Great Falls College MSU Lifelong Learning has new name, new classes
By Erin Granger
Great Falls College MSU News Service
GREAT FALLS – Heather Palermo jokes that her standard line when she meets someone new is “do you want to teach a class for me?”
Palermo is the new director of Lifelong Learning at Great Falls College Montana State University. In her new position, one of her goals is to expand the classes Lifelong Learning offers, hence her constant inquiry to find new instructors.
Heather Palermo is the new director of Lifelong Learning at Great Falls College MSU.
Heather Palermo
Director of Lifelong Learning at Great Falls College MSU
If someone answers, “no,” her next question is, “do you want to take a class from us?,” because more than likely Lifelong Learning offers something that will interest them.
Classes range from gluten-free cooking and rock climbing to discount travel and business skills. Palermo strives to have classes for everyone.
“We serve people from about 7 years old on up,” Palermo said.
Lifelong Learning recently underwent a name change. It was previously called Outreach and was part of the College’s community relations department.
Lifelong Learning is now a stand-alone division within the college.
“The new name reflects more of what we’re doing,” Palermo said. “Learning doesn’t stop at a degree or at a job. Learning is something that can happen throughout your life.”
And Great Falls College MSU’s Lifelong Learning division is there to help facilitate that learning, whether a person wants to pick up skills that will serve them in the workplace or learn new hobbies.
“Our primary focus is on our community enrichment classes, which is the fun stuff like cooking or ice skating,” Palermo said.
However, Lifelong Learning also offers professional development classes. Those include business skills such as critical thinking and change management, as well as CPR for healthcare providers and license renewal credits for teachers.
Palermo is new to the Lifelong Learning Director position. In fact, the two other Lifelong Learning staff members are also new.
“We’re all new, which is exciting because we can create our own path,” Palermo said. “One of our goals is to expand and improve course offerings.”
Palermo comes to the college from The Wendt Agency, a full-service advertising agency in Great Falls where she worked as Client Services Manager. However, she previously worked at Great Falls College MSU as executive assistant to the dean from 2006 to 2012.
Lifelong Learning classes are offered through a partnership with Great Falls Public Schools.
Tom Hayes, center, follows a recipe with his children Wyeth, left, and Ella, during a candy making class offered through Great Falls College MSU Lifelong Learning
“They provide financial support to us and space,” Palermo explained. “Some of our instructors are public school teachers. We are lucky to have a partner with GFPS.”
Currently, GFC MSU Lifelong Learning serves about 2,000 people per year.
Most of the classes are offered at Great Falls College MSU, but some are held at Paris Gibson Education Center or North Middle School.
GFC MSU has also partnered with local businesses to offer classes. Access Fitness is offering a four-week fitness seminar that covers working out, nutrition, using the gym and exercising at home.
The Hi-Line Climbing Center is offering a rock climbing course, and Electric City Coffee is hosting a series of cooking classes.
In all, Lifelong Learning’s spring lineup includes about 120 classes.
“Some are hugely popular,” Palermo said. “They’ll fill up.”
That means people should register early for classes. The Lifelong Learning spring catalogue is available online at gfcmsu.edu/lifelonglearning. Registration can be done online, by calling Lifelong Learning at 406-268-3734, or in person at Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16th Ave. S.
Palermo is always eager to hear suggestions for classes. Contact her at [email protected] or 406-268-3734
The Great Falls College MSU catalog is now available online at www.gfcmsu.edu/lifelong learning.
