Students
Emily Holter
Emily Holter is a current student at Lord Fairfax Community College's (LFCC) Fauquier Campus. "LFCC has helped me make a complete 180-degree turn in my life," Holter said. "I could not be more appreciative."
In high school, Holter admits that she was the kid who always slept through class, was late for class, never showed up for class and failed countless assignments and classes. Holter realizes that she was not motivated and took a counteractive approach to education.
Despite her experiences in high school, Holter and her parents started discussing the possibility of attending LFCC.. Holter's father had attended a community college in Maryland and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in business finance. He thought a community college would be a good fit for his daughter.
After graduating from high school, "by the skin of her teeth" as Holter puts it, she enrolled at LFCC. Holter started her first semester in fall 2004. She maintained her assignments and showed up for the majority of her classes until she was involved in a car accident in late September 2004. Although uninjured, her lack of motivation toward school surfaced and she stopped attending her classes.
Holter's parents and older brother begged her to reconsider her decision, but Holter felt a second semester would not be any different than her first. Feeling that her only place was in the working world, Holter accepted a full-time job at a local eatery. Holter thought she would be set for life, a realization that quickly vanished.
"While out of school and working forty hours a week, something was slowly dawning on me," Holter said. "Being around men and women who were perfectly content with living a customary life was not appealing to me, nor did I want that for myself."
So, with her newfound knowledge, Holter talked to her parents about returning to LFCC for the fall 2005 semester. In July 2005, Holter went to the Student Success Office to register for classes. "It was quite difficult for me to discover potential within myself when I had never been anything more than below average academically."
Holter admits that she was terrified and very apprehensive about failing a second time. "I undeniably wanted to make my parents proud. I also wanted to open doors to my future that only LFCC could provide."
In spite of her misgivings, Holter completed her four classes with a 4.0 grade point average. She enrolled in six classes for the spring 2006 semester. In the spring, Holter made it on the president's list and received an honor's credit for a class in American art history.
After achieving this success, Holter decided to continue her education at the College and complete an associate's degree. "As of right now, I am taking classes totaling 15 credit hours, vice president of the Ambassadors Club and am involved in a handful of other student-oriented activities."
Holter's future plans involve pursuing a bachelor's degree. "I am hoping, wishing and praying for my acceptance into New York University. I plan on studying theatre arts wherever I go, and my goal is to be onstage for the rest of my life."
Holter says that LFCC has given her a second chance academically. "My success here is due to the praiseworthy professors who constantly have their students' best interest as their first priority. To them, I am forever grateful."
Michael Orr
I am currently a student at LFCC. I was a student of Professor Borleske's this past semester in his Statistics class. I struggled through the first few weeks of his class and tried a variety of ways to get tutoring, such as TRIO and the Student Success Center. Unfortunately both were "dead ends" for me. It was then that Professor Borleske offered to help me by staying after classes, arranging times between his classes and scheduling office times. The incredible lengths he went to in order to help me were phenomenal. Not only did he use his personal time to help me, but he was so wonderful in the way he explained and taught me during these times. Because of his dedication I received a B in this class. I surely would have failed this class if it were not for his kindness, devotion and great intelligence.
Coming back to school at 37 years old has been a true experience. People like Professor Borleske have made this challenge very rewarding.
Cathy Patterson
Cathy Patterson had a desire to obtain a degree in psychology. However, it never seemed like the right time to go to college. "It always seemed that there was some excuse to keep me from going to school; the kids needed me or we didn't have the money," Patterson said.
But life changes and eventually Patterson found herself without any excuses. She was not working at the time and the kids were in school all day. Patterson thought to herself, "What could be a more perfect time to go back to school? After all, I managed a household while working full-time, so how much difference would there be in managing a household while going to school."
Patterson enrolled in classes at Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) and began pursuing her dream of obtaining a degree in psychology. However, she soon discovered that going to school full time and running a household would require a lot of time management. "Back when I was working, I could leave the office at the end of the day and not have to think about it until I went back in the next day. Then at home, I had a routine that I pretty much followed everyday," Patterson said. "Now, I go to school and do work while I am there, then I come home and may still have homework that needs to be done plus my housework. It has been a while since I had a job and ran the house, so my organizational skills are a bit rusty. I have to make time to do my homework. And, sometimes I have to stop doing my homework to be a mom or a wife."
Juggling school and family is a balancing act for Patterson. However, she is enjoying the challenge and is "getting the hang of it." The support of her family has been one of the keys to her success. "Instead of reminding my kids to do their homework, they are reminding me! My kids are now helping me with my homework, which has turned out to be a really nice bonus," Patterson said. "Sometimes my husband will even ask me if I need help with anything so I can finish my homework."
Patterson's success in the classroom, like so many other students, is dependent on hard work and determination, a supportive network of friends and family and a dedicated group of faculty. Patterson has all of these things. As she moves toward her goal of obtaining a degree, she does so with confidence.
Carolyn Riggleman
Carolyn Riggleman is a 32-year-old nursing student at Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC). A resident of Augusta, W.Va., Riggleman decided to attend LFCC because of the nursing program and the affordable tuition rate at the College.
When Riggleman applied to LFCC, she was a single mother raising two children. Riggleman had spent the past seven years at home with her autistic son. "I did not know how I would manage school and work and still care for my children with the amount of time I needed to devote to each task," Riggleman said. However, manage she did.
When Riggleman first began classes, she was afraid that she would not be able to keep up with her classmates. Because of this fear, Riggleman started slow with classes that she knew she was already good at. This helped to build her confidence. She also took time to ask questions.
Riggleman's advice for single parents who want to attend college is to "build a good support system. Attending college is a short-term, two-year long sacrifice." Since starting at LFCC, Riggleman found great support from her instructors and fellow classmates. Riggleman's husband, Kevin, also gives her support.
When Riggleman finishes her associate's degree, she will be able to work three days a week, making twice as much as she did working five days a week. "It is important to remember that going to college is not selfish. You are really doing it for your children," Riggleman said.
Riggleman currently works as a technician in the Emergency Room (ER) at Winchester Medical Center. After graduating from LFCC, Riggleman plans to continue working in the ER. Riggleman ultimately hopes to attend Shenandoah University and receive her bachelor's degree in nursing.
Riggleman has the following advice for individuals who are trying to choose the right college. "Follow your heart and find the right fit. Sometimes, it is better to be a big fish in a little pond, than a little fish in an ocean."