About TCCTCC provides flexible, affordable education options to over 30,000 students each year, both online and on campuses and centers in all major cities in South Hampton Roads.Learn More
ProgramsDiscover what degrees, certificates and credentials you can earn from a career/technical program at TCC.Program Finder
Paying for CollegeThere are a variety of ways to pay for college. Let us help you explore some of the options.Learn More
Service & SupportWe’ve got all kinds of support for all kinds of students. Learn more about our student services, and how we can help you succeed.Learn More
Come To TCCReady to get started? TCC accepts applications year-round and applying is as easy as filling out the online application.Learn More
Help CenterYou have questions, we have answers! Learn more about how to get the help you need at TCC.Learn More
TCC Theatre presents Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” April 8-16
For the first time since the start of the pandemic, Tidewater Community College is offering the community live theatre in its Black Box Theater on Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.
TCC Theatre brings “The Merchant of Venice” to the stage for six performances, April 8-16.
As in the original production, “The Merchant of Venice” features a merchant in Venice named Antonio who defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock.
TCC’s version of the play is a one-hour production that brings Shakespeare’s 16th-century work into the modern world. It is set in a high school, and the classic characters become students who struggle with and create, the bigotry, bullying and cycles of violence that are as tragic and timeless as Shakespeare’s immortal words.
Directed by Logan Bennett, the world portrayed on stage at TCC uses cryptocurrency, while texting is lingua franca, and the characters’ use of social media adds layers to the story.
Performance dates and times are: April 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. April 10 at 2 p.m. April 14-16 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets will also be available for purchase in the theater lobby starting one hour before each performance, with cash and all credit cards accepted. Seating is limited. To make sure you get a seat, reserve your tickets in advance.
***Please note that this production of “The Merchant of Venice,” like the play as originally performed, carries stark and disturbing themes of social injustice that include racism, bigotry, and anti-Semitism that may not be appropriate for those sensitive to such subjects, or for young children.***
For questions about the production please call 757-822-5219.
“It’s easy to think it’s too late and you’ve missed your opportunity. But it’s never too late.” – Angi Wood, TCC student
Angela “Angi” Wood says the most important thing she’s learned at TCC is how to be a compassionate nurse.
She credits her nursing skills instructor, Catina Davis, with inspiring her to be an excellent nurse, while also teaching her the nursing process and critical thinking on the job.
Angi is an adult learner who returned to TCC to earn her nursing degree, after spending more than a decade as a stay-at-home mom with her daughter, Adelaide, who is now her biggest cheerleader.
“I hear my daughter telling her friends that I’m in nursing school and she’s really proud,” Angi said. “It’s easy to think it’s too late and you’ve missed the opportunity. But it’s never too late.”
Angi, 41, selected TCC’s nursing program because of its strong reputation in the community and the resources available for students.
“I like the challenge and rigor of the program,” she said. “And TCC has the equipment and simulators to help you gain the skills needed to be a great nurse,” she added.
Angi says that at one point the pressure of adding school to her already busy life was really challenging. “I was dealing with family demands, the pandemic, along with school and work. When I heard about the mental health counseling offered at TCC, I jumped at the opportunity.”
She signed up through TimelyCare, a service provided through Virginia’s Community Colleges. “I worked with my counselor on interventions for stress management and coping skills. At first, we met weekly and now we talk every other week. It’s made a big difference,” she said.
TCC’s nursing program includes clinical rotations in area hospitals, and that’s where Angi found her fit in the Intensive Care Unit. She hopes to land a full-time position after graduation and when she becomes a registered nurse. “It takes a lot of skill to care for critical care patients, and TCC’s program has prepared me well for the task ahead,” she said.
Angi is on track to earn her Associate of Science in Nursing in December 2022. She is earning her bachelor’s in nursing from Old Dominion University concurrently.
Angi’s family, including her husband Randall, and their daughter Adelaide, will be there to cheer her on when she graduates from TCC.
“I got a great education at TCC that’s going to translate into a rewarding career,” Angi said. “I’m ready for the work and looking forward to serving my community.”
For more information on TimelyCare and the other student support services available through the Student Resource and Empowerment Center, visit here.
TCC Horticulture students give back at “Come to the Bay”
Cloudy skies and cold temperatures didn’t dampen the spirits of Horticulture students and faculty as they worked at “Come to the Bay.” The group volunteered at a planting event sponsored by the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Turfgrass Council Environmental Institute.
Andrea Tomlin, Horticulture department chair, with student Whitney Waldo and Horticulture instructor Taylor Treadway
Andrea Tomlin, Horticulture department chair, and instructor Taylor Treadway led a group of nine TCC students as they planted American Beach Grass alongside the Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach.
“This community service project was very rewarding,” Tomlin said. “We were thrilled to do our part to help protect, beautify and sustain our waterway landscapes in Hampton Roads.”
Participating students spent the morning hours of Valentine’s Day preparing the ground and planting the grasses. In total, 15,000 plants were added to the landscape to help with erosion control along the Bay.
“Not only do these grasses help beautify our beaches, but they are also vital to erosion control by serving as a natural defense against storm surges,” Tomlin said. “This grass helps build dunes along the beaches by extending a deep rhizome root system that holds onto the sand to keep it in place. Eventually, the grasses will fill in and reach a height of about two feet tall and can spread six to10 feet.”
The community service event included a short kickoff program with remarks by Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer and an educational lunch with experts speaking about environmental and horticulture topics.
TCC invites the community to Family Movie Night at Chesapeake Campus, Nov. 12
Tidewater Community College invites the community to Family Movie Night on Nov. 12 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road. All activities will be held at the outdoor Grove stage area behind the George C. Pass building.
This outdoor family fun night will feature carnival games, concessions, face painting, photo booth, music and more.
The family fun continues with an outdoor showing of the movie “Space Jam: A New Legacy” at 7:30 p.m. on the Grove stage. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Insect repellent is also recommended.
The event is free and everyone is welcome. For more information, email Sara Hair at shair@tcc.edu.
Shakespeare in the Grove returns to Chesapeake Campus, June 23-27
Tidewater Community College’s Shakespeare in the Grove is back after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are thrilled to be back with this community gem that welcomes hundreds to the Chesapeake Campus for an evening of theatre under the stars,” said Kelly Gillerlain, dean of Chesapeake Campus. “This family-friendly event is a great way to get outside and enjoy a warm summer night.”
Mistaken identities, romance, revelry and hijinks abound in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night or What you Will” on stage at TCC’s 24th Shakespeare in the Grove.
“Twelfth Night” actors Cai Luzak (Sebastian), Isabella Wisham (Viola), Alina Grace Whitmore (Orsino) and Michelle Jenkins (Olivia).
Sponsored by TCC and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission, Shakespeare in the Grove includes free, outdoor public performances to be held June 23-27, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting.
“Twelfth Night or What You Will” is set on the rum-soaked streets of Port Royal in 1692. Pirates, aristocrats and peasants mingle together, making for a raucous comedy. In the plot, Viola loves Orsino, who loves Olivia, who loves Cesario, who is actually Viola! This topsy-turvy play features live music and a festive atmosphere, making for a fun-filled adventure on stage.
This is the fifth production at the new outdoor “grove” platform, located behind the Pass Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road. A cast and crew of more than 20 student and veteran actors and 15 technicians will bring the Bard’s wild comedy to life.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner. Insect repellent is also recommended.
Refreshments can also be purchased on-site from the Kiwanis Club of Chesapeake. Offerings include popcorn, ice cream, burgers, sodas and more.
Tickets are not required and the community is encouraged to attend. Due to the need for social distancing, seating for this event is limited.
For more information, contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu or 757-822-5219.
Join TCC for Open House on all campuses, May 15
Recent high school grad? Transitioning military? Looking for a promotion? Discover all that community college offers.
Tidewater Community College is opening its doors on all campuses for Open House on May 15 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Advisors will be on hand to help students choose a pathway, apply for admission, get financial aid help and tour the campuses.
Whether you plan to take a full load or just one class, TCC offers a range of options to prepare you for the next step.
Students who are attending college for the first time or recent high school graduates are eligible to receive a free laptop when they enroll and pay for classes.
Tidewater Community College offers 150-plus programs ranging from engineering to the visual and culinary arts to cybersecurity to a plethora of options in computer science.
TCC is a great option for students looking to transfer to the four-year school of their dreams and want to get those general education requirements out of the way without accruing loads of student debt. Transitioning military and career changers can also learn more about program options.
Open house will be at the following locations:
Chesapeake Campus: 1428 Cedar Road
Norfolk Campus: 300 Granby St.
Portsmouth Campus: 120 Campus Drive
Virginia Beach Campus: Advanced Technology Center, 1800 College Crescent
A day at the office is never the same for Austin Burrow. He travels around the world working for the State Department.
The Navy veteran is an electrical project coordinator for State’s Bureau of Overseas Building Operations.
He maintains the electrical systems in U.S. Embassies and keeps the staff and diplomats safe.
“This is really a dream job,” Burrow said. “I never thought I’d be doing this work and sometimes I still can’t believe it.”
Burrow started on this journey after earning his engineering degree at Tidewater Community College.
A former nuclear electrician’s mate for the Navy, Burrow, 30, was stationed in Hampton Roads when he began his studies at TCC in 2017.
Austin and Kristen Burrow
Newly married at the time, Burrow’s wife Kristen also began retraining for a new career at TCC.
“I knew I was going to transition out of the military and TCC was a cost-effective way to explore career options,” he said. “I took a variety of classes before settling on engineering.”
Burrow says the college’s small classes enabled him to ask questions and get to know the faculty.
“I’m very grateful to have started at TCC and found it to be the best college experience,” Burrow said. “I’m definitely a fan of community college because I got to know my professors and they knew me.”
He also credits his engineering faculty with preparing him for the work because of their own on-the-job experiences. “All of my TCC professors were working in the field and that really added another dimension to the learning,” he said.
Another highlight for Burrow was the STEM Club on Chesapeake Campus. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the club represented TCC at the air show at Naval Air Station Oceana.
“It was amazing sharing my love of science and technology with kids and demonstrating everything from a 3-D printer to an electric bike,” Burrow said.
Burrow began his career as a field engineer for InPwr, Inc. He worked at Norfolk Naval Station preparing engineering drawings and doing electrical engineering.
“It was long hours and hard work, but my TCC degree prepared me, especially the AutoCAD and engineering classes,” he said. “I still remember the lessons from my favorite teachers, Edward Morris (engineering) and Kenneth Jones (calculus).”
Newly located to Northern Virginia, Burrow is working on his bachelor’s in electrical engineering online through Arizona State University. When he is not globe-trotting, he works at the State Annex in Arlington.
Ongoing learning is important to Burrow, a master electrician, who also holds industry certifications in Certified Construction Manager and Certified Associate in Project Management.
Recognition for his work came quickly for Burrow who was named an Independent Electrical Contractors Emerging Leader in 2020. He was also one of the Electrical Construction & Maintenance magazine’s “30 under 30” for 2020.
As for Kristen, she now has a job she loves. A TCC nursing graduate, she found her calling as a frontline health care worker. She works in the neurological step-down unit at a Washington D.C. hospital. Kristen also holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from University of Tennessee.
Burrow used his GI Bill benefits to pay for college and says his time in the Navy and at TCC launched him into a rewarding career. “I enjoy going to work every day and encourage others to find work that fits them well,” he said.
TCC’s Virtual Student Support Team can help you get started at TCC. Email info@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111. Military-related students receive specialized support through the college’s Center for Military and Veterans Education.
Live! Inside the TCC greenhouse and Horticulture lab
In this series, we provide a closer look at hands-on learning duringCOVID-19.
While COVID-19 means online learning for most Tidewater Community College students, many are in the classroom for hands-on training. In fact, more than 400 sections of classes in interior design, automotive, health professions, welding, veterinary technology, culinary arts, visual arts, electronics technology and other programs have on-campus components.
Take a look inside a Horticulture program lab
Chesapeake Campus is home to the college’s Horticulture program and a new state-of-the-art greenhouse. When you enter the open-air space, your senses savor the sights and smells of hundreds of flowers and ornamental plants.
The new greenhouse at TCC’s Chesapeake Campus.
During the Greenhouse Crop Production lab, students learn to cultivate flowering and ornamental plants for gardens and floristry. They check soil levels, water, prune and master growing techniques. The course covers commercial best practices for growing flowering crops and considers production requirements, environmental control and management.
Emily Gonzales practices the technique.
Professor Andrea Tomlin with students..
During this lab, students also practiced the pour-through technique, a tool used to determine if the crops are thriving. Students pour water through the plants and then collect the water residue. From there, they test the sample to measure the pH and electrical conductivity of the plants.
Bryce Pate preparing plants for
delivery to the Community Feed at TCC.
In addition, students prepared fall pansies for delivery to a community event for the Community Feed at TCC, a program that provides meals, fresh foods and hygiene items for students in need. The Community Feed is a partnership program among TCC, the Foodbank and TowneBank.
Student voices
“I’d like to own my own nursery, and these propagation skills are a must. There’s no question that we have to complete these classes to get jobs in this field.” – Bryce Pate
“I’m learning the skills I need to be head grower in a greenhouse. The on-campus learning and greenhouse experience is invaluable.” – Derrick Broadous
“This material is challenging to learn online. You get so much more out of the labs by working in the greenhouse. And it’s nice to go somewhere during the pandemic!” – Emily Gonzales
About the instructor
Zach Nissen with the Foodbank and Professor Tomlin
Professor Andrea Tomlin, the Horticulture department head, has more than 20 years of experience in the field with an emphasis in greenhouse operations and production, landscape design and maintenance. She joined TCC in 2016, after serving as the Virginia Cooperative Horticulture Extension Agent with the City of Norfolk. She also held teaching positions with Virginia Beach and Chesapeake public schools.
The TCC alumna earned her Associate of Applied Science in Horticulture. Tomlin continued at Virginia Tech where she earned a bachelor’s in horticulture education and therapy and master’s in vocational and technical education, with a concentration in agricultural education.
Good to know
The horticulture program at TCC can help you grow your passion into a career. Horticulture requires an understanding of science and business, and TCC’s program emphasizes both. The curriculum provides a range of instruction from growing plants to designing and managing landscapes.
Students grew a variety of pansies including red violas, matrix purple, as well as matrix white, yellow and red.
More information
Learn about TCC’s Horticulture degree and certificate programs here or contact Professor Tomlin at atomlin@tcc.edu or enroll@tcc.edu.
Live! From inside a Machine Technology lab
In this series, we provide a closer look at hands-on learning duringCOVID-19.
While COVID-19 means online learning for most Tidewater Community College students, some are back in the classroom for hands-on training. In fact, more than 400 sections of classes in interior design, automotive, health professions, welding, veterinary technology, culinary arts, visual arts, electronics technology and other programs have on-campus components.
A peek inside the Precision Machining Lab
Lathes. Computer numerical control mills. Measurement tools.
Students in Rick Dyer’s machining classes are hands-on with state-of-the art equipment at the Precision Machining Lab on the Chesapeake Campus. It’s the same stuff they’ll encounter in the real world.
Students at work in the Precision Machining Lab on Chesapeake Campus.
Students complete the lab work at their own pace for several classes, including Machine Shop Practices (Machining 161) and Cooperative Education in Machine Technology (Machining 297).
In the basic course, they learn safety procedures and master hand tools, precision measuring instruments, drill presses, cut-off saws, engine lathes, manual surface grinders, and milling machines.
Steve Toi doing precision work.
“Tonight, we’re making a motor shaft, gauge blocks and drill gauges used for sharpening drill bits,” Dyer said. “We’re thrilled to be back in the space because trying to learn online is tough. You have to see it and feel it to really do this work.”
Safety remains a priority in light of COVID-19.
“We have plenty of room to work and we are being diligent about cleaning the machines and tools between users,” Dyer said. “We’re using a plant-based disinfectant that kills germs but also protects the equipment from corrosion.”
Student voices
Andrew Crowe
“This is an excellent program. With my full schedule it’s very helpful to have these labs in the evenings,” said Andrew Crowe, an IT tech in the Navy, retraining for a career as a metal worker. “I’m enjoying the interactions with classmates. It gets lonely teleworking at home, so this is a great distraction, and it’s preparing me for what comes after the military.”
“In here, you’re not working on a computer screen, and what you make you have in your hand. It either works or it doesn’t,” said Chris Smith. “We’re getting excellent instruction from Mr. Dyer, who is an expert in the field.” Smith is making a motor shaft and expanding his skills so he can get into fabrication. He currently works as an electrical engineering tech for the Coast Guard.
Chris Smith
Casey Matthews
“I love working with machinery and making things,” said J.D. Evett. “I got away from this work 20 years ago, and I’m so glad to be back into it.” Evett is working on a surface grinder making a set of gauge blocks. He transferred to TCC after his program shut down at another college due to COVID-19. He said he is grateful to continue learning to get closer to his goal.
Carter Casady
preparing to cut his block.
“It’s still surprising to see the tool come to life when we cut it,” said Carter Casady, a dual-enrolled high school sophomore from Kellam High. “I’m enjoying the machining as well as actually being in a lab and talking to other people.”
Good to know
The Precision Machining Lab prepares students for work in advanced manufacturing on the seven basic machine tools: turning machines, shapers, and planers, drilling machines, milling machines, grinding machines, power saws, and presses.
The lab includes computer numerical controlled mills, lathes, and surface grinders, along with numerous manual machine tools.
Rick Dyer studied machining at Southeastern Regional Technical High School and completed his journeyman certification in 1981. He served 22 years in the Navy as a machinery repairman. After retiring, he worked for Newport News Ship Building as a planning engineer until accepting a teaching position with Norfolk Public Schools.
He studied career and technical education at Old Dominion University and holds a master’s in community college education. He has been at TCC since 2007, teaching engineering graphics, manufacturing and mechatronics at the Chesapeake and Virginia Beach campuses. In 2019, Dyer became the program lead for the Machining Technology Program.
Sign up
To learn more about TCC’s hands-on career and technical programs, including Machine Technology, email Dyer at rdyer@tcc.edu or email enroll@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111.
Live! From inside the classroom
In this series, we provide a closer look at hands-on learning during COVID-19.
While COVID-19 means online learning for most Tidewater Community College students, some are back in the classroom for hands-on training. In fact, more than 400 sections of classes in interior design, automotive, health professions, welding, veterinary technology, culinary arts, visual arts, electronics technology and other programs have on-campus components.
A peek at an Interior Design classroom
Step inside Theory and Techniques of Interior Design for an animated discussion about mood boards, drafting techniques and color theory. You’ll also see splashy videos on the same topics.
Professor Lana Sapozhnikov teaching “live” on Chesapeake Campus.
The course, IDS 100, covers drafting and presentation, color theory, coordination, space planning and arrangement of furnishings.
“I love being able to see my students and know they are getting the concepts,” said Professor Lana Sapozhnikov.
“The introduction class teaches students the whole process of design from start to finish. It explains to them all the things that they will encounter in the real world.”
Tips for learning
Vonyea Pippins, a first year student, in the interior design lab on Chesapeake Campus.
During labs, ask questions! Also, bring your supplies, which for interior design students include drafting paper, colored pencils and pens. Keep your mask on and hand sanitizer at the ready.
Student voices
“I’m glad to be back in class,” said Bailey McDaniel, a second year student who transferred to TCC from Coastal Carolina University.
“I decided to come home for a cheaper, in-person option,” McDaniel said. “I love interior design. So far, so good.”
“It feels good being here. I feel safe, and I like being in class more than online,” added Fatima Jaffar.
Vonyea Pippins, a new student said, “I like the program. It’s different because of COVID. We are spaced out, and the labs only have 10 people. I’m comfortable here.”
Recent Hickory High graduate Colleen Morris, added, “It’s better to be here than not in class. I like everything so far, and I’m enjoying more freedom than I had in high school. TCC is definitely a good option for people.”
About the professor
Lana Sapozhnikov owns her own interior design and home staging business. She is knowledgeable about green design and is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified designer.
About the program
Fatima Jaffar and Sydney Blair
TCC’s interior design program provides a foundation in both commercial and residential design. And it is one of two programs offered within Virginia’s Community Colleges, providing an affordable option to private design schools. TCC interior design lab includes state-of-the-art equipment and a work room full of supplies and samples to inspire any budding designer.
For more information about the interior design program, email Jennifer Hopkins.
Social distancing makes in-person learning comfortable during COVID.
Scholarship student turning lifelong hobby of tinkering with cars into career
Talon Rodgers was one of those kids who liked to take things apart and put them back together.
As a teen, he worked alongside his father, a master technician. “I started by helping flip cars and worked my way up to my own projects. I learned the business really from the inside out,” he said.
Today, Rodgers is a second-year student at Tidewater Community College pursuing an associate degree in diesel marine technician. He was recently awarded a $2,000 scholarship from American Boat Yacht Council Foundation.
Professor Abe Arispe recommended Rodgers for the award, noting, “Talon is meticulous in everything he does and is a standout student. He’s not afraid to ask questions and wants to be sure he has each task down pat.”
Rodgers said he was stunned by the award and grateful, as he is paying out of pocket for the program.
Rodgers chose the diesel marine program because he wanted to take his career in a new direction. “The marine field is high skill and demand and there are plenty of jobs,” Rogers added. “I’m doing something I enjoy but also expanding my knowledge.”
Continuing his studies during the COVID-19 pandemic has been seamless for Rodgers. “The hands-on learning is my favorite part of the program, and I’ve missed that,” he said. “But even so, remote learning has been set up well. I’m learning the material and staying on track.”
Talon Rodgers at the Regional Automotive Center.
TCC’s diesel marine technician program is just one of many offered at the Regional Automotive Center, a 30,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Chesapeake. It has nine classrooms and 15 instructional laboratories. Students are trained on the latest equipment at the forefront of industry trends.
Rodgers credits Arispe with making the instruction enjoyable. “Mr. Arispe is the best teacher I’ve ever had,” Rogers said. “He’s attentive to his students, very knowledgeable, and the way he describes the process of things is very informative and helpful.”
Rodgers encourages others to follow his path. “I did a lot of research before selecting TCC and it’s one of the better programs around, and not only in Virginia.”
In his free time, Rodgers can be found tinkering with his Kawasaki Mean Streak and taking rides in the country. “It’s something you can do alone and get some air,” he said.
On returning to school in the fall, Rodgers encourages his peers to continue moving forward. “Don’t be afraid to set your mind on your goals and push through. You hit obstacles all your life, and COVID is just one of them.”
TCC employee tests positive for COVID-19
The Chesapeake Campus of Tidewater Community College is closed after a college employee tested positive COVID-19. The college was notified on June 23 by the Virginia Department of Health and, in turn, notified all employees on June 24.
The employee is in self-isolation. The health department is identifying individuals who may have had close or prolonged contact with the employee and will notify those who need assessment. Any employee with concerns about exposure is encouraged to self-isolate, monitor symptoms and obtain a COVID-19 test.
No students were on the campus.
“We are taking this action out of an abundance of caution,” said Marian Anderfuren, the college’s spokesperson. “TCC is following internal health and safety protocols, and the areas on campus where exposure may have taken place will be disinfected.”
New automotive certificates prepare you for a career in just two semesters
Are you looking to train for an automotive career in a hurry?
Then consider Tidewater Community College’s new Career Studies Certificate in Maintenance and Light Repair. This certificate can be completed in just two semesters and includes the technical and hands-on training necessary for entry-level work in repair facilities and dealerships.
This certificate prepares students for the ASE certification exams in Steering and Suspension; Brakes; and the Virginia Safety Inspection exam.
If you want to learn even more, consider the two-semester Career Studies Certificate in Automotive Technician and prepare for the ASE exams in Engine Repair; Automatic Transmission/Transaxle; Manual Drive Train and Axles; and Heating and Air Conditioning.
By earning a degree or certificate, you give yourself an advantage in the job market over those without formal training. TCC’s technologically advanced automotive curriculum is based on the Master Automotive Service Technology standards set forth by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation.
All classes are held in the Regional Automotive Center, a 30,000 square-foot facility in Chesapeake featuring classroom spaces and instructional bays that facilitate hands-on learning on real vehicles.
TCC to freeze tuition and fees for Fall Semester 2020
Tidewater Community College will freeze tuition and fees for the 2020 Fall Semester thanks to a unanimous decision announced Thursday by the State Board for Community Colleges.
This marks the second year in a row that the board has voted to hold tuition and fees steady for the coming fall for all 23 of Virginia’s Community Colleges.
The State Board’s decision means TCC’s in-state tuition and mandatory fees will remain at $185.35 per credit hour. Community college tuition and mandatory fees are approximately one-third of the comparable costs of attending Virginia’s public four-year universities.
“The decision by the State Board to freeze tuition and fees for the Fall Semester reaffirms our commitment to ensuring access and affordability for our students and their families,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “While that is always a priority, it is especially significant during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges, said, “We are doing everything we can to be an affordable, accessible resource for Virginians. Some people find themselves unexpectedly out of work. Others are looking for safer, convenient options to pursue their college aspirations. We want to be there for them.”
He added, “We’d like to maintain that rate beyond the fall, if the state funding exists to help us do that responsibly.”
Further, the State Board maintained the existing tuition rate for out-of-state students, which for TCC is $385.45 per credit hour.
Explore TCC during the college’s first-ever virtual information sessions
Reach your academic and career goals during these uncertain times by participating in Tidewater Community College’s first-ever virtual information sessions on May 26 and 28.
Hear presentations from TCC representatives about academics, technical training, student services and campus resources from the comfort of your home. Learn how you can get started with affordable, flexible and convenient courses.
These sessions are for all prospective students and their families and will feature special breakout sessions on college transfer, military support, paying for college and career training. Experts will answer your questions, and students will share their experiences.
Whether you plan to take a full load or just one class, TCC offers a range of options to prepare you for the next step.
TCC graduate hopes to pay it forward with a human services degree
Even before the COVID-19 crisis, William Toncray was spending a lot of time at the hospital. As a Child Life department volunteer, Toncray provides engaging activities for patients at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.
“We play games and do crafts with children bedside or take them to the playroom,” he said. “There are moments when it’s really hard to see kids so sick, but it’s also very rewarding watching them light up when we paint, draw or even just play cards with them.”
The Hickory High graduate came to Tidewater Community College with no specific career goals. He graduates with an Associate of Science in General Studies on May 11 and plans to pursue a human services bachelor’s degree at Old Dominion University.
William Toncray
Toncray, 20, credits his volunteer work at TCC with helping him come up with a career plan that involves helping those in need through social work and advocacy.
It all started for Toncray when a student government leader invited him to get involved on campus. “Without that one interaction, my entire TCC experience could have been very different,” he said. “As student leaders, it is important to consider what effects our actions have on other people.”
Toncray holds a 3.6 GPA and was parliamentarian for student government. He helped launch a campus chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a national group working to break the stigma and provide support for those dealing with mental health challenges.
Struggling with clinical anxiety when he first came to TCC, Toncray found help through the new NAMI group. “Having peers you can lean on and talk with has been a huge help,” he said.
Toncray also developed plans for a food pantry on Chesapeake Campus. He even presented the project at a Virginia Community College Association student leadership conference. “It was during this time that I found that I’m passionate about helping people with their basic needs and found my calling,” he said.
Toncray calls his time at TCC transformative, noting two particularly inspiring professors in Bert Fox (psychology) and Marc Wingett (biology). “They made you want to go to class and participate,” he said.
“My goal was to get my general education requirements done for a lower cost, and I did that. But I got so much more,” Toncray said.
“TCC puts the community in college. Once I got involved, I made some great lifelong friends and found my future path.”
Horticulture students grow a greenhouse full of vegetables for families in need
There’s an old saying that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. That applies to vegetables, too.
With that concept in mind, and facing the COVID-19 crisis, Tidewater Community College and its Horticulture program donated a greenhouse full of vegetables and herbs to eventually provide salads and healthy sides for families in need.
TCC Horticulture students grew a healthy selection of vegetables and herbs in the new greenhouse at Chesapeake Campus.
“When our spring plant sale was cancelled because of the worldwide pandemic, we knew we had to do something to help people in need,” said Andrea Tomlin, assistant professor and program head for Horticulture.
Tomlin contacted the Virginia Cooperative Extension, which connected her with Healthy Chesapeake and the 13 community gardens it supports.
Tomlin’s Crop Production students worked all semester growing plants and herbs, including heirloom tomatoes, peppers, oregano, parsley, sage and even insect-pollinating plants that will help the gardens remain strong.
“My students were so happy to be able to contribute and give back during this time,” Tomlin said. “Taking some positive action and coming together to serve our community has been very rewarding.”
Picking up the donation from TCC’s Andrea Tomlin (left) are Chris Lessick, Calib Miller and Kimi Stevens with Healthy Chesapeake.
The Horticulture program donated five truckloads of plants to Healthy Chesapeake and its Food Connection program that exists to address food insecurity and promote healthy eating. The goal is to reduce chronic disease and improve the quality of life for families, at-risk youth and homebound seniors in need.
“It’s crazy to see how things work out because, with the closing of schools, we lost our crops in the community seed bank, where we raise seedlings for planting across the city. Now with this amazing, huge windfall, our gardens will be able to feed even more people,” said Calib Miller, food connection program manager with Healthy Chesapeake.
Miller called the donation “an incredible boon and bounty for us.”
Healthy Chesapeake supports community gardens that include Atlantic Shores Christian School, Historic South Norfolk Community Garden, Cambridge Square Apartments and Wildcat Garden at Great Bridge High.
Horticulture students also grew 25,000 annual bedding plants that would typically benefit the community. Now they will be planted on TCC’s four campuses. Tomlin added, “While we miss being on campus, we are happy that the fruits of our labor will be enjoyed by students and faculty when we return.”
To learn more about TCC’s Horticulture program, email Tomin at atomlin@tcc.edu.
Award-winning “Doubt: A Parable” presented by TCC Theatre
TCC Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning play “Doubt: A Parable” for seven shows in late February and early March.
All performances will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.
“Doubt,” a 2004 play by American playwright John Patrick Shanley, is set in a fictional school in the Bronx. In this powerful work, school principal Sister Aloysius takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the parish priest, Father Flynn, of improper relations with a young student.
Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, “Doubt” is a gripping story that is less about scandal and more about the nuanced questions of moral certainty.
Performance dates are:
Feb. 27-29 at 7:30 p.m.
March 1 at 2 p.m.
March 4-6 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or checks at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time.
Tickets can be purchased with a credit card at the Chesapeake Campus Business Office in the Pass Building during regular business hours.
Reserve tickets by calling 757-822-5219 or emailing Professor Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu.
From Fortnite to formulas, TCC summer camps offer something for everyone
Designing your own version of Fortnite? Channeling your inner entrepreneur? Learning to publish original content on YouTube?
Tidewater Community College ramped up its camp offerings for the summer to include a plethora of new options.
Check out all of TCC’s summer camps for budding scientists, engineers, video game enthusiasts, interior designers, computer wizards and more. TCC camps have options for elementary, middle school and high school aged-youth.
Students at work in the STEM camp.
Other popular options:
Junior Veterinarian School encourages campers to explore turning their love for animals into a career.
Creative Writing lets middle school-aged kids explore their creative side by working with college faculty in writing and producing a short play.
Video Game Animation encourages campers to take their game design skills to the next level by creating and animating their own characters and objects.
Interior Design Bootcamp has students explore the design process and tackle a realistic design problems.
STEM Camps exposes campers to careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
TCC’s week-long, affordable programs are located on its Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach campuses, and at the Center for Workforce Solutions in Suffolk. Camps are offered from June through August.
Limited enrollment size ensures all campers receive personalized attention.
Campers from Veterinarian Medicine 101.
There is an early bird pre-registration discount of $5 per camp through May 31. Scholarships are available for some camps, and noted online in the camp description.
For a complete listing of camps, visit tcc.edu/camps. Registration is now open.
Interior Design student places in national carpet design competition
Tidewater Community College Interior Design student Colleen Garrettson recently placed in the top five in a student competition sponsored by Delos Custom Carpets and Rugs. Students from colleges including UCLA, Canada College and the Art Institute of Atlanta submitted designs that ranged from whimsical to structured.
Garrettson’s design, “Poolside,” is a multi-hued blue, gray and white swishy pattern that is reminiscent of cool afternoons near the water.
“Poolside” carpet design by Colleen Garrettson.
DelosCarpets are used by designers nationwide and are American made, robotically tufted and hand-finished for speed and consistency.
Garrettson is a second-year student in TCC’s associate degree program, coming back to school after years as a stay-at-home mom and bookkeeper. Her daughter, Elizabeth, is studying Funeral Services at the Virginia Beach Campus.
“I was tickled to have such a contest to enter and to gain working experience while I’m still in school,” Garrettson said. “My time at TCC has been very productive, and I’ve learned from every single class and project.”
Contest judging was completed at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) leadership conference in Atlanta. Garrettson is a member of the student chapter of ASID and appreciates the learning opportunities provided by the group.
Garrettson will receive a produced copy of her carpet for her portfolio. Her design is with Delos for future use.
Garrettson in the Interior Design sample library and work room on the Chesapeake Campus.
“I decided to finally follow my passion even though I was a little intimated to come back to school after so many years,” she said. “My professors have pushed me every day to do my best work.”
Garrettson spends her free time visiting historical sites with her husband, John. She is interested in preservation and hopes to use her degree for future work in that area.
More than halfway through the program, Garrettson urges others to find competitive opportunities.
“I encourage everyone to enter contests like this one,” she said. “Put yourself out there and watch the doors open.”
