inter is a time of reflection. As one year ends and another begins, we often take inventory of our accomplishments, examine our losses, and commit new life lessons to long-term memory. This act of self-reflection invariably forces us to ask ourselves what we’ve learned, giving way to the more significant question: What have we yet to learn? It’s a challenging question that each of us answers differently.

One thing many students in Continuing Studies have in common is a shared belief in ongoing education. For some, that mantra has never resonated more deeply than now, as the disruptions these past few years have forced us to confront the question of how best to prepare ourselves for the future. Whether we’re seeking career advancement, choosing healthier lifestyle habits, or simply satiating a curiosity, the choices we make for education represent the investments we make in our future selves and create the path for moving forward.

This winter’s courses, like each quarter, also share a commonality: a belief that they should help our students realize their personal pursuits and interests. While every course is enriching, a few demonstrably capture the spirit of reinvention and growth. Raj Bhargava’s course “Your Next Life Chapter: A Design Thinking and Behavioral Science-Based Approach” is perfect for those who find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads in life. Richard Kim’s course, “Making High-Quality Decisions: A Practical Guide to Decision Analysis,” a course with a mix of math, philosophy, and gut instinct, may be helpful to those looking to navigate personal and professional situations more effectively. Ronjon Nag’s “A Crash Course in AI” provides an approachable starting point for those interested in understanding artificial intelligence, its history, underlying technology, and how it may impact them.

Having been in data science for a decade now, I often use data as a lens to help interpret the world around me. (Note: I score highly on the “Type 5” of the Enneagram, a course we’re also offering this quarter by Suzanne Taylor.) Fives tend to be analytical and investigative. Those are valuable skills when trying to understand the changing patterns in course enrollments quarter to quarter. Some of those insights have been quite surprising. Interest in our data science, machine learning, and AI courses has seen substantial growth over the past several quarters, and we continue to offer a battery of courses ranging from beginning programming to the implementation of large language models. What’s unique about our version of these courses is that they’re taught by live instructors who emphasize helping people become better overall problem solvers instead of simply mastering single-task competencies. Who teaches you matters, and our business, technology, and data science instructors are valued for their expertise and deep knowledge in solving real-world challenges.

We’ve also seen a steady interest in our liberal arts, communication, and creative writing courses. Even in this modern day, with questions around how generative AI may impact the production of art and prose, classic authors such as Milton and Tolstoy—two retrospective courses we’re offering this quarter—are still as relevant as ever. I interpret the data to mean that fulfilling one’s obligations to oneself mustn’t be formulaic but authentic for the individual. That is precisely why our curriculum constantly evolves, much like our students.

Whether you’re looking for a new direction in your career or want to create room in your life to indulge in a personal interest, every course you take is an investment in yourself. Investing in oneself is a high-yielding venture, and the dividends are endless. We hope you continue making that investment and wish you the best in your academic pursuits.

Warm Regards,