive health and neuroplasticity.”

Residents Leading the Way

What makes Edgehill University particularly meaningful is that it is a resident-driven initiative. Empowering residents to bring their ideas to life is an important part of creating a vibrant, engaged community. “When residents have a voice in shaping the programs and activities offered, they are not only more invested in the experience but also develop a deeper sense of connection to the community they call home,” shared Cilano.

Courses typically meet once a week for one hour and run for six weeks. Subjects are developed around the interests, expertise and research of the resident leaders who volunteer to teach the courses. Some of the subjects Edgehill University has covered include classic literature, history, archaeology, art and other educational topics found in lifelong learning programs.

So far, participants have revisited “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, explored prehistoric cave art and early human expression. This fall, the program will introduce two new classes: Animal Intelligence and How Hemingway Became Hemingway. This diversity reflects the university’s growing and evolving curriculum.

Learning Through Connection

Since its inception, Edgehill University has brought together residents from diverse backgrounds. It offers a space for thoughtful discussion, respectful debate and meaningful exchange.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents quickly embraced the concept, with enrollment exceeding early expectations and participants saying, ‘This is what we have been waiting for,” said Sandi Kornblum, Edgehill’s lifestyle director.

According to Kornblum, the college-level courses offered without tests or grades have encouraged strong participation and thoughtful discussion, giving residents the opportunity to draw on their diverse life experiences, perspectives and knowledge. For many, the program has become more than a class. It has created a space to learn from one another, share their expertise and connect with peers in a meaningful way.

The Joy of Discovery

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by how engaged and intellectually curious this community is,” said Ronald E. “People come from different life experiences and that leads to really rich conversations. There are no tests, but there’s real commitment and people are telling us this has changed their lives. It’s a reminder that when you create space for learning and connection, especially as we age, it can have a powerful impact.”