Mural Brightens LBCC's Adult Re-Entry Center

Title: Leaving The Nest

Deck: Adult Re-entry Program is a bright welcome place for older-than-average students

Mural Brightens LBCC’s Adult Re-Entry Center

Mural artist JJ Bolden talks with attendees of the open house in the Adult Re-Entry Center.

A closeup of Bolden’s mural of Rocky Roadrunner.

If you are re-entering school as a second career and are older than 18, you might benefit from the Adult Re-entry Center, affectionately called “The Nest.”  

It is located past the Academic Foundations door in the top floor of the learning center.  There are snacks, a movie softly playing, and outlets for laptops. There’s also information about scholarships.  And brightening up the whole area is a beautiful brand-new mural by LBCC art student JJ Bolden.

Bolden was on hand to talk about his art at the March 6 Adult Re-entry Center open house.  Attendees crowded into the room to admire the mural and eat snacks, talking about art, and community.

Work-study students Greydi Olvera and Jennifer Justice were happy to talk about the new mural and the center.

“I love it; the bright happy colors make me really happy; it makes it more welcoming,” said Justice.

Olvera, who helped vote on this version of the mural, likes the representation of “the climb, the struggle.” In the mural, Rocky the Roadrunner grips a mountainside, eyes intent on an unseen peak, as a red glow of sunset illuminates the background.

“We have a Facebook page 'LBCC Adult Reentry Student Success Center' for the Nest started just to stay in touch with people who have gone through the Empower program or are starting the Empower program,” said Olvera.

“The Empower program is for students who have been out of school or thinking of getting into a second career,” she said. It helps with financial aid, class requirements, and computer skills.

It’s three separate classes for free that generate four college credits, according to Malinda Shell, faculty for adult re-entry and career pathways.

“It was super helpful,” said Justice.  “It just helps you figure yourself out a little bit.”

“We had someone from CWE-Cooperative Work Experience,” said Olvera. According to Olvera, sharing resources with other students was an important part of the class. “You don’t feel like you’re the only one” who is an older student.

For more information about this or other programs such as STEP (SNAP, Training and Employment Program) that helps students who are receiving SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) with tuition, books, supplies and transportation for certificate programs, contact Program Coordinator Malinda Shell at shellm@linnbenton.edu.

For more of JJ Bolden's art, see Instagram @Mutalist9