For Immediate Release:
July 16, 2018
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
For the seventh straight year, Laurel Ridge has been named one of “The Great Colleges to Work For®” by The Chronicle of Higher Education based on workplace satisfaction surveys anonymously completed by faculty and staff, and an institutional audit.
This is Laurel Ridge’s sixth time being named an “Honor Roll” institution. Colleges with high scores in the most number of categories make the honor roll.
Laurel Ridge is one of only 12 community colleges across the nation to earn the “Honor Roll” distinction, and one of 24 to be named a “Great College to Work For®.”
College employees gave high marks to Laurel Ridge when it came to their compensation and benefits; work/life balance; their relationships with their supervisor or department chair; job satisfaction; facilities; and workspace and security.
“We really value our employees, and it’s gratifying to have confirmation through this Chronicle survey that they appreciate that and enjoy coming to work,” says Laurel Ridge President Kim Blosser. “We work hard to be transparent and to seek employees’ input. They’re encouraged to attend open presentations by candidates applying for high-level positions, such as deans, vice presidents, and even the president, and provide feedback. We regularly schedule open forums on the budget, employee compensation, and updates on college-wide and system initiatives.
“They are encouraged to take advantage of the free tuition available to them for all Laurel Ridge classes, and we provide funding for professional development and continuing education for those seeking a degree. They’re invited to regular luncheons, picnics, award ceremonies and other celebrations, such as our first family campout last fall. The college really strives to recognize our employees’ successes and hard work. And, while we take seriously our mission of offering our students the best possible education and services, we also have fun while doing it.”
About 250 Laurel Ridge employees received the survey via email during the spring semester. Of the 253 institutions of higher education surveyed, 88 were community colleges.
The Chronicle of Higher Education has been conducting the survey for 11 years. The audit portion of the assessment looks at demographics, policies and practices. A special Academic Workplace supplement in The Chronicle coming out July 20 will feature the survey results.
The newspaper version of the publication has more than 51,000 subscribers, and a readership of more than 215,000, while the web version has nearly 2 million unique visitors a month.
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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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