Skip navigation

Alumni Profiles

George Porzig
TCC provides a second chance for Navy veteran

Navy veteran George Porzig never thought he’d be a college graduate. Now he’s determined to earn a doctorate. “For someone like me who barely graduated high school, TCC has been my second chance,” he said.  After scraping by in high school, Porzig, 28, came to Tidewater Community College to prepare for a career that includes […]

Michael Humphrey-Sewell
Navy vet amasses multiple degrees at TCC

You might say Michael Humphrey-Sewell can’t get enough of Tidewater Community College. The Navy veteran already holds his Associate of Science in Social Sciences and his Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration. It’s a year later and he’s amassed two more associate degrees. He will graduate on Dec. 16 with associates in engineering and […]

Keith O’Malley
Cyber specialist on top of hacker threats thanks to classes from TCC

In the fast-paced, nonstop grind of television news, Keith O’Malley is charged with keeping all networks and computer systems operational and safe from hackers. The director of technology for WVEC, the ABC-affiliate television station in Hampton Roads, credits the information technology classes he’s completed at Tidewater Community College for keeping his skills sharp. O’Malley, who […]

Jonah Mericle CAD
“TCC was the start to being successful in a position with zero experience”

Jonah Mericle isn’t your traditional engineer. He doesn’t have a four-year degree or wear a suit and tie to work. He graduated in 2014 with a two-semester Career Studies Certificate in Computer-Aided Drafting & Design from Tidewater Community College, which laid the foundation for a future in drafting and design.  “TCC was the start to […]

Monika Young, HIM
TCC alum found her future in TCC’s Health Information Management program

Mōnika Young longed for a career in health care that didn’t involve direct patient care. After 14 years of working as a dental hygienist, she wanted a new challenge and found it at Tidewater Community College. Attending an information session on the college’s Health Information Management program, she learned about an associate degree that applies […]

TCC 71 Fall Commencement
From here, go to work in advanced manufacturing

If you look at the fronts of McDonalds or Starbucks or even the student centers on Tidewater Community College’s campuses, you’ll see Alpolic®, a composite material that adds color and dimension and, of course, coverage to each building. TCC graduate Dylan Starowicz is at work on the lamination line for Alpolic®, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical […]

Kylie Ross Sibert graphic design
“I tell people all the time about TCC,” says VP of corporate communications at Retail Alliance

Kylie Ross Sibert worked on multiple continents before moving to Virginia Beach from Shanghai in 2010. Despite more than a decade of work experience in marketing research, she wanted additional skills, particularly in graphic design, to give her resume an edge. A search led her to Tidewater Community College. Today the vice president of corporate […]

a TCC Student
TCC alum earns first technical studies degree and a new position

Ken Magee always planned on getting his degree, but life got in the way until now. The 53-year-old father of two is the first to earn TCC’s new technical studies degree. Designed specifically for skilled workers who need formal education to advance their careers, the program awards up to 23 hours of credit for prior […]

Rickkita Taylor
TCC alumna brings hope and help to homeless, others in Hampton Roads

When Rickkita Taylor was at Tidewater Community College, she earned more than an associate degree. She learned how to support people in need through her work as a peer counselor with the college’s Women’s Center. That’s where she came up with an idea for what’s now her own nonprofit. Sisters Healing Sisters aspires to provide […]

A Rivian truck in front of a Rivian building.
From TCC to Hollywood and the American dream

Once upon a time, Nigel Tierney sat in a classroom at Tidewater Community College where he learned computer basics along with graphic design. Today, Hollywood is his home, and if you’ve seen the final “Shrek” film or have been among the 160 million viewers watching Lil Dicky’s latest music video, you’ve seen his genius. The […]