Future Educators Academy: August 2026 Updates

FEA Faculty & Dean Win Awards at Annual Recognition Celebration

Future Educators Academy (FEA) faculty received the Collaboration Award at Laurel Ridge Community College’s annual Faculty Awards and Recognition Ceremony in May.

Nine people stand in a line on a stage at a Laurel Ridge Community College event, each of the eight in front holding a framed "Collaboration Award" certificate. — FEA faculty wins Collaboration Award.

Additionally, Dr. Nicole Munday, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, received the 2026 Distinguished Administrator Award! She was nominated by multiple faculty and staff members who had these things to share about her:

“She operates with transparency and a can-do attitude, helping navigate challenging situations or to brainstorm solutions in a collaborative and transparent way; she also embodies a wealth of integrity; Nicole weighs decisions in a measured way, and she always shares her rationale and considers feedback as a working piece of her deliberations; Nicole’s leadership is a steadying influence that helps those working under her maintain their composure and follow by example; she provides insightful suggestions for how to improve processes while still protecting faculty’s time and main focus on teaching; she truly relies on her faculty’s knowledge and expertise, and she is often a voice speaking up on college committees and workgroups to consider the faculty’s point of view”.

Three women stand smiling together on a stage at a Laurel Ridge Community College event, with one woman in the middle, Nicole Munday, holding a small glass award. She wears a red blazer over a white top with jeans. To her left is a woman with curly blonde hair in a navy top and cream pants, and to her right is a woman with gray-brown hair wearing a royal blue dress and teal earrings. Behind them is a wooden podium with a partial Laurel Ridge sign, a tall floral arrangement with blue and white flowers, and a Virginia state flag. — Dr. Nicole Munday (center) with Dr. Kimberly Blosser, president. (left) and Dr. Johanna Weiss, vice president of academics and student services (right).

Dr. Munday, we are so proud of what you do for us and the college every day!

New Student Orientation

On May 19, the FEA welcomed incoming students and their families to New Student Orientation. Hosted by returning FEA seniors, the event marked the beginning of these students’ journey toward simultaneously earning both an Associate of Science Degree in Education and a high school diploma.

A large room full of attendees seated at round tables with navy tablecloths, watching a presentation at a Laurel Ridge Community College event. On the projector screen, a slide reads "Congratulations! You are a college student!" with a Venn diagram showing "High School," "Dual Enrollment," and "College" overlapping circles. A woman, Lori K., stands at a podium near the screen presenting. Laurel Ridge and Future Educators Academy banners are visible in the background, along with American and Virginia state flags. Attendees have papers, water bottles, and popcorn on their tables. — FEA juniors and parents attending orientation.

The evening introduced students and families to the academic expectations of college coursework, FEA policies and procedures, practicum requirements, student support services, and program logistics. Current FEA seniors, Skyla and Derek, shared their experiences and offered words of encouragement to the incoming class.

Four smiling people pose at a Laurel Ridge Community College Future Educators Academy welcome table in a hallway. Two young women stand on the left side of the table, one in a gray floral top and one in a black polka-dot blouse, while two young men in matching navy polo shirts sit behind the table. The table is covered with a navy blue tablecloth reading "Laurel Ridge Community College Future Educators Academy," and holds stacks of blue folders, a mug of pens, and papers. A sign behind them reads "Welcome Future Educators," and a Laurel Ridge digital display is visible in the background. — FEA seniors represent at New Student Orientation.

Parents and students then participated in separate sessions. Parents met with FEA Director Lori Killough, who offered encouragement and practical guidance on supporting their students as they transition into the responsibilities and expectations of college while still in high school. New and returning FEA students took part in team-building activities led by FEA Professor Jennifer Strickler.

The evening concluded with optional campus tours, and students and families left excited to begin classes on Aug. 17.

FEA Students and Professor Join the 20th Anniversary Celebration for the Luray-Page County Center

On June 11, FEA seniors and Page County residents, Emilee and Sophia, along with FEA professor Jennifer Strickler, a Page County resident, participated in and were recognized at the 20^th anniversary celebration.

Four women stand in a lobby beneath a "Welcome" sign at a Laurel Ridge Community College campus, near a colorful painted mural and a floral arrangement. A woman in a cream dress speaks into a microphone stand while holding a folder, addressing two young women, one in a black-and-white polka-dot top and black skirt, and the other in a coral top and jeans. A fourth woman in a floral skirt and white top gestures toward the two younger women. Glass entrance doors and a reception desk are visible in the background. — FEA Seniors, Emilee and Sophia (center), with President Blosser (left) and Professor Strickler (right).

Four smiling women pose together in a hallway near an elevator and a "Health Sciences Lab" sign at a Laurel Ridge Community College event. From left to right: an older woman in a pastel plaid dress, a young woman in a coral top and jeans, a young woman in a white polka-dot blouse and black skirt, and a woman in a floral dress with a tan belt. In the background, a table with a blue-and-white checkered cloth holds food, and another attendee in a floral top is partially visible. — FEA Seniors, Emilee and Sophia (center),with Professor Strickler (right) and Page County resident, Kim Strickler (left).

As We Begin a New Academic Year, Laurel Ridge Has a Lot to Offer

There are many opportunities for students to get involved in campus happenings. Be sure to check out the Student Life website for a calendar of events and more details!

Also, don’t forget to explore all the support and resources that are here for you as a student.

A Few Odds and Ends to Note for Back to School

Attendance: We are required by the school systems to track and report attendance daily, and they take this seriously. Please email [email protected] with any attendance alterations (absences, early dismissals, late arrivals), no later than 8:00 a.m. the day of occurrence. For early dismissals/late arrivals, students will need to check in (or out) with the FEA Office (The Lodge, Rm. 325) before going elsewhere.
- Practicum Days: If students are absent/leaving early/arriving late, please email your Laurel Ridge practicum instructor (Professor Johnson or Professor Strickler), your cooperating teacher at the elementary school, and include [email protected] to notify them of any changes no later than 8:00 a.m. that morning.
Cell Phones: “No Cell Phone Use” on campus. Should emergencies arise, parents should contact the FEA office at (540) 868-7235.
Snacks: FEA provides a snack at no cost to FEA students, but it may not always be what students want. We also have vending machines in Cornerstone Hall; however, students would need to purchase these items themselves. Students may also want to bring a drink in their FEA tumblers or fill them at the water filter stations around campus.
Transportation: Waiver forms must be submitted and approved if a student is not using the public school system transportation (even if only occasionally). Please contact the FEA office if you need a form.
If a student is struggling, please reach out to Mrs. Killough sooner rather than later, via email at [email protected] or phone (540) 868-7235 so that we can connect you with the right resources.

Important Dates for FEA

Aug. 17 – First Day for FEA Students
Aug. 24 – Fall Semester Officially Begins
Sept. 7 – Labor Day Holiday
Sept. 25 – First Day of Practicums
Oct. 13 – Field Trip to Belle Grove (Juniors)
Nov. 2 – Virtual Day for FEA
Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving Holiday/Closed
Dec. 14-Jan.15 – Students Continue in Practicums on the Days their School is in Session
Jan. 19 – FEA Spring 2027 Semester Begins