Enter any Wesley community before and after lunch, and you’ll see the hallways bustling. That’s because many residents are on their way to take a Wesley U in-person or Zoom class.
Nina Kinney of Wesley Des Moines is a self-professed Wesley U Super Fan. A resident since 2020, Nina moved to Wesley Des Moines from Juneau, Alaska, after her husband passed away. When she first visited Wesley, she noted how friendly the people were, and she liked that it was a nonprofit community. Because she moved to Des Moines during the pandemic and lockdown, she quickly realized taking classes was a good way to keep her mind active.
“When I moved in, I didn’t know anybody around here, and we had limited ways of meeting other people,” says Nina. “So, taking classes was a real fortunate thing for me.”
She started out with a memoir writing class that was taught by a published author. Nina says that participants were encouraged to journal and then share what they’d written with classmates. “That was a way of getting to know people,” she explains.
And many studies show the social and brain benefits of lifelong learning. As Ingrid Bianca Byerly mentions in her TEDx Talk, continuous learning helps keep our brains more agile because of the neural networks learning builds.
With Wesley U, class variety is king
Nina’s favorite types of classes are in the arts, but there are many more to choose from. Each semester, Wesley U releases a new brochure. The Spring 2025 catalog alone had 20 classes from which to choose. And they’re all free. According to Wesley U, each class is “designed for meaningful learning, interaction and personal growth with classes provided via Zoom and in-person at Wesley communities.”
Nina is currently taking “Geology of the National Parks”. She took this one right after a class about “Stolen Art and Reclamation” and another class about Japan called “Land of the Rising Sun”.
She also recalled how she really enjoyed a one-time class about Japanese gardens. It really stirred her interest. “I took a mindful meditation class through the Kubota Garden. We’re lucky that the Kubota family made a garden for us here,” says Nina.
As a lover of lifelong learning, Nina is enthusiastic about the classes offered at Wesley U. “Since Paula [Olson, manager of Wesley U] started running the Wesley U program, there’s been a huge variety of classes. Sometimes I’m signed up for almost every class,” she exclaims. “I’m interested in a lot of things.”
Classes are also a great way to meet other residents. “It’s nice because then you know you have something in common. And because classes are sponsored by the Foundation, they’re free!” she says.
How to take Wesley U classes
Wesley U classes come in a few different formats. Some, like Watercolor Painting, are a part of a series. Others are offered one-time only. Some classes, like the Watercolor Painting class, are in-person only, but Nina points out that those classes tend to fill up first.
Many classes are offered both in-person and via Zoom. And even if you miss a class, the Zoom classes are all taped for viewing later.
To “Zoom in” to a class, you can join from your computer, tablet or smartphone or even join other residents in a common room. Residents should check their campus activities calendar for a group Zoom viewing.
How to sign up for Wesley U classes
There are are variety of ways people can sign up for Wesley U classes, but the easiest way is to visit WesleyChoice.org/WesleyU and register online! Take a look at the course brochure first and see what topics interest you.
As for Nina, Wesley U classes are more than worth it. “There’s such a variety that the classes appeal to lots of people. I encourage people to look at the offerings, and just sign up for what you’re interested in,” she says. “You won’t regret it!”
For now, she’s mulling over a few new classes on offer. “There’s one on Northwest Raptor Field Identification that sounds interesting, and one called “How Beer Might Save Democracy”. That’s kind of an intriguing title. I’ll have to figure out which one to take. Or maybe I’ll just take both,” she considers. Wesley U continues to add subjects to its curriculum, often based on resident recommendations. Visit Wesley U to see what new programs are coming soon.