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TCC staffer pays it forward at the CMVE
Meet Ed Sivells. He is a proud Navy veteran who is paying it forward at TCC.
Sivells is one of the certifying officials for the Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE). Last week, he submitted the 1 millionth application to certify a military-related student for educational benefits through the Veterans Administration’s new enrollment management site.
Ed Sivells with the Veterans Administration video team.Take two!
To mark the occasion, Ed is being featured in a video for the VA. And sharing his story.
Sivells is a retired Navy senior chief petty officer. He was a culinary specialist who served the Office of the Secretary of Defense, preparing meals in the White House. He also spent time in Washington, D.C. as an enlisted aide to Admirals.
When he retired from the military, he came to TCC to earn an associate degree and landed a position as a work-study student in the CMVE. He became a full-time staff member in 2017. “I found my calling in this place. When I saw the opportunity to serve military members and their families, it sparked a passion in me.”
He added, “You can hear the sound of relief in their voices when we help them find a path forward. I know what it’s like to walk in their shoes and this job is my way of giving back.”
Sivells earned a Hospitality Management degree from TCC and a bachelor’s in business administration from Regent University.
Sivells encourages other veterans to follow in his footsteps. “TCC is a veteran-friendly school with people here to help. TCC made me feel comfortable in the transition from the military and I’m grateful. Now it’s my joy to make things happen for other members of the military community.”
Tidewater Community College’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE) invites students and alumni from all branches of the military to Veterans Day commemorations to be held on each campus.
Active duty, reserve, National Guard, veterans, spouses, family members and the community are welcome to attend a ceremony at the campus of their choosing to honor those who have served.
The college will commemorate the day with wreath-laying ceremonies followed by refreshments at each location.
Nov. 7 – 11 a.m. Portsmouth Campus Ceremony at the flagpole – refreshments to follow in the student center
Nov. 9 – 11 a.m. Chesapeake Campus Student Center
Nov. 10 – 11 a.m. Virginia Beach Campus Center for Military and Veterans Education – Building D (Kempsville)
Nov. 11 – 11 a.m. Norfolk Campus Ceremony at the flagpole outside the Andrews building – refreshments to follow in the student center Featuring special guest – Del. Angela Williams-Graves, VA House of Delegate, 90th District
A virtual “Roll Call” video will recognize TCC’s military-related students, alumni and staff who served in the Armed Forces. It can be viewed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at noon by visiting here.
For more information, contact TCC’s CMVE at 757-822-7645.
From service to semis: TCC receives grant that aims to train more vets as truckers
Tidewater Community College received an eighth federal grant to specifically help train military veterans and their spouses for careers in trucking.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently awarded TCC a $102,769 grant, which will be administered by the college’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE).
TCC is one of 12 community colleges in the nation and the only college in Virginia to receive the award.
“We’re very proud of the work we’re doing to serve our military veterans and their spouses in trucking,” said Beno Rubin, Ph.D., Pathway Dean for Manufacturing and Transportation. “TCC’s trucking instructors have over 100 years of combined training and road experience and share that knowledge with students behind the wheel and in the classroom.”
“During this pivotal time with supply chain issues, it’s especially important to offer veterans, who know how to serve, a way to contribute even after they leave military service,” Rubin added.
Since the initial grant was received in 2014, a total of 245 veterans and spouses have enrolled in TCC’s Truck Driving program using this funding.
Recipients of the grant pay nothing to complete the one-semester, 16-credit certificate. Students learn how to drive a truck in state-of-the-art simulators that allow them to practice in varied road and weather conditions. The program includes 140 hours of on-the-road training. Course work qualifies students to obtain the Class A CDL (commercial driver’s license) from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
After completing the program, TCC instructors take students to the DMV test site for the final skills exam. Students must be able to successfully complete a series of tests including a set of backing maneuvers with the truck and a road test in live traffic.
TCC students have a 98% first-time pass rate on the DMV tests for commercial licenses.
TCC has its own driving range at its Center for Workforce Solutions in Suffolk.
Trucking classes are taught at TCC’s Center for Workforce Solutions on College Drive in northern Suffolk. Day, evening and weekend sessions are offered year-round.
Contact Alesia Wroten, at awroten@tcc.edu or 757-822-7714, for information on qualifying for the grant program.
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.”
Ten reasons to consider attending community college
Tidewater Community College has been providing quality education in Hampton Roads for over 50 years. Today, TCC is the largest provider of higher education and workforce services in Hampton Roads.
TCC provides flexible, affordable education options to close to 30,000 students each year, both online and on campuses in cities across the area.
So why is community college a good place to start? Here are 10 reasons to consider.
Cost
Save big on tuition by starting at TCC. Tuition costs at TCC are significantly lower than four-year schools. That’s why three in five TCC graduates leave debt-free. Compare that to the national average of $37,172 and it’s easy to see why TCC is a great option for those looking to start their careers.
Quality education
TCC professors bring real-world knowledge into the classroom, creating a dynamic learning environment for students. In fact, students who graduate from TCC’s career and technical programs have some of the highest pass rates on certification exams. Also, students who transfer to universities have high success rates thanks to the strong start they got at TCC.
Faculty and staff here to help
TCC Professors have one goal in the classroom and that’s student success. They go the extra mile and connect with students to ensure they reach their educational goals. In addition, TCC staff strive to solve problems and ease barriers to higher education for all students.
Education that works
TCC offers hands-on training for all kinds of careers from IT to health care to mechatronics. Students looking to train for a specific career benefit from industry-focused curriculum and partnerships that include internships and clinical experience. If you want a degree that will get you hired, TCC can get you there.
Guaranteed transfer
TCC’s guaranteed transfer programs offer immediate transfer to every public university in Virginia and most private four-year colleges, too. Just put in the work for two years (and sometimes less) at TCC, then go pretty much anywhere in Virginia.
Military friendly
About one-third of TCC students are military-related. The college provides a full array of services to support prospective and current military-related students in our offices on campus and on base. Students benefit from military and academic resources tailored to active duty and reserve service members, veterans, military spouses and dependents.
Scholarships and financial aid
TCC and the TCC Educational Foundation provide thousands of dollars in scholarships to students each year. Most of them are worth $500 or more and don’t need to be repaid, making one of the most affordable options in higher education even more cost-effective. Staff are here to help students explore scholarships, grants, loans and work-study options.
Flexible and convenient
With four campuses in Hampton Roads, TCC is an easy commute from anywhere. Also, community college classes are designed with convenience and are offered in the daytime, evenings, weekends and online.
Smaller classes
Large classes held in auditoriums are less likely at a community college. Even though TCC is the largest provider of higher education in the area, classes and labs are still small allowing for personalized attention.
Tim Slootmaker with Chuck Thomas, student center staff member.
Student life
Student life at TCC encompasses the entire collegiate experience. Along with classroom and laboratory work, various clubs and organizations are available to broaden and deepen students’ views. Leadership opportunities in student government are encouraged and student centers on each campus offer a wide variety of study, work-out, gathering and food options.
Meet two military students who are part of the TCC family
This Veterans Day and every day, we honor our military service men and women and their families who have stepped forward to serve, no matter the circumstances. Their dedicated service is invaluable, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Thank you, vets!
Mohammed Aljuboor and Obmarie Rodriguez are among the thousands of active-duty military members who are part of the TCC family. Here are their stories.
Mohammed Aljuboor has two years of active service in the Navy. He works in Port Operations assisting arriving ships coming into port after deployments. Mohammed is pursuing an associate degree in cybersecurity, with the goal of becoming a network systems administrator.
Mohammed decided to go to TCC because the staff work to ensure active-duty service members can attend college and achieve their educational goals in spite of their unpredictable work schedules.
Mohammed moved to the US from Iraq and experienced some hard times during the transition. Those hard times helped build Mohammed’s character and made him believe failure is part of building success.
Thriving professionally and academically, Mohammed hopes to earn multiple degrees before leaving active duty and to motivate his shipmates to advance and grow in life.
Obmarie Rodriguez is an Aegis Fire Controlman with six years of service in the Navy. She decided to pursue her general studies associate degree at TCC in order to live out her motto, “Vincit Qui Se Vincit,” which means “He conquers who conquers himself.”
Her family instilled this motto in her as they moved to the mainland U.S. from Puerto Rico without financial stability and were unable to speak English. But they had dreams and goals.
Her mother was the first in the family to go to college and Obmarie was the first to join the military. Obmarie has set her sights on becoming a Limited Duty Officer or Chief Warrant Officer by the end of her time in the Navy. She encourages others to push themselves, conquer themselves and conquer those things around you that inhibit your growth.
TCC welcomes close to 8,000 veterans and military-related students on its campuses. In fact, one-third of TCC’s student body are veterans and their families. To find out more about TCC and its program and services for veterans, email enroll@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111.
TCC honors military veterans on Veterans Day
Logan Campbell is one of the thousands of students who came to Tidewater Community College to train for a new career after serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Campbell, 32, spent a decade in the U.S. Army as a veterinarian technician caring for military working dogs, horses and other animals. He is pursuing a General Studies degree to prepare to enter the college’s Radiography program.
“When I was looking for schools, I could have chosen any college up and down the Eastern seaboard. I selected TCC because of the high pass rates for radiography grads,” he said.
Campbell’s transition to college life was eased by support from TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education where staff helped him navigate veterans’ services and apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
Campbell checking the vitals of a military working dog during a field exercise in Texas.
His decade-long work in the Army began at Lackland Air Force in Texas where all military working dogs are trained. He continued at Fort Carson in Colorado caring for more dogs, horses and even some Falcons that are mascots of the Air Force Academy.
“I loved my career in the Army and enjoyed patient care with our animals. From critical care work to surgery, there was always something new to learn,” he said.
Campbell’s last mission was a joint humanitarian tour with the U.S. Navy, followed by an assignment as the senior vet tech on the veterinary surgical team in Seoul, South Korea.
When he returned to the states, he left the military and was working as a vet tech at Tufts University. He got moved to diagnostic imaging and was supervising radiography techs when he discovered that his skill set could lead him to a new career.
“From the start, I found a passion for imaging and with the competitive pay, it was a no-brainer to make the switch,” he said.
While at TCC Campbell has maintained a 3.87 GPA and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools. He is also involved with the Student Veterans of America chapter at TCC. “There is very much a culture shock coming out of the military and being a civilian again. Having a network of people to talk with and support you has made a big difference for me,” he said.
Campbell added that returning to the classroom in his 30s has gone more smoothly than he imagined. “I’ve been well supported on my journey,” Campbell said. “My professors put out a lot of information each class and prepare us well for exams.”
Fen has traveled with Campbell for most of his military career
In his free time Campbell spends time with his girlfriend Lexi and their rescue animals including a Belgian Malinois, a military working dog reject turned family pet, as well as four cats, a couple of snakes and a parrot.
TCC welcomes close to 8,000 veterans and military-related students on its campuses. In fact, one-third of TCC’s student body are veterans and their families. To find out more about TCC and its program and services for veterans, email enroll@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111.
Ten things to know about TCC’s Truck Driving program
Why sit behind a desk when you can sit behind the wheel? A trucking career allows you the opportunity for financial reward and professional growth thanks to a job where you’re always on the move.
TCC has its own fleet of trucks for student drivers.
Sixteen weeks is all it takes to train for a new trucking career. Tidewater Community College’s Truck Driving program offers classes that cover Department of Transportation rules and regulations, defensive driving, maintenance, hazardous material and highway and city driving.
Day, evening and weekend classes are offered year-round.
TCC is the only driver training program that runs its own program that includes a state-of-the-art driving simulator, as well as a fleet of trucks.
TCC’s instructors have over 100 years of behind-the-wheel truck driving experience to share with students during the program.
After completing the program, TCC instructors take students to the DMV test site for the final skills exam. Students must be able to successfully complete a series of tests including a set of backing maneuvers with the truck and a road test in live traffic.
TCC students have a 98% pass rate on the DMV tests for commercial licenses.
The trucking program at TCC provides 120 hours in the classroom and 140 hours of practical application.
TCC hosts recruiters and employers to visit classes and present employment opportunities for graduates. There are more than 60,000 available jobs in this industry.
The price is right, too. TCC’s program is 40% cheaper than private trucking schools.
TCC is the only school in Hampton Roads with a driving simulator.
For more information about TCC’s Truck Driving program, contact Matt Woods at mwoods@tcc.edu or call 757-822-2639.
Marine vet finds new career on the road thanks to TCC trucking grant
Former U.S. Marine Chris Gaillard found a new career as a truck driver after the training she received at Tidewater Community College that came without a price tag.
“I love what I do,” said Gaillard, who benefitted from a federal grant awarded to TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE) that supports trucking training and education for military veterans and their families. “I’m doing what I always wanted to do and having the best time of my life.”
Owner of her own Freightliner Classic, Gaillard, 57, was immediately hired by Givens Inc., a transportation, warehousing and logistics company with locations in Seattle, South America and Chesapeake.
After her Marine discharge, Gaillard worked as an auto technician for decades but had been intrigued by trucks since childhood. A single parent, she began saving money to work toward her Career Studies Certificate in Truck Driving when she saw the information online about the grant. After the CMVE assisted her with the application process, she was accepted into the program.
“I was able to spend all the money I saved on living expenses and other things,” she said.
Gaillard completed the program in May 2015 and began her job within a week. She hauls everything from stereo equipment to automobile parts to baby wipes, rarely driving the same route twice.
“The freedom is the biggest thing for me,” she said. “I’m not stuck behind a desk or in a cubicle or in a garage like I was for 35 years. I’m out on the road. I get to see beautiful parts of the country that many may never see for free.”
For information on the Truck Driving program contact Matt Woods at mwoods@tcc.edu or call 757-822-2639.
Veteran student giving back as SVA president
Romeo Sarmiento has a message for military-related students at Tidewater Community College.
“You are not alone. Your service is remembered. There is a place for you at TCC.”
Sarmiento spent seven years in the U.S. Marines as a demolition expert. He deployed three times across 13 countries. During his last tour of duty, he was a combat instructor at the Marine Corps training base in Quantico, Virginia. Training newly commissioned Marine officers is what motivated him to pursue a college degree.
Romeo Sarmiento on TCC’s Norfolk Campus.
“I understand what it’s like to get out of the service and start college. It’s no easy feat making the transition,” he said. “But having a community around you, connecting with faculty, staff and other students is key. I know from my time at TCC, if I ever need help I can get it whether it’s from a tutor or advisor or a dean.”
Sarmiento is giving back as president of TCC’s Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter through the colleges’ Center for Military and Veterans Education. SVA provides resources, support and advocacy to ensure student veterans can connect, expand their skills, and ultimately achieve their academic and personal goals.
For Sarmiento, it’s important to support other veterans because when you serve together you become family. “We engage veterans by bringing in experts to talk about areas of concern like disability services and other resources for veterans,” he said. “Most importantly we provide a voice for veterans on campus.”
Sarmiento came to TCC in the spring of 2021 and is using his Post 9/11 GI Bill to pay for college. “I wanted to get a fundamental understanding of being a college student, to sort of get my feet wet,” he said.
Sarmiento with WTKR-TV reporter Erica Greenway talking about TCC being named a “Best for Vets” school by Military Times.
Sarmiento started taking 21 credits as an Accelerated Degree student. He is now working on two degrees – one in general studies and the other in business administration. After TCC he has his sights set on the University of Virginia’s school of commerce and is considering a career in banking or management consulting.
“There’s always a misconception that a community college is not going to deliver the same value. For me, it was better because I was able to connect with professors who are working full-time in their fields and bringing all of that knowledge into the classroom.”
Working full-time and earning a 4.0 GPA at TCC has been challenging for Sarmiento, but he says it’s also been 100% worth it.
“TCC as a whole made me feel like part of a community – even during the pandemic,” he said. “It’s been a place to thrive.”
In remembrance of 9/11 and in recognition of our military heroes who lost their lives in Afghanistan, SVA is holding a “Coffee Chat” on Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. – noon in the Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge. To learn more about TCC’s Student Veterans of America chapter email Alesia Wroten at awroten@tcc.edu.
TCC is among the top ten schools in the nation that are Best for Vets
Tidewater Community College was named the top two-year school in the Commonwealth by Military Times in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2021 rankings. TCC is also among the top ten schools in the nation in the Best for Vets rankings.
“It’s a tremendous honor for TCC to be selected again as the top school for veterans in Virginia,” said Veronica Cianetti, director of military and veterans services for TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE). “The staff of the CMVE and the college work daily to serve the needs of our military-related students. In addition to providing excellent student support services, we work closely with military supportive business, industry and organizations to achieve our mission of facilitating educational and employability success.”
Military-focused offerings include:
A partnership between Virginia Natural Gas and TCC for a workforce development initiative that trains veterans and transitioning military to fill the growing need for skilled workers in the natural gas industry. The week-long program, offered at the Virginia Beach Campus, began in 2017.
The Machining Skills Certification, a SkillBridge-approved program that trains military-related students in Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machinery from setup to operation. CNC machinists are in demand throughout Hampton Roads and the nation. Military-related students may also use their GI Bill benefits to pay for this program. Contact Anthony Fontes, project coordinator, at afontes@tcc.edu for information.
Solar Ready Vets, a U.S. Department of Energy program in partnership with Naval Station Norfolk and TCC, offers transitioning military the chance to train for new careers in the solar industry. The entire program can be completed in just five weeks and the cost may be covered or reduced for veterans. For information contact Fontes at afontes@tcc.edu.
Training in truck driving. TCC recently received the sixth grant to train military veterans and their dependents for careers in trucking. Recipients of the grant pay nothing to complete the one-semester, 16-credit certificate. Classes are taught at the Center for Workforce Solutions on College Drive in northern Suffolk.
Military-related students make up about one-third of TCC’s enrollment. The statistics used for the Bets for Vets survey do not account for dependents.
The rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ annual survey — a comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement — as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies. The survey asks colleges and universities to document a wide array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties, and to describe numerous aspects of veteran culture on a campus.
CMVE ready to assist military-related students with everything
Military-related students, we’ve got you covered.
Pose any question about almost anything, and Tidewater Community College’s Center for Military and Veterans Education will provide an answer.
“The buck stops here,” said Shelly Bearden, a VERITAS veterans resource liaison. “I’m not going to send anyone to another office. If something’s not working, if you’re frustrated with a process, if you have any kind of problem, I will make sure it gets solved.”
Bearden refers to herself as an advocate for all of the college’s military-related students. Echoing that are her colleagues Cassandra Harris, lead military academic advisor, and Alesia Wroten, also a VERITAS veterans resource liaison.
With the Navy a part of all of their backgrounds, the administrators don’t just understand the language of the military — they’re fluent in it. They understand acronyms, including myCAA, VMSEP and TA and can explain if you qualify.
They can answer any questions about GI Bill benefits. The email askvetaffairs@tcc.edu was set up specifically to respond to questions related to military-related students looking to use their GI Bill.
Wroten handles workforce programs geared toward military-related students seeking a short-term program that leads to immediate employment. A sampling:
Wroten works with student vets to ensure they know all their options before selecting a program. “I make sure they know about all the workforce programs they can take advantage of,” she said.
Harris had been on base prior to COVID-19; now she is based at the Virginia Beach Campus with the others. She works primarily with active duty service members, but also assists veterans, spouses and dependents. She provides a range of services, including the evaluation of credit from military experience and prior college/universities attended to ensuring that qualified military-related students receive a domicile exception to pay instate tuition.
Harris also helps military who might not be able to finish the semester due to deployment or temporary assignment. “We can get them pulled out of class and get their tuition fully refunded,” she said.
She’s happy to help military-related students navigate the transfer process and will even advise a student vet on how many hours he or she can handle based on other obligations.
Bearden can assist former military looking to transfer to an Ivy League college as TCC is part of the Warrior-Scholar Project.
The CMVE is also able to direct veterans to a plethora of resources — from assistance to pay for books to filing a disability or unemployment claim.
“We take a holistic approach,” Harris said. “The CMVE is a one-stop shop.”
You don’t have to remember who does what if you’re a military-related student in need of assistance. Email military@tcc.edu for any questions. Virtual service is available daily or via phone; see this link for information.
Army veteran continues to serve his country thanks to TCC grant
One-third of TCC’s students are military-related. This week we highlight some of them in honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
When George Brockman talks about running for president one day, it’s hard not to take him seriously.
The Army veteran worked as a nuclear engineer and studied business in Germany. He worked for Northrop Grumman, and he’s studying for both the LSAT and MCAT at the same time. The cabin of his tractor-trailer provides ample space and quiet for that. Because in addition to all of that, Brockman is an operator/owner of his own trucking company.
Trucker George Brockman studies for the LSAT in the cabin of his truck.
Brockman chose the trucking path for the same reason he opted to join the military after graduating from Western Branch High in 1993.
“I wanted to serve my country.”
He credits truckers for keeping America moving, noting the critical role of delivering freight during the COVID-19 pandemic. When his sister, a nurse, lamented the lack of tissue and sanitizer at the hospital last spring, Brockman wanted to find a meaningful way to contribute.
“It’s the pandemic that got me into this truck,” he says, pointing to his rig parked at TCC’s Suffolk location, where students complete instruction. “If I’m moving toilet paper and hand sanitizer, I’m helping people.”
Brockman, 45, credits TCC’s trucking program for its thoroughness. “They taught me intensely,” he says. “It’s more than driving; you learn how to make safety checks. Once you learn at TCC, you can do anything. It’s remarkable — from here, go anywhere.”
Brockman drives up to 70 hours a week and subcontracts his trucks from Advance Transportation Systems. He’s got the cabin set up for him to sleep comfortably and study at night for the LSAT. He doesn’t want to practice law, but he regards himself as a scholar. He’s completed some law course and wants to earn a juris doctor degree purely for the knowledge. Brockman intends to pursue medical school at the University of Virginia after that.
It’s unorthodox, but so is he. He dresses down and carries himself in an unassuming way.
He recommends truck driving to transitioning military members because of the service aspect and the discipline required to be successful at it.
Camaraderie, a natural part of the military mindset, also applies to trucking. Brockman gained another family from his new career. Truckers don’t hesitate to help each other on the road, he said. One anonymous trucker put a $100 bill in his hand a few months ago when he thought Brockman looked as if he needed some help.
“It’s a family inside of a family,” Brockman said. “All nationalities, all origins, male or female; there’s no discrimination. You meet a lot of great people on the road.”
Brockman’s already started his own company, and even after he becomes a doctor one day, he won’t give up trucking completely. “It’s part of who I am, part of my legacy,” he says. “If you’re in the military, it’s because you want to help your fellow citizens. This is another way to do that.”
For special support services for military-related students, visit the CMVE or call 757-822-7645. You can also email military@tcc.edu.
Navy veteran eager to be a doctor transitions to student life at TCC
Tidewater Community College made perfect sense for veteran Jacob Beagle.
After separating from the Navy in August 2019, the Michigan native who was stationed in Norfolk started college two weeks later at TCC determined to fulfill his lifelong ambition of becoming a doctor.
“It was just so convenient,” he said, noting the process of using his GI Bill benefits to cover his tuition was “quick and seamless” and “user friendly.”
Although fascinated by the sciences, Beagle, 26, admits to not being a strong high school student, though he certainly didn’t struggle with work ethic. At 14 years old, he was employed full time as a busboy, committed to contributing financially to his family.
“Honestly, I grew up in a low socioeconomic status household, and there weren’t a ton of opportunities to go to college,” he said. “I knew that’s essentially how you get out of poverty. I always knew that I wanted to pursue medicine, and it would not have happened if I didn’t have some sort of catalyst, like, joining the military, where I could get some experience, and then get out and have the GI Bill. That’s essentially priceless for students like me.”
Ultimately, Beagle wants to work in an emergency room, a calling that goes back to his dedication to service. Right now, he balances 15 credits at TCC with full-time work as a clinical assistant.
It’s a heavy load, though manageable with online classes. He originally planned to transfer to Old Dominion University this fall, but after a late acceptance, Beagle found out all the classes he needed were full. That led to his current slate at TCC, where he will finish with 47 credits toward an Associate of Science in Social Sciences.
He’s grateful for the foundation he found at TCC. “Attending orientation and meeting with an advisor are critical for someone like me who hasn’t been to school in a while,” he said. “I was a little bit nervous about it at first.”
Quickly, he became acclimated; having peers like himself helped. One-third of TCC’s enrollment is military-related students.
“We relate to each other on a different level,” he said. “Most of us are older and have been through many of the same things.”
Once Beagle completes his bachelor’s in biology at ODU, he will apply to medical school. He hopes to attend EVMS.
“I realized at a young age that to get out of poverty, you couldn’t do a mundane job,” said Beagle, who will be the first in his family to graduate college. “I observed what I saw other people do and knew I needed to emulate that.”
Military-related students can contact the CMVE for help with their GI Bill benefits and other questions. Call (757) 822-1111.
TCC secures another federal grant aimed to help veterans transition to careers in trucking
Tidewater Community College received a sixth federal grant to help train military veterans and their spouses for careers in trucking.
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently awarded TCC a $66,555 grant, which will be administered by the college’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE).
“TCC is grateful for the Department of Transportation’s continued support,” said Batanya Gipson, interim director of the CMVE. “Now, more than ever, we understand how important truck drivers are to our communities. The ability to offer military members this grant-funded training is very rewarding.”
According to the American Trucking Association, the United States will be short 175,000 drivers by 2026. A lack of drivers continues to make goods more expensive and delays orders as freight rates are climbing.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of a commercial truck driver is 55 years old. A huge percentage of these drivers will retire over the next 10 years.
Thanks to the grant, Navy veteran Richard Sallin completed a Career Studies Certificate in Truck Driving in August 2019. Today, he drives the northeast corridor for Western Express, logging an average of 2,000 miles per week.
“I enjoy it,” he said. “I drive Monday through Friday, and I’m home every weekend.”
Sallin left TCC satisfied with the instruction and impressed with the reputation of TCC’s truck driving program. Coursework qualifies students to obtain their Class A CDL (commercial driver’s license) from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
TCC is one of 16 educational institutions that received funds from the $2 million federal grant to help train veterans for jobs as commercial bus and truck drivers.
Since TCC received its first grant in 2015, 205 veterans and spouses have enrolled in the program.
Recipients of the grant pay nothing to complete the one-semester, 16-credit certificate. Classes are taught at the Center for Workforce Solutions on College Drive in northern Suffolk.
Contact Alesia Wroten, CMVE program coordinator, at awroten@tcc.edu or 757-822-7714, for information on qualifying for the grant program.
Student veteran honored by national magazine
Tidewater Community College student Katherine Martinez is one of 48 veterans nationwide selected to receive the inaugural 2020 Student Veteran Leadership Award presented by G.I. Jobs magazine.
This list, which honors student veterans who are making a positive impact at their school and in their communities, will be published in the August issue.
“It’s really exciting to be recognized. When you’re volunteering, you don’t think about how others perceive your efforts,” said Martinez, president of TCC’s chapter of Student Veterans of America. “I primarily focus on raising awareness on mental health and helping fellow veterans with the transition process of being active duty to veteran.”
The Navy veteran was nominated by Shelly Bearden, veterans resource liaison at the Center for Military and Veterans Education. Martinez traveled with Bearden to Los Angeles for the Student Veteran Association National Convention.
“She was in her element at the conference, going to seminars and networking with fellow veterans and employers, gathering new resources and contacts,” Bearden said. “She is a driven young woman committed to reaching out to and serving her fellow veterans who may be struggling in crisis to be there to lend a supportive ear.”
She aspires to work for the federal government as a criminologist.
“My overall goal is to gain knowledge to better advocate for communities that need resources and assistance with public policy,” she said.
GI Jobs is a national publication that has been connecting service members, veterans and their families to civilian career, education and business ownership opportunities since 2001.
TCC earns Military Friendly distinction again
Tidewater Community College has earned a 2020-21 Military Friendly® Schools designation.
In rankings released Tuesday, compiled by Military Friendly, TCC earned a bronze designation. Military-related students make up about one-third of TCC’s enrollment.
The designation recognizes colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.
“TCC is totally committed to our military and veteran community,” said Corey McCray, interim executive vice president for Academic and Student Affairs. “Our service members are at the top of our minds as we make decisions about the best way to serve our students and community in their pursuit of personal and professional goals.”
TCC received high marks in academic policies and compliance; admission and orientation; and culture and commitment.
The college assists military-related students at its Center for Military & Veterans Education offices located on all four campuses, local Navy bases and the Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story.
Among TCC’s resources for military-related students:
Assistance with the GI Bill®, Tuition Assistance, MyCAA for active-duty spouses, or Virginia-specific tuition waivers and credit for military experience.
Solar Ready Vets connects skilled veterans to the solar energy industry. TCC offers training on its Chesapeake Campus.
The Warrior-Scholar Project recently partnered with TCC to offer immersive college preparatory programs to prepare transitioning service members for the challenges of college.
A Veteran Education Resource Initiative for Transition, Advising, and Success (VERITAS) Initiative representative works with students to provide support from admission to graduation.
Viqtory Media, originator of the family of Military Friendly employment, entrepreneurship and education resources for veterans and their families, published the 2020-21 Military Friendly Schools and Employers ratings at militaryfriendly.com.
Companies and schools must have successfully completed a 2020-21 Military Friendly survey to be considered for the awards program. The methodology for the ranking and the names of awardees are published online at militaryfriendly.com.
TCC has also been repeatedly recognized by Military Times as a Best for Vets school.
A Top 10 look at a year to remember at TCC
A new president, a professor gone viral and a celebration of generous donors and collaborative partnerships are among a year of highlights for Tidewater Community College in 2019.
Check out our TCC Top 10 list of storylines that made a mark.
8. TCC received a fifth federal grant to help train military veterans and their spouses for careers in trucking. The grant, administered by the college’s Center for Military and Veterans Education, allows veterans to train for in-demand careers at no cost to them.
7. A partnership among TCC, Hampton Roads Transit and Norfolk Now to prepare Hampton Roads residents for careers as bus operators launched in May and graduated its inaugural class in the fall. A second cohort is under way.
The first cohort of HRT graduates
6. Mayor Rick West joined the Nov. 18 celebration for the opening of the new robotics lab on the Chesapeake Campus. The lab contains six state-of-the-art Fuji Automatic Numerical Control robots and training stations.
Jim Hixon provided a generous gift for the TCC Perry Center.
4. It’s never been easier to transfer from TCC to Old Dominion University or Virginia Wesleyan University. The Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement, signed in September, ensures a seamless transfer to ODU for TCC graduates. The Fair Transfer Guarantee Agreement between VWU and TCC allows graduates who earn arts or science associate degrees to enter VWU as juniors.
3. TCC put into action plans to eliminate food insecurity among its students. The college and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore are new partners in a five-year initiative to eliminate the food insecurity that impedes many TCC students from completing their higher education. TowneBank’s $250,000 donation will go toward the food. A Campus-Based Pantry and Food Scholarship Program are in the works and a mobile pantry on the Norfolk and Portsmouth campuses started in the fall. In addition, a partnership between the Virginia Beach Campus and the city’s Department of Human Services gives TCC counselors and advisers a streamlined way to refer Virginia Beach students to the resources they need. Students can receive food, mental health counseling and housing support.
Physics Professor David Wright went viral.
2. Student Erica Church’s tweet on the animated teaching style of Professor David Wright made a big bang. The viral post, viewed by more than 30 million people, created headlines around the world and led to the beloved physics professor granting interviews to Yahoo, the BBC, NPR and Good Morning America. He and students Church and Kierra Brothers will appear on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” on Jan. 26.
1. Welcome, President Conston! The college’s sixth permanent president, hired Oct. 15, assumed the role on Jan. 6, 2020.
Navy vet amasses multiple degrees at TCC
You might say Michael Humphrey-Sewell can’t get enough of Tidewater Community College.
It’s a year later and he’s amassed two more associate degrees. He will graduate on Dec. 16 with associates in engineering and computer science. He’s also earned certifications in CompTIA A+ and Network +.
Humphrey-Sewell, 31, is already at work on his bachelor’s in computer engineering from Old Dominion University, but he’s not done with TCC just yet. A cybersecurity certificate is also on his TCC bucket list.
“There are just so many useful classes you can take at TCC, and I really like that they’re so hands-on,” he said. “It’s a small environment where you can get to know your professors and they know you. They actually talk to you.”
Working with TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education, he has been able to use his GI Bill benefits to pay for his education. “It’s a good deal to come here for free and take classes I like,” he said.
Enjoying the Maker Space inside the Advanced Technology Center on the Virginia Beach Campus
Part of his transition after a nine-year career in the Navy involved developing new skills. He taught acoustic intelligence during his service and liked to tinker with computers. But it wasn’t until he came to TCC that he discovered how well three fields that he enjoys – engineering, business and computer programming – complement each other.
“I really needed to modernize my technology base,” he said. “Modernizing it makes me more marketable. This was a good transition for that. I’m looking to leverage all my old experience with my new.”
Humphrey-Sewell also serves as vice president of TCC’s coding club and secretary of Computers for Student Success. His team finished second at the recent Dominion Hackathon. He’s a regular in the Maker Space inside the Advanced Technology Center, where he’s built websites and his own password manager.
“There’s stuff for every experience level in here,” he said. “There’s 3D printing, circuit design penetration design, testing for robotics.”
In addition to his academics, Humphrey-Sewell is webmaster of the personalized tutoring and testing center Gruzone Education, where teaches computer fundamentals and math.
Eventually, the single dad plans to make a career as a software developer or security analyst.
The New Hampshire native, who landed at the college after shore duty stationed him in Virginia Beach, is grateful for the foundation he found at TCC.
Three years ago when he left the Navy, “I didn’t know what was out there,” he said. “I wouldn’t know about all the opportunities there are if I hadn’t come here.”
Military Times ranks TCC best two-year school for vets in Virginia
Tidewater Community College was named the top two-year school in the Commonwealth by Military Times in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2020 rankings.
“TCC is honored to be chosen again as a Best for Vets college,” said Batanya Gipson, interim director of TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE). “Through our CMVE, we continue to work each day to serve the needs of our military-related students. In addition to providing excellent student support services, we work closely with military supportive business, industry and organizations to achieve our mission of facilitating educational and employability success.
Military-focused offerings include:
A partnership between Virginia Natural Gas and TCC for a workforce development initiative that trains veterans and transitioning military to fill the growing need for skilled workers in the natural gas industry. The week-long program, offered at the Virginia Beach Campus, began in 2017.
The Machining Skills Certification, a SkillBridge-approved program that trains military-related students in computer numeric controlled (CNC) machinery from setup to operation. CNC machinists are in demand throughout Hampton Roads and the nation. Military-related students may also use their GI Bill benefits to pay for this program. Contact Chris Blow, project coordinator, at cblow@tcc.edu for information.
Training in truck driving. TCC recently received a fifth grant to train military veterans and their dependents for careers in trucking. Since TCC received its first grant in 2015, 183 veterans and spouses have enrolled in the program. Recipients of the grant pay nothing to complete the one-semester, 16-credit certificate. Classes are taught at the Center for Workforce Solutions on College Drive in northern Suffolk.
Military-related students make up about one-third of TCC’s enrollment. The statistics used for the Bets for Vets survey do not account for dependents.
The rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ annual survey — a comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement — as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies. The survey asks colleges and universities to document a wide array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties, and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on a campus.
