Interim Director Named for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

University Relations

Josh Raney

Josh Raney has been named interim director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute based in the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas. Raney will serve in the interim position until the end of the year, when a permanent director will be selected.

Raney has primarily worked in the College of Education and Health Professions since 2004. He formerly directed the Razor C.O.A.C.H. program that provides counselor education graduate students as college and career planning coaches at local high schools. Before that, he was coordinator of graduate student services in the Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders.

He has a master's degree in human resources and a bachelor's degree in marketing, both from the U of A.

"Josh has proven himself to be a creative and effective leader in our college, and we are pleased to have him take on this interim role," said Tom Smith, dean of the college. "OLLI is an integral part of our college's effort to encourage lifelong learning and helps us reach a larger community of people who are interested in knowing more about the world around them."

OLLI is a member-driven, nonprofit organization. The Bernard Osher Foundation established more than 115 centers at universities across the United States for the purpose of meeting needs of adult learners. The hybrid organizations are comprised of staff and empowered members who generate peer-led organization and content. They provide valuable opportunities to older adults to share intellectual interests, make new friends, explore cultural topics and other thought-provoking subjects, and exchange ideas with peers.

The director manages every facet of the institute with concurrence on many issues with the dean of the college. This includes conceptualizing, planning, development, marketing and coordinating the programming offered each semester. The director also oversees the institute's advisory board.

Raney has made presentations and published research about Razor C.O.A.C.H. results and college and career readiness on the local, state and national levels.