Propose to teach a course for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Cal Poly Humboldt

Thank you for your interest in teaching for OLLI at Humboldt!

OLLI brings together experienced and interesting professionals with a motivated group of learners.

Classes have no homework or tests, and the most successful classes are those which are interactive, while respecting and including the life experience of OLLI members.

When should you propose a course?

OLLI courses follow a seasonal schedule, with proposal periods opening several months in advance:

Fall term

Courses run: mid-Sept.to late Nov.
Proposal window: May 1*-June 15 (6 weeks)

Spring term

Courses run: mid-Feb. to late April
Proposal window: Aug. 1*-Sept. 15 (6 weeks)

Summer term

Courses run: early July to mid-August
Proposal window: Feb. 1*-March 15 (6 weeks)

* Note: If a proposal opening date falls on a weekend, proposals will open the following Tuesday.

Current call for proposal

Summer 2026 classes will be held Tues., July 7-Sun., Aug. 9, 2026. (No classes held on holidays or during campus closures.)

Deadline for OLLI course proposal submissions is Mon., March 16, by 11:59 p.m.

See below for qualifications to become an instructor for OLLI.

Go to the OLLI Course Proposal Form

Brown Bag Lunch Online Presentation Proposals

OLLI also accepts proposals to present FREE Brown Bag Presentations on Mondays. If you would like to offer a community presentation, get more information on proposing a Brown Bag Lunch here.

Qualifications you'll need to be an OLLI instructor

All OLLI Instructors must be a 2026-27 OLLI member prior to teaching a class (2026-27 membership registration opens July 1, 2026).

If you are new to teaching for OLLI or the College of Extended Education, please email a résumé or curriculum vitae to OLLI at olli@humboldt.edu, or mail to Cal Poly Humboldt, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, 1 Harpst St., Arcata, CA 95521.

How it works

Propose a course via the OLLI course proposal form: include a brief description, and indicate dates and times that you are NOT available to teach.
Submit the course proposal form, and OLLI will notify you if your proposal is accepted, and let you know the next steps. Instructors must go through an onboarding process with Cal Poly Humboldt HR.
After the course is accepted and scheduled by OLLI, it will provide marketing, registration, and payment collection services.
For online classes, the OLLI staff will set up and provide the link on the Zoom conferencing platform. An OLLI host will open each meeting, and you can choose the level of help you would like. OLLI offers Zoom online orientation and training to all instructors and students by request.
You will teach your course to a fabulous community of lifelong learners!
Instructors are encouraged to volunteer their time, as OLLI is a not-for-profit community program. However for those requesting payment, compensation is 50% of the net income generated from the course, based on enrollment and expenses.

Thank you for staying connected with OLLI at Cal Poly Humboldt!

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