Laurel Ridge again designated a Military Friendly® School by Victory Media

For Immediate Release:
April 12, 2018

Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134

military silver use

In recognition of its commitment and service to student veterans, Laurel Ridge has once again been named a Military Friendly® School by Victory Media. This is the college’s ninth time receiving the honor, and its first time being given a silver designation, meaning its programs scored within 30 percent of the 10th-ranked institution in the category of small community colleges.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Victory Media with input from the Military Friendly®  Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

Laurel Ridge scored particularly high in the areas of financial aid and assistance – exceeding the Military Friendly® standard by 78 percent – and admissions and orientation – exceeding the standard by 68 percent. The culture and commitment standard was exceeded by 49 percent.

In addition to operating a dedicated Veterans Center in Cornerstone Hall on the Middletown Campus – a spot where any of our 245 student veterans can share camaraderie, use the free printing service, grab coffee and meet with veteran academic advisor/certifying official Sharon Painter and veterans advisor Anna Citrenbaum – Laurel Ridge’s Student Veterans Organization recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, and was also presented with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition signed by 10th District U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock.

Laurel Ridge has recently become a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) partner. To earn this certification, the college received education and training in the best practices of recruiting, hiring and retaining veterans as employees. Painter and Citrenbaum are pursuing V3-Educator certification.

“We strive to ensure that every student veteran feels supported and valued for their service, as well as for the additional skills and traits they developed through their military service,” Painter says. “Here at Laurel Ridge, we do all we can to help them have a successful transition into civilian life and successfully pursue their education and career .”

The 2018-2019 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

The SVO is hosting a federal resume writing workshop, Thursday April 19. It is open to both students and the community at large. Presented by a Virginia Employment Commission representative, the workshop is 1- 3p.m. in Cornerstone Hall, room 602. Reserve your spot by calling Painter at (540) 869-0768, or emailing [email protected].

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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.

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