April 15, 2026
Laurel Ridge Community College is showcasing its STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) offerings and the career pathways they can lead to April 20-23.
“We hosted STEM Week for the first time last year and it was very successful,” said Dr. Ia Gomez, dean of science, integrated technologies, engineering and math at Laurel Ridge. “We have a whole week of events highlighting the different STEM programs, STEM careers, our highly-qualified STEM faculty, our classes and raising awareness. We strive to make the events engaging, interactive, fun and interesting.
“We have multiple programs that provide students with the knowledge and the skillset to be successful in the STEM workforce. Our students are doing a lot of cool things and so are our faculty.”
She said there will be events at the Middletown and Fauquier campuses, as well as the Luray-Page County Center (LPCC), with some events being offered virtually in addition to in person.
“All of these events are open to the community,” said Dr. Gomez.
Below is a sampling of events planned throughout the week:
• Monday: Mini STEM Fair and STEM career panel at the LPCC
• Tuesday: STEM Fair, bird hike with the National Audubon Society, NASA airborne research presentation by Professor Ray Rogers and a presentation on PFAS and forever chemicals by Shimadzu at the Middletown Campus.
• Wednesday: a virtual presentation by Deepesh Giri on engineering in the automotive industry; an engineering career panel at the Middletown Campus
• Thursday: STEM Fair and STEM careers panel at the Fauquier Campus.
Those attending the STEM events can take part in a contest to win various prizes, including tablets, gift cards, Laurel Ridge gear and more.
Learn more about STEM Week and view a full list of activities and events.
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.