College for Older Adults
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
Connect, learn, and grow in a vibrant community of lifelong learners.
The College for Older Adults brings adults 50+ together for affordable, noncredit classes built around curiosity, connection, and the joy of learning. Courses cover a wide range of topics, including science, literature, history, philosophy, religion, nature, and more, often taught by retired teachers, professors, and community experts. With six-week spring and fall terms, participants can take the classes that interest them most, meet new people, and stay engaged in a welcoming community of lifelong learners, with no homework, grades, or tests. For more information contact Ed Morgan, em*****@******er.edu, 276-619-4377.
Fall 2026 Dates:
Registration Day – September 3
Term dates – September 15-October 22
A Sneak Peak at Fall Classes
Discover the Natural Heritage of Appalachia
Explore native grasslands, river cane, dragonflies, mushrooms, birds of prey, black bears, and more through our popular Natural Heritage Series.
Travel the World Without Leaving Southwest Virginia
Join Eileen Garner and fellow College for Older Adults students as they share stories and photos from destinations around the world.
Explore Literature and the Human Experience
Theresa Burriss returns with Looking at Suffering Through a Literary Lens, a thought-provoking exploration of literature and the human experience.
Build Your Digital Skills
Gain confidence using smartphones, computers, and other everyday technology through approachable digital literacy classes.
CLASS INFORMATION
- Some Special Classes may require an additional fee for materials, supplies or admission. Do not include that fee in your COA registration- It is to be paid separately. To take Special Classes, you must be a COA member paying the full $40.00 fee. Please make checks out as described in the course description.
- We encourage you to pay the COA membership fee by credit card. Should you require a refund the COA can quickly refund the registration fee. If you pay by either check or cash, it may take several weeks (and an act of Congress) to obtain a refund. No refunds will be made after the second week of classes unless there are valid health or personal reasons.
- Room assignments listed in this schedule may not be the ultimate room where the class is held. Room assignments can change due to size of class enrollments, and occasional unforeseen conflicts with other events at the Higher Education Center. Please check daily the room assignment on posted notices.
- A local caterer plans to offer a grab and go lunch during the one-hour break for COA students and others in the building, (first come, first served). They will publish their menu.
- Transportation options are published here: https://district-three.org/index.php/Town-of-Abingdon NOTE: The Center has no control over the District Three bus schedule, its employees, their webpage and other publications, or anything other than providing a bus stop in the parking lot in front of the building.
- Schedule changes due to inclement weather are announced on our website (www.swcenter.edu), on WCYB-TV, and via text alert (if you sign up for it at https://goo.gl/waa48N). Please use your best judgment as to whether or not you can get here safely.
- In the event of an emergency, please evacuate the building in an orderly manner. The elevator will not be operational. If you need assistance, go to the stairwell and wait for assistance. Please do not open the door in the stairwell at the west end of the building EXCEPT in an emergency.
- COA Motto: We must be patient with one another.
- For more information, contact Ed Morgan by email at em*****@******er.edu or (276) 619-4377.
CLASS HIGHLIGHTS
Explore Our Class Recordings and Discover What COA Students Are Learning!
COA News
Fall Classes at SWVA Higher Ed Center Explore Appalachia’s Natural and Cultural Heritage
From forgotten grasslands and river cane to black bears, mushrooms and Appalachian modernism, a new lineup of fall classes at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center will invite residents to see the region from new perspectives. The six-week classes begin...
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