Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is officially launching the Lifelong University program across all 33 U.S.-based Belmont Village Senior Living communities, expanding access to university-level learning for older adults.
Beginning in October, the launch marks a new phase in a partnership that began with a pilot program several years ago and gradually expanded from 12 communities to Belmont Village’s entire national network.
Lifelong University brings faculty- and expert-led virtual courses to retirement community residents, pairing academic presentations with interactive discussions and activities facilitated by trained community staff. The program offers an opportunity for residents to explore new subjects, exchange ideas and build social connections through shared learning experiences.
“We believe learning is not a temporary stage of life — it is a lifelong pursuit,” said Robert Bruce, dean of the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. “Lifelong University embodies that belief, bringing university-caliber learning directly to older adults and removing barriers — whether that’s age, physical mobility or location.”
The program was developed to make high-quality educational experiences more accessible to older adults in residential communities. Its interdisciplinary curriculum has covered subjects ranging from Art Deco architecture to the study of ant behavior, giving residents opportunities to engage with topics across a variety of academic fields.
Patricia Will, founder and CEO of Belmont Village Senior Living, said the partnership combines Rice’s academic expertise with Belmont Village’s experience serving older adults.
“Rice and Belmont Village share a fundamental belief that learning should not have an expiration date,” Will said. “Rice brings extraordinary academic resources and expertise, while Belmont brings nearly 30 years of experience understanding older adults from how they engage and what interests them, along with how programming can be successfully integrated into a senior living environment.”
The program’s development has been shaped by feedback from residents and staff, who have helped Rice refine the curriculum and delivery model. Belmont Village team members receive custom training from the Glasscock School to facilitate group participation and help residents engage with course material beyond the virtual lectures.
Since the pilot began, participation has expanded alongside growing interest from residents and Rice faculty members seeking to teach in the program. The initiative has also introduced creative workshops, offering additional ways for residents to learn and interact.
For Mercedes Kerr, president of Belmont Village Senior Living, the program reflects changing expectations among older adults, many of whom seek opportunities for continued intellectual engagement and social connection in retirement.
“Our residents bring decades of experience to the table,” Kerr says. “They have been business leaders, educators, scientists, physicians, artists and professionals across countless fields. Many have traveled the world and lived through extraordinary periods of history. Lifelong University recognizes that these are not passive students. They bring tremendous knowledge and perspective to the experience themselves, and that exchange makes the learning even richer.”
The formalized partnership establishes a foundation for continued program development, including an expanded syllabus and opportunities to incorporate additional interactive formats. Rice uses resident and staff surveys to evaluate the program and inform improvements.
While Lifelong University will be exclusively hosted at Belmont Village Senior Living for the 2026-27 academic year, the Glasscock School is actively inviting new partners to express interest for launches beginning as early as fall 2027.
“My hope is that Lifelong University becomes a nationally recognized benchmark for how higher education institutions partner with senior living communities,” Bruce said. “Now that our program pilot is complete, I am excited for all 33 U.S.-based Belmont Village communities, coast to coast, to experience the full Lifelong University and look forward to providing this opportunity to additional communities.”
To learn more, visit continue.rice.edu/lifelong-university.
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