[Janet & Paul on an OLLI trip to France]
The Faces of OLLI [#11]: Meet Janet Stiegler
[by Janet Stiegler, Guest blogger*]
After earning my BA and MA in foreign languages from the State University of New York at Albany and studying abroad twice, I began a 32-year career at the CIA in Langley, VA. I started as an analyst, writing papers for U.S. policymakers, and later served in leadership roles as a manager and senior staff officer. My late husband, Paul, and I met in graduate school and went on to have fascinating careers at the Agency.
One of the reasons we chose to retire to the Wilmington area, besides the temperate climate and year-round cultural opportunities, was the presence of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and the opportunity it offered for continued learning through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Early on, we enrolled in OLLI’s Adult Scholars Leadership Program—a fantastic introduction to the region that opened doors to its government, media, cultural institutions, healthcare and nonprofits.
Regarding OLLI courses that resonate, I naturally gravitate toward writing and communications classes (old habits die hard), but I’ve also ventured into environmental studies, political and cultural topics, and language courses. And then there are the unexpected offerings—mockumentary workshops, tango lessons, street photography—that nudge me out of my comfort zone and into new ways of seeing the world. Often it is the enthusiasm of the instructors that transforms a topic into something far more interesting than I anticipated.
I’m an active person who likes jogging, biking, swimming, pilates, and other aerobic and strength training classes. But because I live in a planned community that offers these things, I don’t take many exercise classes at OLLI. However, I have taken cooking and baking courses (pizza, bread, paella, kimbap) and participated in two international trips (France & Finland). The laughter and shared learning with my OLLI colleagues are what make these experiences special.
Volunteering with various nonprofits–the Cape Fear Literacy Council, the Cape Fear River Watch, and OLLI at UNCW–has been a rewarding part of retirement. Early on, I found myself not just attending OLLI classes, but helping to shape or support them, either as part of the Language Forum planning committee, a host on the Tech Team for online learning, or a member of OLLI’s Advisory Council. As a result, I now have greater insight to how the staff and volunteers bring these programs to life and a network of supportive friends.
It’s hard to imagine what more OLLI could offer; each term seems to outdo the last. That said, the ever-popular “behind the scenes” tours—of places like the airport or the port—tend to fill up instantly, and I’d like to be able to join one in the future. I’ve even wondered what a behind-the-scenes look at a place like Costco might reveal. How do they manage that kind of volume so seamlessly? And what do they do to create such a consistently dedicated workforce? If that ever appears in the catalog, I’ll be ready to go on registration day.
