Alumni Profiles ‣ Laurel Ridge Community College

Derrick DeHaney, wearing a white hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, and a tool belt, climbs a wooden utility pole against a clear blue sky while working on electrical lines.

Power Line Worker

Derrick DeHaney: Power Line graduate energized by new career in the electrical industry

Derrick DeHaney recently graduated from Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions’ Power Line Worker Program, and has begun working for Dominion Energy.

March 5, 2026

Graduate in white coat receives diploma and shakes hands with faculty member on an outdoor commencement stage.

Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant Program led to a fulfilling career for 2025 graduate

Hannah Hjelm graduated from Laurel Ridge Community College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program in 2025 and is loving her job working with patients at an outpatient facility.

February 2, 2026

photograph of Katie standing in front of an archway with the words "Luray Caverns, VA"

General Studies

Luray Caverns and Laurel Ridge have been the perfect fit for Katie McDaniel

Katie McDaniel enrolled at Laurel Ridge Community College while employed at Luray Caverns. She was able to get her associate degree and her bachelor’s degree while working full-time at the…

January 28, 2026

Julie holding her diploma and standing next to President Blosser on stage at commencement

Physical Therapist Assistant

2025 Physical Therapist Assistant grad loves healing her neighbors

Julie Burkholder earned her associate degree in Physical Therapist Assistant from Laurel Ridge Community College in May 2025 and loves serving in her community.

January 27, 2026

Breeden in a light blue dress standing outdoors among evergreen trees, with a soft winter-themed snowflake overlay.

Liberal Arts

For fine arts graduate Jennifer Breeden artistry has been a recurrent career thread

Jennifer Breeden has been able to use her fine arts degree from Laurel Ridge Community College in every career transition.

January 15, 2026

a man faces the camera and smiles wearing a dress shirt and blazer jacket

General Studies

Laurel Ridge put Alex White onto path of Harvard and Yale

Laurel Ridge Community College graduate Alex White says the college was instrumental in his attending Harvard University and Yale Law School.

November 8, 2025

Three people sit around a table in a room decorated with American and military flags. One person has a laptop open, suggesting a meeting or study session, and all appear relaxed and engaged.

Cybersecurity

U.S. Marine enjoyed academic success at Laurel Ridge

Laurel Ridge Community College 2025 Outstanding Graduate in Cybersecurity Wade Dickinson never expected he would enjoy the level of academic success he has, nor that he would be studying for…

November 7, 2025

Man wearing a white lab coat embroidered with “Shenandoah University School of Pharmacy,” a white dress shirt, and a dark tie, posing against a plain white background.

Engineering

Laurel Ridge alum turns in his Army fatigues for a white coat

Laurel Ridge Community College alumnus Jeff Sinclair has just begun his first semester of pharmacy school at Shenandoah University and said the community college gave him a solid foundation.

October 29, 2025

CompTIA IT Certifications

CompTIA certifications led Zachary Caudle to a fulfilling career with VDOT

Looking for job satisfaction and mental stimulation, Zachary Caudle turned to Workforce Solutions at Laurel Ridge Community College. After earning CompTIA certifications, he was recruited by the Virginia Department of…

July 16, 2025

Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment cut two years - and more than $80,000 - off Molly Sims's tuition price

William & Mary student Molly Sims is saving about $84,000 in tuition costs because she earned her associate degree at Laurel Ridge Community College first.

May 1, 2025

Kozhenevsky posing with "Class of 2024" sign

Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment helps Virginia Tech student take on a minor

By earning her associate degree through Laurel Ridge Community College while still in high school has allowed Sofia Kozhenevsky to take on a minor at Virginia Tech.

February 18, 2025

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

CDL graduate finds fulfillment in life on the road

Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions’ CDL program opened up a whole new lucrative and fulfilling career for Alexander Hannett.

February 14, 2025