Langley for Families Foundation helping TCC students become tomorrow’s leaders

Pictured above, from left: James Edwards, dean of student services; Vanessa Christie, TCC educational foundation board member; Gary Hunter, associate vice president of corporate relations at Langley Federal Credit Union; Edna Baehre-Kolovani, TCC president; MarKaysha Bryant, TCC student and program participant; Lisa Rhine, provost of the Chesapeake Campus; Sara Hair, Gear Up To Lead program coordinator; and Fred Hagerman, vice president of marketing for Langley.

The Tidewater Community College Educational Foundation received $5,000 from the Langley for Families Foundation for Gear Up To Lead, an engagement and leadership development program on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus.

“Gear Up To Lead is valuable because it allows us to invest in the leaders of the future right now,” said Chesapeake Campus Provost Lisa Rhine. “We’re thrilled with this gift because it will enable us to engage with more students in the future.”

Gear Up To Lead is a year-long program available to all TCC students. So far, 100 students have participated in the program, which includes mentoring, leadership talks and community service.

Sara Hair, the coordinator, said the program involves team-building, self-evaluation and reflection, critical thinking, problem solving, service leadership and community engagement. Peers, faculty and staff help participants cope with everyday stresses and anxieties and help them discover their strengths.

“Gear Up To Lead was a life-changing experience that made me realize that I have a village of people at TCC to help me accomplish my goals,” said Jeanine Ortiz, an alumna of TCC and the program. “Through this program, I have acquired friendships that will last a lifetime.”

The Langley for Families Foundation is a charitable arm of Langley Federal Credit Union.

Applications for the 2018-19 school year will be available in March. For more information, contact TCC’s Office of Student Leadership & Development at shair@tcc.edu.