March 22, 2024
Veterans and their spouses attending Laurel Ridge are benefiting from a first-in-the-nation program. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is providing 20 laptops for vets at each of the 23 colleges that make up the Virginia Community College System.
“This is a brand new project we started this year in partnership with the VCCS and Tech for Troops,” John Hall, military education and workforce initiatives manager at DVS, said Tuesday morning as he delivered the Dell computers to Laurel Ridge’s Fauquier Campus.
He said the department hopes to be able to provide laptops to dependents of veterans within the next year. Veterans can receive the laptops regardless of their discharge status, whether they are taking credit or workforce classes, and whether or not they are using G.I. Bill benefits to fund their education.
“This is not a loaner program,” Hall added. “It’s theirs. It’s our hope that they will continue to use that to find a job, to attend mental health telemedicine appointments, to write their resumes, to search for jobs.
“We are very hopeful that this fall we will be able to do another major disbursement.”
Many people confuse the DVS with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hall said. He said his organization helps veterans in various ways, including, suicide prevention, combating homelessness and offering mental health education.
“We have a huge database of resources in your community and statewide and nationally that can step in and make a difference,” said Hall.
Veteran academic advisor and school certifying official Jeanmarie Corrado said a DVS official works frequently with Laurel Ridge students, visiting classrooms, with their services being introduced to veterans when they enroll in the college.
“DVS comes once a month to this campus,” she said. “We are thankful to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services for providing these laptops to veterans. Providing access to this technology will be a launching point for the next phase in their careers. It makes me proud to be working in Virginia where these programs exist for veterans.”
Tech for Troops President Mark Casper attended the laptop drop-off on Tuesday. He said his organization is providing a one-year warranty for the computers and will offer remote and mail-in repair services. Tech for Troops provides a variety of technology services for veterans, as well as peer support and other programs.
Corrado said about 110 student veterans are enrolled this semester at Laurel Ridge.
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.