Laurel Ridge Community College’s 2026 Distinguished Classified Staff Award recipient Caroline Walls isn’t just an exemplary employee of the college, she is also an alumna.
Walls, an academic adviser, first started taking classes at the college as a dual-enrolled student at Handley High School. After graduation, she continued at Laurel Ridge, earning her associate degree in General Studies in 2015, and transferring to the University of Virginia to earn a bachelor’s degree in English.
“My mom went here and transferred [to Shepherd University],” Walls said. “It’s definitely a pathway and an environment that has been in our family. She was a good example to me that it’s never too late to pursue the things you want to pursue. Maybe my daughter will go here some day, too.”
She was on maternity leave with her first child when the award was announced. Academic Advising Director Gregory Anderson nominated Walls for the honor. He described her as professional, positive, thoughtful, supportive and collaborative, and said she is a “good listener, an excellent communicator, and a problem solver.”
Walls has designed several specialized events for Laurel Ridge students, including transfer workshops, info sessions for incoming students, and “Decision Day” celebrations for graduating ones, according to Anderson.
“None of these things are required of her,” he marveled. “As her supervisor, I didn’t ask her to do any of them. She simply does things, and I do my best not to get in her way. When asked to take on an additional task, Caroline is always willing to say yes.
“In times of short staffing, Caroline has always been willing to pivot to advise additional academic programs and to take on additional students to be sure that every student is served with the attention they expect and deserve. Caroline is a sharp critical thinker who will ask the question or present the alternative scenario in an effort to make a situation work for a student.”
Additionally, Walls serves her coworkers through various committees – she was vice-chair of the Classified Staff Council and represented Laurel Ridge on the Shenandoah Valley Internship Experience Workgroup. She also has organized numerous employee gatherings, Anderson said. He described her as “an important heartbeat” for his team and others at the college.
Caroline Walls at a Welcome Week table.
Walls will celebrate four years working at Laurel Ridge in November. Coming back to the college was a “full circle” moment for her.
“You see so many staff here who are alumni,” Walls said. “It’s a nice place to be. I like my job. I like the people I work with, and now, having a child, an environment that’s more flexible like this is a good fit. My direct supervisor, Greg Anderson, is the most understanding, flexible person to work with, and I have enjoyed working with other administrators at the college as well.
“This is a very supportive work environment. The fact that we prioritize developing caring relationships with our coworkers, I think, makes us work better as a team, which allows us to serve students better.”
When she first began working at Laurel Ridge, Walls had recently started her master’s degree in Divinity at Mercer University. She has since earned that degree, and is an ordained minister, serving as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Winchester. This has only enhanced her advising position.
“What I like about the academic advising model at Laurel Ridge is that we have the opportunity to develop ongoing relationships with the students throughout their time at the college,” said Walls. “We get to serve as a support and a resource for students, talking them through issues that may arise as well as walking them through the steps required to make their dreams become reality.
“The focus of my electives in my master’s program was on pastoral care and chaplaincy. These courses gave me a great foundation for academic advising because it’s a very similar skillset. I love the opportunity we have as advisors to connect with students about things that really matter to them, much like chaplains do.”