High school counselors learn TCC from A-Z

Area high school guidance counselors gathered to learn more about TCC. Shown here, Lisa Weber, Norfolk Technical Center; Brad Markin, Hickory High; President Kolovani; Keisha Phillips; Kempsville High; and Louis DiCioccio, Norcom High.

Hampton Roads’ high school guidance counselors took a crash course in Tidewater Community College A-Z at an information session designed especially for them on Nov. 3 at the Chesapeake Campus Student Center.

Counselors from Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk and Virginia Beach learned about the plethora of TCC’s transfer and career programs and its new STEM Promise scholarship for high-achieving students who want to explore a future in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Faculty and administrators also presented short talks on financial aid, placement testing, guided pathways, transfer agreements and all additional student resources at TCC.

“We do think we are the best game in town because from here you really can go anywhere,” said TCC President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani. “You have such a critical role to play in guiding your students to the next steps after high school. And we hope you will encourage them to consider TCC.”
Some of the takeaways from the day:
“I definitely recommend TCC to my students, especially if they are personally paying for college. It’s is a great place to start, and students benefit from smaller classes. I wish somebody had told me about TCC.” – Christen Jones, Indian River High counselor

“I tell my student to stop saying, ‘Just TCC.’ For students who don’t know what they want to do, I really recommend TCC.” – Elizabeth Creamer, Grassfield High counselor

“I encourage students to take a look at TCC; there’s opportunity for everyone.” – Valerie Jackson, Great Bridge High

“It’s an affordable college education and a great way for a student who hasn’t done that well in high school to get a fresh start and build a solid college GPA.” – Shonda DeBerry, Granby High counselor

TCC has career advisors in each of the public high schools in South Hampton Roads who offer one-on-one college advice, give help completing the TCC application, answer questions about admissions and provide assistance in developing a career plan.
Contact the following career advisors for information:
Carter Youmans (Chesapeake): 757-822-1433 or cyoumans@tcc.edu

Kita Graham (Norfolk): 757-822-1433 or klgraham@tcc.edu

Cheryl Johnson: (Portsmouth and Bayside and Ocean Lakes in Virginia Beach): 757-822-1433 or cajohnson@tcc.edu

Ashley Vaughn: (Cox, First Colonial, Kempsville, Tallwood): 757-822-7135 or avaughn@tcc.edu

Kelsey Warren: (Kellam, Green Run, Landstown, Princess Anne and Salem and Virginia Beach Career and Technical Education Center): 757-822-7138 or kwarren@tcc.edu