Alumni Profiles ‣ Laurel Ridge Community College

Oscar Burgoa, in a hard hat and safety glasses, points to a tool while working on electrical conduit.

Trades Academy

Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions trades classes helping young man thrive in career

2025 Kettle Run High School graduate Oscar Burgoa says the Plumbing and Welding classes he took at Laurel Ridge Community College while still in high school really help him with…

October 24, 2026

Emanuel Ayala, in a blue cap and gown with an orange stole and honor cords, shakes hands with a college official in doctoral regalia as he receives his diploma cover at commencement.

Business Administration

Handley grad chose Laurel Ridge Community College for its affordability and its sense of community

2026 Laurel Ridge Community College graduate Emanuel Ayala said the college had been recommended to him by teachers and friends, and was affordable and had a tight-knit community.

October 21, 2026

Hunter Jenkins, wearing a hard hat, safety glasses and a high-visibility vest, uses a power drill on the steel underside of a bridge.

Trades Academy

Trades Academy gave Hunter Jenkins a career boost while he was still in high school

2025 Rappahannock County High School graduate Hunter Jenkins was still a high school student when he enrolled in the Trades Academy at Laurel Ridge Community College. He’s now happy in…

October 16, 2026

Brent Kendrick and Anna Groves smile together in an office, with a Laurel Ridge Community College mission statement poster and an award plaque visible on a shelf in the background.

Liberal Arts

2012 Laurel Ridge Community College graduate followed in the footsteps of her mentor

2012 Laurel Ridge Community College graduate Anna Groves recently returned to the college to meet with Professor Brent Kendrick who inspired her to work at the Library of Congress. She…

October 15, 2026

Mike Mullins in a safety harness and high-visibility vest takes a selfie from an elevated work platform at an industrial job site while wearing a welding helmet, protective gloves, and cold-weather gear.‌

Welding

Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions student trades in boring desk job for welding career

Mike Mullins turned to Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions after growing bored with his remote job and experiencing a series of layoffs. He has found a thrilling new career…

September 30, 2026

Nursing

Lilian Unger: From English language learner to registered nurse

Oncology nurse Lilian Unger started her educational journey with ESL classes at Laurel Ridge Community College. After mastering English, she earned her GED and then enrolled in the college, eventually…

September 28, 2026

Construction crew wearing high-visibility safety vests and hard hats pose at an active worksite with wood forms, gravel, and building materials. Stadium structures and light poles are visible in the background beneath a dramatic cloudy sky.

Construction Project Management

Construction Project Management Course Accelerates Promotion For Front Royal Man

Jesse Godsey says the Construction Project Management Program he completed through Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions helped him to quickly rise in his company’s ranks.

September 18, 2026

Taylor Bloom wearing a brown insulated jacket and gray ACE Hardware cap standing in front of driftwood logs and tall beach grass under a cloudy sky.

General Studies

Television Actor Taylor Bloom One Of Five Brothers To Flourish At Laurel Ridge Community College

Laurel Ridge Community College alumnus Taylor Bloom is making his TV debut on Sept. 21. He and his four brothers all flourished at the college.

September 14, 2026

**Image 1:** A young man in a navy blue graduation gown holds his cap with a green tassel while standing on a grassy lawn with his arm around a young woman wearing a light blue top and white pants. She holds a black Laurel Ridge Community College gift bag and smiles at the camera. Lush green trees and a brick building are visible in the background. --- **Image 2:** A young man kneels on one knee on a grass lawn beside a pond, smiling as he holds open a ring box toward a young woman in a yellow floral dress and denim jacket, who covers her mouth with her hand in surprised delight. Budding trees and a calm body of water are visible in the background on a clear spring day.

Business Administration and Science

Couple return to Laurel Ridge Community College - where it all began - for proposal

Ian Bailey and Denisse Suasnavas met at students at Laurel Ridge Community College, fell in love, graduated, earned their bachelor’s degrees and came back to the college to get engaged.

June 28, 2026

General Studies

Kaaz Garrett: From Laurel Ridge to Thailand and on to a career with the United Nations

After earning her associate degree from Laurel Ridge, Kaaz Garrett went on to study in Asia, and is helping victims of human trafficking.

May 7, 2026

Jared Loving stands in front of a fountain inside a college building, with large decorative metal letters visible in the background. He is wearing a blue NTI t-shirt and khaki pants, with his hands clasped in front of him.

Trades Academy

Trades Academy graduate accepted into prestigious The Apprentice School

Rappahannock County High School graduate Jared Loving thinks his time spent at the Trades Academy at Laurel Ridge Community College was instrumental in his getting into the prestigious Apprentice School.

May 4, 2026

Engineering

Laurel Ridge grad Katie Borland rocketing to career success

Laurel Ridge Community College graduate Katie Borland has a thrilling career at Blue Origin after earning a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Virginia.

March 16, 2026