Enrichment Program

Fall 2024 Registration is Now Open

The Enrichment Program fosters an active community of lifelong learners, offering a diverse range of over 60 classes and lectures available each term.

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Celebrating Over 20 Years of Quenching Curiosity

Connect locally or to the world and engage in dynamic lectures and multi-week courses led by esteemed faculty. The Enrichment Program fosters an active community of lifelong learners, offering a diverse range of over 60 classes and lectures available each term. Accessible both in-person and via Zoom, our program is tailored to accommodate your busy schedule. Whether you’re a working professional, parent, student, retiree, or simply eager to explore new interests, we invite you to join us in expanding your knowledge in topics that captivate your curiosity.

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Celebrating Over 20 Years of Quenching Curiosity

Feed Your Curiosity (FYC) Series – FREE on Zoom

Discover something new every evening for free! This lecture series showcases fall instructors discussing topics they are passionate about, distinct from their upcoming term subjects. Two lectures are offered each evening. Register for one evening or all four.

Feed Your Curiosity Schedule

Mon., Aug. 26 – Thur., Aug. 29
7-9 pm MT

Open to all curious learners.

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Intergenerational Exploration

Digging Deeper Together: Minecraft-Inspired Geology Expedition, Scavenger Hunt and Field Trip

One In-Person Session
Sun., Nov., 10, 2-4 pm MT

Bridge the generational divide by bringing a younger learner to class to share your childhood memories of rock collecting or geological expeditions. In return, your partner will share their excitement for the rock and mineral-inspired video game Minecraft. Spend an afternoon of mutual learning at the Mines Museum of Earth Science, exploring exhibits and embarking on a fun scavenger hunt together. This program is designed for school-age children and an adult, with one registration covering both participants.

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Enrichment Program students enjoying an R1 lecture on Human Robot Interaction offered earlier this year.

R1: Research With Impact Lecture Series – FREE on campus

The University of Denver holds the highest level of research designation possible from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, joining a small and prestigious list of other Research 1 (R1) classified universities in the U.S. Experience the scholarship of cutting-edge research with free lectures each term.

R1 Research With Impact Lectures Coming This Fall

All lectures meet on campus from 6:30-8:00 pm MT.

Thur., Sept. 19

The Air We Breathe: Understanding Air Quality Monitoring and Mitigation

Dr. Jing Li, associate professor of geospatial science

Thur., Oct. 10

Understanding the Dynamics of Race and Gender Biases

Dr. Paige Lloyd, assistant professor of psychology

Wed., Nov. 13

Impactful Relationships: Understanding the Human-Animal Connection

Dr. Kevin Morris, Executive Director Institute for Human-Animal Connection and associate research professor, Graduate School of Social Work

Meet Our Instructors

When Everything Can Be Mapped, Maps are Everything

Joseph Kerski is hard to miss. He most often wears a sharp navy vest, boldly colored glasses, and an animated, bouncing enthusiasm for what he does. Kerski wants you to adore maps as much as he does.

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Dr. Kerski will teach Mapping the Future this fall.

The Musical Mind of Betsy Schwarm

“Passion” may be an overused word, but it perfectly describes how Betsy Schwarm feels about classical music.

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Betsy Schwarm will teach Beethoven’s Symphonic Vision: an Evolution Story this fall

Travel through the Lens of Scott Dressel-Martin

For most people, photos from travel are a way to vividly recall a unique and exciting experience. For Scott Dressel-Martin, photos can be much more. “The goal of this class is to inspire people to maybe shoot a little more, shoot a little differently,” he says. “I want people to view the world with wider eyes when they go traveling.”

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Buie Seawell Makes the Big Ideas Fun

Buie Seawell has a Jimmy Carter-esque blend of humility, idealism, Southern elegance and jovial humor. That alone would make him a terrific instructor. But when you add his decades-long experience in politics, social justice, the environment, media, law, and ethics you have a fan favorite whose classes never fail to please.

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Andrea Stanton Illuminates Islam in the U.S.

Stanton is a historian, not a theologian, and says that gives her a unique lens on Islam as a force in people’s lives.

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Finding Your Fun with David Thomas

David Thomas may have the ultimate dream job: his LinkedIn profile reads “professor of fun.”

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Hear From Our Students

Enrichment Program students appreciate the opportunity to pursue lifelong learning at the University of Denver, where quality instruction meets outstanding facilities. Hear what our students have to say …

Mary and Chuck Metzger

“We have been thrilled with the program over the years and feel fortunate to have connected with DU in this way. These classes enrich our lives. We always sign up for Betsy Schwarm’s courses since the topics of travel and music combine our two biggest interests. We are lifetime learners, treasuring new knowledge along our journey.”

Abby Cox

“I absolutely loved the History of the British Monarchy class — it couldn’t have been more timely. The class was not only enjoyable and engaging but also incredibly informative. Additionally, I have a strong appreciation for the literature courses, where we delve into a book and then collectively experience a play or movie related to the topic. The blend of traditional lectures and experiential learning truly enhances the overall educational experience.”

Melodye Turke

“I love the Enrichment classes because they keep my mind active and engaged. After 20 years the Enrichment Program has become an important part of my life.”

Meloyde is the Enrichment Program’s highest enroller of classes over its 20 years (has taken more than 130 courses since 2003).

Lori and Rudy Melena

“The students in Enrichment classes aren’t coming for a grade; they’re there for the love of learning, and so everyone is really involved with the classes and willing to participate. It’s just a great feeling.”

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Annette Fear

“I always look forward to the Enrichment Program because of the small class size taught by a distinguished professor with authoritative knowledge. The program has interesting topics with a wide range of diversity for everyone. I always come away with an ‘Ah ha moment.’”

Registration Information

Enrichment Program students may enroll and pay for non-credit classes online or by telephone by calling our Student Support Center. To register for a class the day it begins, please contact Student Support for assistance.

The Student Support team can be reached at 303-871-2291 and can answer questions Mon.-Fri., 8:30 am-4:30 pm MT.

When registering for more than one person, please create separate online registrations/accounts or register by phone. Enrollments are filled on a “first come, first served” basis. Auditing a non-credit class provided by the Enrichment Program is not an option. Payment for classes is due upon enrollment and may be made by cash, credit card (MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover), or check.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations, Withdrawals, and Refunds: Please be aware that your spot in class may prevent someone else from enrolling. Because of this, our policy is as follows: A 100% refund is given to students who contact the Student Support Center at least seven days before the first class meeting. Students who withdraw from a course after this time will not receive a refund.

The Enrichment Program cannot provide refunds, transfer payments, or offer makeup sessions for classes missed as a result of illnesses, job losses, or other personal emergencies. If a class session is cancelled due to instructor illness, it will be rescheduled. If students are unable to attend the make-up session, a partial refund may be considered. If, however, an entire course is cancelled, a full refund will be issued.

Apply for an Enrichment Program Scholarship

The Enrichment Program is pleased to offer a limited number of partial scholarships towards the cost of one Enrichment course.

Enrichment Program Scholarship Requirements

Limited to one scholarship per qualifying student per calendar year.
Scholarships no greater than 50% off course price for qualifying courses.
Early application is suggested as funds are limited.
Final decisions on awards will be made no later than two-to-three weeks prior to start of class.
Applicants will be notified by phone or email if a scholarship is granted.
Based on course availability.

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Give to the Scholarship

Help spread the joy of learning for the love of it and donate to the Enrichment Program scholarship fund.

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