“A Day of Art” Field Trip

When: Jan. 11, 2008

Where: Middletown and Fauquier Campuses

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration (Middletown Campus)

When: Jan. 21, 2008, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: William H. McCoy Special Events Center

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration (Fauquier Campus)

When: Jan. 21, 2008, at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Rose Loeb Student Center

Virginia Tech Instant Decision Day!

When: Jan. 23, 2008

Where: Student Success on Fauquier Campus

Ski Massanutten (Collegewide)

When: Jan. 25, 2008 through Jan. 25, 2008

Where: Massanutten Ski Resort

Dinner for Evening Students (Fauquier Campus)

When: Jan. 25, 2008

Virginia Tech Instant Decision Day!

When: Feb. 18, 2008, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: Counseling and Advising Office on the Middletown Campus

Job Fairs

When: March 12, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Where: Fauquier Campus

Job Fairs

When: March 19, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Where: Luray-Page County Center

Job Fairs

When: March 26, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Where: Middletown Campus

Dinner for Evening Students (Fauquier Campus)

Where: Fauquier Campus

Scholarship Opportunities and Financial Aid

Scholarships available from the National Federation of the Blind

Are you a legally blind student trying to go to college? The National Federation of the Blind has various scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $12,000 for legally blind high school seniors and college students. Applications can be found at www.nfb.org/scholarships. To qualify, you must be legally blind, plan on attending a U.S. college or university as a full-time student for the 2008 scholastic year, and, if chosen, must participate in the NFB national convention and scheduled scholarship program activities. The deadline is March 31, 2008. Any questions should be directed to Anil Lewis, chairman, NFB Scholarship Committee at 404-371-1000 or Scholarships@nfb.org.

Lord Fairfax Community College Scholarship Opportunities

Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) offers financial assistance to full-time and part-time students in the form of scholarships, which are made possible by generous donors. The LFCC Financial Aid Office is currently accepting applications for financial assistance for the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters. To apply, please submit the entire online scholarship application packet by March 14, 2008 at 4 p.m.

If you need assistance completing the online scholarship application packet, please contact Athena Walker at 540-868-7089 or awalker@lfcc.edu.

Career Resources

Spring Job Fairs - Getting ready!

It's time to begin getting prepared for the annual Spring Job Fairs that will be held at the Fauquier Campus on March 12, 2008, at the Middletown Campus on March 26, 2008 and at the Luray-Page County Center on March 19, 2008. So, what does it mean to "get prepared?"

1. Get your resume ready. For help drafting it, go to http://www.vault.com/nr/ht_list.jsp?ht_type=8.
2. Want a career counselor to review your resume for you? Just save as a word document and attach to an e-mail that you then send to mrutz@lfcc.edu or dcumbia@lfcc.edu.
3. Save the date(s) on your 2008 calendar.
4. Plan to dress to impress. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
5. Watch this e-newsletter for more tips in January and February.

Job Fair Tips

Want some personal help with making a good first impression and/or “working” a job fair?  Make an appointment with one of your Career Counselors, Marie Rutz, (mrutz@lfcc.edu) or Doug Cumbia, (dcumbia@lfcc.edu).

1. Review the list of employers scheduled to attend the Job Fair(s) online (www.lfcc.edu then Career Services then Job Fairs) and plan which you want to visit before you arrive.
2. Create a résumé specifically for each employer you want to visit, and have copies on nice paper ready to hand to each respective business representative.
3. Have something to write with and something to write on with you at the Job Fair.  You may want to take notes and/or collect business cards for a prompt follow-up after the Job Fair.
4. Follow-up soon after the Job Fair, like the next day!

Job Hunting?

If you are looking for a job, either full-time or part-time, be sure to go to LFCC's Web-based job opportunities site:  www.collegecentral.com/lfcc. Here you will find an array of job postings from employers in our service area. Take a look! New jobs are added almost daily.

Want to post your resume so employers can find you? It's easy to do. Just register on www.collegecentral.com/lfcc and upload your resume. There are over 300 employers in our database who routinely search the resumes on this site looking for potential employees. Go for it!

Questions? Contact careerservices@lfcc.edu.

Vault Online Career Library

The Career Center and the Libraries want to announce a new online career resource for students, faculty, and staff:

The Vault Online Career Library includes full-text Vault Career Guides for a variety of careers, over 300+ company profiles, an internship database, Industry and occupation research and over 1,000 career advice articles. It also allows you to create a virtual resume.

You can access Vault from the Library’s Reference Sources & Databases page at http://www.lfcc.edu/Library/ref_title.htm. Students, faculty and staff can access Vault from off-campus with their MYLFCC username and password.

Job Fairs

Want a job after graduation? Or a better job even before graduation?

Career Services at LFCC is presenting our annual Job Fairs at all three locations next semester. Hold the dates!

• Fauquier Campus – Wednesday, March 12, 2008
• Luray-Page County Center – Wednesday, March 19, 2008
• Middletown Campus – Wednesday, March 26, 2008

(In case of inclement weather, fairs will be held on the next day.)

Times:  11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Doug Cumbia, dcumbia@lfcc.edu or Marie Rutz, mrutz@lfcc.edu in Career Services.

Student Involvement Opportunities

• The Office of College Advancement is seeking students to greet, usher and speak at special events next year. If you are interested in networking, meeting new people, having a good time and attending excellent special events, please contact Tammy Haire, the College’s special events coordinator, at thaire@lfcc.edu. Thank you!
• Did you know that you can develop your leadership skills and help promote LFCC at the same time by “giving back to the College in service?”  Ways to give back include attending dinners and events and even visiting the Virginia General Assembly!  Students who are interested in participating should contact Linnie Carter, vice president of college advancement, at lcarter@lfcc.edu.

• Would you like an opportunity to win a free course through LFCC's Office of Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education? How about a gift certificate to one of the following establishments: Blockbuster, 220 Seafood Restaurant and Regal Entertainment? How about a chance to help someone and honor your favorite professor?

  If so, please visit the following link for more information: http://www.lfcc.edu/Foundation/genie/index.htm. It'll only take a few minutes, and you'll be glad you did! Thank you!

• Would you like to experience board membership and help your College with fundraising?  The Lord Fairfax Community College Educational Foundation Inc. would like to know if you’d be interested in serving as a student representative!  Find out more by contacting Linnie Carter, vice president of college advancement, at lcarter@lfcc.edu.
• A new, exciting exhibit—“Honored Alumni of Lord Fairfax Community College – Our Pride… Your Legacy…”—will be unveiled in 2008 and will creatively feature photographs and profiles of LFCC’s most esteemed alumni. The traveling exhibit will be showcased at the College’s three locations and special events. Through this exhibit, LFCC is proud to honor those alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their careers, have performed outstanding community service, have shown a commitment to LFCC’s values and have been outstanding role models for the LFCC community. To nominate an individual, please visit http://www.lfcc.edu/alumni/alumni_awards.html.
• The new LFCC Web site will debut in 2008. To see the winning Web site design that LFCC students, employees, alumni, board members, donors and friends voted for, please visit http://www.lfcc.edu/SiteDesigns/.

• The power of potential! Discover how LFCC is achieving its potential by visiting http://www.lfcc.edu/annualreport/2007/ and reading the 2006-07 LFCC Annual Report. The completely electronic publication showcases outstanding College achievements, poignant student profiles and inspiring quotes from LFCC instructors.

  This is your community college! Learn about how LFCC is accomplishing Dateline 2009 goals, as outlined by the Virginia Community College System’s strategic plan, and celebrate its many successes. Thank you!

• Have you thought much today?
  At LFCC, we’re all about thinking. In fact, as part of our re-accreditation process, LFCC has developed a Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, that will help everyone on campus become better at critical thinking. Find out more at http://www.lfcc.edu/SACS/documents/QEP%20Presentation%20to%20students.ppt
• Are you thinking critically?  Most of you saw a PowerPoint related to critical thinking during the first weeks of October, and you received critical thinking tips via e-mail during the week of Oct. 22, 2007. As you know, we are working on improving our critical thinking skills, and we are beginning a five year plan that will help us do that.  As the QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan) Team Leader, I’d like to hear from you!  How are you using critical thinking in your classes and in your jobs?  What tricks or tips have you learned?  How has your thinking become more clear, accurate, specific, relevant, or logical during this semester?  If you have an idea or success story about thinking, send it to me, Miriam Moore, at mmoore2@lfcc.edu. We will be highlighting some of your stories around campus, with your permission.  I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Schedules and Counseling

Student Success

Virginia Tech Instant Decision Day! 

A representative of VA Tech Admissions will be here to instantly review your application. By participating in the on-site review of your application, you will immediately know if you have been accepted.

Please bring the following:

• copy of the completed Transfer Application for Undergraduate Admission (completed online)
• proof of paying the $50 application fee (online) - Note: This fee will be returned to students denied admission.
• official copies of transcripts from all colleges attended and high school

Sign up by Jan. 21, 2008, for the Jan. 23, 2008, event in Student Success on the Fauquier Campus.

Safe and Secure at LFCC

• Lost and Found is located at the desk of the Director of First Impressions on the Fauquier Campus, in room 309 on the Middletown Campus and in the office of Judy Suddith at the Luray-Page County Center. We may have that thumb drive or textbook you have been missing. See any security officer or stop by to check our items.
• Safety is our job. Call security at 540-351-1555 on the Fauquier Campus, 540-868-SAFE (7233) on the Middletown Campus, or 540-843-0322 at the Luray-Page County Center for an escort or to report unusual or suspicious activity.
• Serving is what we do best. If your battery has died or you have a flat tire, call 540-351-1555 on the Fauquier Campus, 540-868-SAFE (7233) on the Middletown Campus, or 540-843-0322 at the Luray-Page County Center for assistance.
• Parking decals are now available. See the desk of the Director of First Impression on the Fauquier Campus, the Welcome Center or Student Success desk on the Middletown Campus, or the office of Judy Suddith at the Luray-Page County Center to register your vehicle.
• How are we doing? Please let me know if you have complaints or compliments about security. --Paul Wieber, Security Manager, 540-868-7050. Thank you.

Testing Center

Important Testing Center Dates!

TEAS testing is available for prospective nursing students. Please allow 3.5 hours for completion and a fee of $40 will be charged.

TEAS deadline is March 26, 2008.

HOBET testing has begun for prospective Surgical Technician and Dental Hygiene students. Please allow 3 hours for the completion and a fee of $30 will be charged.

HOBET deadline is Feb. 8, 2008.

Nursing Program

Nursing Program applications will be available beginning Feb. 1, 2008 for prospective LPN, ADN and transition students. Completed applications will be accepted Feb. 1, through March 28, 2008. In order to apply to the nursing programs, students must have completed the prerequisites listed in the catalog and meet the following requirements:

• Submit a completed application prior to March 28, 2008
• Request official copies of transcripts from high school and colleges attended
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the most recent two years of course work
• Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) in the Testing Center between Nov. 15, 2007 and March 26, 2008

Additional information related to Nursing Programs is available in narrated PowerPoint presentations through the following link:
http://www.lfcc.edu/Academics/HealthProfessions/videos.html

Nursing Information Sessions

We will be offering information sessions to students who plan to apply for admissions to the Nursing Programs. The Nursing Application Information Sessions will be held on both campuses:

Fauquier Campus: 
Feb. 11 and March 5 at 5 p.m. in room 101

Middletown Campus:
Feb. 2, 28 and March 11 at 5 p.m. in room 336

We will be offering general information sessions about all nursing programs for prospective nursing students on the following dates for the Middletown Campus:

Jan. 23 and March 25 at 4 p.m. in room 208
Feb. 5, 14, and 28 at 4 p.m. in the William H. McCoy Special Events Center
Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. in the William H. McCoy Special Events Center 
March 12 at 3 p.m. in room 208
April 22 at 3 p.m. in the William H. McCoy Special Events Center 

Surgical Technology Program

The following are needed to be enrolled in the Surgical Technology Program. Deadline for application is May 1, 2008.

1. Enroll at Lord Fairfax Community College
2. Enroll at Piedmont Virginia Community College
3. Fill out Surgical Technology application on the PVCC Web site
4. Have official copies of all transcripts, high school and college, sent to PVCC Surgical Technology Program; please verify that PVCC has received these.
5. Complete all placement test components at LFCC.
6. Complete all prerequisites.
7. Make appointment with Roxann Ricke or Claudia Mazurkiewicz to review any questions.
8. Deadline for application is May 1, 2008

What is a Surgical Technologist?

Surgical technologists are integral members of the surgical team who work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, registered nurses, and other personnel delivering patient care before, during and after surgery. A surgical technologist may be called a “scrub,” “surgical technician” or “operating room technician.”

Before an operation, surgical technologists help prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments, equipment, sterile drapes, and sterile solutions. They assist in preparing patients for surgery including transporting patients to the operating room, positioning them on the operating table, and observing the patient’s vital signs. During surgery, the technologist passes instruments and other sterile supplies to the surgeons and surgical assistants. Surgical technologists help prepare, care for, and dispose of specimens taken for laboratory analysis and assist in applying dressings.

Career Opportunities

Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010 as the volume of surgery increases. The number of surgical procedures is expected to rise as the population grows and ages. 

Although hospitals will continue as the primary employer of surgical technologists, much faster employment growth is expected in offices and clinics of physicians, including ambulatory surgical centers. Some technologists advance to first assistants, with additional training, and help with retracting, sponging, suturing, closing and treating wounds. 

Earning Potential

According to national statistics, salaries range from $34,000 to $54,000.

Curriculum

The Surgical Technology Program is provided through distance education as a joint venture with Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville, and in cooperation with area hospitals (including Winchester Medical Center and Fauquier Hospital). The LFCC Surgical Technology Program is an academically challenging program. Students are selected on the basis of established criteria. 

Fall semester courses are offered at the Middletown Campus, but with prior approval, students may take spring and summer semester Surgical Technology courses at the Fauquier Campus.

For specific program information, please contact the Division of Science and Health Professions at 540-868-7280.

Student Accomplishments

Forensics (Middletown Campus)

The LFCC Forensics – Middletown Campus team won 6th place overall!

Shepherd University Tournament Results

• Duo Interpretation: Daniel Jones and Iris Chavez, 1st place
• Prose Interpretation: Daniel Jones, 3rd place
• Single Dramatic Interpretation: Iris Chavez, 4th place
• Single Dramatic Interpretation: Eliza Kutrieb, 6th place

This is a great accomplishment for this three-person team! If you see any of these students, be sure to congratulate them and thank them for being amazing ambassadors of LFCC.

Participating schools included: Shepherd University, California University of Pennsylvania, Fairmont University, Bloomsburg University, Randolph-Macon College, Bridgewater College, and Alderson-Broaddus College.

If you would like to become involved with the team, please contact Cristy Stefnoski at cstefnoski@lfcc.edu.