New Agreement Between Laurel Ridge and Shenandoah University Creates Clear Path to Four-Year Degrees

A new partnership between Laurel Ridge Community College and Shenandoah University promises to make earning a four-year college degree more affordable and accessible for students in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

Laurel Ridge President Dr. Kim Blosser and Shenandoah University President Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons sign a new agreement launching a co-enrollment and guaranteed admission pathway between the two institutions.

On May 20, Laurel Ridge President Dr. Kim Blosser and Shenandoah University President Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that creates a co-enrollment and guaranteed admissions program. The agreement allows Laurel Ridge students to take up to three Shenandoah University classes at community college tuition rates while still enrolled in their associate degree program.

Leaders from both schools say the goal is to help more students overcome barriers to higher education by giving them a smoother, more supported path from a two-year degree to a bachelor’s degree.

Students who participate will get a chance to experience the Shenandoah campus while still working toward their associate degree. In addition to taking SU classes at a lower cost, co-enrolled students will have access to campus activities such as clubs, academic support, intramural sports, and even student tickets to conservatory and athletic events.

“To be eligible for co-enrollment, students need to be in a degree or certificate program at Laurel Ridge, have at least 15 general education credits, and hold a GPA of 2.5 or higher,” said Dr. Blosser. Students also need to meet with an advisor at Laurel Ridge to outline their plans for completing degrees at both schools.

Once students meet the requirements—earning their associate degree, maintaining a 2.5 GPA, and completing their Shenandoah classes—they will be guaranteed admission to Shenandoah University. To qualify, students must transfer within three years of finishing their program at Laurel Ridge.

This initiative is a major step forward in how Virginia’s community colleges support students. While the original goal of Virginia’s community college system was to ensure that every resident lived within an hour of a college, Dr. Blosser noted that the focus has expanded. “More recently, community colleges added another focus—ensuring students had the support needed to finish their degree or certificate,” she said. Now, she explained, the mission also includes helping students go further and finish their four-year degrees.

About 75% of Laurel Ridge’s credit students are in transfer programs, and each year, about 40 of them go on to attend Shenandoah. Yet for many, the road isn’t easy.

“Our students are more likely to have grown up in foster care, are working part-time or full-time, and have many challenging life situations,” said Dr. Blosser. “We have heard the stories of thousands of students who have earned degrees despite all the odds stacked against them, but we also know that many of these students have to stay close to home in order to make that dream a reality.”

That’s why the local connection between the two institutions is so important. “The proximity of our campus to SU’s campus is key,” Blosser added. “They will be part of a culture of care, with our advisors and SU’s advisors and teams ensuring students feel welcomed and supported.”

Dr. Fitzsimmons echoed that sense of shared purpose. “It’s a win for Laurel Ridge and for Shenandoah, for the Northern Shenandoah Valley and beyond,” she said. “It’s a win for our educational partners, like Winchester Public Schools, Frederick County Public Schools, and beyond. But, it’s also really important because of what it will do for all the students and their families for generations to come.”

Laurel Ridge Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Johanna Weiss emphasized that the partnership will strengthen the entire region.

“We need to really celebrate the benefits to our local region,” she said. “These graduates of ours, of SU’s, are going to stay in this region. They’re our future teachers, our lawyers, our business folks, our entrepreneurs, our IT specialists. We’re not just growing college graduates; we’re growing the future workforce in this area. And I think that’s something to be really excited about.”