About Us:

Since 2005, in partnership with Western New Mexico University, the Western Institute of Lifelong Learning (WILL) has assembled the curiosity, life stories and conviviality of a community of people living in southwestern New Mexico. Most, but certainly not all, have lived in lots of different places before landing in New Mexico. For many of us, our families live far away. WILL thus serves vital social purposes as well as the intellectual pleasures of engaging our brains.

WILL offers courses led by persons rewarded by their love of the topics they're presenting. The social events we hold revel in members' contributions. Dues are deliberately kept low. Scores of people donate their time and talents to keep us going, and we have but one paid, very essential staff person. Through our core value of volunteerism, our members find connection, stimulation, friendship, and community.

In the southwestern part of New Mexico, Silver City is a bustling town with a diverse business and artist community and an award winning historic downtown. In this small but vibrant town, WILL enjoys an essential partnership with Western New Mexico University. The four-year university gives us classroom space, large lecture halls as needed, and the infinite resources of the faculty and library. Soon we will be occupying a small house of our own on campus for our office and meetings. WILL could scarcely exist without the generous assistance from WNMU.