The Rise of the Lifelong Learner

For 73-year-old retired dentist Dr. Charles Ford of Seminole, joining the SPC Community Band 13 years ago was a homecoming. Ford practices in the same room where he played alto saxophone as a student for the St. Petersburg Junior College band in 1970. He’s an example of how SPC’s Lifelong Learning program offers students of all ages an opportunity to grow, connect and thrive.

As people live longer, healthier lives, the retirement phase has become less about slowing down and more about leveling up. Nearly one-third of SPC’s students are older than 25, with many over the age of 60, representing a diverse community of learners with varied interests and needs. Today’s learners are frequently mid-career professionals looking to pivot or older adults seeking the cognitive and social benefits of staying engaged.

SPC’s Lifelong Learning program provides flexible, short-term courses for busy learners looking to expand their knowledge in a variety of areas including technology, art and music.

Expanding workforce skills

Whether seeking promotion, delaying retirement or shifting career focus, many lifelong learners are seeking education to expand their skills and, subsequently, their earning potential.

In an era when artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools evolve by the month, expanding skillsets has become a requirement for staying competitive in the workforce. Courses such as AI for Everyone or Using ChatGPT to Scale your Digital Presence help students keep pace with technology and stay current in their fields, or even shift into new positions.

“Our mission is to provide accessible, high-impact education that meets the moment,” said Belinthia Berry, Dean of Workforce Development. “Through the integration of AI literacy and leadership principles, lifelong learners are gaining the tools to not just adapt to change, but to lead it.”

Whether learning new tools like AI, or mastering Microsoft applications like Excel, in-person, online and self-paced options offer flexibility while customized training can also be developed to meet workforce needs.

Creating a social network

Beyond professional benefits, the program serves as a heartbeat for community engagement. Whether joining the community band or chorus, learning conversational French, or using AI to plan a vacation, students gain more than a hobby. Personal enrichment courses create a social network built on shared interests and creative expression.

For Ford, the Community Band offers both musical fulfillment and meaningful relationships. He values the expertise of Nathan Muehl, SPC’s Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, and finds inspiration from his younger classmates.

“My favorite thing is being around the younger students,” Ford said. “They are youthful and exuberant, and that enthusiasm rubs off.”

The band has also provided a social outlet, leading to deep friendships with peers that extend beyond the classroom.

The beauty of the Lifelong Learning program lies in its ability to serve every corner of the community. No matter what age or stage of life, these students are the threads that make the local fabric stronger. By investing in themselves, they are ultimately investing in a more resilient, knowledgeable and connected community.