“I hope I can encourage more women to enter the STEM fields.”

“Why pay so much more for your general education when TCC is right in your own backyard?”

That was the question high achiever Brooke Marcia asked herself.

That led her to choose Tidewater Community College.

A 2020 graduate from the international baccalaureate program at Princess Anne High, Marcia was accepted into the engineering program at Old Dominion University. Instead, she will begin her journey at TCC.

 “One of my goals in going to college is to graduate debt free, and TCC seemed like a cost-effective option,” Marcia said. “It was also close to home, and I could still see my family and friends and go to church.”

Marcia received a scholarship from TCC and will serve as a student ambassador on the Virginia Beach Campus. She is hoping the experience will help polish her public speaking and leadership skills.

“I’m excited to promote community college, especially during COVID-19, and to those who don’t see themselves going to college at all,” she said.

 “Some of my friends have joked me about starting at community college, but I think it’s time to break that stigma.”

 Marcia will transfer to Old Dominion after earning her Associate of Science in Engineering. She plans a career as an electrical engineer and has set her sights on NASA, where she recently completed the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program.

The  interactive online science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning experience is highlighted by a seven-day residential summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center.

“Engineering has been my passion since I was little and is the only thing I can see myself doing,” she said. “I hope I can encourage more women to enter the STEM fields.”

TCC is a family affair for the Marcias. Brooke’s father, Art, started at TCC and later earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering from Old Dominion. Her mother, Kathleen, earned her associate degree at TCC and a bachelor’s in education from Regent University.

“My parents, uncle and family friends all started at TCC and now have successful careers,” Marcia said. “It feels good to be following in their footsteps.”

TCC’s fall classes begin Aug. 24. For information on how you can get started at TCC, email enroll@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1122.