New Frontiers Success Story

Sheila LeSueur retired from nursing in 1992 and after a few years of relaxation began searching out lifelong learning programs and opportunities. She discovered a group called New Frontiers for Learning in Retirement at Mesa Community College and signed up for a few of their non-credit courses.

"The entire concept sounded interesting, this lifelong learning, but I thought it was for 'old folks,'" LeSueur said. "I couldn't have been more wrong."

She discovered that the community college system recognized the value of retirees with their vast experience and skills, and had created an avenue for them to become a rich resource.

New Frontiers presented LeSueur with many opportunities, including a smorgasbord of classes, valuable social interactions and a rich exchange of ideas.

"I happened to find my niche in history, politics and writing," LeSueur said. "It coincided with my earnest desire as a naturalized American to study American democracy."

Around that time, LeSueur began researching Alexis de Tocqueville, a historical figure whose journey to America and discovery of democracy at age 25 mirrored her own journey to America at 25.

LeSueur followed the C-Span series on Tocqueville religiously and when they sponsored a national viewer's competition on the impact of the series, LeSueur was eager to enter. She ended up submitting a first place entry through the support of New Frontier's peers and technical assistance from Ken Costello and Ron Rangel at MCC.

"I was seventy years old and for me the honor was as good as winning a gold medal in the Olympics," LeSueur said. "I told the world, called friends in Jersey."

Opportunities continue to open up for LeSueur through the classes and interactions she makes with New Frontiers. Her research on Tocqueville's wife was recently included in a renowned English historians biography. Through continued encouragement by her peers at New Frontiers, university professors, and C-Span employees, she's also written her autobiography, "Two Flags, One Heart." The book is an account of growing up in the midst of German's World War II occupation of her home off the coast of Normandy.

LeSueur continues to be an active member of MCC's New Frontiers, and will be greeting new members at an open house on September 21.

What: New Frontiers Open House

When: 1-3 p.m. on Friday, September 21st.

Where: MCC Southern and Dobson Campus, Navajo Room

Call 480-461-7497 for more information.

New Frontiers is a sponsored membership organization for retirees to continue learning. They host peer-led and peer-taught courses, volunteer on campus and award a student scholarship each year. Their community education courses enroll more than 1500 individuals each semester.