Summer Quarter 2026: Welcome Letter
Dear Friends,Summer is often the time of year when we step a little outside the routines that shape the rest of our lives. In my family, we try to travel and spend the kind of quality time together that can feel elusive during the year’s usual pace. My favorite days, though, are the slower ones—early mornings outside, the occasional fishing trip with my sons, and long evenings recovering from too much sun with a new board game spread across the table. Somehow, the days feel less scheduled, and curiosity has more room to wander. Even those board games become a way to try something new.
That same spirit of exploration runs through this summer’s Continuing Studies catalog. You might step into the world of Jane Austen and trace her rise from Sense and Sensibility to Mansfield Park. You could explore the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives, journey back to the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, or try your hand at watercolor painting or ingredient-driven cooking. Writers may find themselves drawn to courses like The Short Story for Absolute Beginners, Genealogy of the Spirit, or From Writer to Author: Navigating the Twisty Path to Publication.
For those eager to explore AI, several courses examine emerging technologies—from Wireless for the AI Age and Harnessing the Power of AI Agents to Demystifying AI, which continues our collaboration with the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.
Summer learning can be intentional, but it doesn’t need to lead anywhere specific. It can begin as a small experiment—a new subject or fresh perspective—and evolve into a more lasting experience, often shared with others. Our instructors, drawn from Stanford’s faculty and a wide range of accomplished practitioners, create courses that, like the board games my family loves, invite discovery, conversation, and the simple pleasure of following an idea. Only here, nobody loses!
Whether you’re traveling or staying close to home, we wish you well and hope you’ll take the opportunity to connect and try something new this summer. And with courses offered both on campus and online, you can join us from wherever the season finds you.
We look forward to seeing you in class!
Warmly,
Nate Boswell
Assistant Dean