September 17, 2019
Job satisfaction continues to be high for employees at Laurel Ridge. The college has once again been named one of the “Great Colleges to Work For.” This marks the eighth year in a row that Laurel Ridge has received this recognition, and the seventh straight year of being named an “Honor Roll” institution.
The distinction – released this week in a special insert in The Chronicle of Higher Education – was based on Laurel Ridge employment data and workplace policies, as well as a survey that employees were able to anonymously fill out. Greater weight was given to the survey than the institutional data.
Of the 236 institutions of higher education surveyed nationwide, 85 were named a “Great College to Work For.” ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.
Laurel Ridge was recognized in seven categories this year: job satisfaction; work/life balance; confidence in senior leadership; professional/career development programs; respect and appreciation; collaborative governance; and facilities, workspace and security.
“While we’re a ‘student-first’ institution, it’s really gratifying to know that our employees enjoy coming to work every day and feel that they and the work they do are valued,” Laurel Ridge President Kim Blosser says. “I firmly believe that the pride and satisfaction that faculty and staff derive from their jobs result in greater and richer engagement with those we are here to serve – our students.”
Employees are a college’s most important asset, and often its largest expense, according to Rich Boyer, a senior consultant at ModernThink.
“It only makes sense to protect that investment,” Boyer says. “More than simply protecting that asset, the colleges and universities recognized in this year’s Great Colleges to Work For program demonstrate their commitment to the day-to-day experience of their faculty and staff and the overall health of their institution’s culture.
The Great Colleges to Work For is one of the largest and most respected workplace-recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all the results of the survey, visit the Great College Program website at www.greatcollegesprogram.com.
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.