As summer slowly begins to wind down, we all start eagerly anticipating cooler weather, bonfires, and football, but don’t forget to create some time in your schedule to explore one of our life-long learning opportunities at the Co-Lin Natchez Campus this fall. Our Special Interest program offers a wide variety of classes. Many of these classes are designed to aid in your professional development, while some are intended to inspire your creative side. There is sure to be something for everybody.

If you are looking for a new hobby or just want to inspire your inner artist, then you are in luck. This fall’s schedule boasts a myriad of classes that will focus on unique interests, crafts and hobbies. We will kick things off on Sept. 10 with Photography. This 10-week course will meet once a week and will help you master your digital camera. Also starting on the Sept. 10 is Oil Painting, which will meet twice a week for two weeks, with a focus on landscape painting.

There will be two opportunities to create beautiful, unique jewelry with Silver Metal Clay Jewelry Making. The class on Sept. 17 and 19 will make Initial Pendants, followed by a class on Oct. 22 and 24 to make Initial Earrings. I am also very excited to announce that we are once again offering the perfect class for all you craft beer enthusiasts. Craft Beer Styles & Tastings will be held at The Camp Restaurant on Tuesday, Nov. 12 and 19. This two-session course will explore the broad spectrum of craft beer offerings, their origins, and includes same tasty samples. You must pre-register through this program and you must be 21 years or older to do so, of course.

Our last crafty class of the semester will be Holiday Wreath Making, on Nov. 14. This ever-popular class will guide you through the mesh wreath making process and is the perfect class for a group of friends.

Now, let’s move on to all the classes that will help you enhance or develop professional skills. Grant-Writing Basics will be a two-night workshop on Sept. 19 and 26. This class addresses all the fundamentals of writing an award-winning grant proposal. Also, on Sept. 19, we will host Navigating Windows 10, which is a class designed to teach the functions and features of the Windows 10 operating systems for professional or personal use. Excel for Beginners will be held on Oct. 1 and 3, followed the next week by Intermediate Excel on Oct. 8 and 10. Then, on Nov. 5 and 7, Office Ready will enable you to unlock all the possibilities of Microsoft Word by creating professional documents and simplifying difficult tasks.

Finally, if you’re itching to get outside and active when it starts cooling off, you have the opportunity to take a 4-week Tennis class, on Thursdays, starting Oct. 3. These lessons are taught by Board Certified USPTA Elite Professional, Tina Montagnet, and is sure to be a good time, no matter your skill level.

All classes are offered at the lowest possible cost and designed to be stress free. Our aim is to provide an avenue for life-long learners in our community striving toward new skills, hobbies and personal enrichment. This program is created with you in mind so as always, I welcome any and all feedback. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for some classes and require pre-approval.  For more details on classes available, please contact Emily Williams at 601-446-1104 or email emily.williams@colin.edu.  You may also register at the Willie Mae Dunn Library on the Co-Lin Natchez campus and remember to keep an eye on our Facebook page. Pre-registration is required for all courses and class sizes are limited, so sign up today and give yourself or a loved one, the gift of life-long learning.

EMILY WILLIAMS is the Learning Resources Coordinator at the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Natchez Campus and coordinates Kids College.