For nearly the entire time the Luray-Page County Center (LPCC) has been open, Judy Suddith has been there.
Originally from Cumberland, Maryland, Suddith arrived in the Shenandoah Valley when she transferred from community college in her home state to James Madison University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications.
After interning at WHSV, she worked for the Harrisonburg TV station as a reporter in 1984-85. She then moved to Page County when she took a job as a producer and director of a local cable channel in 1985. Suddith would go on to work at a law firm and then spent 7½ years as a feature writer and reporter with the Page News and Courier
Suddith then had the opportunity to open her own business working on real-estate title examinations, which took her all over the valley from Winchester to Rappahannock County.
In September 2006, not many months after the LPCC first opened, Suddith applied to be its office manager and administrative assistant.
“I knew that I wanted to do something in education because it’s important, especially in a small town and a small community, that people know their options,” she said about applying to work at Laurel Ridge. “I had been that person. I grew up in a small town, and felt I had a capacity to help other people from rural areas.”
Suddith later added academic advisor to her duties. She then pursued graduate school, earning a master’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.
“I chose English and Creative Writing for my master’s degree because I love reading and writing and hoped to teach for Laurel Ridge – which I am now doing,” Suddith explained “Teaching students and helping them with writing is exciting because they come to the realization that their own story is important. Words matter.”
She is teaching two English courses at the LPCC.
“My favorite thing, really, is working with the students,” Suddith said.
But, she also enjoys the relationships she has with other Laurel Ridge employees – at the LPCC and beyond.
“I like the camaraderie of working at the college because I’ve made so many friends through the years at all locations and love connecting with them,” said Suddith.
Like many of the students she counsels at the LPCC, Suddith is a first-generation college student. Both of her children have attended Laurel Ridge. Her son came to the college for a year before transferring to JMU, and her daughter took dual-enrolled classes before attending JMU, as well.
When Jenkins Hall replaced the former LPCC site on Hawksbill Street in Luray, it provided lab space on-site for students. Previously, they had to have their science labs at either Luray High School or the Page County Technical Center.
This new lab space has been put to good use – in fall 2021, a Physical Therapist Assistant Program was begun as an accredited satellite program of Germanna Community College. That program will be an independent accredited Laurel Ridge course starting in fall 2026. Additionally, a Nurse’s Aide Program will begin at Jenkins Hall in summer 2026.
“Having Laurel Ridge in Luray-Page County provides an opportunity for people who may never had had the chance to explore what’s available to them to come and see what might be possible,” said Suddith. “We have workforce programs. We have credit programs where students can take classes and then transfer to a four-year school. There are certificate programs.
“It just gives people in this rural community the opportunity for learning that otherwise they may not have. People like living here – they don’t necessarily want to travel to get an education. And, it’s about community connection. A student might not know what they want to do when they set foot in the door. I like talking to them and trying to lead them on the right path.”
That is something she didn’t have when she was exploring her college options since neither of her parents had gone to college.
“I was the first college graduate in my family,” Suddith said. “I just like helping the students. To me, that’s what it’s all about.”
She describes Jenkins Hall, which opened in January 2021, as a “dream come true.”
“This building is so incredible,” Suddith said. “The view out back is just gorgeous. We’re just blessed to be able to have this here. We have much more space, more classrooms, a healthcare lab, a science classroom and lab. We have a trades lab. We can do workforce classes here. It’s a fabulous part of our community.”
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.