Skip to main content

Current Classes

Welcome! 

1) Read through the catalog to see what interests you. You can also search for classes below using our search tool. All University Express classes are free and either in-person or virtual using Webex. Some of the in-person classes will be livestreamed on-site and you will be able to log on and watch from home. This is the first time we are offering this option. We ask that you please be patient and understanding if issues arise. Be sure to visit us here regularly for the latest schedule and list of recordings!

2) Register for the classes that interest you.

Virtual Classes: Visit our Virtual Classes page to register for the classes you want to virtually attend. You’ll receive an email confirming your registration status after registering. You can call our office for assistance if you do not have internet access.

In-Person Classes: Call the location where the in-person class is offered and reserve your spot ahead of time. Consider making a lunch or dinner reservation too so you can enjoy our Stay Fit Dining meals either before or after the class! Lunch and dinner reservations must be made at least one week in advance. We will be uploading schedules for each location in the near future! 

3) Make sure you have the right technology. You can access the virtual classes from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You may also phone in if you’d just like to listen to the presentation. 

4) Participate in the classes you registered for!

Virtual Classes: Once your registration is accepted, you will receive email reminders before the class(es) start that you can join from. 

In-Person Classes: Make sure you called the location ahead of time to register. Be sure to follow all safety guidelines at the location you are attending.

Date - Time Topic Course Description Instructor Location Category

2:00 PM
Estate Planning and Asset Protection

This presentation will focus on the importance of Estate Planning for purposes of avoiding probate and to protect assets from future long-term care costs, such as nursing homes, and to assist with qualifying for Medicaid.

Daniel Schuller, Esq

North Park Branch Library

Law & Finance

2:00 PM
Geology of WNY

Western New York boasts some of the most dynamic and world-renowned geological features in North America, shaped by hundreds of millions of years of ancient seas, tectonic shifts, and massive carving glaciers. In this course, we will look beyond the surface to understand the literal foundation of our region. Discover how the towering layers of the Niagara Escarpment were formed, how the spectacular Niagara Gorge serves as a timeline of our recent glacial past, and how local rock formations influence everything from our landscape to our regional history. We will also highlight how sites like Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve allow us to step directly onto these ancient layers. Perfect for hikers, nature lovers, and anyone curious about the massive forces that sculpted the hills, valleys, and waterways of WNY.

Brian C. Steinberg

West Seneca Public Library

Register to Attend Online

Natural Science

10:00 AM
Cut the Cord - Learn How to Start Streaming & Use Over-The-Air TV Technologies to save money while keeping your favorite shows

This course walks you through the steps of transitioning from traditional cable TV to modern streaming services and over-the-air (OTA) broadcasting. Whether you're looking to save money, gain more control over your viewing choices, or simply modernize your entertainment setup, you'll learn practical strategies to make the switch confidently and successfully. By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge to form your own cord-cutting plan and resources to optimize your viewing experience.

Glenn Fitzgerald

Cheektowaga Senior Center

Technology

10:30 AM
Wheel of Wellness: Resources for Healthy, Safe, Independent Living

Step right up and join us for a fun and interactive Spin the Wheel game where you can test your knowledge, win prizes, and learn valuable services available to our older adults in our community! Whether you're a senior or a caregiver this is a great chance to explore services that are meant to keep you or a loved one healthy, safe and independent. Come spin, learn and WIN!

Case Management Staff of ECDFA

Richmond Summer Senior Center

Health & Wellness

11:00 AM
Winter Weather Hazards across Western New York

Discover the basics of winter storm development, including lake effect snow, nor'easters, and snow squalls, and the preparedness actions you should take when faced with harsh winter weather conditions.

Matthew Brothers

Clarence Library

Natural Science

2:00 PM
Stay Safe Online

Staying safe online is not as hard as you might think - During this presentation, we'll go over 4 key behaviors that are easy to adopt. With these habits, you can lock down your online accounts and keep your data safe.

Jennifer Andres

Elma Public Library

Technology

3:30 PM
7 Key Decisions for Rightsizing

What are the 7 key decisions that will allow for the lowest stress and greatest net return when planning a move from a house to an apartment or condo? Repair and maintenance decisions that make sense; what upgrades make the most money for you; how can I reduce accumulation without a lot of work; how to create a slow and manageable timeline for planning a move and lastly, how to orchestrate every aspect of the process in an efficient, no non-sense way.

Michael Olear

Akron-Newstead Senior Center

Current Events

6:00 PM
Wild Weather of WNY

From lake-effect blizzards that measure snowfall in feet to sudden summertime severe thunderstorms, Western New York is famous for its incredibly dynamic weather. But what actually causes our region's atmospheric drama? In this course, we will pull back the curtain on the unique science of WNY weather patterns. Discover how Lakes Erie and Ontario act as massive weather engines, how local topography shapes where the snow falls, and how meteorologists track these rapid shifts. We will also touch on how you can read the sky like a pro and stay weather-ready in every season. Come explore the fascinating, powerful, and sometimes wild forces that keep us all checking our weather apps!

Brian C. Steinberg

City of Tonawanda Public Library

Register to Attend Online

Natural Science

10:00 AM
Cut the Cord - Learn How to Start Streaming & Use Over-The-Air TV Technologies to save money while keeping your favorite shows

This course walks you through the steps of transitioning from traditional cable TV to modern streaming services and over-the-air (OTA) broadcasting. Whether you're looking to save money, gain more control over your viewing choices, or simply modernize your entertainment setup, you'll learn practical strategies to make the switch confidently and successfully. By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge to form your own cord-cutting plan and resources to optimize your viewing experience.

Glenn Fitzgerald

Orchard Park Senior Center

Technology

11:45 AM
Every Building Has a Story

Buffalo is renowned for the architecture of its built environment. Not only does the city have significant masterpieces but the details behind who, how and why these buildings were constructed are both interesting and, oftentimes, quite surprising. Get a whole new perspective of Buffalo's stellar architecture as you hear the stories these buildings will reveal.

Marla Bujnicki

Tosh Collins Senior Center

History

1:00 PM
Buffalo Made: Inventions That Changed the World!

From windshield wipers to air conditioning to the implantable pacemaker, WNY has a long history of invention and innovation. Yet it's an often untold story! For almost 200 years, things made right here in Buffalo (and WNY) have influenced the world! Join Erie County Historian Doug Kohler on a virtual tour of inventors and inventions from WNY that have had a global impact.

Douglas Kohler

City of Tonawanda Public Library

History

1:00 PM
Composting in Your Community

Composting is a form of recycling, a natural way of returning needed nutrients to the soil. Let's learn about what composting is, community composting programs to get involved with, and ways to compost at home.

Tyler Hamilton

Orchard Park Senior Center

Register to Attend Online

Natural Science

1:15 PM
Supporting Independence

Focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.

Alzheimer's Association WNY

Akron-Newstead Senior Center

Health & Wellness

2:00 PM
Are the Popes Catholic? Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick

Clarence Library

Register to Attend Online


5:30 PM
Cannabis 101 for Older Adults: Understanding New York's Legal Market

Cannabis has changed dramatically in New York, leaving many adults with questions about legality, dispensaries, product types, terminology, health considerations, and responsible use. This class provides a clear introduction to New York's legal cannabis market, including how to identify licensed dispensaries, understand product labels, compare THC and CBD, and recognize common consumption methods. We will also discuss the differences between adult-use and medical cannabis, licensed New York dispensaries and reservation stores, and important questions to ask healthcare providers and dispensary staff.

Steve McMorrow

Lancaster Senior Center

Register to Attend Online

Current Events

5:30 PM
Steve McMorrow

Lancaster Senior Center


10:00 AM
Creating a Legacy Document - What Your Survivors Need to Know

When a loved one passes-or becomes incapacitated-survivors are often left scrambling for critical information. Traditional documents don't tell the whole story. That's where a LEGACY DOCUMENT comes in. It's a simple, powerful way to organize the essential details your loved ones will need most. It's not just a document. It's a gift-the Gift of Information. Learn how to gather and organize the practical, personal, and logistical information your survivors will need after a significant life event. This session does not provide legal, financial, or estate planning advice.

Jim Bardot

Cheektowaga Senior Center

Health & Wellness

1:00 PM
Inside the DA's Office: Investigation, Prosecution and Crime Prevention

As part of District Attorney Mike Keane's ongoing effort to protect and educate Erie County residents, lawyers will discuss the role of the District Attorney's Office in the investigation, prosecution and prevention of crime. The Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau handles cases involving embezzlements, fraud, identity theft, tax evasion, and other white-collar crimes. Financial exploitation is the most frequent form of elder abuse reported to the Erie County DA's Office. Prosecutors will share information on the latest scam trends, warning signs of abuse, tips on protecting your personal information, and how to report suspected crimes to law enforcement.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Dassero

Town of Aurora Senior Center

Register to Attend Online

Law & Finance

1:00 PM
Should I Turn it Over to my Children?

There are several ways to move your assets from yourself to your heirs. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages and some create unforeseen problems or tax consequences. This is an exploration of the options you have when trying to make sure your assets end up in the hands of those you intended to receive them. We discuss the best ways to accomplish this while avoiding any potential pitfalls.

Valerie Stanek, Esq.

Dorothy J. Collier Community Center

Law & Finance

5:30 PM
Inside the White House

The White House is an enduring symbol of the United States. For more than 225 years, it has served U.S. presidents as a home, office, and stage. Learn about the history and roles of the White House and explore how the building has changed over time.

Courtney Speckmann

Akron-Newstead Senior Center

History

10:00 AM
Creating a Legacy Document - What Your Survivors Need to Know

When a loved one passes-or becomes incapacitated-survivors are often left scrambling for critical information. Traditional documents don't tell the whole story. That's where a LEGACY DOCUMENT comes in. It's a simple, powerful way to organize the essential details your loved ones will need most. It's not just a document. It's a gift-the Gift of Information. Learn how to gather and organize the practical, personal, and logistical information your survivors will need after a significant life event. This session does not provide legal, financial, or estate planning advice.

Jim Bardot

West Side Community Services

Health & Wellness

12:30 PM
What the Heck is a Trust and Do I Need One?

What the Heck is a Trust and Do I Need One?

Valerie Stanek, Esq.

West Side Community Services

Law & Finance

1:00 PM
Buffalo Made: Inventions That Changed the World!

From windshield wipers to air conditioning to the implantable pacemaker, WNY has a long history of invention and innovation. Yet it's an often untold story! For almost 200 years, things made right here in Buffalo (and WNY) have influenced the world! Join Erie County Historian Doug Kohler on a virtual tour of inventors and inventions from WNY that have had a global impact.

Douglas Kohler

Town of Aurora Senior Center

History

10:00 AM
Fires & Floods

A lively discussion about fire hazards in our homes and reducing damage during basement floods.

Amy Alduino

Cheektowaga Senior Center

Current Events

10:00 AM
Mindfulness

Want to learn about mindfulness but don't know where to start? This program will teach you what it means to be mindful, its purpose and benefits, and how to incorporate it into your daily routine. You will also participate in several mindful relaxation exercises.

Betsy Vazquez-Aradio

Cheektowaga Senior Center

Health & Wellness