Communication takes many forms. From visually communicating a message on a flyer to making sure you truly understand the children in your classroom, LBCC offers Career Technical Education, or CTE, programs that teach these valuable skills and lead to great careers. Our innovative Child and Family Studies Program produces some of the most sought-after graduates in the region. In addition, our Visual Communication students are producing content for actual clients as part of their curriculum. And students in the Business Program are preparing to become entrepreneurs or help run small businesses. People interested in all of these fields of study can get their start at LBCC.

10 years ago the unthinkable happened. Michelle Kobold was laid off from her position at Western Oregon University. Kobold was already living in Albany, so she decided to enroll in Linn-Benton Community College’s Visual Arts Program. “I’m just like, it’s the perfect opportunity to just jump in and do it,” Kobold said. “I am so grateful I did that because it has helped me in so many different ways career-wise.”

MikesBikes, a business simulation, is part of the business administration curriculum at Linn-Benton Community College. The goal is for students to run their own bike shop and not only gain as much market share as possible, but also to increase their shareholder value. For the students who did the best, that meant the opportunity to compete on a bigger stage.

Marcia Walsh, the Program Chair for the Child and Family Studies Program, consistently uses a single word to describe her program, “innovative.” It’s something she has strived for since joining Linn-Benton Community College five years ago. One of the biggest things she has added to the program is more classes focused on children’s behavior issues.

Officially, Rob Priewe’s title is instructor of journalism and marketing and adviser for The Commuter, the Linn-Benton Community College student newspaper.

Career Technical Education is higher education that directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers. By emphasizing real-world, practical skills training, LBCC offers CTE programs that link up directly with the needs of employers in our region.

This picture features labels on bottles of Road Runner Red that LBCC visual communication students created for the LBCC Foundation to use in partnership with Calapooia Brewery.

Here is a hand-rendered typography assignment created by a LBCC visual communication student.

This is an environmental display for the Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center. OSU felt their deep-diving interactive kiosk really needed a work-over and they tasked LBCC visual communication students with the makeover.

Every Wednesday at noon our legislators and legislative staff members are invited to join virtual presentations from some of Oregon's various community colleges on zoom for "Workforce Wednesday." Each week, colleges will share real-life examples and updates about that week's corresponding theme. Collectively, Workforce Wednesdays will provide a quick snapshot of how we are putting Oregonians back to work and are serving as the state's economic recovery first responders. LBCC will be featured on Feb. 17th -- don't miss it!

LBCC encourages our legislators to join the Community College Caucus! This bipartisan group is comprised of legislators who want to support the work of colleges, and engage in issues affecting students and institutions, in order to build a stronger community. The caucus meets monthly depending on the legislative schedule and what issues are currently under consideration, and is open to any member who would like to participate. We welcome staff members as well! For more information or to become a part of this group, please contact Jennifer Boehmer, LBCC Executive Director of Advancement, at boehmej@linnbenton.edu

LBCC asks for your support of HB 2907, the bill that seeks to fully fund community colleges. Especially now as our communities are seeking ways to rebuild from the wildfires and the pandemic, community colleges are critical to reviving Oregon's workforce. When the destructive wildfires damaged the state’s communities, community colleges provided emergency aid and food through our programs. During the state’s economic downturn and increased workload on healthcare responders, community colleges trained frontline workers to help ease the load. LBCC, like all community colleges in Oregon, serves some of our most marginalized populations, who have already suffered disproportionately due to COVID. Without additional federal and state support, colleges will struggle, and our students will bear the brunt of these challenges. We ask for your support.