Coachella Valley resident Johnna Norris has been named the new
director of UCR Osher, which serves Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members in both
Riverside and Palm Desert. She is uniquely qualified for the role and boasts an
enduring passion for education.
For the past four years, Johnna has served as the program coordinator for OLLI at
California State University San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus.
Johnna began her career in higher education 11 years ago, following her graduation
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received a BA in English
literature. She served as the administrative coordinator for the literature and writing
studies program at California State University, San Marcos.
A lifelong learner herself, Johnna completed her master’s degree in education at
CSUSB in 2021. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and their two
daughters, Mary and Lucy.
“I am thrilled to take my knowledge and skill set of both operationalizing and
envisioning OLLI programming to OLLI at the University of California, Riverside’s
campuses, and look forward to this period of rebuilding and collaboration between
OLLI programs,” she said. “Being a part of this vibrant learning community is truly a
dream come true.”
“We are fortunate to have Johnna in this role and in our community as we work toward
UCR Osher’s goal of inspiring discovery, stoking curiosity, and making lifelong learning
fun and accessible,” said Tamara Hedges, director of UCR Palm Desert Center.
About UCR Osher: The UCR Osher program provides a distinctive array of non-credit
courses and activities specifically developed for adults aged 50 and older who are
interested in learning for the joy of learning.
