When Larry Nestell told his older daughter he was going back to college, her reaction was immediate: pride. “She thinks it’s fantastic,” Nestell said.
As someone who already earned a degree in electrical engineering, she understood the commitment her father was taking on. From her perspective, his decision wasn’t just admirable, it was inspiring. And at home, that example is already making an impact on the next generation.
Nestell’s 8-year-old daughter watches it all unfold in real time. She does homework from her elementary school, and he does homework from his college courses. “I help her with her homework, and she watches me at night do my homework,” he says. “She has questions, especially when I’m writing. It’s been a positive influence on her.”
At age 52, Nestell is stepping back into the classroom as a student at Onondaga Community College, pursuing a degree in Construction Management. While he’s taken college classes before, this is his first time working toward completing a degree.
The decision aligns closely with his professional life. Nestell serves as Director of Code Enforcement for the Village of North Syracuse. “I felt this would be a very good fit for what I do for a living, and to better myself as well,” he says.
His return to school is made possible through SUNY Reconnect, a program offering free community college tuition to adults ages 25 to 55 who have not yet earned a degree. It covers tuition, fees, books, and supplies after financial aid.
He began classes in January, taking two in-person and one online, balancing academics with a full-time job and family life. “It feels different coming back into a school setting, but it also feels like you’re moving forward. It’s a good feeling.”
That sense of progress is reinforced in the classroom. “I like all of my teachers,” Nestell says, highlighting Professor John Giles Jr. from his OSHA class. “He’s been a wealth of information. I love his teaching style.”
Still, like many adult learners, Nestell is navigating a tight schedule. “I’m hoping there will be more classes on nights or weekends or summers so I can do this in two years rather than four,” he says. “I’m a professional in my field, and I’m very busy during the day.”
And back at home, his daughters are watching - one with the perspective of experience, and the other learning by example - as Nestell proves it’s never too late to keep moving forward.
