GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2018 21 By Alicia Wanek There’s a term floating around the Internet called “awakening.” Of course that can mean waking up from sleep, but this term stems from Webster’s alternate meaning, “an act or moment of suddenly becoming aware of something.” One website says the goal is “to help others believe in themselves, to help them break through their limiting beliefs and to start living life limitlessly…to awaken people to their true potential.” Often we are limited by our belief that we’re too old for _____________. Perhaps it’s time to awaken your mind to something new by going back to school. It really isn’t too late. Rose Galloway, Associate Vice President of Workforce and Continuing Education at Richland College says, “We need to stay viable and relevant with a willingness to learn something new.” Richland College, the largest school within the Dallas County Community College District has approximately 20,000 credit- seeking students, but they are also proud of their 5,000 non-credit seeking students. These students are all working to expand their knowledge, whether it be to start a new career, improve their skills in their current field, learn something to help their daily lives or just to expand their horizons. The Continuing Education department offers courses in six program clusters. Allied health includes pharmacy tech or medical assistantcertifications. Businessstudentsmightbeworkingontheir license in real estate or early childhood. Information technology allows students to improve their skills in coding or to get their Cisco certification. English as a Second Language and adult literacy programs are offered through the language cluster. You can even learn guitar or dog obedience through the community cluster. For students over the age of 50, the Emeritus program is designed specifically with the older population in mind. Rose assures every student that they’ll feel perfectly comfortable on campus. “We have a VERY diverse student population,” she says. “Continuing Education offers something at whatever stage in life you’re in. What’s neat about Continuing Ed is we see all walks of life.” You may be looking for something to keep you busy now that your kids have left the nest or you’re trying to keep technology from passing you by. Just know, the sky’s the limit. Editor’s Note: For information on Richland’s continuing education programs, go to www.richlandcollege.edu. Photo courtesy of GrrrowlersTap Room and Beer Garden LEARNING IS LIFELONG