Seeing herself succeeding academically at Laurel Ridge – first in the Adult Education program and now as a student enrolled in credit-bearing classes – more than a decade after dropping out of high school fills Amanda Grogg with pride.
She was a senior when she left Forest Park High School in Woodbridge after getting pregnant with her now-13-year-old son and suffering severe morning sickness.
“I tried the homeschooling thing, but I could not sit at a computer that long, so I dropped out and raised him,” Grogg said.
Her life was further complicated when she spent a few years battling addiction before coming to a decision to turn her life around.
“I got clean on my own,” said Grogg. “I just didn’t want to live that lifestyle.”
That’s when she decided to earn her GED, taking Laurel Ridge’s Adult Education classes two times a week at Millbrook High School. Grogg attained her GED in January 2024. Now living in Shenandoah County, she enrolled in credit classes at Laurel Ridge in fall 2024.
“Both of my parents are disabled and they needed help, which is I why I came to Edinburg,” Grogg said.
She went to Laurel Ridge’s website to explore her educational options.
“The G3 program stuck out to me because as a single mother taking care of her parents, I didn’t have money,” Grogg explained.
For eligible Virginia residents, the G3 program pays all of the remaining tuition after scholarships and financial aid have been applied. Grogg has also benefited from various scholarships at Laurel Ridge, including the GED Scholarship, The Yang Family Health Professions & Education Scholarship, the Jeffery L. Ross Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the Student Success Fund.
Grogg started off by enrolling in the college’s Medical Billing and Coding certificate program, which is G3-eligible and would take about nine months to complete. She continued to explore the website to see if she could take her education even further, which led to her enrolling in the HIM program, which also qualifies for G3 funds.
“I’ve always wanted to be in the healthcare field – I just get really squeamish with needles,” said Grogg. “The next best thing is I can be helpful and still be in healthcare, but through the administrative side of it.”
She has decided to enroll in classes that allow her to stack credentials and certifications as she goes.
“Now, I’ve been just trying to really put myself in a position that I can get a good job and more financial security than just an entry-level role, which is why I decided to do the Medical Billing and Coding certificate while also simultaneously working on my Health Information Management degree,” said Grogg. “Without that certificate, I have my GED, but I don’t have much else behind it.
“I knew that I needed to build something of myself. My son just turned 13. I wanted to be able to show him you can bounce back. I was a full-time student. I have maintained a 3.9 GPA, and I’m in [academic honor society] Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). I have been on the President’s List for the fall and spring semesters.”
She got to wear a PTK tassel on her gown when she graduated with her certificate in May 2025.
“Those things really make me feel proud – that your hard work pays off,” Grogg said. “I just turned 31, so I feel sometimes like I’m behind the eight ball.”
She had a tumultuous childhood, which has at times made her feel stuck.
“You have to learn to navigate life a completely different way,” said Grogg. “I’m just glad that I found my way through.”
Shortly after commencement, Grogg passed the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam. She hopes to graduate with her HIM degree in spring 2026.
“I’m hoping that I can get a job in a hospital, somewhere in the administrative field,” said Grogg. “I just feel that I’ve put myself a little bit higher with the CPC exam – now I have the CPC certificate.”
She would like to take the Certified Professional Biller exam, but finds the $500 fee daunting.
In addition to financial assistance from scholarships and grants, Grogg has received support through the TRiO program, which provides extra help for students who are first-generation college students, low income or have a documented disability.
“TRiO has been great,” she said. “I’ve done a lot of printing for my classes. It has really helped me. That is what has aided my organization for my binders that enable me to succeed in school. They also helped at Christmas for my son. They got him gifts and they gave us food. That was such a help.”
She has been enjoying many of her classes.
“I absolutely loved Anatomy and Physiology with Professor Ann Simpson – she’s amazing,” enthused Grogg. “She actually really put it in my head to take this as seriously as I can and keep coming back to school.”
Professor Kathy Ware has been another favorite.
“She has been really great, really encouraging,” said Grogg.
She now thinks she may even wish to pursue a master’s degree in health administration.
“I’m really proud of being able to succeed,” said Grogg. “I’m happy that I put myself out there and took that leap of faith. I need to make something of my life. I want to be able to provide for my family and just have great financial security.”
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.