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TCC Weather Delay
Due to inclement weather TCC will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. All in-person and virtual support services will resume at 10 a.m.
TCC commemorates Juneteenth holiday with student trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and more
Tidewater Community College will commemorate Juneteenth with celebrations throughout June.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the United States on June 17, 2021. The holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Juneteenth is celebrated annually on June 19 to mark the date in 1865 when the last enslaved African-Americans in Texas, the last state of the Confederacy with institutionalized slavery, were notified of their freedom following the Civil War.
A highlight of the Juneteenth commemoration at TCC is a bus trip for current students to Washington, D.C. Students will visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a Smithsonian Institution Museum located on the National Mall. It was established in December 2003 and opened its permanent home in September 2016. The day-long bus trip is set for June 17 and current students can sign up here.
The college is also hosting a “Miss Juneteenth” movie watch and share gathering at the Norfolk Campus Student Center on June 15 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Attendees are invited to participate in a discussion following the film showing.
“Miss Juneteenth” is a critically acclaimed American film that follows a single mom and former teen beauty queen as she enters her daughter into the local Miss Juneteenth pageant. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020, and was released via video on June 19, 2020, coinciding with the 155th anniversary of the Juneteenth holiday.
Additional student events can be found at the Virtual Student Center including a Juneteenth trivia game on June 9.
The college will be closed on Monday, June 20, to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday.
TCC celebrates the 25th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Grove with “The Tempest”
Tidewater Community College Theatre celebrates its 25th season of Shakespeare in the Grove with a magical and mesmerizing presentation of “The Tempest.”
The free public performances will be held June 22-26, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting. For those in the Deaf community who would like to enjoy the show, American Sign Language interpreters will be interpreting the June 26 performance.
This year’s production will take center stage on the Grove stage, located behind the Pass building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road. A cast and crew of more than 35 student and veteran actors will bring this popular Shakespeare play to life.
Actors rehearsing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 2013.
Shakespeare in the Grove got its start with a “passion and a plank” according to founder Ed Jacob, the faculty member with the idea to launch outdoor theatre on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus with its grove of trees and open spaces. What started in 1996 with four platforms to perform on, a limited budget, scenery and simple costumes has grown into a professional production with a full stage, vibrant costumes, lights and plenty of technical support.
“People enjoy the atmosphere of Shakespeare under the stars. It’s summer. It’s a free event. And there’s something about being outside and hearing that old, romantic sort of verse and enjoying a picnic,” said Matthew Gorris, TCC Theatre faculty lead and artistic director.
Actors perfom”Othello” in 2018.
Shakespeare in the Grove plays are pared down to roughly two hours.
In “The Tempest” the main character Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Conflict ensues but in the end, families are reunited and all conflict is resolved. TCC’s version of the play takes on magical elements, with an untouched island setting, complete with sprites to entertain and monsters to mesmerize.
“`The Tempest’ is a story of redemption and celebration that is especially fitting after the pandemic,” said director Trey Clarkson. “Our story is a celebration with live music, live dance and magic to fill the air as we commemorate 25 years of Shakespeare in the Grove.”
“Shakespeare in the Grove at TCC is a local gem – there’s absolutely nothing like it in the area,” added Gorris.
Actors from “Twelfth Night or What You Will” in 2021.Performance of “As You Like It” in 2010.
Shakespeare in the Grove is sponsored by TCC and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner; insect repellent is also recommended.
For more information, contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu or 757-822-5219.
Founder Ed Jacob at the opening night of “The Taming of the Shrew” in 2004.Getting ready to perform “Hamlet” in 2012.
State Board for Community Colleges may consider 2022-23 tuition and fees at July meeting
In accordance with Section 23.1-307 (D) of the Code of Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges provides notice that it may consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for Virginia’s Community Colleges, effective fall 2022, at 9 a.m. on July 21, 2022, at the Virginia Community College System, System Office, 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA 23236.
The State Board may consider mandatory tuition and fee increases of between 0 percent and 4.0 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to budget provisions of the 2022 General Assembly special session. The maximum potential increase equates to a base tuition rate of $160.15 per credit-hour for in-state students and would result in a net annual increase of $184.50 for a student enrolling in thirty credit-hours during the academic year. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increase in mandatory fees to pay for mandatory cost increases associated with compensation and benefit increases, contractual obligations, technology and strategic initiatives, inflationary cost impacts, debt service, and potential adjustments to student fees.
Written comments from the public will be accepted through July 20 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu, or they may be mailed to the attention of Rose Marie Owen at:
Office of the Chancellor Virginia Community College System 300 Arboretum Parkway Richmond, Virginia 23236.
TCC welcomes first openly LGBTQ+ NFL player for Pride Month keynote
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (May 26, 2022) —Tidewater Community College welcomes former National Football League (NFL) player Ryan Russell for a Pride Month 2022 virtual keynote address on June 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Russell is the first openly LGBTQ+ professional to play in the NFL. Russell was a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue University.
On August 29 2019, Ryan Russell came out to the world as the first active NFL player to identify as bisexual. His ESPN coming out story was nominated for a 2020 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Television Journalism.
Students and the community are invited to Russell’s address, which will be streamed live via TCC’s YouTube channel. The virtual event includes a question-and-answer session at the end.
Russell will speak about sharing your truth and having a commitment to living a free life full of self-love. With his impassioned personal story of self-discovery and acceptance, Russell articulates how truth is essential to not just survive but to thrive.
In addition to being a former professional football player in the NFL, Russell is also a published poet, writer and artist. He began sharing and expressing his personal story through writing and poetry and in 2019 released his debut poetry book, “Prison or Passion.”
For more information about this event, email interim Chesapeake Campus Dean Emily Hartman at ehartman@tcc.edu.
TCC’s in-person summer camps are back on all campuses
Are you looking for summer fun with a purpose for your kids? Check out Tidewater Community College’s in-person summer camps with offerings for budding engineers, entrepreneurs, outdoor enthusiasts, computer wizards and more.
TCC’s has more than 80 camps, offered over eight weeks, geared for youth ages 8-15.
New Black Rocket Computer camps include YouTube Content Creators, Cyber Spies and Video Game Animation. Other new offerings include Beekeeping, Backpacking and Social Equality camps.
Spark your child’s imagination with interactive and fun programs tailored to their interests and age.
TCC’s week-long programs are affordable and conveniently located on the Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach campuses, and at the Center for Workforce Solutions in Suffolk. Limited enrollment size ensures students receive personalized attention.
Camps begin June 21 and run through the week of Aug. 8.
For a complete listing and to register, visit tcc.edu/camps.
Registration is now open. To receive a $5 discount per camp, register by May 31.
For more information call Emily Richardson at 757-871-7871 or call TCC’s Workforce Solutions Center at 757-822-1234 or email summercamps@tcc.edu.
Connect2TCC coordinator selected for global Emerging Leaders program
Tidewater Community College Coordinator Khadijah Peak-Brown was selected for the 2022-2024 Class of Emerging Leaders by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. Peak-Brown is one of ten advising professionals selected from an international pool of candidates.
The two-year Emerging Leaders program enables participants to work closely with mentors to enhance their skills and knowledge and will prepare them for leadership positions within higher education. Mentors and participants develop individualized plans based on the mentee’s interests, expertise and goals for the future.
“This is a well-deserved honor for Khadijah,” said Michael Summers, Special Assistant to the Vice President of Academics. “Her work this summer is important as it will impact the next generation of scholars by creating academic equity for students.”
Peak-Brown, TCC’s Connect2TCC coordinator, is developing a summer program for Norfolk Public School high school seniors called the Excellence Institute. A total of 50 students will engage in activities that build their academic and professional efficacy and, in turn, increase their persistence in their higher education pursuits.
“This is not just a job for me, but a call to action,” Peak-Brown said. “The Covid-19 pandemic stripped high school students of so many opportunities to build their academic and professional efficacy. They simply did not have the chance to experience milestones that are traditionally had during their high school years. They lost opportunities that organically happen in the classroom which through navigating those challenges, boosts academic and professional efficacy. Something should be done to address that.”
Peak-Brown describes her work as creating academic equity, by working on the social and emotional part of the equation and equipping students with the tools to succeed academically and professionally.
“This work is important and will have a monumental impact on those we serve,” Peak-Brown said. “All the research around efficacy and academic success affirms that high academic efficacy leads to academic success. I’m excited to build opportunities to improve efficacy for students and provide urgent support that will aid in their success.”
Peak-Brown joined TCC this year, having served at institutions ranging from private Christian universities to public historically Black colleges and universities. Her expertise is in at-risk retention and prevention efforts. Peak-Brown holds an Educational Specialists Degree in Educational Psychology and is in pursuit of her Ph.D.
Tidewater Community College presents “Love’s Labor’s Lost” this weekend
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Grove to be held in June, Tidewater Community College is presenting a mini-play to build excitement for the main event.
This weekend, the community is invited to enjoy a Shakespeare comedy, “Love’s Labor’s Lost” on three evenings, May 20, 21 and 22, from 7 – 8 p.m.
TCC Theatre’s version of “Love’s Labor’s Lost” is a condensed, one-hour comic journey that includes 12 actors, limited props and staging, and the natural light coming from the sun.
The play starts with a royal proclamation as four young men (one of them a king) withdraw from the world for three years, taking an oath that they will have nothing to do with women. But when the Princess of France and her three ladies arrive on a political matter, those vows are tossed aside and the men are tossed head over heels in love. Nature wins out as they learn the most important lesson of all – to follow the heart, not the head.
The play will be presented in the original grove location next to the TCC’s parking garage on the Chesapeake Campus, weather permitting.
This event is free and open to the community and families are encouraged to attend. Bring your chairs, bug spray and a picnic basket to enjoy the show. Parking is available in the TCC’s parking garage.
For more information email Matt Gorris, TCC Theatre professor, at mgorris@tcc.edu.
Learn about everything TCC offers at two open houses, May 21 and June 25
Find your future at Tidewater Community College.
Learn about the gamut of TCC’s programs, including cybersecurity, culinary arts, health sciences, maritime technologies and the many other potential career paths and transfer opportunities the college offers.
Take the next step by visiting one of TCC’s open houses on May 21 and June 25 between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
On May 21, visit TCC’s Virginia Beach or Portsmouth Campuses.
On June 25, visit the Norfolk Campus, Chesapeake Campus and the Regional Automotive Center.
To learn about the academic programs to be represented at each campus visit here. Visit our website for a complete listing of programs.
There is plenty of time to enroll for fall classes, which begin on Aug. 22.
All are invited, especially:
2022 high school graduates and their families;
adults who want to start or finish a degree, learn a new field, or advance in their careers;
active-duty military and veterans, their spouses and dependents.
You will be able to apply to TCC; learn about financial aid, grants and scholarships; explore academic options; tour campuses; and learn about campus life at all locations.
If you have an eye on a four-year college, TCC can help get you there, too. Transfer agreements allow a student to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at TCC and gain guaranteed admission to most Virginia colleges and universities.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by May 19 and June 23, to the Office of Educational Accessibility by emailing oea@tcc.edu or calling 757-822-7751.
TCC celebrates 74th Commencement Exercises with largest number of dual enrollment grads
It was a full house for Tidewater Community College’s 74th Commencement exercise held in-person for the second time since the start of the pandemic.
Family and friends gathered to celebrate more than 1,500 graduates at Chartway Arena on the campus of Old Dominion University.
Graduates were all smiles as they entered the arena to the resounding cheers of their loved ones.
The evening graduation on May 9 was presided over by President Marcia Conston.
President Marcia Conston with Allison Wilson, speaker for the graduates.
The speaker for the graduates, Allison Wilson, 17, who completed an Associate of Science in Social Sciences, is a dual enrollment student with her sights set on law school. She will continue at William and Mary to study English on a pre-law track.
“We decided to attend TCC to better ourselves and we’ve worked incredibly hard to be here today,” Wilson said in her remarks. “One of the biggest challenges was the pandemic and the move to online learning where we dealt with barking dogs, crying babies and horrible internet.”
Wilson continued by saying, “We will take the lessons learned and apply them to our future experiences. We will remember the respect shown to us and replicate it. When things get hard, we will remember our accomplishments and push forward. Congratulations graduates!”
This year, TCC had more dual-enrollment students earning degrees and certificates than ever before. Wilson is one of the 45 students earning associate degrees before graduating from high school this summer. An additional 98 high schoolers earned TCC certificates this year.
TCC Board Chair Cindy Free gave the Commencement address. A Hampton Roads native, Free is a TCC alumna who began her academic journey at TCC earning an associate degree in Physical Therapy Assistant in 1986.
Free is a member of the Atlantic Orthopedic Specialists Physical Therapy team. She has actively served on the College Board’s Finance and Facilities Committee, the Executive Committee, chaired the Advocacy Committee and TCC Educational Foundation, as well as served as Board chair since 2019.
“You have now earned degrees and certificates and the support of a school that will stick with you throughout your career,” Free said to the graduates. “Each of you has found your own way to thrive and gained the gift of confidence.”
She added, “I invite you to consider the opportunities that lie ahead and the raw materials of which you will fashion your life’s journey. Wherever life takes you, come back and see us and bring your stories and remind us that from here you really can go anywhere.”
The ceremony continued as families and friends cheered and snapped photos. Graduates crossed the stage and joined a TCC alumni network of 100,000 and counting.
If you missed graduation, you can watch the TCC livestream.
Marvin Fletcher and SaNayah Hill, father and daughter graduates, shared their story with News 3.
Student Speaker earns associate degree at 17
Allison Wilson got her start at Tidewater Community College while still in high school.
She participated in Early College and was part of the cohort from Churchland High School. “Making connections with people I’ve been in class with since third grade was definitely a highlight,” Allison said.
Allison is one of the 45 dual-enrollment students earning associate degrees before graduating from high school this summer. In addition, 98 high schoolers are earning TCC certificates this year.
She credits her mom, Lisa Wilson, with encouraging her to get a head start on college.
“I remember spending hours in the kitchen with my brother as we attended the Lisa Wilson ‘school of public speaking,’” Allison said with a laugh. “That was where we learned to organize our thoughts, project our voices and represent the family, whether it be at church or school.”
All those lessons paved the way for Allison to be selected as the Speaker for the Graduates for TCC’s 74th Commencement Exercises, to be held on May 9, 2022 at the Chartway Arena on the campus of Old Dominion University.
“I started classes at TCC with an aspiring funeral director and one of my mother’s coworkers. Even though I was considerably younger than the others, they treated me like every other student. We quickly became family and our differences didn’t matter,” Allison said.
Allison holds a 3.9 GPA and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools.
“Coming to TCC while still in high school was a great way to get started on college and save money. I had a great support system with my parents and grandparents,” she said. “I gained study skills that will take me through all of my years in college.”
Continuing to learn during the pandemic brought unique challenges. “Virtual learning forced us to deal with barking dogs, crying babies and spotty internet service,” Allison recalled. “But it also made time for different classes to fit into our schedules and provided unique ways to connect with classmates online.”
While at TCC, Allison remained active in her high school class serving as president of the National Honor Society, vice president of the Student Council, head delegate of the Model UN Team and a participant in the Scholastic Bowl. She also enjoyed spending time with friends and just being a teenager.
In the fall, Allison is transferring to William and Mary where she will study English and pre-law. She hopes to attend law school on the grounds as well, and one day be a state prosecutor.
Allison’s mom, dad, brother and grandparents will gather to celebrate with her at TCC’s Commencement exercises as she shares a message of encouragement.
“My message for my classmates is simple,” Allison said. “As we go to our four-year schools or start careers, we will take the lessons learned and apply them to our daily lives. We will remember the respect shown to us and replicate it. When things get hard, we push forward. Congratulations graduates!”
Grad finds purpose in the health professions
When Kristen McCombs dons her cap and gown for Tidewater Community College’s Commencement Exercises, her five-year-old son, Lincoln, will be wearing a t-shirt that says, “My mommy did it!”
“There are many sacrifices that come with going back to school while working full-time and being a mom. I missed my son’s first field trip and a mommy-and-me tea party he was really excited about,” she said.
Kristen is one of twelve sonography students who are earning their associate degrees this May. Nine in the cohort have already landed jobs in the field, while the others are waiting for offers to be confirmed. All will be working in the field as soon as they pass the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography examination.
Kristen practicing with Nicole Fleming, a classmate in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography lab.
The health care field has always been attractive to Kristen. In fact, she started at TCC to study nursing soon after graduating from Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake.
“I was on track for the nursing program, but I could not pass one prerequisite class – Anatomy and Physiology. I tried two times and failed,” she said. “So I switched programs and became a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA).”
Kristen worked as a CNA in the home care setting for five years, before taking a position at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital as an administrative assistant in the operating rooms.
Today, Kristen’s compassion for others and her commitment to helping her community is a driving force for completing her degree.
When she came back to TCC, she got help from Kevin McCarthy, an academic advisor who was able to get Kristen special permission to take Anatomy and Physiology again. “I was ready this time and motivated. And I passed with an A,” she said.
Coming back to TCC for DMS meant more difficult prerequisite courses including physics.
“I met so many teachers who cared about my journey and wanted me to succeed,” Kristen said. “Mr. Fisher, my physics teacher, worked really hard to make the concepts understandable for me. He encouraged me and checked on me after class to be sure I was tracking with the information.”
But the thing that stands out the most to Kristen is the little pep talks from the DMS faculty that had a monumental impact on her success in the program.
“I can’t say enough good things about the faculty. In those moments of self-doubt, they were encouraging and believed in me,” Kristen said. She sends a special shout out to Indu Sharma, program coordinator and Yanna Christodoulias, clinical coordinator, for mentoring her through the program.
“You go into the program unsure of yourself and kind of reserved,” Kristen said. “But you come out the other side with classmates who are your best friends and faculty who feel like family.”
During the program, Kristen completed clinical hours in area hospitals including Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Sentara Care Plex and the maternal fetal medicine department at Eastern Virginia Medical School.
“Working under a sonography team lead and doing the work hands-on is an integral part of the training,” she said. “You get to experience different patients with real personalities. And you also see real pathology and learn how to manage when something unexpected shows up on your screen,” she said.
Kristen plans to work in a hospital setting doing general sonography work after graduation.
“I’m excited to be able to put Lincoln on the bus in the mornings, do work I’m excited about, and then be home with him after school. I’ll have to work some overnight shifts, but it’s worth the quality time with him,” she said.
Kristen’s husband, Ryan, and Lincoln will be cheering for Kristen when she walks across the stage at Chartway Arena on May 9. She and more than 1,300 other graduates are celebrating a job well done.
“I encourage students right out of high school to just start college. You may not know what you want to do, but your path will become clear,” she said. “And if you need to leave. You can always come back. It’s never too late to earn your degree.”
Father and dual-enrolled daughter graduate together
Marvin Fletcher and his daughter SaNayah Hill were surprised to find out they are graduating from Tidewater Community College at the same time.
“I never thought my daughter and I would be wearing a cap and gown together. I’m utterly speechless,” Marvin said.
SaNayah added, “I feel like it will be a fun experience and not something a lot of people can say.”
“As parents, we want a better start for our kids,” Marvin added. “To see SaNayah graduate with a certificate at 17, I’m really proud. A lot of kids don’t aspire to do all that.”
A military veteran, Marvin served in both the United States Marine Corps and the Army. He spent 12 years doing transportation and logistics, with overseas tours in Afghanistan and Kuwait. “Serving in the military slowed down my studies as I moved around the country and did multiple deployments,” Marvin said.
Marvin credits TCC veterans’ advisor Howard Darden for helping make his graduation possible. “I needed my official transcript from the military so I would get credit for my PE class, and he made that happen.”
He added, “The help I received from the start from TCC’s military center has been monumental to my success and has everything to do with where I am now.”
A native of Portsmouth, Marvin remembers his family living paycheck to paycheck. “My sister Sonya and I would go outside and cut wood, so we’d have a fire in the stove and heat in the house. We had a very humble childhood,” he added.
Marvin also remembers failing at least two classes every year since sixth grade and having no one invested in his education. He attended summer school annually to pass each class and graduated from I.C. Norcom High School.
“I wanted different for my daughter,” Marvin said. “And that’s happened largely because of her mom and my support, and because of her hard work.”
SaNayah decided to pursue the EMT certificate because of her interest in medicine. She hopes to one day be a general practice physician.
SaNayah’s program included ride-alongs with area firefighters, something she called “intense,” but worth it. “I craved the experience and wanted to get out there and do it,” she said. “People often doubt themselves. But I say get out there and do the work and see what doors will open.”
Marvin added that he found a good fit at TCC. “I liked the teachers and the challenge of it all,” he said. “I enjoyed in-person classes then being able to go to faculty and staff and get the help I needed.”
Marvin plans to use his degree to open and manage group homes for disabled adults and veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, something he suffers from as well. He says that it’s a confidence booster earning this degree and a motivator to continue to serve.
“Life isn’t about where you start, but where you finish,” Marvin said. “There were times when I thought I couldn’t do it, but the staff at TCC motivated me and my family support systems made all the difference.”
Grad finds path to new career in genetic counseling
Brook Ogden says the TCC tagline, ‘From here, go anywhere,’ rings true. “I was in a job I didn’t enjoy. Now I’m on a path for a career I’m excited about,” she said.
Brook spent her 20s working for a real estate company. She considered becoming a broker and even passed the state licensing exam. “That small accomplishment gave me the courage to believe in myself and propelled me forward,” Brook said.
Today, Odgen, 30, has clear career goals and a passion for serving others.
She will walk across the stage during Tidewater Community College’s 74th Commencement at Chartway Arena and earn an Associate of Science in Science.
Brook has her sights set on the emerging field of genetic counseling, where she will help people live healthier lives by checking genetic markers. ““I’ll be starting in a relatively new field of science and be able to help people invest in their health and future,” she said.
Brook encourages other women to consider the STEM fields. “I had four different science labs and I learned so much in each one. That knowledge will be foundational for my future learning,” she added.
Brook started at TCC’s Chesapeake Campus because it was right down the street from her home and the campus was small enough to not feel overwhelming. “I’d been out of high school for so long, and something about the small classes and being able to talk with professors was really appealing,” she said.
And while Brook didn’t apply herself in high school, she was a top performer at TCC, earning a 3.9 GPA.
A work-study student in the Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Brook says she gained a lot of leadership experience and new skills. She said, “It was challenging and like no job I’d had before. But the best part was the people who became like family.”
Brook sends a shout-out to history Professor Kevin Brady. “He was my favorite teacher ever. His storytelling abilities are legendary and he cares about his students, and it shows,” she said.
This summer Brook is putting her biology degree to work and interning with Chesapeake Mosquito Control Commission. She will be working alongside biologists to study local mosquito populations and monitor mosquito-borne diseases.
A native of Blacksburg, Virginia, Brook is continuing her studies at James Madison University where she will earn a bachelor of science in biology. She also hopes to continue for a master’s degree.
“My professors captivated me and instilled a love of learning and I’m really grateful to TCC for all they’ve done for me,” Brook said.
Brook and her husband, Mike, have two pups – a Great Dane, named Iris, and a toy Poodle, called Pooh. They are excited to return to the mountains of Virginia and look forward to hiking and spending time with family.
“College was hard sometimes, but I was fully supported as a student. What could be better?” — Katherine Guevara, TCC graduate
Katherine Louise Guevara has lived in the United States for just three years. In that time, she has adjusted to a new culture and earned a college degree.
“My goal is always to set a good example for my sisters and to take every opportunity and run with it,” she said.
Katherine is one of Tidewater Community College’s May graduates, earning an Associate of Science in Business Administration. She was also honored with TCC’s Community Engagement Award for community service and academic excellence.
Katherine grew up in the Philippines and emigrated to the United States with her mom and two sisters in June 2019.
She came to TCC at the urging of her family and found a place to thrive.
“We faced many challenges with the pandemic, but we made it. I hope my classmates remember that commencement is not the end. It’s the beginning of the next steps on our journey,” Katherine said.
Katherine got involved in college life as president of the Intercultural Club, a group that works to build a community among international students. “I made so many friends right away at TCC,” she said. “And learning about other cultures, and sharing our stories was one of my favorite things.”
Katherine was also a member of the Student Government Association and volunteered at TCC events and for campus service projects.
“I used my chance at TCC to build myself up, to join clubs and meet people,” Katherine said. “I feel like I’m a different person now as I’m more outgoing and interested in experiencing everything.”
Katherine holds a 3.8 GPA and is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools.
She credits her professors with creating a dynamic learning environment and investing in her success. She sends a shout-out to Leah Flax, Thomas Geary, Ferdinand Hallare, Angela Slaughter, Rebecca Summers and Nancy Whitfield. In addition, she recognizes staffers Alicia Peoples for helping with the Intercultural Club and Emily Hartman for nominating her for the Community Engagement Award and Student Speaker.
While at TCC, Katherine worked for the Sheraton hotel in Virginia Beach and solidified her plans to work in hospitality management. She is transferring to Old Dominion University where she will study Tourism Management.
Katherine is proud to say that TCC is a family thing now. Her sister, Roshan, 18, is a TCC STEM Promise Scholar. She will pay nothing for tuition and fees when she starts at TCC in the fall. And her youngest sister, Jasmine, 17, will be taking classes in the Advanced Technology Center while still in high school. Lastly, Katherine’s stepdad, Robert Bent, will be teaching Electrical Technology at the college’s Chesapeake Campus in the fall.
In her free time, Katherine enjoys making TikTok dance videos, listening to music and spending time with family.
“All of this is really unbelievable. I’m in a new country and making progress on so many goals,” Katherine said. “College was hard sometimes, but I was fully supported as a student. What could be better than that?”
TCC celebrates the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day
Tidewater Community College students celebrated Arbor Day with a tree planting and gardening event at the Chesapeake Campus.
Campus Dean Emily Hartman kicked off the celebration held behind the student center by saying, “Tomorrow marks the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. Our students, faculty and staff are excited to be part of this historic moment. Let’s get planting!”
Students from the Horticulture department and the Biology and Outings Club got their hands dirty planting native plants designed to attract butterflies and beautify the campus. They also planted a Japanese maple tree as the centerpiece in the garden. The tree was donated by Ryan Osborne, a Chesapeake Campus staffer.
TCC’s Chesapeake Campus is the college’s “green” campus and a Certified Monarch Way Station.
Professor Marc Wingate, who leads the Biology and Outings Club, says activities like these add to the classroom learning, but more importantly, connect students to nature. “It’s important for students to connect to the resources they depend upon, even though they may not realize it. Our food doesn’t come from Walmart, it comes from the Earth.”
Horticulture program lead Andrea Tomlin added, “This work helps my students identify plants and appreciate the environment. We are hoping to make a small difference every time we gather to volunteer.”
The garden can be found by following the path behind the pond of the Chesapeake Campus Student Center.
“Everyone is invited to come and enjoy this beautiful garden and serene setting,” added Hartman. “It’s a campus gem we hope many in our community will enjoy.”
Campus Dean Emily Hartman with biology professor Marc Wingette and Horticulture Department lead Andrea Tomlin.Student volunteers from the Horticulture Department and the Biology and Outings Club, with TCC staff.
“I like everything at TCC and tell everyone I know to start here.” – David Hopkins, TCC STEM Promise Scholar
Meet David Hopkins, a Tidewater Community College STEM Promise Scholar.
David is following in his dad’s footsteps and preparing for a career in cyber security.
A Suffolk resident, David has adjusted well to college life after years of homeschooling.
“My favorite thing about TCC is the opportunities,” David said. “I especially like working with classmates on projects, going to the campus gym and just hanging out with people after class.”
David was invited to participate in Innovate Cyber at Old Dominion University, a program designed to help students develop the skills necessary to succeed in the cyber security and information technology fields.
Through the program, he is working on a design project that mirrors work in the real world. “We’re creating a cyber hygiene company that helps organizations assess risks for cyber-attacks,” he said. “It’s been really eye-opening as my career goal is to find a position that combines cyber defense and offense.”
David is completing his first year at TCC and is confident that he made the right choice starting at a community college. “TCC costs less and was a good way to get my feet wet in college. I know better what to expect when I transfer to a university,” he said.
David has three favorite professors so far: Thomas Geary who teaches English and Christopher Boyle and Gary Noah who teach computer science. “I like everything about TCC and tell everyone I know to start here,” he said.
In his free time, David enjoys walking his dog, Presley, going to the gym and playing video games.
David hopes to one day work in cyber security for the FBI or the National Security Agency.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at TCC. My professors have been flexible and available to answer questions,” David said. “And It was definitely easier than I thought to get going on my degree.”
TCC to hold its spring graduation exercises in person at Chartway Arena
For the second time since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Tidewater Community College will hold its commencement exercises in person. This year’s ceremony will be held on May 9 at 6 p.m. at Chartway Arena on the campus of Old Dominion University.
There is still time for current graduates to apply for graduation by using this form. For information about participating in Commencement, please visit here.
More than 1,300 students will graduate, including 143 students who have earned degrees or certificates one month before completing high school thanks to dual enrollment.
The Speaker for the Graduates is Allison Wilson, a dual enrollment student from Churchland High School. At 17, she is earning an Associate of Science in Social Science.
Allison Wilson on TCC’s Portsmouth Campus.
“Coming to TCC while still in high school was a great way to get started on college and save money. I had a great support system with my parents and grandparents,” Wilson said. “I gained study skills that will take me through all my years in college.”
In the fall, Wilson is transferring to William and Mary where she will study English and pre-law. She hopes to attend law school and one day be a state prosecutor.
The graduation speaker is TCC Board Chair Cynthia “Cindy” Free. A TCC alum, Free began her academic journey on the Virginia Beach Campus earning an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapy in 1986. A Hampton Roads native, Free is a member of the Atlantic Orthopaedic Specialists Physical Therapy team. At the practice she manages and coordinates industrial rehabilitation, workers compensation, return to work practices, disability examinations, inventory, quality standards, students and personnel matters.
In September 2015, the Virginia Beach City Council appointed Free to the TCC College Board. Since her appointment, she has participated in commencement exercises, college convocations, Virginia Community College System legislative receptions, dedications, groundbreakings and other college events. In addition, Free has actively served on the College Board’s Finance and Facilities Committee, the Executive Committee, chaired the Advocacy Committee and TCC Educational Foundation, as well as served as Board chair since 2019.
Free has a passion for dance and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She has danced at ODU and at the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center.
For more information about graduation, visit here or call 757-822-1111.
State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2022-23 Tuition and 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 2022, at 9 a.m. on May 19, 2022, at the Virginia Community College System, System Office, 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA 23236.
The State Board will consider mandatory tuition and fee increases of between 0 percent and 4.0 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to budget provisions of the 2022 General Assembly special session. The maximum potential increase equates to a base tuition rate of $160.15 per-credit-hour for in-state students and would result in a net annual increase of $184.50 for a student enrolling in thirty credit hours during the academic year. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increase in mandatory fees to pay for mandatory cost increases associated with compensation and benefit increases, contractual obligations, technology, and strategic initiatives, inflationary cost impacts, debt service, and potential adjustments to student fees.
Written comments from the public will be accepted through May 18 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu, or they may be mailed to
From TCC to the Ellen Show to serving women and families
In the early days of the pandemic in 2020, TCC alumna Rickkita Riddick flew to Hollywood to appear on the Ellen Show.
Not only did she get to meet Ellen DeGeneres, the star of the show, but she also received $10,000 for her family and another $10,000 for the charity she founded and now leads, Sisters Healing Sisters.
Do you remember TCC alumna Rickkita Taylor? Well, she’s married now and has a new name, Rickkita Riddick.
After the Ellen Show, Rickkita returned to Hampton Roads and purchased food and other items that she freely distributed to many low-income residents during the holidays. She launched emergency shelters. She also enrolled at Norfolk State University and is scheduled to receive a bachelor’s degree in social work in the spring of 2023.
“I’m so grateful for the many opportunities I’ve received, and I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without my start at TCC,” Rickkita said.
Rickkita was recently named the Student of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers, Virginia chapter. “I was nominated by my dean and just so surprised. It motivates me to continue serving women, children and families in need,” she said.
Taylor credits then TCC academic advisor Donna Richardson with motivating her to stay the course. “I almost dropped out of school in 2013 and she encouraged me to finish what I started. She told me that I could do it even with the odds stacked against me,” she added. “She inspired me throughout my three years at TCC and beyond. It was because of her that I came back to college in 2020 to pursue my degree at Norfolk State. She continues to push me to be great.”
Rickkita continues to serve women and families. She started a non-profit coalition with six charities called, “Feed the City.” The group finds food deserts throughout Hampton Roads and has fed thousands in the area since it launched in December 2020.
The mom of two hopes to open transitional homes for women and families after graduating from NSU.
“We’re going to start with one home that can house four families facing homelessness, domestic violence or job loss. It’s our goal to partner with women so they can turn their lives around,” she said.
The idea to launch Sisters Healing Sisters happened when Rickkita was a work-study student at TCC.
“I never would have imagined back then that I’d be here today, but I know I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to do,” she said. “My work is very satisfying and it never ends. There are always going to be people in need and we’re going to be here to help.”
The evolution of tolling with Elizabeth River Crossings
Drivers who take the Downtown or Midtown tunnels have benefited from the advanced technology of Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC), 100% build-for-cloud tolling system.
Tidewater Community College students had the opportunity to learn about tolling technology with an in-person lunch and learn event with Jim Doerflinger, ERC’s Chief of Information Technology.
Held in the college’s Advanced Technology Center in late April, Doerflinger explained the evolution of tolling technology and demonstrated how the technology has helped to reduce traffic congestion in our area.
“This event was very beneficial for our students and faculty. It was fascinating to learn how technology impacts the tolling industry from both the perspective of the end-user or those who pay the toll, as well as the technology that is used behind the scenes,” said Nancy Prather-Johnson, dean of business, computer science and information technology.
Students also gained insights about information technology internships and careers in Hampton Roads.
ERC is a long-time supporter of TCC’s STEM Promise Scholarship program, helping to provide full scholarships for 20 students each year as they earn their associate degrees in STEM-related fields.
“ERC is passionate about STEM education. Our hope is to increase STEM education overall, but especially for women and minority students,” said Doerflinger. “We’re proud to partner with TCC to provide a promising future for these students, without them having to worry about tuition expenses.”
Christopher Bryant, TCC’s vice president for Institutional Advancement added, “In addition to their engagement with academics, ERC has been an incredible partner in providing STEM scholarships to TCC students. We’re thrilled that Elizabeth River Crossings has been our pioneer scholarship supporter in the STEM fields and look forward to expanding those student opportunities with other industry partners.”
