News and Events
The Nexel hosts a series of forums and focus group for those interested in exploring or collaborating with others on creating a Midlife Transition Program at their college or university. The majority of our meetings are exclusively for Nexel Members. If you wish to be notified about upcoming virtual public events, please click on the Contact button in the top right corner.
We invite you to become a part of this “best practices” collaborative by joining the Nexel and participating in one of our ongoing series of focus group meetings. These events are designed for participants to ask questions and brainstorm ideas, both practical and theoretical, and discuss models with leaders who have gone through the process of launching a midlife transition program on their campus, as well as those contemplating starting one. Discussion topics range from program design, budgeting, gaining administration and faculty buy-in, to recruiting the ‘right’ group of folks who would most benefit from this kind of opportunity. We welcome your thoughts and explore ways to develop regional partnerships with local schools and organizations, and expand community/alumni connections.
Past Public Meetings and Presentations:
February 2024: Winter Forum featured Chip Conley, in conversation with Mark Canada. The recording is available to members.
May 2023: Spring Forum focused on incorporating Purpose into the programs, with a keynote conversation with Dave Evans, discussing his experience teaching Designing Your Life to 7 DCI Cohorts. Recording available
January 2023: Presentation at AAC&U (American Association of Colleges and Universities) annual meeting, San Francisco, on Redefining College Age Through Educational Innovation
December 2022: Fall Forum was focused on the virtues and challenges of Intergenerational Learning, highlighting postsecondary schools with midlife transition programs, co-hosted with Oxford Next Horizons program. Recording available
March 2022: Winter Forum with a focus on age-inclusivity on campus, and examples of service to the community incorporated into current programs, co-hosted with Washington University in St Louis - Recording available
August 2021: “Designing a Midlife Transition Program” Forum, focus on public institutions, co-hosted with Indiana University Kokomo - Recording available
April 2021: “Meet the Nexel Collaborative” introductory meeting - Recording available
March 2021: Community College Focus Group - follow-up to ATD presentation
March 2021: Presentation at South by Southwest (SXSW) EDU online: Back to School at Midlife - Recording available
February 2021: Presentation at DREAM 2021, Achieving the Dream (ATD) annual convening, Orlando: Mind the Gap: Helping Adults in Midlife Avoid Falling Through the Cracks
October 2020: Virtual Focus Group, co-hosted with Boston College
April 2020: Virtual Focus Group, co-hosted with the University of Chicago
January 2020: Presentation at AAC&U (American Association of Colleges and Universities) annual meeting, Washington, DC: Longevity, Intergenerational Learning, and the Future of Higher Education
November 2019: Virtual Focus Group
July 2019: Presentation at AASCU (American Association of State Colleges and Universities) summer academic affairs meeting, Minneapolis, MN: College at Midlife Plus
Articles about College at Midlife
In the News:
Higher Ed Careers, 1/29/2024: The Rise of Mid-Life Transition Programs on College Campuses
MarketWatch, 1/3/2024: Retirement-reinvention programs can cost a fortune. These options slash the cost 90%
The Atlantic, 8/25/2023: The New Old Age: What a new life stage can teach the rest of us about how to find meaning and purpose—before it’s too late. - David Brooks
Yahoo Finance, 5/13/2023: Retirees seeking a second act turn to new adult education programs
Entreprise & Carrieres, 4/3/2023: Les cadres seniors américains fuient la retraite (English translation)
NPR Marketplace, 3/24/2023: If retirement isn’t your thing just yet, what about college?
PBS Newshour, 3/15/2023: Making the most of this intergenerational moment
WSJ, 2/23/2023: These Colleges Help Older Workers Plot Encore Careers
NPR Marketplace, 2/14/2023: Why Colleges may soon have more mid-career students
Forbes, 12/21/2022: Midlife Programs Move To Europe – As Longer Lives Merit A Midpoint Rethink
Wisdom Well, 12/9/2022: Will Mid-Lifers Save College Campuses?
Forbes, 11/18/2022: Next Chapter Matters – Two More Universities Launch Midlife Programs For Every Budget
Forbes, 9/28/2022: Old School: Midlife Transition Programs Take Off
The Latest Version Podcast, 10/4/2021: Finding Your Purpose on Campus
Forbes, 9/18/2021: Back To School At 60: Leaning In To Longevity
Stanford Social Innovation Review, 4/12/2021: Long-Life Learning and the Age-Integration of Higher Education
Market Watch, 3/15/2021: Once considered on the cusp of retirement, these people are taking a ‘gap year’ after successful careers
The New York Times, 9/2/2020: To Build Emotional Strength, Expand Your Brain
Higher Ed Dive, 1/27/2020: Can helping older adults find their ‘next act’ pay off for colleges?
Next Avenue, 1/13/2020: College Programs For Encore Careers Are Bubbling Up.
JAMA, 1/9/2020: A Prescription for Longevity in the 21st Century : Renewing Purpose, Building and Sustaining Social Engagement, and Embracing a Positive Lifestyle.
Kiplinger, 7/1/2019: 6 Steps to Finding Your Second Act in Retirement
Star Tribune, 2/16/19: New Post-Retirement Job: Making the World a Better Place
Next Avenue, 2/25/19: When Older Students and Younger Students Teach Each Other
Wall Street Journal, 12/28/17: Baby Boomers Looking for Reinvention Try College - Again.
