Arial view of the University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

KU Mini College

Mini College was created in 2009 as an educational event held each June for all inquisitive adults.

The best little holiday you can take

2024 KU Mini College is scheduled for June 3-5, 2024. Check back in February 2024 for more details.
Presenter Gershwin at the 2022 Mini College in Spooner Hall

2023 Presenters

View the list of the presentations, events and agenda for the 2023 Mini College.

Presenters & Agenda

About Us

Mini College was created in 2009 as an educational event held each June for KU alumni, their spouses and other inquisitive adults.

Prior to the COVID pandemic, Mini College allowed attendees to come to the Lawrence campus to listen to lectures by excellent professors and participate in tours and discussions. No Mini College was held in 2020 because of the virus. In 2021, Mini College went virtual. Some of KU’s best educators presented two thought-provoking lectures per week online for the first four Tuesdays in June. The talks were given live, with opportunities for questions and answers. The presentations also were recorded for later viewing by those who missed the original lectures.  Mini College resumed in-person sessions in 2022.

Mini College’s creator was Jessica Proctor Beeson, c’05, who then worked in the dean’s office of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. In 2016, the University was forced to stop sponsoring Mini College due to budget cuts. Since then, it has been an all-volunteer effort by a small group of dedicated alumni in cooperation with the University.

The lecturers, too, volunteer their time and knowledge, appreciative of the attentiveness of a mature and inquiring audience.

Campanile with the sun shining through it at sunset

Help Us Create an Endowment Fund

Mini College needs a stable financial future if it’s to continue bringing this outstanding event to you and other curious adults.

Donate Online Today

Questions?

Pam Hicks
Pam Hicks
Program Manager, Professional Programs
phicks@ku.edu

Proud Partner

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
is excited to continue our partnership and support the KU Mini College.
Osher Events and Courses