Laurel Ridge signs partnership agreement with Opportunity Scholars and Shenandoah University

Laurel Ridge Community College is excited to partner with Opportunity Scholars and Shenandoah University to help high school students from middle- and lower-income families attain a higher education. The entities are signing a memorandum of understanding May 18.

Opportunity Scholars provides the up-front costs of education and career training – including short-term training – as a way to provide economic mobility for all families. More than 100 students in one academic year have already been engaged in the program, which creates a pipeline of workers ready to support professional, career and technology industries.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and Opportunity Scholars students

“We believe that by joining forces with like-minded partners, we can empower every student with the tools for success and touch future generations,” said Opportunity Scholars CEO Knox Singleton. “By 2025, we hope to have enrolled 1,000 students in the program, putting them on the course toward high-demand, high-paying professions.”

The agreement is for students living in the Laurel Ridge service area – Winchester, and Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren counties – and is intended to enable students to pursue a career in their own communities with sustainable wages at the least cost to themselves and their families in one of these high-demand and high-skilled areas:  public service, healthcare, education, business, IT and trades.

As part of the agreement, Opportunity Scholars will pay for and provide personal, career and academic mentoring for high school and college preparation, as well as most of the expenses related to earning a degree or certification. Opportunity Scholars staff will articulate transfer pathways from Laurel Ridge to SU for those careers that require a bachelor’s degree.

In return, among Laurel Ridge’s obligations are helping high school students choose the right curriculum for their chosen pathways so they are able to take advantage of dual-enrollment classes; sharing with Opportunity Scholars advisors, students and parents plans and pathway information demonstrating how students can earn credentials, certificates and degrees; and providing high school seniors with information on financial aid, new student onboarding and other initiatives.

Additionally, Laurel Ridge will ensure students have a smooth transition from high school to college, will refer potential students to the Opportunity Scholars program if those students are interested in one of the targeted fields, and will train career coaches and dual-enrollment specialists to provide program continuity with Opportunity Scholars.

“The Opportunity Scholars program will provide many students an avenue to pursue training and education beyond high school that will put them on a pathway to success,” said Dean, Early College and High School Partnerships Brenda Byard. “The partnership with Laurel Ridge Community College will ensure students can begin the pathway while still in high school. Opportunity Scholars is a model program to create equitable opportunities and the talent pipeline in our communities.”

Learn more about the program at www.opportunityscholars.org.