ENCORE COLLEGES
HIGHER EDUCATION: A PATHWAY TO ENCORE CAREERS
Higher education is a key part of preparing for life’s encore phase. The good news is that increasingly, a whole new higher-education sector is beginning to emerge. The result? Colleges are preparing and connecting encore talent to social sector employers who need them. And they’re making an impact.
Whether you’re a college professional or a prospective student, learn here about pioneering educational encore pathways across the country at major universities, community colleges, and specialized schools - both online and on campus.
The Encore College Initiative encourages colleges to create and promote educational pathways to encore careers. The project invests in innovation and encourages colleges and social sector employers to work together to unleash the potential of boomers as a new workforce for social change.
Find out more about encore careers
Find out more about the Encore College Initiative
Check out innovative encore program models:
- By sector
- By practice
- By state
- In alphabetical order
Learn about people who retrained for encore careers
Read case studies about encore colleges
Visit the Encore College Resource Library
Contact us for more information about the Encore College Initiative
 |
 |
AN ENCORE STORY
Learn how Jan Albert went back
to school to find a new career
in a tough economy.
Video length – 10:12
Click image at right to play video.
Video courtesy of kcet.org
ENCORE PROGRAM MODELS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Check out these programs to help individuals find, prepare for, and transition to encore careers:
- Portland Community College uses peer mentors to help older gerontology students survive the classroom. More >
- Virginia Community College System offers a hybrid online and in-person program that allows people with busy schedules to become teachers in a year. More >
- GateWay Community College in Arizona works with local health care employers to design programs that fit their job needs. More >
- Harvard University Advanced Leadership Initiative is a 10-month program combines Harvard classes, special forums, and the chance to develop an entrepreneurial project aimed at solving a pressing social problems. More >
- UCLA Extension is partnering with investors to create the Encore Career Institute to offer certificates in fields such as early childhood education, drug and alcohol counseling, and health care management and leadership. More >
- University of Connecticut offers training to help corporate professionals transition into the nonprofit sector through its Encore!Hartford program. More >
- Evolve: Re-ignite Self & Community is an eight-week course offered at community colleges in Minnesota, Washington, and Colorado that strengthens leadership skills and connects boomers to people who share their passions to make positive change. More >
- The University of the Pacific offers an online social entrepreneurship certificate program that can be completed in six months. More >
- Lane Community College offers a variety of courses to help people move into encore careers in allied health. More >
To learn details of these and other programs, check out the links above and encore college case studies.
ENCORE STUDENTS AND HIGHER ED IN THE NEWS
KARE11.com
SHiFT Encore Career Education Fair
The St. Louis American
STLCC Named Plus 50 Champion College by AACC
U.S. News & World Report
Community Colleges Welcome Older Students
The Canberra Times
Bored boomers to late bloomers
The Fiscal Times
Boomer U. – Older Adults Go Back to School
HEADLINES
ABOUT OUR FUNDERS
The Encore College Initiative has had the support of private foundations that believe in the power of higher education to help people prepare for encore careers. More >