Phi Theta Kappa has played a big part in 2025 graduate Breanna Campero’s success – even while she was in the womb. Phi Theta Kappa, commonly referred to as PTK, is an international academic honor society for two-year colleges.
An aspiring doctor, Campero was a member of PTK, and a PTK scholarship helped to fund her education, along with financial aid.
“I haven’t actually had to pay anything out of my own pocket,” said Campero, whose mother, Michelle Campero, was the regional vice president of PTK while pregnant with her and attending Laurel Ridge.
Another vital component of Campero’s success has been the TRiO program at Laurel Ridge. TRiO provides wraparound services, including free printing, additional advising and other supports, to students who have a documented disability, or are a first-generation student, or are low income. TRiO also operates food pantries on Laurel Ridge’s campuses.
Campero earned her associate degree in science in May, and is transferring to James Madison University this fall to get her bachelor’s degree in biology as part of a pre-med path. She hopes to become a psychiatrist.
A 2023 graduate of Millbrook High School, Campero initially considered coming to Laurel Ridge to earn her commercial driver’s license.
“At the last minute, I just decided that I wanted to go back to school,” she said. “My mom went here. My sister went here. My older siblings had taken dual-enrollment classes here.”
Michelle Campero earned her associate degree from Laurel Ridge and then her bachelor’s degree on the path to becoming a civil engineering. She later returned to Laurel Ridge to earn her Class A CDL through Workforce Solutions and now owns her own moving company, M.C. Movers.
Campero said her sister, Gabby Osborne, currently a Laurel Ridge student, has earned her pharmacy technician certificate through Workforce Solutions, and hopes to enter the college’s nursing program.
Campero said she received a lot of support from her advisors, particularly her TRiO advisor, Ashley Jay.
“She has helped me greatly – what I want to do with my future, how I’m going to get there, what steps I need to take to make it happen,” said Campero.
She said without Jay’s influence, she wouldn’t have really considered transferring to JMU. Jay connected her with the transfer advisor at the university and let her know about a scholarship program to which she could apply.
“Really, what kept me here was the support from the college community,” Campero said. “TRiO provided me with resources and opportunities. There were days when I had nothing to eat and the only meal I got that day was from coming and going to the pantry. I was able to get hygiene products and clothes, even mops, and gas cards.
“I don’t know if I necessarily would have given up on college without TRiO, but they were there for any question I had. They also took me on opportunities, including the TRiO Student Leadership Conference at JMU this year. That was really inspiring. I don’t know if I could have done as well as I did here had I gone right to a four-year university. Because of the small class sizes and your professors know who you are and your advisors know who you are, you’re not just another face.”
She worked as a distribution clerk at Winchester Medical Center during much of her time at Laurel Ridge, but is currently working for her mom’s company.
Campero said she had long been interested in psychology, but didn’t necessarily want to be a therapist.
“Then I started researching more and found psychiatry,” she said. “Mental health issues are fairly prominent in my family, and I have seen what they can do to those who not only have mental health issues, but to family and those around them, especially when medication or treatment is not utilized or being taken care of.
“I always had an interest in psychology. It just helps fuel my interest and almost feels like healing my inner child in a way by helping other people.”
A favorite professor for Campero was Addie Jones, who she had for her Lifespan Human Development course.
“I gave a life interview with her,” Campero said. “We had an early morning class and everyone almost always showed up just because we wanted to be there. It was just one of those classes I was excited to go to.”
Another favorite was Biology Professor Elisabeth Dingess.
“She’s just an incredible person and professor,” said Campero. “She knows exactly what she’s talking about. Any question, she always had the answer for. Her teaching style I thought was remarkable.”
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.