About Quest

QUEST was born some 16 years ago when a group of retirees were successful in securing the daytime facilities of the Center for Worker Education (CWE) of the City College of New York (CCNY) to initiate a platform for further learning, exchanging ideas, and developing new interests. Today QUEST is a vital part of the CCNY family with nearly 200 members who design our courses, lead each class and self-administer more than 35 peer-taught courses each semester. Courses run for 7 weeks each term and meet in morning or afternoon from 10:30 am-12:00 pm and 1-2:30 pm.  Almost all courses meet both terms and so run for 14 weeks in all. Many of our courses continue from one year to the next.

QUEST: CCNY/CWE’s Community for Lifelong Learning Program is planned and operated by volunteer members and managed by an elected eight-member Council with the support of a small volunteer staff and modest budget. QUEST depends on the volunteer services of its members, who are strongly encouraged to become actively involved as study group leaders and/or to participate in the administrative activities necessary to the success of the organization.

The uniqueness of QUEST as both a social and intellectual experience is the main reason people enroll. Our membership includes retired and semi-retired business people, teachers, musicians, college professors, doctors, lawyers, editors, housewives, reporters, dentists, actors, psychologists, librarians, artists and many more with diverse backgrounds.

There are few, if any, homework assignments, no grading system or attendance requirements. Participation is voluntary here as an audience member or presenter, or assisting in administrative duties, but most members enjoy doing some research, presenting a paper, and then leading a discussion.

No matter what level of participation they choose, members find QUEST a rewarding learning experience.