By dedicating their time, talent, and expertise to the Senior University program, these instructors provide Northwest Indiana seniors with opportunities to learn new skills and to see their communities from interesting new perspectives.
Senior University Instructors
Cathy is a Chicago-born Contemporary Artist currently working in mixed media. Cathy completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at IU Northwest with a concentration in painting, in addition to earlier having studied illustration. While working as a freelance illustrator in Chicago for 12 years, she was chosen to participate in the Air Force Art Program and her work can be found in its national collection. Cathy also has current work in Indiana University’s permanent art collection. Serving as the Exhibits Director for the Chicago Calligraphy Collective for seven years, Cathy has developed and taught an elementary school art curriculum, as well as Drawing and Painting courses at IU Northwest and Ivy Tech Community College. She also leads gallery tours and workshops for a variety of community engagement programs. Cathy currently lives and makes art in Northwest Indiana and is the Exhibition and Project Coordinator at IU Northwest’s School of the Arts.
Billy is a respected, pianist, composer, educator and producer. He has performed as a professional musician for the past 35 years, and in addition to performing with others, has led his own groups for much of that time. Billy has also written and produced music for several television commercials.
Billy received a Bachelor of Science from Defiance College and a Master of Music from Roosevelt University, with additional study at New York University and private study with famed jazz pianist, Jaki Byard. As an educator, Billy is retired from 35 years as a Gary public school music teacher. Billy also served as jazz piano instructor at Valparaiso University from 1980 to 2014. In this capacity, he conducted many jazz clinics, lectures and educational performances. In addition, he was a member of the Valparaiso University Faculty Jazz Trio.
Currently, in addition to his private studio and Senior University workshops, Billy teaches piano at IU Northwest. He is also the host of the popular radio show the "Billy Foster Jazz Zone" on WGVE 88.7 FM in Gary.Bridgette is currently a Physical Education and Health Instructor at Steel City Academy located in Gary’s Glen Park neighborhood and is a Logistics Officer in the Indiana National Guard. Her educational experience includes receiving a Bachelor of Science from Chicago State University, Master of Public Affairs from IU Northwest, and a Master of Science from California University of Pennsylvania. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction from Northcentral University. She is NASM and NAFC certified as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Her areas of interest are youth social emotional development and whole body fitness.
James grew up in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois and served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsmen in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. He has worked in both the medical and financial industries, with a specialization in the mortgage sector. James has over 20 years of experience working as a credit analyst and mortgage underwriter, and also holds an Illinois Real Estate License. He is currently the mortgage underwriting team lead at Sourcepoint Mortgage.
In addition, James is the founder of the non-profit, Food For You Inc., through which he and his wife prepare and deliver home cooked meals to a men’s homeless shelter in Hammond. James is always looking for volunteering opportunities as he has a passion for helping others.
Tavetta is a Public Speaker, Instructor and Published Author on a mission to empower people to win in life! She is the President of Abundant Life Publications, a publishing and consulting company. She has published ten magazines and produced thirteen television programs. Tavetta is a Published Author of five books and contributing Author of two books. Tavetta has 20 years of experience as an Instructor and 30 years of public speaking and writing experience. She developed the “Write Through Grief” program to help others embrace their new normal. In addition to grief recovery, Tavetta provides instruction on business leadership. Her personal interests are writing and traveling.
Patti's love of all things creative lead her to become a Certified Zentangle® Teacher (CZT) in 2013. She has shared this meditative, "No Mistake Zone" art form with many age groups, as well as teaching in the Lake County Jail, Community Outreach Programs for PACT in Valparaiso, and MBAC in Gary. Several local galleries have displayed her Zentangle® Inspired Art. She is also an award winning Singer/Songwriter, Jazz Vocalist and Actor/Director in local theater and has studied with Bobby McFerrin and Rhiannon in improvisational singing. Patti was born and raised in Gary and is an IU Northwest Alum.
Brittany is owner and operator of I Tech Teach You, LLC a company dedicated to making technology work for you! Brittany has been knowledgeable in the Technology Industry since 2001. Most of her training has been hands-on as a banker at a reputable firm. She went to a very competitive high school where she learned the fundamentals of computers and technology. She has skill sets in Java Script, Java, some Coding and fluent in video upload tutorials. Brittany is dedicated to the advancement of technology and desires to bring the older generation with her. When not working on techy things, she enjoys vacationing with her husband and attending church.
Chelsea (Stalling) Whittington is a native of Gary, IN and proud graduate of West Side High School (salutatorian), Howard University (B.A. Broadcast Journalism, Magna Cum Laude) and Purdue University (M.A. Organizational Communications, Summa Cum Laude). Chelsea’s career in communications spans more than 25 years having worked in non-profit, governmental, publishing, educational and telecommunications spaces. Most recently, Whittington served as the Director of External Affairs and Special Events for the Chicago Urban League. She continues to serve as an adjunct professor at Indiana University Northwest and Indiana Wesleyan University teaching courses in Business Communications, Social Networking and Special Event Planning. In Spring 2019, Whittington began operating her PR Consulting firm, C WHITT, on a full-time basis. There she develops public relations and social media strategies for clients as well as presents workshops and trainings on social media and public speaking. She is married to her husband Terrell, and they reside in Gary, Indiana.
