For Immediate Release:
December 19, 2017
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
RICHMOND – Glenn DuBois, the chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges announced today that Dr. Kim Blosser is the next president of Laurel Ridge Community College. Blosser’s selection follows a nationwide search that took six months, and attracted more than 100 candidates.
Blosser, who currently works as Laurel Ridge’s vice president of academic and student affairs, will become the institution’s fifth permanent president on or before February 1, 2018. She succeeds Dr. Cheryl Thompson-Stacy who is retiring.
“Kim has been a rising star in our college system,” said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “On numerous occasions, I’ve asked Kim to provide statewide leadership on issues facing all 23 of our colleges. She’s energetic, compassionate and focused. I’m confident she’ll be highly effective as president of Laurel Ridge.”
“After a national search that initially included 100 applicants, the Laurel Ridge Community College Advisory Board is happy to welcome Dr. Kim Blosser as president of Laurel Ridge Community College,” said Fran Jeffries, chair of the college’s Board. “The board feels that Dr. Blosser’s experience and commitment position her to continue the successful leadership provided by Dr. Cheryl Thompson-Stacy. We look forward to working with Dr. Blosser as we continue to provide learning opportunities within the Laurel Ridge service area.”
Blosser began her career in 1996 as a high school teacher in Staunton, VA. In 1998, she transitioned into higher education, taking on the role of associate professor and then dean at Blue Ridge Community College. In 2012, Blosser was named associate vice president of instruction at Laurel Ridge and was promoted to vice president of academic and student affairs three years later.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With four locations — Middletown, Warrenton, Luray-Page County and most recently, Vint Hill — the college serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities include 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.
About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than 252,000 students each year. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.
*************************
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, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. 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.
###