Teach at OLLI-UA

Share Your Knowledge as an OLLI-UA Study Group Leader (SGL)

Teach at OLLI-UA

We invite individuals, educators, and organizations to explore how they can contribute to this vibrant learning community by volunteering as instructors or class organizers. Whether sharing professional expertise, a unique hobby, or a passion for a particular subject, teaching at OLLI-UA offers a rewarding way to engage with enthusiastic adult learners.

There are a variety of ways to lead classes and social events both as an instructor and / or a facilitator/organizer.

Join our teaching mailing list, get contacted about proposal openings and training opportunities.

Current Open Proposal Forms

A Few Basics

Classes tend to be highly interactive and discussion-oriented, rather than lecture-based.

• OLLI-UA membership is not required to teach although many study groups are led by members .
• Class formats are flexible. You can teach anything from a single session to a full 12-week lecture and discussion curriculum. Classes tend to be 1.5 hours each with some exceptions.
• We do not compensate for teaching. All of our Study Group Leaders (SGLs) volunteer their time and there is no monetary payment.
• Teaching is not a "sales" opportunity. Classes must be educational and are not for commercial purposes or personal financial benefit.

Who Teaches at OLLI-UA?

Our teaching ranks include active and retired academics, graduate students, outreach professionals, business leaders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, social workers, psychologists, and more - all with an amazing range of experience and backgrounds. You do not have to be a member to teach but we encourage you to join and explore our unique community of like minded learners.

Video: Learn why study group leader (SGL) Dan says, "OLLI-UA is the best teaching gig I have ever had ..."

In memory of Dan Gilmore with the wishes of Dan and his family.

Why Teach at OLLI-UA?

Our unique learning community sets our program apart for many who lead classes. Members bring their diverse life experience to the classroom for an invigorating learning environment. It is learning for the simple joy of learning with no tests or grades.

Our 1,000+ OLLI-UA members are an important outreach constituency for the University and other community organizations.

We welcome outside proposals, as long as it is not for commercial or financial gain and offerings remain educational. When in doubt contact us here.

Format and Audience Considerations

“OLLI provides a superb link between outreach-minded academics and a refreshingly motivated audience. We learned from that first course to prepare differently... In particular, most of us were surprised by the number and type of questions asked. Guided discussion turned out to be a better format than a lecture series.” - Insights by SGLs from the Linguistics Department at the University of Arizona

What Can You Teach or Facilitate?

Subject areas include history, arts, culture, crafts, cooking, health, self help, current events, literature, philosophy, spirituality, technology, science, math, social sciences, travel, entertainment and much more. Explore our classes and catalogs here for ideas.

You can also facilitate events and outings. Dining out events and field trips (to local museums and parks, walking tours, community service projects etc.) can be submitted as options as well.

We also offer ongoing special interest groups (SIGs) both in-person and online you can explore - maybe a book club, movie club, concert club, foodie club or more. Contact us here if you have a SIG in mind.

Teaching Considerations

Considerations include, the term/session you would like to teach, teaching location and medium (online vs. in-person), and class format structure to name a few.

OLLI-UA Terms

Our Academic Year runs July 1 to June 30

• Monsoon (July to August) 6 weeks in Tucson and Online only.
• Fall (September to December) 8 - 12 weeks in Tucson, Green Valley and Online
• Spring (January to April) 10 - 12 weeks in Tucson, Green Valley and Online
• Summer (May to June) 6 weeks in Tucson and Online only.

Proposal deadlines are 3 to 4 months before a term starts.

Class Delivery Options

We offer both in-person and online options for teaching. Each has its own benefits and considerations.

In-person at one of our campuses

• • Central Tucson
  • Green Galley

Online using Zoom

• • Online Zoom Classes
    
    • Zoom software is provided by OLLI-UA.
    • We provided a Zoom tech host to support these classes.
  • Select Speaker Series Webinars (Upon special request and review)
  • Hybrid Offering in-person and online simultaneously (Upon special request and review)

Other formats

• Organized local field trips and dining out events
• Day trips outside of Tucson
• Local Concerts and more.

Contact us here for best practices and questions about these kinds of offerings.

Styles

In developing a class there are a variety of styles to consider. A few include:

• Lecture / Discussion
• Small format vs large format
• Instructor lead vs. facilitated

Contact us here if you would like input and assistance in developing a class idea. We have ways you can even pilot ideas.

Come lend your talents and share in the joy of learning!

If you have knowledge, skills, or a passion for a topic, you can submit a proposal to teach!
Complete your course proposal by clicking the "Submit a Study Group Proposal" button below.

Considerations Before Proposing a Class:

As you decide whether to volunteer as an OLLI-UA Study Group Leader (SGL), we ask you to consider the following:

• OLLI’s age 50-plus lifelong learners have diverse interests and like to have a choice of a wide range of content and presentation and discussion styles for classes. Course topics may be conventional or unconventional, scholarly or practical, lecture or discussion, simple or full of visual aids… variety is appreciated!
  

• As an SGL, you should have expertise in the subject area of your class, acquired through academic training or relevant life experience. If organizing a class, your guest speakers should have the relevant expertise.
  
  
• You should be able to organize and present the concepts of your class in ways that are understandable, educational and entertaining. While prior experience with giving presentations and leading discussions is very helpful, it is not required.

• If you will use visual aids in your classes, you will need to use standard A/V hardware and software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote, YouTube) to prepare your materials and present them during class. If have not previously used the OLLI AV setup, you’ll be expected to attend a training session before your first class.
  
  
• And, of course, your thorough preparation and practice are essential to a successful and satisfying presentation for you and for your class.
  
  If you have made similar presentations for other groups, a reference would be helpful.

Study Group Proposals

• • We offer proposals for teaching in-person and online using Zoom provided by OLLI-UA. We offer four terms per year - Monsoon, Fall, Spring and Summer running July to June each year.
  • In person locations include Central Tucson during all four sessions. Green Valley offers classes during Fall and Spring Only.
  • Your course can range from one to six 90-minute sessions and may be delivered in person or online over Zoom with standardized start times of 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Class size can be limited or maximized to your preference.
  • Field trips (meeting at local museums, walking tours, community service projects etc.) can be submitted as well. 

See Current Proposal Options Below:

Fall 2025 Session:

Central Tucson, Online, and Field Trips - 12 weeks (September 15 to December 12, 2025)

Green Valley - 8 weeks (September 30 to November 19, 2025)

Proposal Deadline: June 16, 2025

• Central Tucson Campus in-person classes run 4 days per week, Tuesday to Friday.
• Online classes and field trips run Monday to Friday.
• Green Valley Campus in-person classes run 2 days per week on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Spring 2026 Session:

Central Tucson, Online, and Field Trips - 12 Weeks (Jan 26 to April 17, 2026)

Green Valley - 10 Weeks (Jan 20 to March 25, 2026)

Proposal Deadline: October 6, 2025

• Central Tucson Campus in-person classes run 4 days per week, Tuesday to Friday.
• Online classes and field trips run Monday to Friday.
• Green Valley Campus in-person classes run 2 days per week on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Please note:

Submissions are considered as they come in. The sooner you apply, the better chance your requested schedule will be approved.

New to OLLI-UA? Please review these considerations before submitting.

OLLI-UA Social Event Proposal Form:

Use this form:

1. 1. To submit an OLLI-UA Field Trip for the current or upcoming Session after the Proposal Deadline above has passed
   2. To submit all other OLLI-UA Social Events happening year-round

Types of Social Events that can be submitted here: 

• • Group Trips or Field Trips (Only OUTSIDE of the Session Deadline)
  • Dining Out Events (Year-Round)
  • New Member Social Events (Year-Round)
  • One-Off Special Events or Social Gatherings (Year-Round)
  • Community Service Projects (Year-Round)

Develop Your Own Class

• Explore our classes and catalogs here for ideas.
• Request training and support from our curriculum team on the link below.
• Try a short class. Test your idea.
  
  Contact us here for any support or questions in developing an offering.