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Group of Seniors

Senior Professionals

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About our organization

Senior Professionals is a membership-based organization of retired and semi-retired individuals from Central Illinois with backgrounds in various fields, including business, education, social service, trades, health care, volunteerism and more. To be a member, no prior association with Illinois State is required.

The brainchild of Charles Bolen, retired professor of music and former dean of the College of Fine Arts, Senior Professionals was formed more than 30 years ago as a means to provide partnerships among retirees, Illinois State University students and faculty and the community. Members serve as valuable resources for various academic functions of the University, sharing their experiences, skills and knowledge to enhance student learning outside of the classroom. Senior Professionals offers creative learning experiences, cultural enrichment and social interaction. Special events and unique programs for members are offered throughout the year and provide opportunities to interact and socialize with members.

In addition, Senior Professionals offers lifelong learning programs, which include Mornings with the Professors lectures, Academy of Seniors classes and Classroom Journey bus trips. These programs are open to the public.


Announcements

Mornings with Professors Programming Change - March 29

Dick Watts will no longer be able to join us on March 29. In his place, Retired United States Ambassador and inaugural Donald F. McHenry Visiting Professor in Diplomacy and International Affairs at ISU, Geeta Pasi, will present a session titled A Peek Behind the Curtain: Demystifying the Foreign Service. Full class information can be found on the Mornings with Professors page.


Spring / Summer 2024 Class Registration is Now Open!

Class information and registration is now live for our Spring / Summer 2024 Academy of Seniors, Mornings with Professors, and Classroom Journey sessions is now available. Learn more and register.


Civic Engagement Service Learning Grant Awards

Civic Engagement Grant Awards, co-sponsored by Senior Professionals, the Center for Civic Engagement, and the State Farm Foundation, are available for Illinois State University student organizations or individuals partnering on an in-course project that is aimed at improving or educating within Bloomington-Normal or McLean County. See links below for full award criteria. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on February 16.

Civic Engagement Award Criteria  | Civic Engagement Grant Application

 

News and Events

News in Senior Professionals

Civic Engagement Service-Learning Grants, co-sponsored by Senior Professionals, the Center for Civic Engagement, and the State Farm Foundation, are available for Illinois State University registered student organizations or individuals working together on an in-course project that is aimed at making a difference within the Bloomington-Normal/McLean County community. 

Read more Senior Professionals news