Student Profiles ‣ Laurel Ridge Community College
Skip to Content

Student Profiles

Meredith Dhillon: From fearful student, to physician’s assistant

Laurel Ridge associate of science graduate Meredith Dhillon (’12) has transformed herself from a 16-year-old girl living on her own, to a physician assistant specializing in mental health.

Learn More

Omayra Diaz: Campus Talk Leads to University Research Experience

Computer science student Omayra Diaz has had a rare opportunity while at Laurel Ridge – she was selected by Indiana University for a paid Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) funded by the National Science Foundation.

Learn More

Shane Sawyer: The sky is not the limit for engineering student

Laurel Ridge engineering student Shane Sawyer’s dreams are out of this world. The Central High School graduate plans to transfer to the University of Virginia to study aerospace engineering after earning his associate degree at Laurel Ridge. Ultimately, Sawyer hopes to earn a doctoral degree in astrophysics.

Learn More

Trevor Riley-Jewell: There is job security in cybersecurity

Before he started studying at Laurel Ridge in 2016, Trevor Riley-Jewell was making $9.25 an hour and struggling to pay his bills. Today, he is working in cybersecurity and pulling in a salary that is “up into the six figures” as a cybersecurity engineer.

Learn More

Julia Wickersham: Academic Success in a Time of Coronavirus

Not even a worldwide pandemic could keep Julia Wickersham from completing her studies and earning both an associate degree and a career studies certificate this past May.

Learn More

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 still enrolled at Laurel Ridge.

Learn More

Beenish Durrani: Dreams Of Walking Across the Commencement Stage

Beenish “Bee” Durrani has always wanted to earn a degree from an American college, but life kept getting in the way.

Learn More

Brianna Sine: Happy to be Serving and Protecting Her Hometown

2018 Laurel Ridge grad Brianna Sine is doing a job she loves right in her hometown. She was recently sworn in as a police officer for Luray Police Department.

Learn More

Donna Kelley: LPN to RN grad earns top nursing and veteran honors

The past year has been a challenging one for so many people, including 2021 Laurel Ridge graduate Donna Kelley. The newly-minted registered nurse overcame significant hurdles with grit and grace,…

Learn More

Mackenzie Hoover: Student nurse studying for associate and bachelor’s degrees at the same time

When Laurel Ridge nursing student Mackenzie Hoover graduates with her associate of science degree in nursing in spring 2022, she will also be receiving her bachelor’s degree from George Mason…

Learn More