Skip navigation
TCC Weather Closure

TCC will close at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10. All evening and weekend events and services are canceled. The college will resume normal hours on Monday, Jan. 13.

Governor’s Medallion recipient en route to ODU for mechanical engineering

When Lauryn Thompson was in middle school, her load included introductory classes in Algebra and Spanish. So it was only natural that at Churchland High, she continued to accelerate by attending Tidewater Community College.

The 17-year-old will graduate from TCC in May with an Associate of Science in Social Sciences. Thompson will attend Old Dominion University this fall and study mechanical engineering.

Thompson is one of 13 students on the Portsmouth Campus who will receive the Governor’s Medallion, awarded to students who earn associate degrees or certificates while still in high school. TCC will award 30 Governor’s Medallions overall, the most in college history.

Thompson’s work ethic has carried her. In addition to her academic slate, Thompson logs as many as 50 hours a week in e-commerce at Kroger. Remote learning has been a challenge, but her work schedule forces her to organize her time wisely.

Thompson is used to juggling. Up until her junior year in high school, she competitively cheered at Churchland, so when she had practice and class back-to-back, she made the most of the time before and after.

“It takes discipline,” she said. “It might be easy to lay in bed all day, but I have to get up and get started.”

Mature even as a youngster, she persevered this last year while watching her father recover from a massive stroke. That left both parents not working, as her mother recently completed a master’s degree.

“There was a lot going on,” Thompson said. “Honestly, I had a very good childhood and I’ve been very privileged. I’ve never been through such a hard time. It was a lesson.”

Enjoying math, she chose mechanical engineering and was accepted into ODU’s honors program, which gave her a scholarship and stipend.

Thompson will be among the student speakers at TCC’s first-ever virtual commencement on May 11.

Her message? “You can do it.”

“When I tell people I’m graduating with my associate degree, they’ll say, ‘What? How?’ ‘When do you have time?’ ”

Thompson responds, “When you really want to do something, you do it. There were times where I wanted to give up, but then I realized that I’ve come too far. I realized that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. As I am nearing the end of this program, I realize that this is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

2020 Governor’s Medallion recipients

Portsmouth Campus

Lauryn Thompson, Associate of Science in Social Sciences

Nichelle Ellis, Associate of Science in Social Sciences

Alyesia Watkins, Associate of Science in Science

Courtnie Bagby, Certificate of General Education

Rodney Barber, Certificate of General Education

Carter Canfield, Certificate of General Education

Ashley Hamlin, Certificate of General Education

Victoria Hayes, Certificate of General Education

Lily Madojemu, Certificate of General Education

Kayla Norman, Certificate of General Education

Jonathan Pierce, Certificate of General Education

Melanie Pineda, Certificate of General Education

Lisbeth Flores Aguilar, Certificate of General Education

Virginia Beach Campus (inaugural graduates of TCC’s  Entrepreneurship and Business Academy)

Claire Boyton, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Karmina Buensuceso, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Landon Elforsi, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Morgan Evans, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Leora Friedman, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Makayla Harvey, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Morgan Harwood, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Sam Kenslow, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Jane Ogenyi, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Sandra Onodu, Associate of Science in Business Administration

N’kosi-Sanai Poole, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Robert Smith, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Savannah Taylor, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Michelle Wilches, Associate of Science in Business Administration

Chesapeake Campus

Rocco Boyd, Certificate in General Education

Carly Pond, Certificate in General Education

Zoey England, Associate of Science in Social Sciences

Horticulture students grow a greenhouse full of vegetables for families in need

There’s an old saying that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. That applies to vegetables, too.

With that concept in mind, and facing the COVID-19 crisis, Tidewater Community College and its Horticulture program donated a greenhouse full of vegetables and herbs to eventually provide salads and healthy sides for families in need.

TCC Horticulture students grew a healthy selection of vegetables and herbs in the new greenhouse at Chesapeake Campus.

“When our spring plant sale was cancelled because of the worldwide pandemic, we knew we had to do something to help people in need,” said Andrea Tomlin, assistant professor and program head for Horticulture.

Tomlin contacted the Virginia Cooperative Extension, which connected her with Healthy Chesapeake and the 13 community gardens it supports.

Tomlin’s Crop Production students worked all semester growing plants and herbs, including heirloom tomatoes, peppers, oregano, parsley, sage and even insect-pollinating plants that will help the gardens remain strong.

“My students were so happy to be able to contribute and give back during this time,” Tomlin said. “Taking some positive action and coming together to serve our community has been very rewarding.”

Picking up the donation from TCC’s Andrea Tomlin (left) are Chris Lessick, Calib Miller and Kimi Stevens with Healthy Chesapeake.

The Horticulture program donated five truckloads of plants to Healthy Chesapeake and its Food Connection program that exists to address food insecurity and promote healthy eating. The goal is to reduce chronic disease and improve the quality of life for families, at-risk youth and homebound seniors in need.

“It’s crazy to see how things work out because, with the closing of schools, we lost our crops in the community seed bank, where we raise seedlings for planting across the city. Now with this amazing, huge windfall, our gardens will be able to feed even more people,” said Calib Miller, food connection program manager with Healthy Chesapeake.

Miller called the donation “an incredible boon and bounty for us.”

Healthy Chesapeake supports community gardens that include Atlantic Shores Christian School, Historic South Norfolk Community Garden, Cambridge Square Apartments and Wildcat Garden at Great Bridge High.

Horticulture students also grew 25,000 annual bedding plants that would typically benefit the community. Now they will be planted on TCC’s four campuses. Tomlin added, “While we miss being on campus, we are happy that the fruits of our labor will be enjoyed by students and faculty when we return.”

To learn more about TCC’s Horticulture program, email Tomin at atomlin@tcc.edu.

TCC students in need of support services can find them at a Single Stop

Tidewater Community College is now offering Single Stop, a “one-stop shop” for students to get resources to assist in keeping them enrolled.

The free nonprofit program connects students to comprehensive social support and financial resources so they can achieve academic success.

 Among them:

  • Benefit screening for federal and state food and nutrition programs, health insurance and transportation assistance
  • Tax preparation services, including having your taxes filed for free by a certified tax preparer
  • Legal counseling with guidance on public benefits, housing, employment and immigration issues
  • Financial education with guidance in budgeting, debt management, banking and credit counseling

Students interested in learning about their eligibility for these benefits and resources can complete a profile using the online self-screening tool. Eligibility will be calculated automatically.

Visit www.tcc.edu/singlestop with questions or call 757-822-1111.

Single Stop is one of many support services the college is providing to see students through the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional services include virtual tutoring and academic advising, specialized support for military-related students and online library support. Students in need of a computer can contact TCC’s computer club, Computers for Students Success, at 757-512-5807.

Alumna’s agency providing needed mental health care during COVID-19 crisis

Alumna Glenda Benion is gearing up to provide even more help to those with mental health needs in Hampton Roads.

“The current COVID-19 crisis is certainly going to have an impact on the mental health of many in our community, and we are preparing for an uptick in service needs once the Commonwealth reopens,” she said.

Benion graduated from Tidewater Community College with a Human Services associate degree in 2015. Today she co-owns and manages TALK Family of Virginia, an agency providing mental health services for children, teens and adults in Hampton Roads.

“A lot of people are not going to come out of this on the good side as they are going through a job loss and weeks of lost income. Many are unsure of the future and in pretty dire straits.  All of this can impact mental health a great deal,” she said.

Opened for a decade, the family-run business employs 23 counselors who help with mental health skill-building, medication management, financial planning and personal hygiene support.

All appointments are virtual right now.

Benion said much of the work these days is helping clients with basic needs by referring them to other agencies in the region.

“It’s been tough not being able to be one-on-one with our clients providing the usual services that sometimes include intensive in-home care,” she said. “I continue to be grateful to our staff that gives so much of themselves to help others.”

Benion came to TCC for the Human Services program, which is designed to provide the education necessary for career advancement in human and social services. Students are trained in observation, intake and interviewing, implementing treatment plans, problem-solving, crisis intervention, case management and referral procedures. Internships are among the requirements. Ivory Warren is program head.

“I want to give a shout-out to Ivory Warren,” Benion said. “She was the best professor and certainly prepared me well for the work I’m doing.

 “The more I work with people, the more I see that mental illnesses are real and can be very challenging for families.”

Benion works with her husband, Ronald, a silent partner in the TALK Family venture, and Kevin Walton, her son-in-law, who serves as executive director. Her daughter, Andrea Walton,  is the program coordinator.

State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2020-21 Fees at May Meeting

In accordance with Section 23.1-307 (D) of the Code of Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges provides notice that it will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for Virginia’s Community Colleges, effective fall 2020, at 9 a.m. on May 21, 2020, via a virtual meeting. The address for that meeting will be posted on the Commonwealth Calendar no later than 5pm on May 13, 2020.

The State Board will consider mandatory fee increases of between 0 percent and 2.2 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to provisions of the 2020 session of the General Assembly.   The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increases in mandatory fees to pay for contractual obligations, debt service, and proposed adjustments to student fees.

Public comment will be received at the meeting following approval of minutes of the preceding meeting and prior to committee reports.  The public comment session will be available by via a virtual meeting, the location of which will be posted to the Commonwealth Calendar.  

Individuals who wish to speak to the Board must notify, or provide written comment, to the Office of the Chancellor at least 5 working days prior to the scheduled meeting by emailing rmowen@vccs.edu.

All remarks before the State Board for Community Colleges must be matters germane and relevant to the agenda of the day.

TCC student named to the All-USA Academic Team and is a New Century Pathway Scholar

Scholarship winner Olivia Brichter has a message for Professor Manisha Trivedi.

“I’m sending you a big fat thank you for taking the time, for believing in me, for all of it,” said Brichter, who will graduate from Tidewater Community College in May with an Associate of Science in General Studies.

Brichter was named to the 2020 All-USA Academic Team, a competition sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa. Based on the score she earned, she was named a New Century Pathway Scholar in Virginia.

She will receive a total of $7,250 in scholarship funds to pursue her bachelor’s in neuroscience at Roanoke College.

Seizures and attention deficit hyperactive disorder made learning nearly impossible until Brichter met Trivedi, TCC’s 2018 Professor of the Year. The pair connected weekday mornings to review materials for Brichter’s biology and anatomy and physiology classes. Trivedi helped with strategies for learning like reading the material aloud and writing difficult concepts on a whiteboard.

“Ms. T showed me that I could learn and built my confidence. I give her a lot of credit for my success,” Brichter said.

Brichter also received support through the Open Door Project, a program that offers free academic, career and cultural counseling to low-income, first-time college students on the Norfolk and Portsmouth campuses.

Brichter helped launch the Norfolk Campus Dream (Disabilities, Rights, Education, Activism and Mentoring) Club, a local chapter of the national group. Working with campus leaders, she started Dream to bring students with disabilities and mental health needs together to support each other.

She also worked as a work-study student in the Norfolk Campus advising office, helping other students write their own success stories.

“It’s been a highlight helping students also struggling to find their way,”  Brichter said. “I’ve been able to share my story with so many people coming through our doors. My message is simple: get involved and take every opportunity to help yourself and others.”

Brichter’s journey at the college started a decade ago, so moving on is bittersweet.

“We’re a family on Norfolk Campus,” she said. “The people here helped me come out of my shell, built my confidence and gave me a new direction.”

Brichter hopes to pay it forward by working with children with special needs and doing research in neuroscience.

Financial aid and scholarships help Brichter pay for college. She also received two TCC scholarships: the Tryntje and Norman Willcox Endowed Memorial Scholarship and the Norfolk Campus General Scholarship.

Scholarship applications are open now for TCC students. To learn about scholarships that can help you reach your academic goals, visit https://news.tcc.edu/interested-in-fall-scholarships-at-tcc-its-time-to-apply/.

Black Rocket summer camps at TCC now virtual

Due to COVID019, all Tidewater Community College summer camps for the week of June 22 will be canceled. Refunds will be issued via credit card.

All Black Rocket camps will be virtual for the weeks from June 8 to Aug. 24. The online cost per camp will be $129 for most Black Rocket camps; a few will be either $139 or $148.

TCC’s additional camps scheduled for July and August are not canceled at this time. However, if you want a refund, call 757-822-1234.

All updates to the summer camp schedule and registration information can be found here.

Email questions to Emily Richardson at erichardson@tcc.edu or leave a message at 757-822-1505.

Visual Arts Center’s Annual Student Art & Design Exhibition goes virtual

Jacqueline Kay wanted to capture a playful, vibrant image celebrating femininity and a black woman being confident and beautiful in her own skin.

Her image, “Fashionista,” won the President’s Award at the 49th  Annual Student Art & Design Exhibition at Tidewater Community College’s Visual Arts Center. The show is virtual due to COVID-19.

“My aspiration is to become a fashion photographer and continuing to work toward my goal of making black women feel seen, uplifted and represented in the contemporary fashion industry,” said Kay, who will graduate in May with an associate degree in Photographic Media Arts.

Monika Chuchro’s photograph “Withering Away” won the Purchase Award. Chuchro’s piece reflects her daughter, “a young lady who is too engrossed in her electronics to notice the beauty and passage of time that is happening around her,” she said. “The passage of time is represented by the withering flowers and rotting fruit.”

Withering Away

Chuchro, attending TCC to earn a Career Studies Certificate in Photographic Media Arts, hopes to open her own photography business and continue to create fine art images that can, one day, be on display in galleries and museums. She plans to eventually work toward a master’s in photography.

Jessica Clampet’s “Shadows of Suburbia” oil painting earned the Provost’s Award. The studio arts major has always admired her neighbor’s home in Churchland. “One night when I was driving home, there was a light casting the most amazing shadows through a tree on the house. I was in love and wanted to play with that,” she said.

Shadows of Suburbia

After TCC, Clampet plans to transfer to ODU and work toward a bachelor’s in fine arts with a teaching license.

See a complete list of winners.

For more information, or to inquire about sales, please contact
Shelley Brooks at sbrooks@tcc.edu.

Interested in fall scholarships at TCC? It’s time to apply.

Whether you’re a woman studying STEM, a recent high school graduate or a military-related student returning to school, we have scholarships to help you pay for classes.

Don’t miss out on free money to further your academic goals.

Applications for Tidewater Community College’s 2020 fall scholarship cycle are being accepted April 15 through June 5.

Thanks to the contributions of individual donors and organizations, TCC’s Educational Foundation is able to provide scholarships to support students’ academic studies and achievements. Awards may be used for tuition, books and fees at TCC.

Most TCC Educational Foundation scholarships are worth $500 or more. They do not need to be repaid. Depending on your unmet need, you may be awarded more than one scholarship.

TCC student Olivia Brichter.

Student Olivia Brichter earned the Tryntje and Norman Willcox Endowed Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 and a $600 Norfolk Campus General Scholarship in 2019.

“TCC allowed me to figure out what I want to do, without going into any student debt,” she said. “I’m really grateful.”

Brichter was selected to the 2020 All-USA Academic Team and is a New Century Transfer Pathway scholar for Virginia. She will receive a total of $7,250 in scholarship funds to pursue her bachelor’s degree at her next stop.

Emeakama Favour at TCC’s Chesapeake Campus.

Emeakama Favour came to TCC to study cybersecurity. She received the Mary Ferrell Flickinger and E.C. Wareheim scholarships, both from TCC.

“These scholarships helped me experience the joy of learning,” she said. “They covered most of my tuition for one semester and helped me stay in school.”

Start by completing the 2020-21 FAFSA to determine your eligibility for financial aid. Find the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. List TCC as your school of choice by using code 003712.

Use your myTCC login and password to sign in to the scholarship application system. From there, browse scholarship opportunities and apply for ones that fit you best. The system will recommend scholarships that are right for you.

Registration is currently open for fall classes, which begin Aug. 24.

For more information, visit www.tcc.edu/scholarships. To learn about establishing a scholarship at TCC, contact the TCC Educational Foundation at foundation@tcc.edu or 757-822-1080.

TCC to hold its 70th Commencement Exercises Virtually

Tidewater Community College will hold its 70th Commencement Exercises virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 11 at 6 p.m., the college will recognize the achievements of its graduates with an online ceremony that will include remarks by President Marcia Conston, student speakers and a conferring of certificates and degrees.

Graduates will have the opportunity to see their photo and names displayed during the virtual ceremony. Also, those who RSVP will receive additional information, as well as some celebratory items for the day including their mortarboard and tassel, diploma case, program and alumni pin.

The exercises will be broadcast on the same date originally planned for the in-person activities and will be available as a recording afterward.

The decision to conduct these ceremonies online honors guidelines announced by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and is in line with CDC regulations for social distancing to deter the spread of COVID-19.

TCC’s May graduates should use this link to register by Monday, April 20, 2020.

Respiratory Therapy program prepared TCC alum to be on front lines of COVID-19

Walking into a clinical simulation lab at Tidewater Community College, Justin Seemueller never knew what to expect.

The unique possibilities – a child suffering from an asthma attack to a lung cancer patient gasping for breath – ranged from moderate to life-altering.

Justin Seemueller

As a student in the college’s Respiratory Therapy program, he understood that reacting correctly with a camera recording all of his actions did more than affect his grade. “It prepared me for exactly what I’m doing now,” said Seemueller, a respiratory clinical specialist at Norfolk General Hospital, where 14-hour days are commonplace to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Back then, I thought it was a cruel joke – entering a room and having to respond on camera for a simulation we weren’t prepared for,” said Seemueller, who earned his Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy from TCC in 2010. “Actually, that was the best part of the program. Instead of being thrown into the wild west of life-saving situations, I have the muscle memory of knowing what to do.”

“Warriors for health. An essential component for patients. A keystone in the COVID-19 battle,” is how Tom Kallstrom, executive director of the American Association of Respiratory Care, describes respiratory therapists, who are on the front lines alongside physicians fighting COVID-19, which attacks the respiratory system and lungs.

Approximately 80 percent of respiratory therapists at Sentara Norfolk graduated from TCC’s nationally accredited program where, almost without exception, all are employed prior to commencement. “TCC puts out the best of the best,” Seemueller said.

Seemueller has an added twist to his role thanks to his engineering aptitude. Collaborating directly with engineers at Old Dominion University, he’s designing a reusable protective mask for healthcare workers. By relying on existing resources, specifically, CPAP masks used to treat sleep apnea, he created design specs for an alternative to the standard N95 masks, which are in short supply nationally.

Seemueller’s engineering aptitude was key in designing an adapter for the masks.

To be effective, masks must include high-level viral filters and be perfectly sealed, both of which can be accomplished by using an adaptor that a 3D printer can spit out. Those are being printed at ODU and distributed to all Sentara facilities and locally to combat a potential shortage.

“We can equip people with perfect type seal masks that are far superior to what they are using currently,” Seemueller said.

The Kellam High graduate didn’t grow up wanting to be part of a medical team. He found the TCC program after earning a bachelor’s in philosophy from Radford University. He considered law school but found himself instead drawn to a profession that blends technical expertise with medical care.

“I like the marriage of the two,” he said.

He touts the passion of program head Denise Bieszczad – who taught his father, Bob, also a respiratory therapist. “She pours her heart and soul into the program and she could not have prepared me any better,” he said.

Simulations, which allow mistakes with Android patients as opposed to real people, helped Seemueller master the clinical rotations he completed at Riverside Regional, Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Chesapeake Regional, Sentara Bayside, Sentara Virginia Beach General and Norfolk General.

“The clinical hours prepare you for what the job is all about,” he said.

Often that means seeing people on the worst day of their lives. “It’s bittersweet sometimes; we’re in a narrow section of the healthcare process,” Seemueller said. “We don’t always know the end result.

“But sometimes you’ll have family members remember you a year or two later and say how helpful you were. When that happens, it means a lot.”

Making music work for you

It’s been said that music moves the soul. Well according to Music program head Mark Denison, it’s good for what ails you, too.

Denison leads TCC Music, which includes ensembles in jazz and classical music, as well as chorus. The program helps students find their voice, as they study music theory, history and performance.

Here are Denison’s top tips for using music to reduce stress.

  • Enjoy vocal pieces and songs that can help articulate feelings. Especially helpful are the words and texts of master lyricists. They help make concrete the various vague and abstract emotions we can be feeling. It requires some introspection on the listener’s part, but like analyzing the works of a poet, the correlations can be found with some contemplation.
  • Playing instrumental pieces and songs can help you feel the complexity of emotions without a presumptive meaning attached. Master composers and songwriters in the world of instrumental music often seem to have an inside scoop to a listener’s soul. The melodies and harmonies, textures and rhythms, and themes and contrasts can hit at such a deep emotional level, we can find ourselves feeling joy, sorrow and anger all at the same time.
  • Learning about different artists’ lives, their triumphs and their tribulations can help us draw parallels in our own lives and provide inspiration for us to overcome whatever obstacles we are facing. They also help us to focus on longer-term goals. No one becomes a musician overnight. By understanding their journey, a person can look inside and possibly come to a better understanding of one’s journey.
  • Practicing music can help us develop a deeper sense of self and accomplishment. Self-esteem follows where one develops a certain amount of ability in a skill. Like being able to build a table, needlepoint or cook. Music practice is a highly developed skill that requires repetitive practice and, honestly, repeated failures and successes. That success follows failure should be a given in life, and thus feelings of accomplishment follow success.
  • Practicing music can also be used as a meditative exercise. You can block out the rest of the world, even if only for 30 minutes or an hour. The mind hones in on the skill being practiced and thus becomes free from worry. The world will still be there when the practitioner returns, but for that period, one is free to let it go. 

TCC loaning ventilators and donating supplies to help fight COVID-19

From loaning ventilators to donating boxes of supplies, Tidewater Community College is supporting area health professionals in the battle against COVID-19.

TCC’s Respiratory Therapy program loaned 11 ventilators to Sentara Healthcare on March 31. Housed in the Regional Health Professions Center on the Virginia Beach Campus, the ventilators are used in simulation labs that are hands-on classrooms for respiratory therapy students.

“It’s a small part that we can play to make a difference,” said Denise Bieszczad, program head for Respiratory Therapy, which will graduate 14 from the program, all of whom already have jobs in the field.

Bieszczad, who’s been at TCC for nearly four decades, taught many of the respiratory therapists working in Hampton Roads’ major health systems today, who she said, “are in the front lines of fighting COVID-19.” In fact, it was TCC graduate Steve Sibole, director of Patient Care Services at Sentara, who reached out to Bieszczad asking if the college had any ventilators to loan.

“We were happy to do our part,” said Bieszczad, who also offered to loan ventilators to Bon Secours, another of TCC’s regional partners.

Boxes of supplies headed to Sentara Healthcare, one of five major healthcare systems in Hampton Roads receiving donations from TCC.

In addition, on April 1, TCC’s Center for Workforce Solutions donated 500 pairs of gloves, 500 procedure masks, 100 surgical shields, 50 poly gowns and 50 isolation gowns to each of the five major health systems in Hampton Roads (Sentara, Bon Secours, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Lake Taylor, Chesapeake Regional).

The supplies were leftover inventory from nurse aide, clinical medical assisting and other workforce instructional programs.

WAVY, WTKR and 13News Now each featured stories about TCC’s efforts.

Student chefs cooking up success at home

Tidewater Community College’s student chefs are cooking in their own kitchens to make the grade.

TCC staffers bought and packed the ingredients students would need to continue their studies at home. The next day, students picked up their supplies in a “drive-by” format while practicing social distancing and staying outside of college buildings.

Chef Amie Burns packing food for students to use with remote learning.

“We chose ingredients and recipes that would work well in a home setting but still emphasize the skills and techniques needed for each course,” explained Deanna Freridge, who is teaching  American Regional Cuisine this semester.

Students picked up their ingredients maintaining social distancing and staying outside college buildings.

TCC chefs Freridge, Carolyn Blackmon and Amie Burns recorded their labs, including a demo on how to prepare your kitchen for home learning. During the first few days, their goodies included cranberry orange scones, cream of broccoli soup and potato and onion knish.

All of the demos are available in Canvas, the college’s learning platform, and on YouTube. Additionally, lectures are offered via Zoom video chat.

 “So far there are no hiccups in the road,” said student chef Valerie DeFreitas. “I’m pleased with how things are going. We received our products in a timely fashion and are now cooking and learning as usual.”

Students receive a checklist of the skills they need to learn for each lab, and then record videos showing themselves completing each recipe. The final step is to upload their videos to Canvas so they earn credit for their work.

Burns encourages students to keep the videos candid. “We just want to see your technique. With limited food supplies, we don’t expect a bunch of different takes. Don’t worry if the dog barks or your kid pops in. Just keep rolling with it,” she said.

All of the Spring Semester courses are underway in a remote format, including Principles of Culinary Arts, Principles of Baking and the advanced American Regional Cuisine. Other non-lab classes being taught are Food and Beverage Cost Control, Labor Cost Control and Beverage Management.

“With cooking I get the vibe that you have to work with what you have,” said student chef Melissa Coleman. “And while we might not have the same equipment at home, we can make it work and learn to improvise. In the long run, these are important skills to have.”

“We are really glad to have all of this technology so we can keep our students going,” Freridge said. “We’re finding that they are all willing and excited to be cooking remotely.”

Remote learning with the culinary program also allows student chefs to provide food for their families during a challenging time.

“We are grateful to be able to help ease the pinch many are feeling during this time,” added Nancy Prather-Johnson, dean of Business. “Providing meals for families is a nice plus to all of this.”

WTKR’s Margaret Kavanagh talked with TCC students and chefs about remote learning in their home kitchens. See more at WTKR-TV.

Create a peaceful, productive study space

Learning at home can be fraught with distractions.  With remote learning in full swing, make sure your study space works for you.

Jennifer Hopkins, Interior Design program head at Tidewater Community College, offers these tips to create a peaceful, productive corner in your world.

“During this extraordinary time, we are spending more time at home and our spaces need to be functional and comfortable,” she said.

Here’s how:

  • Find a work space away from the chaos of daily life and commit to honoring your school schedule (if possible) so you can succeed. This may take help from family members who also want to see you achieve.
  • If you do school work during the day, find a location that has good natural light and/or a view. It takes hours focused on technology to learn online, so nice lighting will prevent strain and provide a break from screen time. 
  • Many students enjoy music in the background to help block distractions, create a sense of calm and remain on task. Studies show that classical music remains the No. 1 choice for productivity. But your music should work for you, whether it’s Mozart or Drake.
  • Arrange your work area to prevent glare while still providing plenty of light. Desk lamps should be placed on the left side for a right-handed person so paperwork isn’t shaded by the working hand. Left-handed people should do the opposite.
  • If young children are in the home, make sure you put all school work away between sessions to prevent curious or sticky hands from wandering too close!
  • Fully clean or declutter your space each evening to make your routine less stressful the next day. Put something beautiful near you such as a plant, flowers or favorite photo.  

TCC will extend remote learning through the spring semester

Tidewater Community College will continue remote learning for all students for the remainder of the spring semester.

All campuses and buildings are closed to students and the public through April 4. The college will provide virtual services only. TCC converted to remote learning on March 23 due to COVID-19.

Students needing support are encouraged to use TCC’s virtual resources. They can also connect with the college via chat through tcc.edu, by phone at 757-822-1111 or by emailing enroll@tcc.edu.

Back to class with Canvas and Zoom

It’s almost time to get back to your studies, but are you ready for remote instruction?

With classes resuming on Monday, March 23, now is the time to learn how to succeed in your remote courses.

If the concept is a bit daunting, Tidewater Community College has an e-course just for you. A new resource developed by the college introduces you to remote learning through Canvas and Zoom.

To access this resource use this link.

The course is user-friendly and includes three sections:

*Learning Online
*Learning with Canvas
*Learning with Zoom

In Learning Online, you’ll discover the basics about technology access, which includes specifics on computer requirements. It also has lessons on time management, communications skills, study skills and resources for everything from tutoring to free Office 365 and virus protection.

In Learning with Canvas, you will see how to use Canvas effectively. Canvas is TCC’s learning management system that facilitates the delivery of course materials online. Beginning March 23, all TCC courses will be available to students in Canvas. To access Canvas, sign in to myTCC and click on the Canvas icon.

You may also access Canvas by navigating directly to https://learn.vccs.edu/ or by downloading the Canvas student app to your mobile device. For more information about how to use the Canvas Student app, review the Canvas Student Android Guide or the Canvas Student iOS Guide.

Zoom is TCC’s web conferencing solution designed to make you feel like you are sitting in class. Your instructor can share information in lecture format and you can both write on a screen-annotated whiteboard. Zoom includes two-way audio and video, customized screen sharing, breakout rooms for group work and a chat function.

You can also set up Zoom study groupsby inviting others to join a meeting you are hosting.

Students may access Zoom by signing into myTCC and clicking on the Zoom icon. You can also navigate directly to https://vccs.zoom.us/, or download the Zoom app to your mobile device.  

Students who do not have a computer can apply to Computers for Student Success to receive one. Applications are ranked on need and urgency of need. If your application is approved, most students pay only a $25 processing fee. Those with the most urgent need can receive their computer for free. Here is the application link. Also, the club repairs student computers for $20. Call 757-512-5807 or email TCCCompClub@gmail.com with questions.

As we move to remote learning, remember that we are here to help. Contact TCC’s Canvas support team by email or use the online help request form or call 757-822-1470. The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can also contact TCC’s Information Center by emailing info@tcc.edu or calling 757-822-1122 and selecting option 4.

You can enroll in classes 100% online

While we’re happy to serve you in person at Tidewater Community College, you can also enroll in classes for Summer Session and Fall Semester 100% online!

If you have questions along the way:

Any student needing assistance can call 757-822-1122 and select option #4 or email info@tcc.edu.

Returning students can follow these enrollment steps:

Login to SIS

Click on Self Service

Click on Student Center

Under the Academics Heading, click on Enroll. Make sure that your user preferences are set to the institution (TCC) and term (summer or fall) for which you wish to enroll and/or pay tuition.

Select the Term to enroll from the list shown, then click on CONTINUE.

If you know it, enter the five-digit class Number of the first lecture class from the enrollment worksheet; click Enter.  If the course requires a Permission Number, enter your permission number in the box and click on NEXT.

If you do not have the five-digit class numbers for the classes you wish to take, you can search for classes by clicking Class Search under the Find Classes heading. Click on SearchEnter the search criteria. View class listings and when you find the class you wish to take, click on Select Class. Click on NEXT to add that class to your Shopping Cart.

When you have selected all your classes, scroll below your class listings and click on Proceed to Step 2 of 3.

On the confirm classes screen, view all your classes and click Finish Enrolling to have these classes added to your schedule. If you do not follow this step, you are not enrolled.

If you have errors, a message will provide information that will tell you why that class cannot be added to your schedule.  Click on Add Another Class, this will return you to your shopping cart, click on the trash can icon in the delete column to remove the classes that could not be added to your schedule.

To enroll in a class with a required lab, enter the class # for the Lecture section and click on Enter. A Related Class Sections screen will open providing a list of the available lab sections. Click on the circle in the left column to select your related lab section. Click on NEXT and follow the prompts above to continue the enrollment process.

If you are a new degree-seeking student and you are ready to enroll in classes, you can follow the above steps, however, you must first make an appointment with an academic advisor. If you do not wish to come to campus in person, you can email virtualadvisor@tcc.edu and request an online appointment. You can also make your own virtual appointment by logging onto SIS and following these directions.

The first tuition deadline for summer session is April 27 by 11 p.m.

The first tuition deadline for fall semester is Aug. 3 at 11 p.m.

TCC cancels Spring Commencement Exercises

Tidewater Community College will not hold its 2020 Spring Commencement Exercises scheduled for Monday, May 11, at Chartway Arena in Norfolk. 

On Tuesday, Glenn DuBois, chancellor for Virginia’s Community Colleges, announced the cancellation of all May commencements due to recent CDC guidance that  calls for avoiding gatherings of 50 or more people over the next eight weeks because of a rise in coronavirus cases in the Commonwealth. 

The VCCS announcement is also in compliance with Gov. Ralph Northam’s statewide ban on all gatherings of 100 or more people. 

“We will find an alternate and safe way to honor our graduates,” said Marian Anderfuren, TCC’s public information officer. 

The college’s Commencement Committee will consider alternatives, such as rescheduling for the summer or holding a virtual commencement. Those details will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. 

“What’s difficult is that the very things that make commencement meaningful also makes them dangerous in this pandemic,” DuBois said. “While it’s a celebration of individual achievements, it’s a community celebration. Many of the same family members who travel far and wide to attend are at particularly high risk with this virus. And the hugs and high-fives that come naturally to so many of us in that moment fly in the face of the social distancing practices we are asked to observe.” 

Read his entire statement. 

While TCC remains open and staffed, the college will move to remote instruction starting March 23. TCC extended its Spring Break by a week to allow faculty time to prepare. By April 1, the college will evaluate whether to continue remote delivery of classes or return to in-person instruction. 

TCC is maintaining a comprehensive web page with information about its response to COVID-19. 

Important update on Spring Semester

As concerns regarding COVID-19 continue to unfold and activities in our community are changing, I want to inform you of TCC’s current status regarding class cancellations. Governor Ralph Northam on Thursday declared a state of emergency in Virginia and today announced the closure of K-12 schools for two weeks. Because the situation is so fluid, decisions we make today may need to be revisited tomorrow.

This is a stressful time for everyone. Our faculty and staff are our strength. I appreciate the resilience you have demonstrated during this critical time.

Below is a reiteration of the message I sent to you on Wednesday, March 11, as well as the latest updates from the President’s Cabinet. You can expect to see additional communications from the provosts about campus operations and from Dr. Corey McCray regarding classes.

·        All TCC campuses and locations are open. Faculty and staff are expected to report for work, unless otherwise notified. Until we are directed otherwise, we are here to serve our students.

·        In the interest of promoting social distancing, students are asked to not return to campus after Spring Break. They are encouraged to use online and virtual resources so that we may limit the number of people on our campuses. However, if students come on campus seeking assistance, they should be served.

·        TCC classes are still canceled Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17, including online classes. We will monitor the progress of our remote delivery and adjust as needed while ensuring compliance with any federal, state and accreditation regulations.

·        March 16 and 17 will be used to provide opportunities for academic leadership and faculty to prepare TCC classes for remote delivery. Our faculty and deans are making great progress in preparing as many classes as possible for remote delivery.

·        Beginning Wednesday, March 18, TCC classes will resume using remote instructional methods. Remote delivery will continue at least through Wednesday, April 1.

·        I have assurances from the Facilities staff that offices and common areas will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected over the weekend. If you see something that needs attention, email Matt Baumgarten and Tim Fobbs.

We must all continue to follow good health practices, such as washing our hands. Social distancing has emerged as a recommended strategy for slowing the spread of COVID-19. I urge you to do your best to avoid large groups and stay at least six feet away from others.

Continue to send me your questions and concerns. I assure you that I take them into consideration as we travel through this uncharted territory.

Sincerely,

Dr. Marcia Conston
President
Tidewater Community College 
————————————————