July 22, 2026
Laurel Ridge Community College is celebrating Virginia Intern Day 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at the Middletown Campus. The Valley Internship Experience Workgroup (VIEW), of which the college is a member, is hosting the networking event, complete with panel discussions and recognition of internship success stories.
The event is free, and interns, their hosts and employers are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided. The registration deadline is Monday, July 27.
“Interns and their employers from our region are coming to the college to share their experiences and discuss the benefits both students and employers gain from internships,” said Sonya Foor, the academic and career support coordinator at Laurel Ridge. “We will have a panel of local employers sharing their insights, as well.
“Virginia Community College System Chancellor David Doré, in line with the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges’ Accelerating Opportunity six-year strategic plan calling for significantly increasing the number of students participating in paid internships and apprenticeships, has directed community colleges to emphasize work-based learning opportunities. Laurel Ridge Career Services is raising awareness of the value of internships and fostering increased connections between our faculty members and area employers.”
Internships play a critical role in preparing students for the workforce while giving regional employers early access to emerging talent. Internship participation in the Shenandoah Valley is on the rise in industries such as healthcare, technology, education and public service.
“This is a professional development opportunity for interns, as well as a celebration of their contributions to businesses and organizations,” said Mary Sullivan, project coordinator for Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership – Valley Internship Experience Workgroup (VTOP-VIEW).
VIEW is also hosting a Virginia Intern Day Tuesday, July 28, at James Madison University.
To register for the Laurel Ridge event, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/45dkfck.
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.