December 2, 2016
Laurel Ridge today hosted about 200 high school juniors from around the region who learned how an Laurel Ridge education can help them land a career in the booming STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.
The students were divided into smaller groups and visited various parts of the college to learn about
A Strasburg High School student learns about jobs in cyber security.
opportunities in a wide variety of occupations, including cyber security, surgical technology, dental hygiene and chemistry.
“We want students to be familiar with STEM jobs,” said Brenda Byard, dean of academic, student affairs and outreach at Laurel Ridge. “We also want to make sure that we get girls introduced to our what our STEM fields are and what’s available at Laurel Ridge.”
It’s estimated that there will be 8 million STEM jobs in the U.S. by 2018, but many U.S. students lack the preparation for them.
Strasburg High School student Megan Cales enjoyed learning about the surgical technology program, which she thought was “pretty cool.”
“I’m pretty interested in all of the sciences, so I think it’s pretty cool [to have the STEM event, I’m] really interested in biology and surgery,” Megan said. “[Attending] Laurel Ridge is going to be one of my options.”
Computer science professor Melissa Stange said the high schoolers were asking her plenty of questions about what pathways they need to take to get into their chosen career.
“It’s our opportunity not to sell our programs, but to sell the careers and the professions, which is the important piece,” she said. “We’re hopefully making that connection for how it all intertwines.”
For more information about STEM and other opportunities at Laurel Ridge, visit lffc.edu/whylfcc, or call 540-868-7161.
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.