September 1, 2017
Laurel Ridge’s associate registered nursing program has been accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The process began two years ago with a candidacy period during which nursing program leaders conducted a self-study report.
ACEN personnel made a site visit to Laurel Ridge during the spring semester, and the program was reviewed by a panel, as well as a board of commissioners. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation both recognize ACEN as the accrediting body when it comes to nursing programs.
Many graduate nursing programs and some employers require that their students and new hires have graduated from an accredited body, according to Laurel Ridge Health Professions Dean Patricia 
Lawson.
“Having this accreditation will help graduates of Laurel Ridge’s RN program to move forward in their careers,” she says.
There are more than 150 registered nursing students between the Middletown and Fauquier campuses.
ACEN is located at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Ga. 30326. ACEN can be contacted by phone: (404) 975-5000 or by email: [email protected] or via the web: http://www.acenursing.org.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.