For Immediate Release:
October 30, 2025
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
Laurel Ridge Community College has been named one of just 200 community colleges across the country eligible to compete for the $1 million 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes – with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. Its Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence is the U.S.’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. Eligibility was determined based on student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer and bachelor’s degree attainment.
“The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students – completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.
“Among these 200 colleges are some really special places that deliver strong and improving outcomes for students across the board. Our job over the coming 20 months is to gather a lot more data and work with a deep bench of field experts to assess which of these 200 stand out so we can not only honor them with a monetary award, but drive attention to the most effective field practices that other colleges can replicate.”
Laurel Ridge President Kim Blosser, who five years ago was a member of the inaugural class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship, said the college was honored to be one of the Aspen Prize top 200 community colleges.
“Our faculty and staff work hard every day to deliver a high-quality, meaningful education to our students – one that will prepare them for success whether they are heading straight into the workforce, or transferring to a four-year college or university to complete their bachelor’s degree,” she said. “Laurel Ridge has consistently ranked at the top among community colleges in Virginia in student success data points when it comes to entry, retention and progression performance metrics; the number of our students who earn degrees or certificates within an academic year; and how well they do when they transfer.
“We are so proud to be recognized in this way by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.”
Twenty-five prize semifinalists will be announced in April. That list will be narrowed to 10 colleges in June. Next fall, additional data, including employment and earnings information for 2020-25 graduates from the 10 finalists will be gathered, and field experts will visit the colleges to conduct qualitative assessments. The Aspen Prize-winning college will be announced in spring 2027.
Ten other colleges in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) join Laurel Ridge in being eligible for the Aspen Prize.
Dr. David Doré, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, was encouraged by the announcement, given the effort behind the system’s six-year, statewide strategic plan, Accelerate Opportunity. Dr. Doré added that the goals and objectives of Accelerate Opportunity underscore what the Aspen Institute considers essential for excellence in community college education.
“We are working diligently to remove barriers to access and are steadily increasing the number of annual graduates in regionally high-demand fields,” Dr. Doré said.
He also acknowledged that the recognition is a celebration of the success of VCCS students and the critical role of employees in achieving this recognition.
“Once they join the workforce and reflect on their community college experience, we want them to feel like they were challenged to accomplish something more than even they thought possible,” said Dr. Doré. “I commend our colleges’ administration, faculty, and staff; our students; and our system office colleagues for this recognition, and for their unwavering dedication to excellence and student success.”
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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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