Alumni Profiles ‣ Laurel Ridge Community College

Profiles

Jill Cagle: Workforce Solutions’ CompTIA courses lead to new career for mom of six

Mother-of-six Jill Cagle is thriving as an IT specialist with Syntelligent Analytic Solutions in Luray where she is one of nearly 20 employees who either have graduated from or are…

July 23, 2021

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Kareem Jenkins: Pandemic hiatus leads to new career direction

Having his work hours drastically reduced due to the pandemic led Kareem Jenkins to take a serious look at what he wanted to do with his life. The Manassas resident…

July 17, 2021

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Michael Mallery: Formerly homeless student now studying to become a history professor

2018 Laurel Ridge graduate Michael Mallery’s keychain has a special significance. On it, are the keys to the homes of families who saved him from homelessness. A 2015 graduate of…

July 13, 2021

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Azriel Lee: Drawn to art school

Before coming to Laurel Ridge, Azriel Lee had never had a formal art class. This fall, she will be heading off to the highly-regarded Ringling College of Art and Design…

May 26, 2021

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Cynthia Schneider: A fresh start later in life thanks to Laurel Ridge

Seven years ago, Top of Virginia Regional Chamber CEO Cynthia Schneider found herself at a crossroads. Her job had ended and she was 58, but she wasn’t ready for retirement.…

May 19, 2021

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Amy Russo: From laid off due to covid to giving covid shots

Had it not been for the pandemic, Amy Russo wouldn’t be in a new career right now, doing what she loves – which now includes inoculating people against the Covid-19…

April 22, 2021

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Kathy Alsberry Temple: 1972 alumna loved Laurel Ridge so much, she returned 40 years later for a second degree

Kathy Temple is a trailblazer – her life is made up of many firsts, including being the very first person to graduate from Laurel Ridge. Her maiden name is Alsberry…

December 22, 2020

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Judy Rinker: Laurel Ridge’s first Outstanding Graduate recipient, longtime employee and volunteer

When Laurel Ridge’s first president, Dr. William H. McCoy, pointed to Judy Neff Rinker and said, “That redheaded girl is going to attend Laurel Ridge Community College” during a visit…

November 23, 2020

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JoAnn Leight: Very first student to enroll at Laurel Ridge

The decision to go back to school as an adult student led to a long career as a kindergarten teacher for JoAnn Leight. With all four of her children finally…

November 18, 2020

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2017 grad reflects on TRIO and academic experiences at Laurel Ridge

“It felt like a nurturing hub.” That’s how 2017 grad Tiffany Matthews described the TRIO lounge on the Middletown Campus. The TRIO program provides specialized services, including academic advising, transfer…

September 8, 2020

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From Laurel Ridge student to Brown University neuroscience major

Right after graduating simultaneously from Laurel Ridge and Strasburg High School – actually, his associate degree in general studies was granted slightly before his high school diploma – Eric Steacy…

August 20, 2020

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Laurel Ridge put Handley grad on path to law school

A humanities elective he took at Laurel Ridge led Handley High School graduate Max Schweiger on his path to becoming a lawyer. Schweiger graduated from the University of Louisville Brandeis…

July 27, 2020