The Lifelong Learning Academy at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee has hired Janna Overstreet as its Executive Director.
Overstreet most recently served as the Coordinator of the Academy of Lifelong Learning at Eastern Illinois in Charleston, Ill., and has taught upper division Psychology courses for Eastern Illinois and Lake Land College.
“This position is especially intriguing as it is in Sarasota, a city known worldwide as the city to retire to if you are well educated, well-traveled and/ or interested in an active retirement,” Overstreet said. “To me, it is the mecca for Lifelong Learners and thus ‘the place’ for someone like myself to be directing a program which provides quality educational opportunities to older adults.”
The mission of the LLA is to enrich the lives of mature adults in Sarasota and Manatee Counties by providing affordable, outstanding educational programs covering a broad spectrum of topics, rich in intellectual stimulation and worthy of being taught at a university. A key aspect of many of the programs will be class discussion, and the Lifelong Learning Academy will foster social interaction on and off the campus.
“The Academy’s relationship with USFSM is symbiotic,” Overstreet said. “We love the beautiful campus, the location and wonderful staff of the University who provide many supportive services to the Academy instructors and learners. We on the other hand bring nearly a 1,000 learners to the campus who might not ever have visited USF had it not been for the Academy. Our learners, in turn, discover University programs that they have interest in such as the Perlman Music Program Recitals and Conversations with Authors Series.”
“We are so pleased with the ongoing collaboration and partnership with LLA,” said Dr. Arthur Guilford, Regional Chancellor for USF Sarasota-Manatee. “Our relationship with the board and the 1,000 adult learners who share our campus enriches USFSM and our community.”
For more information on the Lifelong Learning Academy on the USFSM Campus, visit the Academy’s website.
My extreme compliments to instructor Tony Moon re: his ’50s music class on Monday morning.
I don’t think I’ve had such a wonderful time in school in my life!
Tony’s history is amazing, as are his talents and his ability to lead and hold the attention of his classes.
He knows everybody in the music business, it seems, and his personal stories are worth repeating and writing down.
His animation is contagious, and he is simply delightful as an instructor.
I so look forward to another class led by Tony, and I want the Academy to know how incredibly unique and gifted he is!
Thank you.