Melissa Pugash smiles when she thinks about the time she learned to play poker. She had no experience with the game, but she had a curiosity to learn. That day, she found herself at a table surrounded by “poker sharks,” but instead of a cutthroat game, she found a warm and inviting environment.

The poker class was presented by UCLA Extension’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), which is a program that offers a variety of classes – hobby-focused and more – to individuals ages 50-and-up. Poker was just the beginning for Pugash, who has enjoyed participating in OLLI for about 17 years.

Pugash grew up in upstate New York, and it is there that her love of learning began. As a young child, she frequently visited museums, notably The Buffalo AKG Art Museum, where sculptures and art pieces settled in her heart as a few of her favorite things. She attended Tufts University as an art history major, and always enjoyed the college setting.

Prior to retiring, Pugash worked as a marketing communications consultant to the international coffee and tea trades. In 2016, she moved to Westwood to enjoy the proximity to a campus where she could continue her journey, along with the beautiful campus community.

“I have a walking buddy and we walk throughout the campus about three times a week,” she said. “The sculpture garden on campus is a sight I love to visit.”

Pugash took several art history and business-related UCLA Extension courses before she became eligible to attend OLLI classes. And once she began, she couldn’t stop.

“I didn’t have a chance to go to graduate school.” she said. “But with the classes I've taken at OLLI and UCLA Extension, I've been able to create a sort of DIY master's program in art history for myself. I've become well-versed in a lot of areas.”

She attended classes she never expected to take and found herself learning skills for hobbies she never imagined participating in – including poker.

“In one of my courses, a couple had water bottles from the different casinos they had visited. I was curious and asked about it,” Pugash said. “That’s when they recommended the poker class.”

She took Poker Fundamentals, a course taught by Duncan Palamourdas who was a PhD mathematician.

“He was brilliant,” Pugash said. “Poker is challenging. It has to do with risk, how you conduct yourself and whether you give away tells. It is very good for the mind”

She met two of her closest friends in class and began to fit right in with her fellow “poker sharks.” OLLI proved to be a stimulating environment, and Pugash continued to make more friends.

“Making connections can be challenging as we get older, but OLLI provides a great way to connect with people.” she said.

A warm and friendly environment was the standard at OLLI.

“The breadth and depth of classes are extraordinary. The teachers are exceptional, and the value for what they charge is terrific.” Pugash said.

She was also able to continue enjoying the arts with some of the OLLI offerings. One specific instructor who has made a lasting impression on Pugash is Eleanor Schrader, a lecturer of architectural history and decorative arts. Schrader’s course gave Pugash an outlet to express her artistic side, so much so that she’s taken several additional courses with Schrader as her lecturer so far.

Pugash has also enjoyed the lectures taught by Sharon Boorstin, who led various classes on Los Angeles history. She has actually become friends with her professors, and sometimes even attends outside lectures with them.

Pugash’s learning journey is not over yet and it won’t be for a very long time. She already has plans for the upcoming term.

“I thoroughly enjoy being a part of OLLI and I look forward to the new offerings every quarter,” she said.