Hoffman Takes on PVCC Adviser Role

Students who are thinking about going to Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) have a new resource for advice and recommendations: PVCC College Adviser Lori Hoffman.

Hoffman was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she lived until the age of three. “Then I moved to Virginia Beach and lived there till I was 30. I got remarried and moved to Hawaii, Upstate New York, and finally, Fluvanna,” said Hoffman.

After high school, Hoffman got her undergraduate degree from Longwood College (back in the day when it was still a college and not a university. She graduated in 1984 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science. She went back to school to earn a master’s degree in Secondary Education from George Washington University in 1991.

Hoffman taught math at Fluvanna for several years, but retired at the end of last school year to be able to help babysit her granddaughter. “I loved teaching, and it was a difficult decision to retire early from teaching. My granddaughter was born in January of 2021, and I had the opportunity to help take care of her as her ‘Lolli’. I could not refuse that amazing opportunity,” Hoffman said.

After being a caretaker to her granddaughter, Hoffman got offered the part-time PVCC job which still allowed her time to be with her granddaughter, so she jumped at the chance. She also enjoys being in the high school and helping young students who are trying to figure out a plan with college, whether at PVCC or otherwise.

How is being a teacher different from advising students for college? “Career coaching is totally different from teaching,” Hoffman said. “I am a facilitator in this role. I can give you options, but not teach you a skill. I am still learning so much about my new job, but I love being able to work one on one with students and help them find their way to life after high school.”

If a student wishes to talk to Hoffman, they can find her in the Career Center on the 3rd floor around the corner from the Media Center. “I am at FCHS on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I work remotely for a few hours each day,” she says, so you can reach her by email at [email protected].

What specifically can Hoffman assist students with? “As a PVCC career coach, I can help students in several ways. I can help with PVCC applications, questions about dual enrollment, explore career paths, take career assessments, learn about PVCC workforce solutions, earning an associate’s degree while in high school, and helping graduating seniors make a smooth transition to life after FCHS,” she said.

She adds that “To be an effective teacher, you need to have empathy and care about each student you teach. That is the same as a career coach. My goal is to help every student at FCHS find their dream career and a path to obtain that career.”

When she is not working at FCHS, Hoffman loves to bake, read, exercise, and spend time with family. “I also have participated in two tough mudders, a ten-mile challenge with 25 obstacles and a ton of mud,” she said.