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TCC to hold mini-mester session after Thanksgiving
Tidewater Community College will hold a mini-mester session or a “miniature semester” that will allow students to earn college credits at an accelerated pace between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
During that time, the college will offer three-week, three-credit courses exclusively online in a variety of subjects, including art, communications, economics, history and math.
Each course will use low- to no-cost digital resources, so no textbooks are needed.
The mini-mester session is designed for:
Four-year college students that attend another college or university in Virginia. Visiting students can complete one or more of the classes at TCC in just three weeks and transfer it back to their school. (To determine eligibility for financial aid, students should contact their school’s financial aid office.)
High school students can get ahead by earning college credits that can transfer to most Virginia colleges and universities.
Current TCC students can keep moving forward with this accelerated session.
Available classes include:
ART 101 History & Appreciation of Art I CST 110 Introduction to Communications CST 141 Theatre Appreciation I ECO 201 Principles of Macroeconomics HIS 121 United States History II LGL 200 Ethics for the Paralegal MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning MTH 155 Statistical Reasoning
To search for mini-mester session classes, visit here. Be sure to select TCC and the dates in the filter section. You can also add the course name in the subject section and the course number in the catalog section.
For more information and help with enrollment, email enroll@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111.
TCC grad trained for construction career in just a few weeks
Alexander Williams has a hard hat that he’s quite proud of. He has a full-time construction job with benefits, and great hours thanks to training offered through Tidewater Community College’s Center for Workforce Solutions.
TCC’s program provides introductory training as part of the National Center for Construction Education and Research. The class covers topics like basic safety, communication skills and introduction to construction drawings. Completing this curriculum gives graduates the basic skills needed to get a job or continue their education in any craft area of their choosing.
Williams learned about the program from his sister. “I enjoyed interacting with others in my classes and gaining those soft skills that are essential on the job,” he said.
Williams works for Hampton Roads Connector Partners where he is part of the environmental team. “Our job is to protect the land and the water supply. It’s a good job, with consistent hours and competitive pay,” he said.
Thanks to new funding from the state, more qualifying students can enroll in “G3” programs – Get a Skill, Get a Job and Get Ahead – for several fields, including construction. And many students can get the training using “G3” tuition assistance, allowing them to gain the skills they need for a good career without worrying about the cost.
Tamara Williams (no relation to Alexander Williams) is vice president of TCC’s Center for Workforce Solutions. She says, “Students who go through this construction portion of our program have jobs before they have credentials. The employers come in and they stay engaged. We don’t have anyone left for placement when the course ends.”
Williams is proud of how his new career will position his entire family for success. “The program was a great stepping stone into a career with forward mobility,” he said. “I have a 10-month-old son, a significant other and we are making it through,” Williams said.
“A lot of doors opened for me, and my life is significantly improved because of TCC,” he added.
According to Build Your Future Virginia, a carpenter in the commonwealth earns about $44,000 a year while an electrician earns about $67,000 a year.
The next introductory construction course begins this week. To register, visit here. Registration specialists are available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., by calling 757-822-1234 or emailing workforce@tcc.edu.
New “reverse transfer” agreement gives TCC students a new path to an associate degree
A new agreement between Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University provides students with a new path to an associate degree.
TCC students who transfer at least 45-credit hours to Old Dominion University are eligible for an exclusive opportunity to earn their associate degree at Old Dominion.
“We are thrilled to offer this new opportunity to TCC students who transfer before earning their degrees,” said Kellie Sorey, PhD, TCC’s associate vice president for Academic Affairs. “This reverse transfer agreement, signed last week, strengthens our relationship with ODU while helping students achieve their educational goals.”
This unique “reverse transfer” program is a first between TCC and ODU. Eligible TCC students admitted to ODU who opt-in to the program complete classes as Monarchs. The credits earned at ODU are then “transferred” back to TCC to complete the associate degree.
Interested students admitted to ODU can get started by completing this form. For more information, contact TCC’s Virtual Student Support Team at 757-822-1111.
TCC secures seventh consecutive grant aimed to help veterans transition to careers in trucking
Tidewater Community College received a seventh federal grant to help train military veterans and their spouses for careers in trucking.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently awarded TCC a $94,842 grant, which will be administered by the college’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE).
“So far we’ve helped more than 200 transitioning military, veterans and dependents train for a career in trucking at no cost to them,” said Alesia Wroten, veteran resource liaison with TCC’s CMVE. “We are grateful to be one of two schools in Virginia to receive this funding, especially as the need for trained truck drivers is growing nationwide.”
Navy veteran Tim Raub earned his Truck Driver certificate at TCC.
According to the American Trucking Association, the United States will be short 175,000 drivers by 2026. A lack of drivers continues to make goods more expensive and delays orders as freight rates are climbing.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of a commercial truck driver is 55 years old. A significant percentage of these drivers will retire over the next 10 years.
TCC is one of 21 educational institutions that received funds from the $2 million federal grant to help train veterans for jobs as commercial bus and truck drivers.
Since TCC received its first grant in 2014, 220 veterans and spouses have enrolled in the Truck Driving program.
TCC students have a 98% pass rate on the DMV tests for commercial licenses.
Recipients of the grant pay nothing to complete the one-semester, 16-credit certificate. Students learn how to drive a truck in state-of-the-art simulators that allow them to practice in varied road and weather conditions. The program includes 140 hours of on-the-road training. Course work qualifies students to obtain the Class A CDL (commercial driver’s license) from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Classes are taught at the Center for Workforce Solutions on College Drive in northern Suffolk. Day, evening and weekend sessions are available.
Contact Alesia Wroten, at awroten@tcc.edu or 757-822-7714, for information on qualifying for the grant program.
TCC welcomes students and the community for second year of “My Thoughts. My Voice. My Art.”
Tidewater Community College welcomes students and the community to participate in programming for “My Thoughts. My Voice. My Art.” MTMVMA is a series of online events addressing the themes of diversity, adversity, inequality, social justice and empowerment during a time of social change. Events include art exhibits, music and theatrical performances, lecture and panel discussions, literary presentations and more.
The offerings:
Sept. 30
Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Challenges for Latinx Across the Borders 4 – 5 p.m. — via Zoom | https://vccs.zoom.us/j/86023731487 | Passcode: 23501 Produced by Dr. Gabriela Christie Toletti Presented in partnership with Global and Intercultural Learning Committee
Dr. Juan Raúl Ferreira is a lecturer, journalist, writer, human rights activist and international consultant. He has been a Uruguayan representative and senator, ambassador in Argentina, and president of the National Institution of Human Rights. Dr. Ferreira will analyze the unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed for Latinx across the borders. Some Latin American governments have “used” this crisis to impose unpopular policies knowing that there would be no mobilization against them. Dr. Ferreira will address underlying inequities and threats that the pandemic has unveiled, and he will present strategies to advance human rights.
Oct. 12
Theater as an Agent of Social Change 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. — YouTube Live | bit.ly/tcc-roper Produced and moderated by Paul Lasakow
Through tragedy, comedy and satire theatre has held up a mirror to the world. Drawing on the experience of guest panellists, this program will engage participants on how the art form can both reflect society and help propel it toward justice and equity for all. Panelists include Philip Crosby, Richmond Triangle Players; Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Virginia Commonwealth University and The Conciliation Project; Tom Quaintance, Virginia Stage Company; and Deborah Wallace, Old Dominion University. Questions and comments from the audience may be submitted through the YouTube live stream chat function.
Oct. 19
Healing Through the Arts: A Conversation with LGBTQ+ Artists in Hampton Roads 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. — YouTube Live | bit.ly/tcc-roper Produced by Paul Lasakow and moderated by Casey Butler Presented in Partnership with the Norfolk LGBT Life Center
Casey Butler, the community engagement coordinator for the LGBT Life Center, will lead an engaging talk with local LGBTQ+ artists. The group will discuss their past experiences, current barriers and opportunities for LGBTQ+ artists in Hampton Roads, and future practices to achieve equity for the most marginalized within the community. Questions and comments from the audience may be submitted through the YouTube live stream chat function.
Oct. 26
Clay Jenkinson on the Native American Photography of Edward S. Curtis: Art, Advocacy, Appropriation and the Myth of the Vanishing Indian 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. — YouTube Live | http://bit.ly/tcc-roper Produced by Clay Jenkinson and Paul Lasakow Featuring Clay Jenkinson, humanities scholar and star of public radio’s “The Thomas Jefferson Hour,” with Thomas Siegmund, professor of photography at TCC.
Humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson and Professor Tom Siegmund will discuss the thirty-year photographic odyssey of Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952). Believing that Native American culture would soon disappear from the American landscape, Curtis travelled through the American west to photograph Native Americans “before it’s too late.” The result was the twenty-volume North American Indian, the most ambitious ethnographic and photographic undertaking in American history. Everyone has seen some of Curtis’ most iconic photographs, even if they don’t know Curtis by name: “Canyon de Chelly,” “The Vanishing Race,” “Chief Joseph,” and “Vash Gon.”
Topics will include Curtis’ achievement and romanticization of Native Americans, his occasional manipulation of individuals and tribal authorities, his misguided notion that Native Americans were about to vanish permanently from American life, and his transgressions of crossing the boundaries of the sacred. Questions and comments from the audience may be submitted through the YouTube live stream chat function.
Nov. 18
Poetry from the Pandemic 12:30 -1:30 p.m. — Zoom | https://vccs.zoom.us/j/86023731487 | Passcode: 23501 Produced by: Dr. Gabriela Christie Toletti
This event features poetry readings by local poets, professors and students who have resorted to poetry as a mode to connect with others and as a springboard to overcome challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Through poetry, we can empower others, build new connections, and embark on a personal growth journey. For information about submitting poetry for this event, please e-mail gtoletti@tcc.edu.
Remembering trucking instructor James Tom Riffe
Tidewater Community College remembers one of its own.
James Tom Riffe joined TCC as a mechanic for the Truck Driver program in 2007. For four years he maintained TCC’s fleet of trucks to ensure they were road-ready for student drivers.
In 2011, he became a trucking instructor bringing decades of experience to the classroom and driver training.
Matt Woods, lead instructor and program coordinator recalls Riffe often quipping, “If we can’t train them, they can’t be trained.”
Before his passing, Riffe was asked about his time at TCC. He said he was most proud of giving students a second chance. “Some of my students had trouble with the law and had priors or were in jail. They could come to TCC and complete the trucking program and eventually earn a good living if they worked hard. I felt I could connect with them and help change their lives.”
Prior to TCC, Riffe owned and operated his own bus company, Chesapeake Northern Transportation (CNT), where he drove buses from Canada to Mexico and all the places in between. He also retired from Ford Motor Company, working at the Ford plant in Norfolk for 30 years.
Riffe lost his battle with cancer in July 2021. He leaves behind his wife Kathy and their children Jimmy and Courtney, as well as his son-in-law Daniel and grandson Mason.
Train for a job that puts you in command at sea
Are you interested in a career on the water as a tour boat operator or fishing boat captain?
Hampton Roads is the third-largest area in the country that employs captains, mates and pilots and you could be one of them.
The Hampton Roads Maritime Training program (HRMT), offered through Tidewater Community College’s Center for Workforce Solutions, can prepare you to be the captain of a vessel up to 100 tons.
Courses are taught by expert instructors, two of whom recently retired from the U.S. Coast Guard.
In addition, the class has been expanded to include experience on the upgraded Maritime Bridge Simulator, bringing state of the art technology to the class. Simulator time enhances the students’ understanding of the Maritime Rules of the Road, as well as vessel operations in all weather conditions. In addition, navigational lights, sound signals, and radio communications can be integrated into each scenario.
Courses are offered throughout the year. Sessions are offered days and evenings on TCC’s Virginia Beach Campus.
Students who successfully complete these courses do not have to take the U.S. Coast Guard examinations at a regional exam center. The course fee includes tuition and books.
The two U.S. Coast Guard-approved classes running this fall are:
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV), also called the “Six Pack,” as this is the Coast Guard license required for those operating vessels for hire carrying no more than six passengers. The course runs for 76 hours with the next session beginning on Sept. 28 for evening classes and Oct. 11 for day classes.
The second course upgrades the OUPV license to Not More Than 100 Gross Ton Master’s License. This license is required by those operating inspected vessels 100 gross tons or less and providing services for more than six paying passengers. The class runs for 28 hours with the next session beginning on Oct. 25 for days and Dec. 7 for evenings.
TCC is a 2021 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education. To register for fall sessions, visit here.
For more information, call (757) 822-7669 or the Virtual Student Support Team at 757-822-1111.
“It’s my calling to keep supplies moving nationwide – whether it’s the pandemic or a natural disaster.” – Elwin Hines, TCC Truck Driving alum
Elwin Hines has been on the road since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. He has logged an average of 3,000 miles a week, bringing food products, paper goods and water to the hardest hit areas.
The Portsmouth resident who graduated from TCC’s trucking program more than a decade ago was selected as Driver of the Year (For-Hire Trucking) by Lytx, a global leader in video telematics committed to improving safety and efficiency behind the wheel.
Hines has driven more than a million miles for TransAm Trucking in his freightliner, living life on the road.
Elwin Hines making his way to a Tyson plant in Junction City, Iowa.
“It’s my calling to keep supplies moving nationwide – whether it’s the pandemic or a natural disaster,”Hines said. “People rely on TransAm drivers to get into the area’s most in need.”
Since he started with the company 13 years ago, he has maintained a spotless driving record – zero preventable accidents, zero claims charged against him and zero moving violations.
“TCC is the driving force behind my achievement,” Hines said. “A school that may be considered just a community college got me where I am today.”
Hines acknowledges trucking instructors Wallace Miller and Matt Isaac for teaching him the skills that transformed him from a brick mason struggling in a recession to a successful truck driver who loves going to work every day.
“Both of them were my mentors. Those were the two men who inspired me and encouraged me that I could do this and really achieve it,” he said. “I knew the trucking industry offered stability. Nothing moves in this country without a truck.”
The Booker T. Washington High School graduate regularly gives presentations to budding drivers nationwide and stresses the value of the TCC curriculum. He even recruits drivers for TransAm Trucking during TCC events.
“There’s no such thing as a dumb truck driver,” he said. “We as professional drivers have to get out of that mindset of just shifting gears and going down the highway. The technology has changed so much. You have to have an education to be a truck driver.”
TCC’s Career Studies Certificate in Trucking prepares graduates to obtain their Class A Commercial Driver’s License. The 16-week program offered during the day, evening and on weekends teaches students Department of Transportation rules, defensive driving, maintenance, hazardous material and highway and city driving.
TCC trucking grads have a 98% pass rate on DMV exams.
“It’s a stern program, but it works,” Hines said. “TCC turns out the best drivers in the country.”
Hines is among them.
When Hines comes off the road, he plans to take a teaching post in TCC’s Truck Driver training program.
TCC grad proud to do his part to keep truckers on the road
Tyler Bray found his passion while working on his Chevy Silverado.
“I was trying to figure out career options when my dad encouraged me to work with him on my truck,” Bray said.
Bray’s hobby took him in a new direction when he started taking classes at TCC.
Bray, 23, was hired and completed his cooperative training hours as a diesel technician at Norfolk Truck Center.
Tyler Bray with A.J. Ross, assistant service manager at Norfolk Truck Center.
“I’m very impressed with Tyler’s work. He handles every job given to him with accuracy and in a timely manner,” said A.J. Ross, the assistant service manager at Norfolk Truck Center. “Overall, Tyler is doing a very good job for us.”
The Grassfield High grad says that while working full-time and going to school was sometimes challenging it was “absolutely worth it.”
He credits TCC instructor John Bishop with training him for the varied tasks he’d find on the job. “Bishop was the best instructor I ever had. He got us involved in the learning, answered questions and knew how to get the information into our heads,” Bray said.
While at TCC Bray earned several industry credentials including Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) 609 that deals with Refrigerant, Recovery and Recycling; the Bendix Air Brakes certification; and Stemco DOT Brake Card.
“I had a great time at TCC and liked the smaller classes. Our instructors were hands-on and able to help every student.”
Bray is one test away from earning his State Inspector license.
“I’m very proud to be working here,” Bray said. “Going through the program I had days when I doubted myself, but I gained the confidence at TCC to tackle anything.”
Ten things to know about TCC’s Truck Driving program
Why sit behind a desk when you can sit behind the wheel? A trucking career allows you the opportunity for financial reward and professional growth thanks to a job where you’re always on the move.
TCC has its own fleet of trucks for student drivers.
Sixteen weeks is all it takes to train for a new trucking career. Tidewater Community College’s Truck Driving program offers classes that cover Department of Transportation rules and regulations, defensive driving, maintenance, hazardous material and highway and city driving.
Day, evening and weekend classes are offered year-round.
TCC is the only driver training program that runs its own program that includes a state-of-the-art driving simulator, as well as a fleet of trucks.
TCC’s instructors have over 100 years of behind-the-wheel truck driving experience to share with students during the program.
After completing the program, TCC instructors take students to the DMV test site for the final skills exam. Students must be able to successfully complete a series of tests including a set of backing maneuvers with the truck and a road test in live traffic.
TCC students have a 98% pass rate on the DMV tests for commercial licenses.
The trucking program at TCC provides 120 hours in the classroom and 140 hours of practical application.
TCC hosts recruiters and employers to visit classes and present employment opportunities for graduates. There are more than 60,000 available jobs in this industry.
The price is right, too. TCC’s program is 40% cheaper than private trucking schools.
TCC is the only school in Hampton Roads with a driving simulator.
For more information about TCC’s Truck Driving program, contact Matt Woods at mwoods@tcc.edu or call 757-822-2639.
Marine vet finds new career on the road thanks to TCC trucking grant
Former U.S. Marine Chris Gaillard found a new career as a truck driver after the training she received at Tidewater Community College that came without a price tag.
“I love what I do,” said Gaillard, who benefitted from a federal grant awarded to TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE) that supports trucking training and education for military veterans and their families. “I’m doing what I always wanted to do and having the best time of my life.”
Owner of her own Freightliner Classic, Gaillard, 57, was immediately hired by Givens Inc., a transportation, warehousing and logistics company with locations in Seattle, South America and Chesapeake.
After her Marine discharge, Gaillard worked as an auto technician for decades but had been intrigued by trucks since childhood. A single parent, she began saving money to work toward her Career Studies Certificate in Truck Driving when she saw the information online about the grant. After the CMVE assisted her with the application process, she was accepted into the program.
“I was able to spend all the money I saved on living expenses and other things,” she said.
Gaillard completed the program in May 2015 and began her job within a week. She hauls everything from stereo equipment to automobile parts to baby wipes, rarely driving the same route twice.
“The freedom is the biggest thing for me,” she said. “I’m not stuck behind a desk or in a cubicle or in a garage like I was for 35 years. I’m out on the road. I get to see beautiful parts of the country that many may never see for free.”
For information on the Truck Driving program contact Matt Woods at mwoods@tcc.edu or call 757-822-2639.
Veteran student giving back as SVA president
Romeo Sarmiento has a message for military-related students at Tidewater Community College.
“You are not alone. Your service is remembered. There is a place for you at TCC.”
Sarmiento spent seven years in the U.S. Marines as a demolition expert. He deployed three times across 13 countries. During his last tour of duty, he was a combat instructor at the Marine Corps training base in Quantico, Virginia. Training newly commissioned Marine officers is what motivated him to pursue a college degree.
Romeo Sarmiento on TCC’s Norfolk Campus.
“I understand what it’s like to get out of the service and start college. It’s no easy feat making the transition,” he said. “But having a community around you, connecting with faculty, staff and other students is key. I know from my time at TCC, if I ever need help I can get it whether it’s from a tutor or advisor or a dean.”
Sarmiento is giving back as president of TCC’s Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter through the colleges’ Center for Military and Veterans Education. SVA provides resources, support and advocacy to ensure student veterans can connect, expand their skills, and ultimately achieve their academic and personal goals.
For Sarmiento, it’s important to support other veterans because when you serve together you become family. “We engage veterans by bringing in experts to talk about areas of concern like disability services and other resources for veterans,” he said. “Most importantly we provide a voice for veterans on campus.”
Sarmiento came to TCC in the spring of 2021 and is using his Post 9/11 GI Bill to pay for college. “I wanted to get a fundamental understanding of being a college student, to sort of get my feet wet,” he said.
Sarmiento with WTKR-TV reporter Erica Greenway talking about TCC being named a “Best for Vets” school by Military Times.
Sarmiento started taking 21 credits as an Accelerated Degree student. He is now working on two degrees – one in general studies and the other in business administration. After TCC he has his sights set on the University of Virginia’s school of commerce and is considering a career in banking or management consulting.
“There’s always a misconception that a community college is not going to deliver the same value. For me, it was better because I was able to connect with professors who are working full-time in their fields and bringing all of that knowledge into the classroom.”
Working full-time and earning a 4.0 GPA at TCC has been challenging for Sarmiento, but he says it’s also been 100% worth it.
“TCC as a whole made me feel like part of a community – even during the pandemic,” he said. “It’s been a place to thrive.”
In remembrance of 9/11 and in recognition of our military heroes who lost their lives in Afghanistan, SVA is holding a “Coffee Chat” on Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. – noon in the Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge. To learn more about TCC’s Student Veterans of America chapter email Alesia Wroten at awroten@tcc.edu.
TCC welcomes scholar-activists for Hispanic Heritage Month
Tidewater Community College celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month under the national theme, “Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope.”
Rosa Alicia Clemente
The college will host two virtual events for students and the community. The first is the keynote address by Rosa Alicia Clemente, a journalist, political commentator, producer and scholar-activist.
Clemente‘s remarks are entitled “When A Puerto Rican Ran For Vice President And No One Knew Her Name.” She will share her presentation on Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. To register for the virtual event, use this link. The hour-long program will include a question-and-answer session moderated by TCC Spanish professor Jessica Lynam, Ph.D.
In 2008, Clemente became the first Black-Latina to run for Vice-President of the United States on the Green Party ticket. She is also creator of Know Thy Self Productions. Clemente is associate producer on the 2021 Oscar-winning biographical film “Judas and the Black Messiah.” She is currently completing her Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Juan Raúl Ferreira
The college will also host Juan Raúl Ferreira, Ph.D. to speak about “Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Challenges for Latinx Across the Borders” on Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. via Zoom using this link and passcode: 23501. The presentation is produced by TCC Spanish professor Gabriela Toletti, Ph.D. in partnership with the Global and Intercultural Learning Committee and the “My Thoughts. My Voice. My Art.” initiative.
Ferreira is a lecturer, journalist, writer, human rights activist and international consultant. He has been Uruguayan Representative, Uruguayan Senator, Ambassador to Argentina, and President of the National Institution of Human Rights. Ferreira will analyze the unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed for Latinx across the borders. Some Latin American governments have used the health crisis to impose unpopular policies knowing that there would be no mobilization against them. Ferreira will address underlying inequities and threats that the pandemic has unveiled, and he will present strategies to advance human rights.
Toletti will lead a Question and Answer session with Ferreira after the presentation.
TCC annual award winners go the extra mile during COVID-19 pandemic
Tidewater Community College recognizes five faculty and staff members from across the college with annual special awards on Aug. 19.
Selected by their peers, the honorees will receive their awards at TCC’s 2021 Fall Convocation to be held at the college’s Chesapeake Campus.
Professor of the Year
Kimberly Jones at the Virginia Beach Campus.
Kimberly Jones, 52, is the Professor of the Year as chosen by the Faculty Senate. Jones is professor of Funeral Service and has been teaching at the college since 2006.
Funeral Service Program Head Frank Walton credits Jones with helping students succeed in the science of funeral services. “Our students continually score well above the national average on the science segments of the national boards,” Walton said. “Kim excels at taking complex topics and applying them to the day-to-day operations of the funeral home. She is also energetic and really cares about her students and it shows in her work.”
During the pandemic, Jones kept her students learning by developing videos on YouTube, Zoom and Canvas demonstrating skeletal armatures and facial features for her Restorative Arts labs. She modeled each skill in her home and then made the videos available so students could go back and review them.
“My goal is to teach students how to think and then by empowering them with that skill, they can apply it anywhere – the sciences, economics, English and more,” Jones said.
Jones, a Chesapeake resident, is working on her doctorate in emerging infectious diseases and epidemiology through Walden University. She holds a master’s of life sciences and biology from University of Maryland, College Park; a bachelor’s in biology from Old Dominion University; and an Associate of Applied Science in Mortuary Science from the University of the District of Columbia.
“I’m humbled and honored by this award and more determined than ever to provide quality education to every student I serve,” she said.
In her free time, Jones enjoys weight training, dancing, do-it-yourself projects and spending time with family and friends. Jones has been married to her husband Rodney for 23 years and the couple has three adult children: Raven, Rodney Jr. and Kole.
Faculty Special Achievement
Shana Haines at the Portsmouth Campus.
Shana Haines, associate professor of English, was honored by the Faculty Senate with the Faculty Special Achievement award for her innovative teaching and dedication to student development.
TCC students who study under Haines do not just learn about writing and literature. They study law, they apply concepts from math and science, and they develop critical thinking skills.
“My job is to help create thinkers,” she said. “It’s not to tell students what to think but how to think.”
Haines says that teaching during the pandemic was intensely stressful but also very rewarding. Her goal was to create a learning community on Zoom where classroom discussions could continue. “I was really
driven to create the kind of environment where students learn best,” she said. “When you see students excited about learning, engaged and involved, that’s the best feeling.”
Haines, 51, created and hosted a free, nationwide virtual conference entitled “Turning on the Light of Truth: A Teach-In for Social Justice and Racial Equality,” offering free education into some of today’s current social justice and racial inequality issues. She arranged for nationally recognized scholars to participate and facilitated the sessions.
Haines earned her bachelor’s in film studies with a minor in English at Texas Christian University, a master’s in British and American literature at Hunter College and a Juris Doctor from Boston University. She is currently a doctoral candidate focusing on American Studies at the College of William & Mary.
Haines enjoys gardening and traveling. She resides in Franklin with her spouse, Jamie Haines, a TCC English instructor. The couple has two rescue dogs – Miles and Watson.
Outstanding Adjunct Faculty
Petia Downey at the Norfolk Campus.
Petia Downey, recipient of the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty award, says she can’t believe she gets paid for doing a job she loves so much. Downey, instructor of English as a second language, learned to speak English as a child when she moved to the United States from Bulgaria.
“I remember the ESL classes I took and how that set me on track to also learn Spanish and some French,” she said.
During the pandemic, Downey, 32, became a resource for colleagues who had to quickly transition to teaching online via Zoom and Canvas. “I’d never taught online before but found that I was skilled in creating quality courses,” she said.
Downey, a Suffolk resident, also enjoys teaching and tutoring students in face-to-face classes on the Virginia Beach Campus.
Professional development is important to Downey, and she recently attended the international Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages conference where she focused on reading. The information she gleaned from the conference was shared with TCC’s ESL committee and influenced book selections that will provide benefits to students for years to come.
“It’s really rewarding to see students finish their ESL classes and then continue with their programs of study,” Downey said. “I’m also grateful to know my colleagues appreciate my contributions.”
Downey holds a master’s in applied linguistics with a concentration in teaching English as a second language and a bachelor’s in Spanish.
When she is not teaching, Downey enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time with her husband, Jason, and their dog, Rex.
Nancy Jones on the Portsmouth Campus.
Classified Employee of the Year
Nancy Jones was recognized by the college’s Classified Association for her innovative approach to lab learning during the pandemic. Jones is the lab science manager on the Portsmouth Campus.
“There are many people deserving of this award and I’m humbled and honored to be recognized in this way,” Jones said.
Jones, 63, typically sets up labs for science students, but the transition to virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Jones to work with professors for a solution for at-home lab work. Typically, science kits for at-home labs cost students $140. Jones used everyday items, including peroxide, vinegar, food coloring, sugar and fruit to make kits that were free of charge for students.
Jones, a Suffolk resident, collected and assembled all the nonperishable items for the kits in her home and even color-coded them for easy distribution at the Portsmouth Campus. When students came to campus to pick up the kits during a drive-through event, she even ensured they had the right size gloves before they left campus.
“The pandemic was difficult for everyone, and I was glad to do my part to facilitate learning,” Jones said. “It was wonderful to connect with students while being COVID-19 compliant.”
Jones also volunteered with The Community Feed at TCC at MacArthur Center and at Foodbank pop-up markets on Portsmouth Campus where she bagged up collard greens and other vegetables for students.
She served as co-chair of the Classified Association and developed mini-zoom events to answer COVID-19 pandemic questions and facilitate the staff’s return to work.
“The college community has been a very important part of my life,” Jones said. Six months after I started here full-time, my husband died unexpectedly. The job saved me, and the people here became my family.”
Jones enjoys gardening, quilting, reading and travel. She has rescued many cats and a few dogs and given them a home on her farm.
Wage Employee of the Year
Daniel Owens at the Virginia Beach Campus.
TCC alum Daniel Owens, the reference desk assistant in the Joint-Use Library, is the Wage Employee of the Year. Owens, 42, started at TCC as a student worker in 1996 and has been a dedicated library staffer for more than 25 years.
“The atmosphere at TCC makes this a great place to work,” Owens said. “The students are my priority, and my goal is to always get them the answers and resources they need.”
The Virginia Beach resident earned an Associate of Science in Computer Science at TCC in 2002.
“When facing any challenge at work, Danny’s creativity and technical know-how often combine to result in a solution that is not necessarily obvious but usually works out better in the end for the patron,” said Brittany Horn, interim director of the JUL. “Danny has an amazing, understated way of interacting with the wide variety of library users we see every day. He is requested frequently by students and public patrons returning to the library because he demonstrates knowledgeability, competence and patience.”
Owens enjoys wood burning, model cars, and his Raspberry Pi web server. In his free time, Owens spends time playing pool in the Virginia Beach Student Center.
“I had an advantage coming to TCC with a degree, but the classes I took there built skills I didn’t have.” – James Read
Meet James Read.
He came to Tidewater Community College as an adult learner with a computer science degree from James Madison University.
After working as a help desk technician, and also doing residential electrical work and home security installations, he wanted more.
“I came to TCC looking for a career transition into cybersecurity. I see this as a national security issue,” Read said. “With Ransomeware attacks on the rise and shutdowns like the Colonial Pipeline and SolarWinds, it’s easy to see the growing need for trained cyber professionals.”
While at TCC, Read earned a Career Studies Certificate in Cyber Security. Thanks to the credits he earned while completing his bachelor’s degree, he is now at work on a master’s in cybersecurity at Old Dominion University.
Read is one of three TCC students to receive the National Science Foundation CyberCorps Scholarship for Service. The scholarship will cover tuition and fees for his master’s degree.
The scholarship includes a generous stipend, book allowance and professional development funds. When he graduates, Read will work in a federal agency doing cyber work for at least three years.
“I definitely had an advantage coming to TCC with a computer science degree, but the classes I took at TCC built skills I didn’t have,” Read said
While at TCC Read was president of the Cybersecurity Club, an organization he also credits for adding to his learning.
“During the pandemic, we went virtual but kept on leaning together. I think being part of the club helped with the transition to online learning,” he added.
“When learning together it’s important to know that you’re not competing with the people around you. You can succeed at your own pace as long as you do the work,” Read said.
Read sends a shoutout to faculty members Joel Kirch and Gregg Tennefoss for the mentoring and hands-on learning they facilitated. He added, “I had so many opportunities at TCC and was pleased with the quality of my cyber education.”
TCC Career Services staff provide resume help and connections to jobs
So you’ve got that degree or certificate. Now what?
Landing a job in your field may be easier than you think. And TCC has resources to help you.
First things first
The first step is to develop a polished resume and cover letter. TCC’s Career Services office offers appointments and staff are there to help you present your education and experience in the best light.
One-on-one resume writing assistance is available by appointment by calling 757-822-7228. You can also have your resume reviewed by a Career Services staff member by emailing Babi Brock at bbrock@tcc.edu.
Resources for jobs
Next, visit TCC’s College Central Network (CCN). This free, web-based tool is designed to help students and alumni connect with employers looking to fill a wide range of jobs.
All you have to do is register to be a user and then you can browse open positions, upload a resume and create a shareable portfolio to showcase examples of your work to employers. Other resources include the CCN app, access to career advice podcasts, job postings alerts, and upcoming career fairs.
A place to go
TCC’s Career Services Office, located in the Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Room KS42, has computers and fax machines you can use in your job search. The office also has postings on job opportunities and resource guides.
If you’re still not sure what you want to do, the college has a Career Coach Tool to match your degree or certificate, along with your interests in career fields.
Making important connections
Remember to also talk with your professors as they may have contacts in your fields of study and can often provide you a reference or even leads to open jobs.
More information
For more information about TCC’s Career Services call (757) 822-7228 or email Babi Brock at bbrock@tcc.edu or Shauna Woods-Springer at swoods-springer@tcc.edu
TCC is here to help you connect from home
Fall Semester is quickly approaching and Tidewater Community College has resources to help students be successful when learning online.
The college is offering everything from free hotspots to reduced rates on internet service to free wi-fi in select locations in parking lots on campus. Free computers and laptops are also available.
Here’s what you need to know.
Mobile hotspots for learning The college has hotspot devices available for students. These devices cast a wireless signal for other devices to connect to so you can use your computer or tablet for online classes and coursework. Students can request a hotspot device by using this form.
Cox Cable discounts for students Thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the college is able to offset the cost of internet service for students who qualify. TCC is working with Cox Cable to offer discounted internet service for students. To request service use this link.
Wi-Fi available on campus If you are equipped with a Wi-Fi enabled portable device, you may access TCC’s network in the following campus locations. Spaces are marked “TCC Student Wi-Fi Parking.” Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Chesapeake Campus: Parking lot next to the Pass Building. You may park in handicapped spaces. Of the four campuses, this area has the strongest external Wi-Fi signal.
Norfolk Campus: On Granby Street in front of the Walker Building and on College Place across from the Green District Administration Building. Note that these are metered spaces with the first hour free.
Portsmouth Campus: On Freedom Avenue alongside the B Building
Virginia Beach Campus: Driveway in front of the Regional Health Professions Center. You may park in the handicapped spaces.
Need a laptop or computer? Is this your first time in college? If so, you may be eligible to receive a free laptop by enrolling in fall classes at TCC. For details visit here. For more information, email info@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111.
Also, remember that TCC’s Computer Club makes PCs available through its Computers for Student Success program. Visit here for more information and details on how to apply.
TCC STEM Promise Program receives fifth annual gift from Elizabeth River Crossings
Elizabeth River Crossings continues to invest in STEM education by supporting Tidewater Community College’s STEM Promise Scholarship Program.
The college named its fifth class of STEM Promise scholars in June. These 19 students are awarded full tuition and fees for two years of study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related disciplines at TCC.
Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC) donated $60,000 in support of the newest cohort, increasing its total investment in the STEM Promise Scholarship Program to $300,000 in five years.
“We deeply appreciate the continued generosity of Elizabeth River Crossings in support of TCC’s vision to diversify the Hampton Roads workforce,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “Working with the staff of our new Student Resource and Empowerment Center, we are addressing the persistent challenge of creating a larger and more diverse STEM workforce pipeline. Our longtime partnership with Elizabeth River Crossings ensures we can continue training students for careers in those in-demand areas.”
“We are proud to provide the gift of education to the outstanding students in TCC’s STEM Promise Program,” said David Sullivan, chief executive officer of ERC. “As we invest in their education, we also invest in the future vibrancy of the Hampton Roads workforce.”
STEM Promise scholar Deloren Perry went on to earn her bachelor’s in cybersecurity from Old Dominion University.
A total of 89 students have had their education funded through the STEM Promise Program. TCC’s most recent class of students was selected from a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants.
Recipient Catherine Hubbard is pursuing an Associate of Science in Science. She participated in the NASA Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholar program and learned about the Mars mission and the Artemis 2024 mission for return to the moon. “There is clearly a need for women in STEM to support and join these critical missions,” Hubbard said.
STEM Scholar Katherine “Katie” Synowiec is now a branch engineer for a local firm.
TCC’s STEM Promise graduate Katherine “Katie” Synowiec earned an Associate of Science in Engineering in 2018 and is a branch engineer at Barnhart Crane and Rigging. Her fiancé, Logan Hofer also earned an engineering degree and is now a drafter at Chugach Government Solutions.
The TCC Educational Foundation started the STEM Promise Scholarship Program in 2017 to create a larger, more diverse STEM pipeline in Hampton Roads. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply for the scholarships, which are open to all. Applications for the 2022-23 class of STEM scholars will be open from Dec. 20 until April 1, 2022.
Xiaomin Chen earned her engineering degree through the STEM Promise Program.
For more information about the program, contact Jaedda Hall, TCC’s STEM Promise Program coordinator, at jhall@tcc.edu. To support the STEM Promise Program, contact the TCC Educational Foundation at foundation@tcc.edu
Visit here to learn more about the TCC’s Student Resource and Empowerment Center that connects students with a variety of free and comprehensive social services and financial resources to help them stay focused on their academic goals.
Veterinary Technology program head receives Batten fellowship for technology and leadership
Tidewater Community College Professor Megan Taliaferro, DVM, is the recipient of the 2021-2023 Batten Fellowship for Technological Innovation and Leadership. A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Taliaferro is program head for the Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Assistant Programs at the college.
The Batten Fellowship is funded by a 2005 gift to the TCC Educational Foundation from Frank Batten Sr. of Virginia Beach. This highly competitive award is the most prestigious technology-related award offered by the college. The fellowship is awarded to the faculty member who presents the most creative, compelling and potentially beneficial project involving technology to improve learning.
Dr. Taliaferro teaches students how to intubate a dog.
“I’m extremely proud of the work Professor Taliaferro put into developing this innovative project,” said Dr. Michelle Woodhouse, vice president of Academics and chief academic officer. “Megan’s dedicated efforts will ensure students succeed even when they face barriers to learning.”
Taliaferro proposes to modify a classroom and laboratory space to support a blended style of learning that meets the scheduling and logistical needs of working students enrolled in TCC’s Veterinary Technology programs. The classroom will be configured as a flexible space where she can engage students in the classroom and on Zoom simultaneously, providing tablets to in-person students so they can actively interact with remote students in group activities.
The proposal also sets up the laboratory space to support self-paced labs available to students when they can be on campus. Additionally, the lab will allow students to practice a particular skill until it is mastered and will also provide multiple clinical skill stations and tablets preloaded with instructional videos to support this activity.
The lab stations will also contain a veterinary virtual simulation model and all needed supplies to practice until proficiency is acquired. The room will remain locked, and students will use their student ID to enter. Instructors will be able to access door key information to verify required student attendance.
This blended learning model will apply to other disciplines that require hands-on training and lab exercises such as biology, chemistry, physics and the health professions. The outcome of this blended learning model is to increase student retention and graduation rates when other student life issues cause barriers to academic persistence.
Join TCC for Open House on all campuses and the RAC, Aug. 7
Recent high school grad? Transitioning military? Looking for a promotion? Discover all that community college offers.
Tidewater Community College is opening its doors on all campuses for Open House on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Advisors will be on hand to help students choose a pathway, apply for admission, get financial aid help and tour the campuses.
Whether you plan to take a full load or just one class, TCC offers a range of options to prepare you for the next step.
Students who are attending college for the first time or recent high school graduates are eligible to receive a free laptop when they enroll and pay for classes.
Tidewater Community College offers 150-plus programs ranging from engineering to the visual and culinary arts, to automotive, as well as cybersecurity and other options in computer science.
TCC is a great option for students looking to transfer to the four-year school of their dreams and want to get those general education requirements out of the way without accruing loads of student debt. Transitioning military and career changers can also learn more about program options.
Open house will be at the following locations:
Chesapeake Campus: 1428 Cedar Road
Norfolk Campus: 300 Granby St.
Portsmouth Campus: 120 Campus Drive
Virginia Beach Campus: Advanced Technology Center, 1800 College Crescent
Regional Automotive Center, 600 Innovation Drive, Chesapeake
