For Immediate Release:
October 29, 2024
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
Technology combined with a compassionate human touch is helping Laurel Ridge to retain students and help them thrive.
The college uses the customer relationship management tool, Navigate360, which is integrated into Laurel Ridge’s SIS (Student Information System).
Navigate360 is used for students to complete a needs assessment, make appointments with their adviser, communicate with college personnel and more.
It has been a game changer, according to Dean of Students Amber Foltz.
“Our faculty use Navigate to raise alerts with students in classes, express concern for students who aren’t making satisfactory progress in their classes and those in danger of failing,” she said. “The advising team uses it to make sure students are getting the support and resources they need to be successful.”
Even before their first day of class, students are using the system.
“The first time a student logs into the account system, they’re prompted to do a quick needs assessment,” said Dean Foltz.
While short, this assessment actually extracts quite a bit of information, she said. Students are asked whether they have access to high-speed internet service and a laptop, whether they have a safe place to live for the semester and whether they have the academic skills necessary for success. They’re also surveyed on whether they can afford their rent or mortgage payments and have reliable transportation.
Dean Foltz said the questions are designed to identify potential obstacles to classroom success.
“Students might be struggling in life,” she said. “Those struggles then impact their academics.”
Identifying these barriers allows the Student Support Services team to step in with resources and support, according to Dean Foltz. If a student responds that they are unsure they have the academic skills needed, the team can reach out to the tutoring staff to help that student in gaining the tools they need to succeed, such as executive functioning and time management skills and building out a success plan for the semester.
Students with concerns about their mental health are referred to TimelyCare, a free telehealth program all Laurel Ridge students have access to. Through it, they can get on-demand emotional support any time of day or night, can schedule several counseling visits, access health coaching and self-care content and more.
Those who are food insecure can have some of their needs met through the college’s food pantry. And, those without transportation have access to bus services throughout much of the college’s service region.
“Housing in our region is the most difficult need to meet,” said Dean Foltz. “Our social worker is part of a new community housing coalition, and is working with them to make sure we can be as resourceful as possible.”
She added that the Laurel Ridge Foundation has helped bridge the gap when it comes to helping students avoid eviction.
“I think one of the most helpful pieces of our needs assessment is it gives us a much better picture of who our students are and where our students are struggling, and it lets us proactively put interventions in place or make sure the student has resources in hand,” said Dean Foltz. “The feedback that we get from students is it feels like we care about them, that we care enough to ask them the questions and to follow through with information and guidance and support.
“That culture of care is something that we really try to build because we know from years and years of data about student success, it’s those connections that students make with us that are oftentimes the difference between a student who hits a hard time and leaves, and a student who stays. We want our students to feel like we want them here, value them and appreciate them. Our hope is when they feel that from us, that it makes it easier for them to push through the hard times and stick with us.”
In addition to increased mental health issues, the Student Services team has witnessed an uptick in food insecurity among students.
“Our food pantry usage has massively increased in the last two years,” said Dean Foltz. “I think that’s very telling – how close to the edge a lot of our students are living, some are maybe one crisis away from catastrophe.”
She said the college is fortunate to have so many caring faculty and staff members who pay attention and seek help for students when they see a need.
“We’re just trying to normalize that humans have issues – we all go through hard times,” Dean Foltz said. “Most of us at some point in our life deal with mental health issues. Many of us will deal with financial crises. People experience unexpected losses in their family, unexpected loss of income. Life is not always easy, and it’s not just OK, it’s encouraged to ask for help.”
It’s important to get students to realize that accepting help now might mean financial stability for the remainder of their lives, she explained.
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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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