2024 Laurel Ridge Distinguished Full-Time Faculty Award recipient Professor Lori Killough works tirelessly for her college students and for K-12 education statewide.
A 20-year veteran at the college, Professor Killough “shows up at every turn to make Laurel Ridge an institution that keeps growing and pursuing excellence,” reads one of the nominations for her award. “I have never heard her say she is too busy to do something; she just takes action!”
The nomination, as well as a second nomination, notes Professor Killough’s instrumental role in bringing the Future Educators Academy, a state lab school, to the college in fall 2025. The program will allow area high school students to complete their associate degree in education before high school graduation and transfer to a partner organization to attain their bachelor’s degrees.
“Throughout the past year, Lori Killough has been involved in many initiatives to mitigate the teacher shortage across the commonwealth of Virginia, particularly in more rural counties,” the second nomination states. “Her work in creating and furthering the Education program at Laurel Ridge is outstanding for the college, the rural school division communities we serve, and for the commonwealth of Virginia. Lori is deserving of this recognition for her commitment to the college, advocacy for students and faculty alike, and focus on preparing our future educators!”
Even though she knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was a child – one of her treasured Christmas gifts was a double-sided chalkboard “with a big red bow on it” that she and her friend could both use simultaneously to play teacher – Professor Killough first embarked on an IT career, earning an associate degree in data processing from Erie Community College.
“I knew IT wasn’t where I wanted to be long term, but I absolutely loved the community college environment,” she said. “My heart has always been in community college.”
Professor Killough then earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education and her master’s in education from Buffalo State College. She taught elementary special education and computer lab in the Buffalo area, which is where she was from. After marrying her husband, Roger, she moved to Winchester and initially worked in the IT field before working in the city’s public schools.
Upon noticing an opening for a dual-enrollment coordinator position at the college, she decided to expand her horizons and apply. Professor Killough later transitioned into a teacher education position. Today, she is the education department’s program lead, as well as a professor.
Learning she was receiving the award was overwhelming.
“I was overwhelmed to even be nominated and really humbled,” Professor Killough said. “I’m well aware that I work with the best, the brightest, the absolute salt of the earth here at the college. My colleagues are top notch. Nothing that I do here, nothing that anyone does here, is done alone.”
She is grateful for the deans she has worked with, saying she’s always been supported in her role, in the form of extra resources, additional adjuncts, and support of professional development opportunities for faculty.
Professor Killough is particularly looking forward to the Future Educators Academy.
“Right now, there’s an incredible teacher shortage,” she noted. “It’s really bad, and it’s everywhere. What I love about the lab school is we’re really trying to have an impact on that.”
Professor Killough and her siblings were first-generation college students, and they all started out at community colleges.
“My parents installed in us at a very young age that education is crucial to your future,” she said. “Many of my friends couldn’t afford college. I thought, ‘That’s not right.’ What I love about community colleges is we reach everybody and give everybody an opportunity.”
Laurel Ridge is a bit of a family tradition for Professor Killough, who has four children. Her husband, Roger, attended the college in the 1970s and 1980s. Her son, Brian Gern, was a Laurel Ridge student, and all three of her daughters were community college students. Professor Killough has one grandchild – who has her own chalkboard.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.