January 30, 2022
The public is invited to virtually meet with the team conducting a site visit of Laurel Ridge’s associate of applied science degree in nursing program next month. A site visit team from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) will be at the college on Wednesday, Feb. 2, as part of continuing accreditation efforts. Community members can meet the team and share comments from 1:30 – 2 p.m. via this Zoom link: https://vccs.zoom.us/j/85309817270.
Written comments are also accepted through Tuesday, Jan. 18, at Accreditation Commission for Nursing in Education, 220 Peachtree Road Northeast, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326. They should be addressed to CEO Dr. Marsal Stoll. Dr. Stoll can also be emailed at [email protected].
Laurel Ridge’s nursing program was first accredited by ACEN in 2017. 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 a nationally-accredited body.
The college’s nursing program, begun in 2000, has always been accredited by the Virginia Board of Nursing. There were 49 registered nursing students in fall 2000; today there are 185 students, according to Kristina Simpson, Laurel Ridge’s director of health professions.
A dynamic program, Laurel Ridge’s RN program has seen numerous changes over the past five years, including new leadership, the switch to a common curriculum across all nursing programs in the Virginia Community College System, and, of course, the Covid-19 pandemic, which has created both hurdles to learning, as well as unique public health experiences.
“Throughout our program’s history, we have kept a spirit of triumph over adversity,” said Director Simpson. “In keeping with our long-standing history in the community and the profession, the Laurel Ridge nursing program remains resolved and steadfast in our commitment to excellence as we move forward into the next chapter of nursing history.”
Learn more about the college’s nursing program at laurelridge.edu/nursing.
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.