Senior enrichment starts with curiosity and ends in lifelong friendships.
Designed for the retired and semi-retired, The Knowledge Exchange is a lifelong learning program that meets on Fridays for eight-week sessions in fall, winter and spring. Full-length courses, workshops and presentations are offered.
Courses are non-credit and led by a team of dedicated volunteers made up of GovState faculty, alumni and community experts. A volunteer Advisory Committee made up of Exchange class leaders and participants assist in overseeing the curriculum and sustaining quality programming. Topics include: History, Law, Liberal Arts, Current Events, Foreign Policy, Music/Film, Philosophy and more with lively discussions. Lunch is a great time to know other Exchange students, continue classroom discussions and share classroom and life experiences. Participants of The Knowledge Exchange enjoy a relaxed and friendly environment on the GovState campus and have formed a community of shared learning, social interaction and the free exchange of opinions and ideas.
The Knowledge Exchange, Winter 2025
Fridays, January 17 – March 7
Rock ‘n Roll and Race with Jerome Julian
A celebration of the African American artists and pioneers who made important but often overlooked contributions to the most significant musical phenomena in popular American culture.
Gardens of the World with Christine Small
Offered in the Hybrid format, this course will take participants on a virtual tour of the world through one lovely garden at a time with Christine’s entertaining commentary.
Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions 2025 facilitated by Bill Byrnes
This annual Foreign Policy discussion series (in its 31st year at GovState!) is designed to enhance your knowledge of international events through discussions with others interested in foreign policy. 2025 topics include: International Cooperation on Climate Change, The Future of NATO and European Security, AI and American National Security, U.S.-China Relations, and more.
CINEMA STUDIES: America’s Greatest IV with Suzanne Patterson
Fourth in the series, this time focusing on contemporary American director Alexander Payne. Films discussed include Election, About Schmidt, Sideways, The Descendants, Nebraska and more.
WANTED! VOLUNTEER CLASS LEADERS
The Knowledge Exchange’s (TKE) lifelong-learning program, at GovState’s School of Extended Learning is the only one of its kind in the Chicago southland and is currently looking to expand its team of class leaders.
Courses are non-credit meeting over 8-week sessions on Fridays during
the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters.
Topics of interest include History, Literature, Music, Current Events, Science, Philosophy, and, most of all, Special Expertise. Whatever your interest or hobby, come and share that passion with TKE’s friendly and eager-to-learn community in a relaxed classroom environment at Governors State University.
If available and interested, contact Suzanne Patterson at 708.534.4393 or by email at spatterson3@govst.edu and she will be thrilled to discuss your ideas!