A new chapter for the Lifelong Learning Institute of Virginia Tech

After a decade of growth powered largely by volunteers, the Lifelong Learning Institute of Virginia Tech is entering a new chapter — one that secures its future as an official program of Continuing and Professional Education.

Beginning this fall, LLI will become a fully integrated part of CPE, a move designed to sustain and strengthen the institute’s mission to provide engaging intellectual, cultural, and social experiences for adults 50 and older.

“Lifelong learning is at the heart of community engagement, and the success of this program is a testament to the energy and vision of its volunteers,” said Susan E. Short, associate vice president for engagement. “With this transition, Virginia Tech is affirming its commitment to older learners and ensuring the program can continue to grow and thrive.”

Since its founding, LLI has partnered with CPE to support registration, payment processing, and webinar hosting, while volunteers led nearly every other aspect — from curriculum planning to event coordination. That model helped the program flourish, growing to more than 440 members across the New River Valley. But as participation increased, so did the need for additional support.

“Many of our volunteers were not only leading the program but also trying to enjoy retirement at the same time,” CPE Director Shelly Jobst said. “We realized the most sustainable path forward was to bring LLI fully into CPE’s portfolio so we could provide the infrastructure it needed while still honoring the volunteers who built it.”

Under the new structure, CPE will manage LLI’s administrative, marketing, logistical, and financial operations. Volunteers will continue to shape the program’s direction and course offerings, preserving the community spirit that has defined the institute from the start.

To reflect its expanded role within the university, the institute has also adopted a new name and visual identity; it had previously been known as the Lifelong Learning Institute at Virginia Tech.

Registration for the fall term opens at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 18 and will feature the institute’s largest offering to date — 81 courses, webinars, field trips, and special events.

“This transition opens up exciting opportunities to serve more learners and create even richer experiences,” Jobst said. “We’re proud to be part of a university that values learning at every stage of life.”