OLLI at WMU members attend a course

Become an Instructor

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Western Michigan University welcomes individuals from various backgrounds to join us as instructors. Whether you are currently instructing, have experience as a teacher or professor, or are someone with a fascinating career or unique interests you're eager to share, we invite you to become a part of our community. We value the diverse perspectives and knowledge our instructors bring, enriching the learning experience for everyone. The Institute is constantly seeking new instructors to introduce fresh learning opportunities to our members.

To become an instructor, start by completing the online Course Proposal Form linked below. This form will ask for your personal information, details about the course content, and logistical aspects such as preferred class size, location, and room requirements. You can fill out the form at your convenience; it allows you to save your progress and return at any time. Navigate freely through the form, making edits as necessary. Your submission is considered final only after you agree to WMU’s Civility Statement. Once you have completed your course proposal form, you will receive a response summary and have the option to download your final form as PDF.

If you have any questions about becoming an instructor or completing this form, please contact the Institute.

Proposal Submission Deadlines:

  • Apr 1 for Fall semester (September - November)

  • Sep 1 for Winter/Spring semester (February - April)

  • Dec 1 for Summer semester (June - July)

Course Proposal Form questions include:

  • Your semester preference (please note the deadlines for submission)
  • Contact Information (Name, address, phone, email)
  • Whether you will be having an additional instructor or guest speaker
  • A proposed course title, detailed course description and instructor bio
  • Modality preference (online, in-person, or hybrid)
  • Your maximum class size
  • All instructional and classroom technology needs
  • Required instructional materials
  • Your schedule preference (days, times, number of sessions and any dates you would prefer)
  • Whether you will need a parking permit

Click the button below to download the Instructor Handbook.

Instructor handbook