Lee University’s Encore Program, which gives people age 60 and over the opportunity to take university courses, has announced its fall 2026 offerings.

For a fee of $25, students may choose up to two courses from a wide-ranging selection, covering topics ranging from wellness, the arts, history, science, and faith to literature, travel, culture, technology, personal development, and beyond.

This fall’s Encore schedule features the following courses:

In the Ancient Rome class, students will examine the Roman World in antiquity from the Etruscans through the end of the Western Empire. Participants will explore how politics, society, culture, and economics shaped the Roman experience from city-state to empire. Taught by David Schlosser, this 10-week course meets on Wednesdays from 12:25-1:15 p.m., beginning August 26.

Around the World Serving God’s Children is a photographic and story-filled course guided by the instructor’s experiences serving in countries around the world, including Iraq, Vietnam, Morocco, and Senegal, among others. Participants will hear accounts of courage and resilience highlighted by the natural, historical, and cultural beauty of the countries where these stories took place. The seven-week class, led by Tom Shiflet, will take place on Thursdays from 4-5 p.m., beginning August 27.

A course written for the female perspective, The Book of Ruth: A Redemption Story will be a verse-by-verse study of the Old Testament book of Ruth. This discussion-oriented class will use Scripture to interpret Scripture, encouraging optional participation among its participants. The six-week course is taught by Becky P. Gregory and will be held on Tuesdays from 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m., beginning September 1.

Students in Couch to 5K Running & Walking will learn about fitness, nutrition, hydration, strength, breathing, form, and intervals while training for the 5K at the Cleveland Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races on October 24. Students should be prepared to walk and run outside during class with appropriate athletic shoes and clothes. Brittany Katz will lead this 10-week course meeting on Tuesdays from 8-9 a.m., beginning August 18.

Dead Presidents Society offers an in-depth exploration of U.S. presidents from George Washington to George Bush, focusing on their lives, families, leadership styles, and historic sites. Designed to be interactive and non-political, the course includes a day trip to Nashville and Columbia, Tennessee. Led by Cameron Fisher, this six-week course takes place on Tuesdays from 4-5:15 p.m., starting September 8.

The Esther Letters course utilizes the Whispered Epistles series, which follows the lives of 14 women from the Old Testament to the New Testament. This first installment will focus on Queen Esther’s story as told in the book of Esther. Taught by Jillian Corley, the seven-week class will be held on Thursdays from 1:30-3 p.m., beginning August 27.

Fit4Life: Senior Strength is a group fitness class tailored to older adults, focusing on improving strength, energy, balance, and flexibility. Open to all fitness levels, the program promotes physical health, mental well-being, and the social benefits of exercising in a supportive group setting. This 10-week course is led by Kendra Gray and will meet on Tuesdays from 5:15-6:05 p.m., beginning September 8.

Fit4Life: Morning Movement is a group fitness class designed to help older adults build strength and energy, improve balance and flexibility, and start the day with movement and community. The course promotes both physical and mental well-being and is open to all fitness levels. This 10-week course is also led by Gray and will take place on Thursday mornings from 6:15-7:05 a.m., beginning September 10.

Fun French! is a course of francophone history, language, and culture as found in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Caribbean, and Oceania. The class is structured to teach participants simple, modern French to build their communication skills utilizing a variety of media. Taught by Dr. James D. Wilkins, this six-week course will meet on Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m., beginning September 1.

Great Doctrines of the Bible will cover major biblical doctrines as found in Scripture. The course will cover The Doctrine of God, The Doctrine of Heaven, The Doctrine of Salvation, The Doctrine of the Church, and The Doctrine of Last Things, among others. This seven-week course will be taught by Dr. Henry Smith and meet on Mondays from 5-6:30 p.m., beginning September 14.

Grief & Loss introduces key concepts in counseling psychology, with a focus on current research and theories of bereavement. Grief therapy is presented as a specialized approach that supports healing as a natural response to loss. Taught by Lena Barber, this four-week course will meet on Tuesdays from 2-4 p.m., beginning September 1.

Hard Sayings of the Bible: Part 2 examines a series of biblical passages that have generally troubled or stumped scholars, pastors, and laypeople either interpretively, theologically, or otherwise. The class will begin in Genesis and work canonically through each biblical book where difficult passages appear. Dr. Brian Peterson will teach this seven-week course on Wednesdays from 3:45-4:45 p.m., starting August 19.

The iHows in the iWorld: A Guide to the iPhone and iPad will introduce novice users to the world of iPads and iPhones. The course will cover the basics of navigation, settings, email, social media, FaceTime, AirDrop, messaging, taking pictures and videos, as well as features provided with recent updates. Taught by Dr. Bill Jaber, the class will meet on Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m., beginning September 1.

I Made That! Acrylic Painting for Everyone is a relaxed acrylic painting class for beginners and experienced painters alike. Participants will be taught techniques that make painting easier and seek to build their confidence. At the end of each step-by-step class, students will have an 11″ x 14″ canvas painting to take home. Taught by Corley, the five-week class will take place on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., beginning October 21.

Introducing: Your Brain offers an overview of the human brain and its role in shaping behavior. Topics include brain structure and function, neural communication, language, sleep and dreams, and the impact of drugs on the brain. This five-week course, taught by Dr. Robert Fisher, will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:15-2:30 p.m., starting September 1.

Introduction to American Sign Language, taught by Faithlynn Hall, will provide participants with basic expressive and receptive skill development in American Sign Language and foundational knowledge of Deaf culture. The course will cover vocabulary units on greetings and emotions, colors, transportation and living, physical traits, and personality, as well as basic ASL grammar. The eight-week course will take place on Wednesdays from 5-6:15 p.m., beginning August 19.

Introduction to Pickleball teaches the fundamentals of pickleball, including basic rules and essential skills. Designed for beginners, it introduces the fastest-growing sport in America. Led by Gina Simpson, this six-week course meets on Tuesdays at the YMCA Cleveland from 10:45-11:45 a.m., beginning August 25.

Pickleball 1 and Pickleball 2, both led by Simpson and hosted at the YMCA Cleveland, are designed for players who already know the rules and want to improve their skills while enjoying a fun, social, and less competitive setting. These six-week courses are offered at two different times for the convenience of students. Pickleball 1 will meet on Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m., beginning August 25, and Pickleball 2 will meet on Thursdays from 3-4 p.m., beginning August 27.

It’s the New South and Cleveland Y’all explores the modern Southern United States, examining its people, economy, politics, culture, religion, and health. Open to newcomers and longtime residents, the class provides a comprehensive look at the region’s evolving identity. Dr. Karen Mundy-Judkins and Dr. Ben Judkins will teach this five-week course meeting on Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m., starting October 27.

Just a Little Rocket Science is a course designed for beginners that introduces programming using simple visual coding tools. Students will learn the basics of computational thinking in a relaxed, supportive environment by building interactive games, apps, and other small projects. Taught by Shiflet, the eight-week course will meet on Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m., beginning August 25.

Latin American and Caribbean Culture and Documentary explores the cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean through the lens of documentary film and media. Through critical viewing, discussion, and analysis, the course engages themes such as colonialism, migration, race, politics, religion, and everyday life. Students will also reflect on issues of representation, voice, and perspective in the construction of cultural narratives. The five-week course will be led by Dr. Alexander Steffanell and will meet on Mondays from 2:20-3:05 p.m., beginning August 31.

Participants taking Lessons from Theo!, taught by Lynne Tellschow, will read the New York Times bestselling novel “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi over a period of six weeks. Each week, the class will come together to discuss, process, reflect, and question the powerful themes presented by author Allen Levi. The course will start on October 13 and meet on Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m.

Science and Society: The Adventures and Misadventures of Modern Science will discuss the issues of modern science as it pertains to the public good. Participants will first consider science as a way of looking at the world, including its Western origins and the logic of science, before looking at both cases where science has succeeded and failed. Taught by Mundy-Judkins and Judkins, the five-week course will meet Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m., beginning on September 15.

Signs of the Last Days: Theological Explorations in New Testament Eschatology, taught by Dr. Dony K. Donev, is a five-part introductory-level course in biblical eschatology (the science of last things). The class will pay special attention to prophetic signs and developments as viewed through Scripture covering topics such as New Testament prophetic literature, the Seven Churches in Revelation, and the historical development of rapture theory. The 10-week course will meet on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., starting on August 20.

A Taste of Thai Culture offers students a journey through Thailand, presenting Thai culture, language, and cuisine. Part of each class will also be set aside to pray for Thailand and its people. The class will culminate with a Thai dinner at Fuji Teriyaki Express in Cleveland. Taught by Dr. Jo Ann Higginbotham, the four-week class will meet on Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m., beginning September 1.

Teacher Tales is designed for teachers – retired or active – or anyone who loves teacher stories. The class shares weekly teacher tales on topics like first days, relationships, parent conferences, and discipline. Participants will share their own written and oral stories in a fun and cathartic environment. This six-week course, led by Frank Lear, meets Thursdays from 6-7 p.m., starting August 20.

Tennessee in Tennis Shoes: A Traveling History Course, led by Dr. David Altopp, includes visits to historical sites and points of interest in Tennessee, Georgia, or Alabama. Potential destinations include the Sergeant York State Historic Park, Cumberland Playhouse (The Addams Family), Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Sights and Sounds Theater, Alcatraz East, Big South Fork Scenic Railway, and a possible Christmas trip. Final travel dates and site selections will be announced at the informational meeting being held Thursday, Aug. 20, at 4 p.m. in Room 113 of the School of Theology & Ministry.

Those Other Religions is a course designed to be comparative, informative, and conversational, providing an opportunity to learn about other religions from a Christian viewpoint. Though neither a professor nor a theologian, instructor Frank Lear has organized information from both Bible studies and personal study to make it accessible and easy to follow. The seven-week class will take place on Thursdays from 6-7 p.m., starting October 1.

In Turn Your Life Story Into a Book: A 90-Day Plan Using AI, participants will learn how to organize their memories, shape their story, and begin writing their own book utilizing AI tools. This course is designed for beginners who want to preserve their story, reflect on their life journey, and create something to share with others. No prior writing or technical experience is required. Led by Dr. Tony Colson, this four-week course will take place on Mondays from 5:30-6:20 p.m., beginning September 28.

Watercolor Painting for Beginners will introduce students to the basic techniques of the medium through both teacher-guided and self-paced projects. The course is designed to build students’ skills with the goal of creating individual compositions that reflect the developing artists’ style. Taught by Mary Ann Poplin, the eight-week class will be held on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m., beginning September 1.

Watercolor Painting for Intermediate Painters, also taught by Poplin, will continue the study for students with previous experience in this medium. It will review the basics, as well as continue to develop a variety of watercolor painting techniques and skills. The eight-week course will begin on September 1 and take place on Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m.

Zumba Gold is a fun, low-impact dance fitness class designed specifically for active older adults looking for a gentler approach to the popular Zumba program. This class uses easy-to-follow dance moves to improve cardiovascular fitness, balance, flexibility, and coordination. No dance experience necessary. Taught by Christina Hartgraves, this 10-week course takes place on Wednesdays from 9-9:45 a.m., starting August 19.

Zumba Gold Chair, also taught by Hartgraves, is a fun and engaging seated dance fitness class designed for active older adults, individuals with limited mobility, or anyone who prefers a low-impact workout from the comfort of a chair. This class provides a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, coordination, and muscle tone. This 10-week course will meet on Wednesdays from 10-10:45 a.m., beginning August 19.

Email and mail-in registration for the Encore Program is now open. Completed registration forms and payment may be submitted to the Encore Office by mail or email. Once registrations are processed, participants will receive confirmation along with instructions for completing course registration.

In-person registration will be held August 17-18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first floor of the Monument Building, 781 N. Ocoee Street. Registration closes September 1.

Seating is limited for all classes and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Email and mail-in registrations received before in-person registration begins will be processed in the order they are received.

Lee University’s Encore Program is part of the institution’s commitment to serving the community.

For more information or to request a registration packet, contact [email protected] or visit leeuniversity.edu/encore.