Senior enrichment starts with curiosity and ends in lifelong friendships.
Designed for the retired and semi-retired, The Knowledge Exchange is a lifelong learning program that meets on Fridays for eight-week sessions in fall, winter and spring. Full-length courses, workshops and presentations are offered.
Courses are non-credit and led by a team of dedicated volunteers made up of GovState faculty, alumni and community experts. A volunteer Advisory Committee made up of Exchange class leaders and participants assist in overseeing the curriculum and sustaining quality programming. Topics include: History, Law, Liberal Arts, Current Events, Foreign Policy, Music/Film, Philosophy and more with lively discussions. Lunch is a great time to know other Exchange students, continue classroom discussions and share classroom and life experiences. Participants of The Knowledge Exchange enjoy a relaxed and friendly environment on the GovState campus and have formed a community of shared learning, social interaction and the free exchange of opinions and ideas.
The Knowledge Exchange, Winter 2026
Fridays, January 16 – March 6
The Knowledge Exchange Speaker Series
A series of interactive 90-minute to 2-hour lectures by local experts on a myriad of topics including Ancient Inca and Hiking the Inca Trail, Let’s Talk Downsizing!, The Beatles’ Somnambulant Adventure: An Alternate History, History, Preservation and Travel along Welsh Canals, Pawnbroking from Medieval to Modern Times.
OPERETTAS: The Link between the Opera and the American Musical with musician Ron Small
The operetta started in the late 1800s and as an art form died in the early 1900s although the songs still remain today. This 4-week course will examine the operettas of 6 composers in which participants will hear songs they’ve heard before but with a new back story!
The Different Sounds of Classical Music with musician Ron Small
This 4-week course will explore the various classical pieces based on the time period they were written and why they sound as they do. Via video, participants will hear and experience music of the Early Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque, the Classical, the Romantic and Post Romantic, and of Contemporary Eras.
Cinema Studies: Globally and Socially Relevant Documentaries with Suzanne Patterson
Suzanne returns with another 8-week Cinema Studies course turning the focus on documentaries, specifically those relevant to our current global and social landscapes. Together we’ll examine how contemporary nonfiction cinema engages with the world around us and sparks meaningful conversation.
The Foreign Policy’s Great Decisions 2026 with William Byrnes
Prepare to discuss the World! As a staple of the winter curriculum, this annual Foreign Policy discussion series (in its 32nd year at GovState!) is designed to enhance your knowledge of international events through discussions with others interested in foreign policy. This year’s topics include: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy; U.S.-China Relations; Ukraine and the Future of European Security; U.S. Engagement of Africa; and The Future of Human Rights and International Law.
WANTED! VOLUNTEER CLASS LEADERS
The Knowledge Exchange’s (TKE) lifelong-learning program, at GovState’s School of Extended Learning is the only one of its kind in the Chicago southland and is currently looking to expand its team of class leaders.
Courses are non-credit meeting over 8-week sessions on Fridays during
the Fall, Winter, and Spring semesters.
Topics of interest include History, Literature, Music, Current Events, Science, Philosophy, and, most of all, Special Expertise. Whatever your interest or hobby, come and share that passion with TKE’s friendly and eager-to-learn community in a relaxed classroom environment at Governors State University.
If available and interested, contact Suzanne Patterson at 708.534.4393 or by email at spatterson3@govst.edu and she will be thrilled to discuss your ideas!