Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College (formerly Lord Fairfax) is a comprehensive, multi-campus public institution of higher education. Laurel Ridge provides a positive, caring and dynamic learning environment that inspires student success, values diversity and promotes community vitality. Through its four locations — the Fauquier and Middletown Campuses, the Vint Hill Site and the Luray-Page County Center — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers many associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers.