February 28, 2019
Administrators from Laurel Ridge and Shenandoah University have entered into an agreement that will facilitate the transfer of honors students from Laurel Ridge to the university.
A memorandum of understanding, signed by administrators from both institutions, facilitates the transfer of Lord Fairfax honors program students into Shenandoah University’s College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program beginning this fall.
“We value the time and effort students have spent completing an honors program at a community college,” says Professor Laurel Rodgers, associate professor of biology and director of the SU honors program. “This MOU allows a streamlined transition from their honors program to our honors program.”
Students who complete Laurel Ridge’s honors program (a minimum of 10 credits) and who are accepted into SU’s honors program may waive the freshman and sophomore portions of Shenandoah’s program (this includes six credits of general education honors courses, along with Honors 101 and 201 seminars).
Transfer students are then required to complete Honors 301 and six honor credits within their declared major, which allows them to complete the honors program within two years at Shenandoah.
There were 25 honors program scholars at Laurel Ridge in the 2017-18 academic year. The program is designed to challenge students who are both intellectually motivated and academically able by providing opportunities for in-depth study.
Graduating Laurel Ridge students who have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, and who have earned honors credit in at least three courses, plus an honors seminar, are designated honors program scholars on their transcripts and diplomas.
“I have been involved in several rich and robust collaborations involving Laurel Ridge and Shenandoah, and, certainly, working with Professor Rodgers to develop this MOU is one of them,” says Laurel Ridge English Professor Brent Kendrick, a coordinator of the honors program. “I am delighted that Laurel Ridge transfer students will have the opportunity to join a community of student scholars at SU.”
This is the first year for Shenandoah’s College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program, with the first students having started in January. Currently, 15 freshman students are enrolled in the program. To complete the program, students must complete six honors general education courses, earn six honors credits within their major, and complete three credits of honors seminars.
Honors program students graduate with a certificate of completion in the program, and honors classes are marked on their transcript.
“This program provides students with a personalized support system while at Shenandoah, while simultaneously providing experiences in courses and events that help students develop skills necessary for graduate school and their future careers,” Dr. Rodgers says.
Rodgers says SU’s honors program also provides leadership opportunities through the new Student Honors Council, which relays any concerns about the program to the Faculty Honors Committee. The council also develops and plans events on campus for both honors and traditional students.
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.