Black History Month 2020

Tidewater Community College celebrates Black History Month 2020 with a keynote address by Vernon J. Hurte, associate vice president and dean of students at Iowa State University, on Feb. 28 at noon in the multi-purpose room at the Portsmouth Campus Student Center. Pre-registration is required. To save your spot click here.

Vernon Hurte is the keynote speaker for TCC’s Black History Month celebration.

Hurte formerly directed the Center for Student Diversity at William & Mary. He was senior pastor of the historic New Light Baptist Church in Richmond for nearly a decade. Hurte was awarded William & Mary’s Chambers-Reid Award for Professional Excellence and named one of Inspire Magazine’s Top 40 inspirers in America.

The national theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and the Vote.”

At TCC, the month includes an assortment of free, public activities throughout February with speakers, discussions and entertainment at campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach.

For more information, contact intercultural@tcc.edu or 757-822-7296.

Events, which are subject to change, are on a first-come, first-served basis. For the most up-to-date listing of events, visit www.tcc.edu/black-history.

Each year, Tidewater Community College honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during Black History Month with a distinguished service award to a TCC faculty or staff member, and provides a scholarship to a TCC student. To view the winners of the 2020 awards visit www.tcc.edu/black-history.

Campus Events

Chesapeake Campus

Feb. 5

Black History Month Movie: “Get Out”
12:30 – 2 p.m., Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge
“Get Out” is written and directed by Jordan Peele. This story about racism isn’t a drama or comedy. Instead, it’s a horror film.

Black History Month Movie: “42 – The Jackie Robinson Story”
2:30 – 4 p.m., Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge
The film chronicles the life of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play Major League Baseball.

Feb. 13

Thinkfast Gameshow Black History Month Trivia
12:30 – 1 p.m. and 1-1:30 p.m., Student Center, Chesapeake Bay Room
Test your knowledge of black history and pop culture for a chance to win up to $200! Student ID required to participate.

Feb. 19 & 20

Black History Cultural Festival – Day
12:15 – 1:30 p.m. – Student Center, Chesapeake Bay Room and Academic Building
Explore cultural dance, fashion, arts, storytelling, music, food and education as it relates to black history.

Black History Cultural Festival – Evening
6 – 7 p.m. – Student Center, Chesapeake Bay Room and Academic Building
Explore cultural dance, fashion, arts, storytelling, music, food and education as it relates to black history.

Feb. 26

Black History Month Movie: “House Party”
12:30 – 2 p.m., Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge
The comedy “House Party” stars the rap duo Kid ‘N Play.

Black History Month Movie: “A Wrinkle in Time”
2:30 – 4 p.m., Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge
After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother and her friend into space to find him.

Norfolk Campus

Feb. 6

African American Artist Showcase
Noon – 1 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center, lobby
Meet student artists and view their work.

Feb. 19

The Divine 9 Greek Fest
Noon – 1:30 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center, 5^th floor
Join us for a conversation about the history and significance of black Greek fraternities and sororities.

Feb. 20

Financial Empowerment in Black America
Noon – 2 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center, 5^th floor
Learn about ways to leverage your cash to build wealth by engaging with black business owners and community leaders. Special guests include Ron Lewis with LTC2 Consulting; Will Randolph with Legacy Banking; and Vivian Oden with Hampton Roads Community Foundation.

Feb. 25

Entrepreneurship in Black America
Noon – 1:30 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center, 5^th floor
Join us as we view “BOSS: The Black Experience in Business.” Stay for a panel discussion as black business owners share their experiences of barriers, challenges, successes and key factors that led to their success.

Portsmouth Campus

Feb. 7

First Fridays: Vocalize (open mic)
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Portsmouth Campus Student Center, The Commons
Share your talent and creativity with a focus on black history, heritage, culture and life.

Feb. 13

Race to the ballot – a conversation with faculty and leaders
12:30 -1:30 p.m., | Portsmouth Campus Student Center, E124-126
Join the conversation with a panel of faculty and community organizers to discuss the 2020 elections as they pertain to issues impacting African Americans.

Feb. 20

A stage production of “Abolitionists’ Museum”
12:30 -1:30 p.m. Portsmouth Campus Student Center, The Commons
JuneteenthVA Theater company presents “Abolitionists’ Museum,” a play written by Sheri Bailey about Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Sojourner Truth, John Brown, Nat Turner, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stow and David Walker as wax figures in a museum in a debate moderated by the museum curator.

Virginia Beach Campus

Feb. 4

Black History Month kickoff event
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, 2^nd Floor Breezeway
Celebrate Black History Month with food, drinks and activities.

Feb. 6

Black History Month Movie: “Lincoln”
10 a.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, TV Lounge While the Civil War continues to rage, President Lincoln struggles with the continuing carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.

Feb. 10

Black History Month Movie: “Black Panther”
3 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, TV Lounge
In the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, T’Challa must step forward to lead his people into a new future and confront a challenger from his country’s past.

Feb. 12

Poetry Slam
2 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Cafe
Step up to the mic and let your creativity flow!

Feb. 19

Black History Month Movie: “13th”
Noon, Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, TV Lounge
The film takes an in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and reveals the nation’s history of racial inequality.

Feb. 20

Make your own “I have a dream” vision board
1 -2:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Cafe
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., make your own vision board to reflect the values he held dear.

Feb. 25

Trivia Night
5:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, 2^nd-floor Breezeway
Test your knowledge of black history.

Feb. 27

Black History Month Movie: “Mudbound”
3:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, TV Lounge
Based on the story of two men who return home from World War II to work on a farm in rural Mississippi, where they struggle to deal with racism and adjust to life after war.

From here to business owner in one semester

With just one semester at Tidewater Community College behind her, Nia Vargas, 21, is on her way to launching her very own business.

Rollin Juices, a mobile juice bar, will offer plant based milk and cold pressed juices via a non-emissions food truck that runs on solar energy and electric power.

Through her business classes, Vargas learned about the inaugural #IAmFunded Pitch Competition, sponsored by Black Brand, Hampton Roads’ Regional Black Chamber of Commerce.

One of 10 young entrepreneurs selected to participate in the competition, Vargas took the top spot. She received $10,000 to cover start-up costs and landed a team of mentors.

“This is absolutely going to set me on the path for success,” she said. “The first three years of any business venture is vital, and now I have a team to help me launch my vision.”

A horticulture major at TCC, Vargas branched out and included a small business management and entrepreneurship class in her schedule during that first semester.

“I chose horticulture because I want to learn to grow my own crops. I added business, because I need to know how to own and operate a business,” she said.

Vargas added, “I love the community at TCC and how everyone is invested in our success. Even if it’s a simple event, the effort shows that they are here for us.”

Plans are under way for the Rollin Juices soft launch in March. The first food truck is being outfitted and will operate, in part, on solar power. Along with new signage and interior systems, the truck will be one of the first in the area to offer on-site service and home deliveries.

In addition, to keep expenses in check and protect the environment, her team is converting multiple shipping containers into a commercial kitchen and office space. They will be placed on a site off Tidewater Drive.

“I’ve always been focused on health and wellness, and by going green with my business, I’m hoping to create awareness that the smallest things we do can benefit or harm the planet,” she said.

Vargas develops her own recipes for juices and other products. She hopes to provide healthy food options that everyone can afford.

Rollin Juices will first appear by Zeke’s Beans & Bowls off Granby Street in March. The Rollin truck also will have a slot at this year’s Something in the Water festival in April.

TCC faculty speaks his truth through poetry

Tidewater Community College English instructor Daniel “D.L.” Pearlman has a way with words.

In the last two years, his poetry has received five awards, including the 2019 Dogfish Head Poetry Prize for his book of poetry, “Normal They Napalm the Cottonfields.” The prize was presented to Pearlman in December at the Dogfish Inn.

Pearlman also received the 2019 first-place award from the Poetry Society of Virginia (PSoV) for his poem “When Morning Comes After Noon.”

Founded in 1923 at William and Mary, the PSoV is the second oldest state poetry society in the nation, sponsoring contests annually for students and adults.

“My work evolves out of my passion for old and decaying things – including farmhouses and other structures,” Pearlman said. “I enjoy spending weekends traveling the back roads of Virginia and North Carolina to find hidden treasures. I see beauty in the decay and my writing can reflect that back and relate it to the human experience.”

On his travels, Pearlman takes photos of broken-down houses, cars and tractors to inspire his work.

“My approach can be brutal, intense and often surreal,” Pearlman said. “I’m not afraid to confront difficult things – even death. But my work is not dark; it’s hopeful.”

Pearlman teaches English composition courses at the college’s Chesapeake Campus. He is also on the planning team and will read his works during the college’s Literary Festival in April.

While Pearlman does not share his writing with students in class, he does talk about the process to aid in building critical thinking skills. “We often talk about how personal experiences and current events shape our thinking and beliefs,” he said. “We discuss issues like preservation of natural resources, the beauty of nature, importance of local history and the impact of industry, just to name a few. My travels certainly add to our discussions.”

Pearlman’s other recent awards include the Don Frew Contest, First Place; Ada Sanderson Contest, Second Place; and Emma Gray Gregg Contest, Second Place.

“When Morning Comes After Noon”
by D.L. Pearlman

Inside a barn with no roof,
inside a line of trees and a field

the sun and clouds still farm, I touch
a rusted revolver sleeping like a dead

kitten, its barrel pocked as if bitten
by fleas desperate for blood.

Under diagonal shafts of sun,
there’s nothing left in the stalls

except assumptions like
this farm does not deserve to be forgotten

or the messenger does not deserve
to be shot in the mouth.

In the barren center of the shadowed silo,
crossroads of fear and elation,

I find the absence of time

When evening lives at odds with
the concept of darkness during day,

where work made heat and where
no gravestones whisper, the long

dirt road gives its arms away
to what may come and what may remain.

Holiday-themed play “The Seafarer” to be presented by TCC Theatre in December

Set on Christmas Eve, “The Seafarer” comes to life on stage at Tidewater Community College for two weekends in December.

All performances will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

“The Seafarer,” a 2006 play by Irish playwright Conor McPherson, is set in a coastal suburb north of Dublin.

The play centers on James “Sharky” Harkin, an alcoholic who has returned to live with his blind, aging brother. Drinking buddies Ivan and Nicky are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher.

This play contains adult language and situations. No one under 13 will be permitted entry.

Performance dates are:

Dec. 4-7 at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.
Dec. 11-13 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or check 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. The tickets will be waiting at the box office the night of the show.

For more information, visit https://www.tcc.edu/about-tcc/arts-tcc/.

TCC opens new robotics lab on Chesapeake Campus

Tidewater Community College’s Chesapeake Campus celebrated the opening of its new robotics lab on Nov. 18 at a community event that included the city’s mayor, Rick West.

“Once again, Tidewater Community College is leading the way in training, and this is especially important as we continue to grow in the manufacturing sector and other areas,” West said.

Faculty member Eric Beaver shows Jim Spore, Corey McCray and Mayor West how to operate one of the FANUC robots.

Also in attendance: Chesapeake Public Schools Superintendent Jared Cotton, a TCC alumnus; Shonda Pittman-Windham, program administrator, Chesapeake Career Center; Barry Brown, principal at Deep Creek Elementary School and a member of the TCC College Board; and Jim Spore, chief executive officer of Reinvent Hampton Roads and a member of the TCC Real Estate Foundation Board.

“This afternoon we are cutting the ribbon on a new robotics lab, one that will help our students master the modern automation and control technology used in today’s manufacturing industry,” said Corey McCray, interim executive vice president for academics and student affairs. “With the availability of manufacturing jobs in Hampton Roads steadily ticking upward, we continue our commitment to training skilled workers for competitive careers in the industry.”

More than 40 guests attended the robotics lab ribbon cutting.

The lab contains six state-of-the-art FANUC (Fuji Automatic Numerical Control) robots and training stations. The TCC lab is part of the FANUC Education Network, with students following the company’s curriculum and learning industry applications.

Faculty members Eric Beaver and Tyrone Goodman, both from the college’s Mechatronics program, designed the lab.

“We have some pretty impressive equipment in this lab,” Beaver said. “Each robot has a vision system and can track objects and be programmed to complete tasks. FANUC is the industry standard and these robots are exactly what students will see on the job.”

Interim Provost James Edwards invited McCray, Cotton, West and Beaver to share in the ceremonial snip.

Although Nov. 18 marked the official opening of the lab, TCC and CPS dual-enrolled mechatronic students have used it throughout this fall semester. The labs hum with activity daily with 16 students in each section.

“I’m pleased to be part of the opening of TCC’s robotics lab, a state-of-the-art addition to the Mechatronics program and a shining example of our shared vision to prepare students for STEM jobs of the future,” Cotton said.

Cotton also noted that the first cohort of 15 CPS dual-enrolled mechatronics students graduated in May 2019. Today, three of those students earn competitive wages and benefits in local manufacturing firms, while others are continuing at TCC to earn their associate degrees in just one year.

TCC students Taylor Pules, Tyjuan Jones and Cory Blume at work in the robotics lab.

Tyjuan Jones, a current student employed at IMS Gear, refers to himself as the “robot guy” thanks to the knowledge he gained in the lab.

“It’s a lot to learn every day and always something new. I like it all, but the troubleshooting is my favorite part,” he said.

Cory Blume, also with IMS Gear, added, “This is definitely the most interesting class, and it’s a great opportunity to practice in a safe zone before taking it to the job.”

One week until the greatest show on earth comes to Chesapeake

We’re one week away from opening night for Shakespeare in the Grove, featuring “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Called a community treasure, Shakespeare in the Grove presented by Tidewater Community College and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission is in its 23^rd year.

Join us for free, outdoor public performances from June 26-30, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting on the “Grove” stage on the Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes conversation with the director and some of the actors.

Taylor Durham as Helena with Nick Nauert as Demetrius.

A word from director Trey Clarkson:

“Shakespeare in the Grove is a Chesapeake tradition and the largest production on the Southside. I’m always excited to bring together talented actors from all over the 757 to put on a show in our own backyard. I have been with the ‘Grove’ since the very first show. As we enter the 23rd season we return to ‘Midsummer’ with a big-top circus design. On the heels of the film ‘The Greatest Showman’ and the release of ‘Dumbo,’ as well as the death of Barnum and Bailey in 2017, the nostalgia of the circus is the perfect setting for the magic and mayhem of this Shakespeare comedy.”

Why should people come to Shakespeare in the Grove?

“It’s fun! It’s free! And it’s a great way to get family, friends and everyone outside, under the stars, for outdoor theater. It really is the greatest show in Chesapeake.” – Chris Bernhardt, playing Theresa Snout and Wall

How do you make Shakespeare understandable for today’s audience?

“Mostly, you just have to communicate with people. The language can seem dense at first, but once your ear gets used to it, you can easily understand what’s happening on stage. We also do so much physically, that we could almost do it in mime and you’d still catch on to the show. The quality of the play is what makes this timeless classic still relevant today.” – Logan Bennett, playing Nick Bottom and Pyramus

What about millennials?

“Shakespeare really is for everyone. Especially when you look at the universal themes presented, including love and chasing your dreams.” – Sylvie Green, playing Patty Quince

This year’s theme is the circus – why does it work?

“Adapting Shakespeare to different time periods and themes is a common practice, but it’s difficult to do well. Somehow, every year we figure out how to make it work. ‘Midsummer’ seems to fit the circus theme so well with all of the crazy characters, the magical things that happen, with the character changes and people running away to join the circus, it all just makes sense, and you’d think it was the original.” – Patrick Rostock, playing Francis Flute and Thisbe

Zoe Thompson (ensemble), with Sylvie Green as Quince, Bennett as Bottom, Patrick Rostock at Flute, Chris Bernhardt as Egeus and Tristan Hicks as Starveling and Olivia Madrid (ensemble).

How difficult is it to learn lines?

“It depends on person to person how difficult it is to learn lines. But with this show, it’s a lot of poetry, so it flows really nicely, and I think it’s really easy to remember your part.” – Noëlle Peterson, playing Hermia

On being the tallest man

“This has been the most difficult role I’ve ever played. I’ve had to learn unique skills, like walking on stilts, and it’s been a big learning curve acting while being 10 feet tall! – Tristan Hicks, playing the Tallest Man and Moonshine

Challenges of outdoor theater?

“The hardest part is definitely projecting your voice over a very long distance, especially when it’s really humid! And sound interruptions and the weather, of course!” – Andreas Zollos, playing Lysander

What makes Shakespeare in the Grove special?

Cast members accept a donation from Terri Anderson (left) with the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a really high-quality show. The director and actors and technicians are hard working and good at what they do. We can get away with a pretty short rehearsal schedule because we’re all dedicated and give our all in every rehearsal and performance.” – Sylvie Green

“The professionalism, as far as community theater goes, is top notch. This is the only place I’ve been that they hold you to a professional standard. Every TCC show I’ve been a part of, people are really pushing their limits to put on the best show possible.” – Logan Bennett

Enjoy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” under the stars at TCC’s Shakespeare in the Grove

A big-top circus design is the backdrop for the classic tale “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on stage at Tidewater Community College’s 23nd Shakespeare in the Grove.

Free, outdoor public performances will be held June 26-30, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting.

Get a sneak peek of the play with a one-act performance at the community event “Food Trucks on the Square” on June 12, located behind Chesapeake City Hall at 306 Cedar Road.

Actors prepare for Shakespeare in the Grove — Zollos and Peterson rehearse their roles.

TCC’s version of the play is set under the big top with residents of Athens mixing with fairies from a local forest, with comic results. In the city, Theseus, duke of Athens, is to marry Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons.

Actors prepare to perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream." — Nauert and Durham prepare for Shakespeare in the Grove

“I’m always excited to bring together talented actors from across the 757 to put on a show in our own backyard,” said Trey Clarkson, director of this year’s grove production. “On the heels of ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Dumbo’ and with the closing of Barnum and Bailey after a 146-year run, the nostalgia of the circus is the perfect setting for the magic and mayhem of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ ”

This is the fourth 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 25 student and veteran actors and 15 technicians will bring the Bard’s comedy to life.

TCC and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission sponsor Shakespeare in the Grove. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner. Insect repellent is also recommended. Tickets are not required.

For more information, contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu or 757-822-5219.

From here, go to work as a mechatronics technician

Many of Tidewater Community College’s certificate programs and associate degrees lead to immediate employment or, in some cases, employment while you’re still in college. We feature these on an occasional basis in our series “From here, go to work.” Here’s a look at one option.

From grocer to IMS Gear

After high school, Cory Blume was working in a local grocery store and going to school part-time. Uninspired, he began exploring other options. After coming to a TCC Open House, and watching a mechatronics demonstration that included a robot and 3-D printer, he changed course.

Commuting from Suffolk, Blume,25, began working toward his mechatronics degree at the Chesapeake Campus.

“I loved the energy of the campus and the people. From the beginning it’s been a positive experience,” he said.

Three semesters into TCC’s program, Blume toured IMS Gear, an advanced manufacturing firm in Virginia Beach. He learned about full-time apprenticeships and applied on the spot.

Two years later, Blume is excelling at IMS Gear and at TCC. He works with engineers, maintains equipment and installs new systems and stations on the assembly line.

“I definitely have that feeling that this is what I’m supposed to be doing,” he said. “I get up ready to go and always look forward to learning – both at school and on the job.”

Blume will complete his Associate of Applied Science in Mechatronics in December.

“All of my professors have been fantastic,” he said. “They have a depth of knowledge that comes from years on the job. One of my favorite things is tackling a problem in lab, and then seeing that exact same thing on the line at work.”

Mechatronics today:

With the graying of the advanced manufacturing workforce, skilled technicians are in high demand. TCC’s Mechatronics degree prepares technicians for high paying jobs in two years or less.

The Associate of Applied Science in Mechatronics covers motor controls, hydraulics, computer programming, pneumatics, programmable logic controllers and more. It’s a one-of-a-kind program in Hampton Roads.

Workers already in the field can train to advance in areas that include new construction, maintenance and assembly lines in major manufacturing plants.

Combining book smarts and hands-on work:

Dean Stout in the Precision Machining Lab.

Mechatronics is suited for technically savvy students who enjoy hands-on work. Students spend about half the time in classroom instruction and the rest in state-of-the-art laboratories

“The lecture portion provides in-depth theory, and the labs bring it all together,” said Thomas Stout, dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. “Most of the instructors are industry pros, giving students a real-world view of the required work.

“Most lines have hundreds of motors and sensors and a computer with programmable logic that tells the line to stop, start and do multiple functions. To be successful, employees have to understand the sequence and how it all comes together.”

The future is bright:

Plenty of advanced manufacturing firms are located in Hampton Roads, providing graduates with ample job prospects. According to the Department of Labor Job Outlook, mechatronics technicians earn a median salary of $57,790 per year or about $27 per hour.

More info:

For more information about the Mechatronics program at TCC, contact Jeff DeCastillia at jdecastillia@tcc.edu or call TCC’s new student support team at 757-822-1111.

In crafting her own obit, alumna found her purpose

Bianca Wilson got stumped writing her own obituary. What sounds like an awkward college assignment turned into an enlightening moment for the woman who would one day become the first African-American female train conductor at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY).

Wilson with Ertha Barnes, Christina Kurtz and Taariq Brown at the Norfolk Campus Student Center.

The Tidewater Community College alumna and Navy wife shared her story with students during a keynote address for Women’s History Month on March 7 at the Norfolk Campus Student Center.

During her student development class, the instructor assigned students to write their own obituary as homework. Wilson jotted down being a stay-at-home wife and mother but yearned for some professional accomplishments.

“This was my aha moment. It changed my whole perspective,” she said. “I was unhappy as to how my children would view me as a mother and a woman and the legacy I would leave them.”

So she enrolled in TCC’s administrative support technology program and balanced motherhood with being a student.

“I checked into labor and delivery at Chesapeake General and still had to complete a writing assignment for a class. I brought my laptop and books and completed the work while in active labor,” she said.

Wilson was a student ambassador at Portsmouth Campus and a regional honors chair for Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools. While she took all but two of her classes online, she felt part of the college because of professors who invested in her success.

“The teachers made it easy for me and provided one-on-one help, often over the phone,” Wilson said. “We were a community of learners, even if we were doing it remotely.”

Business instructor Peggy Scott impressed her with her kindness. “She sent a letter to my home telling me that she was amazed at my work and the fortitude I’d shown, and offered to write me a letter of reference,” Wilson said. “She encouraged me when I wanted to give up. Even though I’ve never laid eyes on her, I feel as though I know her for years.”

While taking classes at TCC, Wilson went to work at NNSY, following the path of her great grandfather, grandfather and dad. Today she transports heavy equipment across the yard.

Bianca Wilson on the train at Norfolk Naval Shipyard — Wilson at work on the train at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

“A lot of what we move are the anchors, shafts for the carriers, and fuel,” she told the monthly newsletter for NNSY. “This is one of the most dangerous jobs – you’re dealing with tonnage. It’s heavy. We have to be very careful. We’re always making sure we’re safe. There’s a lot of traffic here, and people will walk right in front of the train. And we don’t have lights and bells ringing when we cross streets, so we have to be hype-aware.”

Wilson graduated from TCC in 2018 with an Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology. She would like to parlay her experience into a management position at the shipyard. She plans to attend Old Dominion University for business management.

Wilson also owns a photography business, Everlasting Pictures and Photobooth, LLC. She and husband Stanley have three daughters.

“Never give up, no matter how hard it gets, or how slow you have to go,” Wilson advises. “The only thing that beats a failure is not trying at all.”

From unemployed to employer

Terrell Flowers couldn’t find a job after high school. He filled out dozens of applications and never got a call back.

So at the age of 20, he decided to go into business for himself.

After spending summers working alongside his grandfather in landscaping, Flowers asked for seven properties to manage, so he could go it alone.

Once he was working on his own, FGS Landscaping began to grow and Flowers found he needed more knowledge to handle the business side of things.

He enrolled in Tidewater Community College’s business administration transfer degree, while taking electives in small business management.

Starting small, thinking big

Photo of students in a small business management class. — Professor Gillerlain with business students on the Chesapeake Campus.

The Career Studies Certificate in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship includes classes in Accounting for Small Businesses, Principles of Supervision, Small Business Management, Marketing for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

“This specialization is important for people who want to start a business or currently run a small business,” said Kelly Gillerlain, professor of business administration at the Chesapeake Campus.

“The degree allows students to focus on small business practices and principles and was actually created by faculty across the college because of student interest and requests for these types of classes,” she said.

A flourishing business

It didn’t take long for Flowers to grow his business to 47 properties, 44 residential and three commercial. He now employs three people and offers additional services, including mulching, tree and shrub care, tree trimming, yard renovations and flower installation.

Flowers said the targeted classes in small business topics helped him streamline processes and run an efficient business.

“Accounting was the biggest help. I started keeping track of expenses and saving money,” Flowers said. “My business classes showed me the best way to structure my business and even changed how I was paying my employees from by-the-job to hourly, a best practice.”

The best part

“Aside from book knowledge, I’ve made some great contacts and friends at TCC who have helped me on this journey,” Flowers said.

Flowers credits his professors with challenging him to think outside the box. His favorite professor was Karen Pryor, now retired, who taught English.

“I learned how to write in her classes. She believed in me, and I knew if I could pass her class, then I could get through college,” Flowers said.

While it’s taken some time, Flowers is just five classes shy from earning his associate degree.

The Oscar Smith High graduate is the first male in his family to go to college. He’s following in his grandmother’s and mother’s footsteps, as both earned college degrees.

“I see this business as something I can pass on to my son,” Flowers said. “I love waking up every morning and enjoying what I’m doing. There’s nothing better.”

Contact info

For more information about the Career Studies Certificate in Small Business Management, contact Gillerlain at kgillerlain@tcc.edu.

From around the world, across the states to TCC graduate

Veteran Paul Cage traveled the world during his 22-year Navy career and then transitioned to driving a tractor-trailer across all 50 states. Weary of the travel, he longed for a future where he would be at home more, and he found it by completing his associate degree at Tidewater Community College.

Now he plans to make your home more inviting as an interior designer. Cage, student speaker for the 67^th Fall Commencement Exercises, graduates with an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design and a Career Studies Certificate in Associate Designer.

“I was at a VA seminar and the rep suggested the TCC program, and at that time I thought it was just decorating,” said Cage, who also holds career studies certificates in associate designer and truck driving. “But it’s a totally different ball of wax. I was watching a lot of those house-flipping shows and they were making places functional. That’s a lot of what we do in interior design.”

Cage, who used his GI Bill® benefits for his education, plans to launch Stylyn Creative design in Chesapeake after graduation.

His degree included a seminar class that involved working with instructor Ron Austin to complete a whole house design. “That was a definite highlight for me,” he said. “I learned that it’s important to measure, measure, measure. If you’re off even an inch, that’s a big problem.”

Cage works with classmate Sheila Land on her final project.. — Cage works with classmate Sheila Land on her final project.

“Paul fully engaged himself as a career-changer, and added to classroom discussions and provided assistance to classmates as needed,” said Jennifer Hopkins, program head for interior design. “His leadership and professionalism were always on display.”

Cage graduates with his wife, Sherrilyn Olds-Cage. She earned an Associate of Science in Social Sciences and plans a career in social work. She is already at Old Dominion University, studying toward her bachelor’s in psychology.

“I really surprised myself being able to complete this degree after being out of school for 20 years,” Olds-Cage said. “Initially I was really stressed, but once I got my rhythm, I found I was a better student now than as a young adult.”

Both graduates agree that TCC instructors are invested in their students. “Interior Design is one big family,” Cage said.

The couple has a blended family with four children: Dezmen Cage, 26; Dedra Olds, 17; Solé Cage, 17; and Paul Cage Jr., 16.

In his speech, Cage will encourage his classmates to face adversity and turn it into the fuel to motivate them. He said, “Don’t think you have to have it all figured out, but change course if need be. And always measure twice!”

TCC celebrating fall commencement on Dec. 17

Tidewater Community College alumnus Jared Cotton, superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS), will be the keynote speaker for the college’s 67th Commencement Exercises on Dec. 17 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

Commencement, which begins at 6 p.m., will be streamed live at tcc.edu/commencement.

Nearly 2,000 will graduate, earning degrees or certificates. Gregory DeCinque, who became interim president in July, will be presiding over his first TCC commencement.

Jared Cotton at his office at Chesapeake Public Schools.

Cotton, a Great Bridge High graduate, could have attended some of the commonwealth’s best universities after high school, but he chose to start at TCC. Named superintendent of CPS over the summer, he earned his Associate of Science in Education at TCC, where he developed a passion for teaching.

Cotton holds a doctorate in educational administration and policy studies and a master’s in educational administration from The George Washington University, and a bachelor’s in middle school education from Old Dominion University.

“I’m proud of the start I had at community college,” Cotton said. “Now as superintendent, I have the opportunity to change the trajectory of many students’ lives and give them all of the resources to be successful.”

Paul Cage in the interior design lab at the Chesapeake Campus.

Student speaker Paul Cage spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy as a sonar technician on submarines and was later cross-trained as a machinery technician on surface vessels. He deployed overseas 18 times during his military service.

He came to TCC to retrain for a new career and holds a Career Studies Certificate in Trucking, an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design and a Career Studies Certificate in Associate Designer.

After graduation, Cage plans to specialize in kitchen and bath design.

He is joined at commencement by his wife, Sherrilyn Olds-Cage, who is graduating with an Associate of Science in Social Sciences. She attends ODU, where she is preparing for a career in social work.

The college will award a posthumous degree to student Belinda Drew. The Portsmouth native was just two classes shy of earning her Associate of Science in Social Sciences when she died unexpectedly on July 23.

ADHD didn’t prevent this student from succeeding. Now she’s helping others overcome disabilities at TCC

Toni Anderson spent the better part of the last decade as a gas station attendant, scraping to get by.

Today at Tidewater Community College, she is on the path to becoming a cybersecurity professional with high earning potential and aspirations of working for the FBI.

“If not for TCC, I’d still be working at 7-Eleven,” Anderson said. “I’m just shocked that I’ve come this far. I never imagined that I’d be a college graduate, but now I’m almost there. It’s really a miracle.”

Anderson is working toward her Associate of Applied Science in Information Systems Technology and Career Studies Certificate in Cyber Security. She plans to graduate this spring.

“I was bouncing around from job to job, living paycheck to paycheck,” Anderson said. “I really wanted a steady job with benefits, and I knew I had to go back to school.”

The 2009 Hickory High graduate applied for admission to TCC several times but never followed through, inhibited by her ADHD. In the summer of 2016, she applied again, determined to begin the journey.

She works closely with the college’s Office of Educational Accessibility and staffer Elisabeth Jakubowski to manage her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the classroom.

“Ms. Libby has been a huge help and my emotional support. She’s like family and has been there for me through some major life events,” Anderson said.

“For the first few semesters, I took face-to-face classes and found my professors to be helpful and personable. They never made me feel like a bother even if I asked a lot of questions,” she said.

Anderson credits faculty member Stacy Freeman with guiding her through developmental math, noting that, “She was like a math angel to me. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Anderson started on the IT path taking just one computer class. As her interest grew, she added more classes and decided to focus on transferring to Old Dominion University to study cybersecurity and cybercrime. She’s also looking into paid summer internships with the Workforce Recruitment Program and the FBI.

“It has been amazing to see the hands-on work pay off. I’m now using what I learned two semesters ago and connecting all of this knowledge together,” she added.

Anderson holds a 3.6 GPA and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools. This fall she was awarded the Kathy Camper Commonwealth Legacy Scholarship from the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education. The scholarship covers the bulk of her tuition costs during her last year at TCC.

At the TCC Women’s Center, she participated in Women Inspiring Self-Empowerment (W.I.S.E.) leadership development program, where she paired with mentor Jahnene Thomas, a business intelligence systems engineer for the City of Virginia Beach.

“W.I.S.E. was a definite highlight of my time at TCC,” she said. “Working with my mentor and networking with other professionals was a priceless opportunity and very inspiring.”

Today, Anderson is paying it forward, helping students with disabilities succeed in school. She is a note taker and a volunteer peer mentor who works with first-semester students on the autism spectrum.

A first-generation college student, Anderson said her mom came to TCC to study computers but didn’t graduate.

“My mom is really proud of me, and I’m proud too,” she said. “I never thought I’d be working in an office setting doing this kind of work. I’m living proof that anyone can do this.”

Chesapeake Campus students, faculty and staff get a glimpse of poverty in action

Like playing a real-time game of “Life,” more than 50 students, faculty and staff experienced what it’s like to be poor and raise a family in Virginia.

Getting help from social services was time consuming for "families." — Getting help from social services was time consuming for “families.”

For two hours on Oct. 16, the Chesapeake Campus Student Center became Realville, with low-income “families” living and working to survive during four 15-minute “weeks.” The simulation was held to raise awareness of basic needs and insecurities faced by community college students across the nation.

New national data, collected by the Wisconsin HOPE Lab and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), shows that two in three students are food insecure. In addition, one in two students are housing insecure and 13 percent are homeless. To meet the basic needs of all TCC students, the Chesapeake Campus Student Government Association, members of Phi Theta Kappa and faculty and staff are launching an initiative this spring, which will include:

A food pantry located in the Whitehurst Building opening in a newly designed space. Students will be able to come at specific times and get food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, and care kits with essentials for basic hygiene.
A service learning project with college and community volunteers packaging highly nutritious meals for hunger relief through the Rise Against Hunger organization.
A 5K run to raise awareness of food insecurities of students.

“Our campus is proud to be part of the solution for so many students,” said Lisa Rhine, provost of the Chesapeake Campus. “I know what it’s like to grow up with little and struggle to get through school. It really is a privilege to do this work.”

The simulation was a chance for TCC students, faculty and staff to face many of the insecurities behind the national statistics. Participants were encouraged to think outside the box and do what they had to do to support the family in the exercise led by Karen Munden with Virginia Cooperative Extension and funded by Virginia Tech and Virginia State University.

In navigating daily living, the “families” went to work and school, while shopping, banking, paying bills and seeking social services.

During the simulation some "families" were evicted from their homes. — During the simulation some “families” were evicted from their homes.

Some families were even evicted from their homes. “It felt terrible to have nowhere to go,” said student Sherese Card, who played the role of a teenage girl. “It was especially embarrassing because it happened while I was babysitting. Life got real with my mom gone and dad in jail.”

When the exercised was complete, Munden asked the group members who felt stressed. Almost every hand raised.

“I think as teachers, we have to have more compassion when we see students coming in late to class or having trouble with assignments,” said Kyndra Brown, who teaches developmental math. “We really have no idea what they are facing.”

Student Bryce Dalton added, “It’s stressful taking care of kids who are not listening to you. Today made me realize that it’s harder for others than it’s been for me. I have to keep that in mind once I’m working and do my part to help out.”

At the conclusion of the simulation, Lt. Steven Jenkins with the Portsmouth Police Department, who served as the officer in the Realville jail, noted, “No matter what problem being faced by a family member, I was expected to have the answers. That plays out in my real job, too.”

Lt. Steven Jenkins with the Portsmouth Police Department, was the officer in charge at the Realville jail.

Diane Ryan, dean of humanities and social sciences, who played the role of a disabled family member, called the simulation eye-opening. “I found out that food is not that easy to come by and that to get social services, you have to spend a lot of time in lines. I found myself leaving the kids home alone, so I could wait in more lines. I never would have done that when raising my two kids.”

#NationalManufacturingWeek will celebrate partnership of TCC, CPS, City of Chesapeake and local manufacturing sector

Manufacturing finally has its own week in the City of Chesapeake in large part thanks to a partnership with Tidewater Community College, Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS), Chesapeake’s Department of Economic Development and its local manufacturing sector.

Earlier this week, Chesapeake City Council designated the second week in October “Manufacturing Week in Chesapeake” to celebrate a successful partnership that fills the skills gap for industry and provides quality career training for dozens of students. This designated week follows the celebration of National Manufacturing Day which is held annually on the first Friday of October.

Chesapeake City Council designated the second week in October “Manufacturing Week in Chesapeake” to celebrate a successful partnership that fills the skills gap for industry and provides quality career training for dozens of students.

“Manufacturing in Chesapeake is having a greater impact on our local economy with more spin-off jobs than any other industry,” said Steven Wright, director of Economic Development for the city.

What started as an idea three years ago morphed into a TCC and CPS partnership where high school students can earn their Career Studies Certificate in Mechatronics and an industry-recognized credential along with their diplomas.

Chesapeake is home to more than 40 manufacturing firms, employing more than 3,200 skilled technicians.

“Several years ago we held a summit and learned of the need for qualified technicians to fill high-demand and high-paying jobs,” said Lisa Rhine, provost of the Chesapeake Campus. “In May, we will graduate our first cohort of students in mechatronics, and two other cohorts will follow in 2020 and 2021.”

After graduation, students may complete their Associate of Applied Science in Mechatronics in just one year.

Western Branch’s Alex Kincaid is a junior in the program.

“I’ve always enjoyed electrical work, more than just plugging the X-Box into the TV,” he said. “This program has inspired me to be an electrical engineer. I enjoy the hands-on training and know that it will benefit me in the long-run.”

The program is supported by local manufacturing businesses and includes plant tours and mentoring for students.

The program is supported by scholarships from area manufacturers, bringing in $29,000 to help students pay for college courses while still in high school. Participating organizations are Air Systems International, GeoQuip Manufacturing, Manufacturing and Design Tech, Mitsubishi Chemical Composites America Inc., Towne Bank, Nitto Inc., Sumitomo Drive Technologies, USUI International, and Yupo Corporation.

TCC provides training for new automotive center aimed at improving lives of nonviolent offenders

Priority Automotive is joining Tidewater Community College and the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office to give repeat, nonviolent offenders a new lease on life.

Gov. Ralph Northam at the Priority Technical Training Center in Chesapeake.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam joined Priority Automotive, TCC and the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 27 to unveil the automobile dealer’s new Priority Technical Training Center in Chesapeake, where 16 nonviolent offenders from the Norfolk Jail have already begun training for jobs as auto technicians.

“Teaching nonviolent offenders to make a good, honest living and put their past in the rearview mirror is good for our communities, good for our law enforcement agencies, and good for Priority,” said Dennis Ellmer, chief executive officer and president of Priority Automotive. “This may seem like an unlikely
partnership, but it just makes perfect sense.”

Built and funded entirely by Priority, the state-of-the-art automotive training center opens as dealerships across the country scramble to find highly skilled auto technicians to service vehicles that grow more technologically advanced by the day.

TCC President Gregory DeCinque sees the program as a valuable resource for Hampton Roads. “The Priority program is the latest example of TCC focusing on access to educational opportunities and responding to the needs of the automotive industry to train additional technicians,” he said. “Ultimately, this will not only improve people’s lives but also our regional economy.”

Located just behind the Priority Infiniti dealership in Chesapeake, the center has been two years in the making. The center includes 12 repair bays and will train 16 nonviolent offenders for careers in automotive repair through a two-year certified program offered by TCC.

Instructor Horace Linton with the first class of students at the Priority Technical Training Center. — Instructor Horace Linton with the first class of students at the training center.

Classes started in September and will end in May. Trainees will attend class full time two days a week and work at Priority dealerships three days a week. After successfully completing their second semester, trainees will be offered full-time jobs at one of 14 Priority dealerships across Hampton Roads.

They will also have the opportunity to continue their education, earn new certifications and earn an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology from TCC.

Ellmer said he got the idea during a trip to Fiji, where he met a tour guide who earned a tourism degree while incarcerated in a local jail.

“I thought, ‘Wow, we have to do something like this back home,’” Ellmer said.

Not long after his return, Ellmer shared his idea with former TCC President Edna Baehre-Kolovani, who loved the idea. The pair approached the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office, where Lt. Col. Mike O’Toole helped bring the concept to life.

“We have people coming out of our jail with few opportunities for worthwhile employment because of their past,” O’Toole said. “And with no way to find a decent job and make an honest living, they sometimes resort to old habits and wind up right back here in jail. There’s both a
social and financial cost to that for taxpayers. It can be a revolving door that just keeps spinning. This program is designed to put an end to that.”

In fact, it costs Norfolk taxpayers an average of $26,000 to house a single offender for one year, said Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron.

“What we know is over 96 percent of our offenders are coming back to our community,” Baron said. “We also know former offenders are less likely to return to jail if they have gainful employment at the time of their release. By funding the cost to build the center and pay the trainees’ tuition, what Priority is doing here is nothing short of life changing for these inmates. And great for the community.”

Baron’s office has been instrumental in implementation of the program by evaluating and selecting participants, providing transportation to and from class and work, and providing tools and facilities for inmates to study and complete homework assignments. The Norfolk Sheriff’s Department has had a work-release program in place for more than 30 years, with inmates working at businesses in the community.

“This is a logical next step,” Baron said. “Combining our work-release program with an educational vocational program is a natural next step in promoting rehabilitation and saving tax dollars by reducing the number of people who return to jail.”

Ellmer noted this is not just about saving taxpayers money or filling jobs at his dealership. “This is about giving these people a sense of worth, a second chance and an opportunity to live the right way and do the right thing,” he said. “We think that’s good for everyone.”

After flipping careers, alumna living Happily Ever Now

Whitney Regan never thought she’d flip houses.

Nevertheless, the hair-stylist-turned-interior-designer is doing just that.

“I’m using my degree all the time,” Regan said. “Whether it’s in my own home doing seasonal decorating and baking or doing my work, I’ve truly become a designer of my own life.”

Regan is a design associate at Why Now, LLC. She is also a partner in Your Happily Ever Now, a home staging business.

For Regan, no day looks the same. One day she is working on a rental property remodel and the next she is staging a property so it will sell quickly.

The Kellam High graduate earned her Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design at Tidewater Community College’s Chesapeake Campus in 2014.

Regan chose TCC’s interior design program because it was the only one close to home and it was affordable.

“That very first semester I decided that I wanted to do home staging because I knew I’d love taking an empty house and turning it into a place you’d love to live,” she said. “The program taught me design and design principles as well as drafting and rendering.”

She also learned the intangibles – “the business sense we gain that enables us to have the confidence to go out and making a living doing what we love,” she said.

Regan was co-president of TCC’s student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. The group planned special projects, including a “Pallet Challenge,” which gave students the opportunity to turn a plain pallet into a design element for the home.

While the interior design program is rigorous with multiple portfolio-building projects, Regan reminds current students to give it their best effort. “You get out of the program what you put into it. The time and effort you invest in class projects is how you’ll have a portfolio of quality work to show potential clients.”

She encourages students to build strong bonds with their classmates, as they will become important business contacts.

“I’m working with Shontel Feagins who I met in class. She loves drafting, and I don’t, so I hired her to help on a project,” she said.

Regan works with TCC professor Lana Sapozhnikov for her home staging business; the pair co-write a blog under the same name. “It started after I served as a juror for a TCC class. Students were asking for feedback on so many areas, that I started writing them down and needed a place to post them,” Regan added.

The self-proclaimed homebody hopes to one day build her dream home.

“I want to build a spacious ranch home with tall ceilings and tons of light. It will be very sleek and elegant, but also cozy and comfortable. I want a place where my daughter can put down roots,” she said.

Regan and husband James have a daughter, Emerson, 3.

Back to school with TCC Alum Jared Cotton, superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools

Great Bridge High graduate Jared Cotton could have attended some of the commonwealth’s best universities after high school, but he chose to start at Tidewater Community College.

Named superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) over the summer, Cotton earned his Associate of Science in Education at TCC, where he developed a passion for teaching.

“The day I earned my degree was when I decided to become a teacher,” Cotton said. “It was still a struggle because there was a lot of pressure to be a doctor, pharmacist, something to make money. But I really enjoyed working with kids. And my professors at TCC inspired and believed in me.”

His parents couldn’t afford for him to go away to school, but he found the direction he needed close to home.

“I had so many interests, including science, physics, astronomy, history, medicine and law. I discovered that as a teacher, I could explore all of these areas and get children excited about them as well,” he said. “I’m proud of the start I had at community college, and now as superintendent, I have the opportunity to change the trajectory of many students’ lives and give them all of the resources to be successful.”

While at TCC, Cotton learned piano at the Chesapeake Campus. He taught tennis camps at the YMCA and was a lifeguard, swim team coach, and residential counselor at the Pines Treatment Center in Portsmouth.

His 25-year career began when he started teaching fifth grade at Crestwood Intermediate. He worked his way up the ranks in CPS from instructional technology specialist to principal and assessment director. He also served in leadership roles in Virginia Beach Public Schools and as superintendent of Henry County Public Schools in southwestern Virginia for the last six years.

He was recently named Virginia’s 2019 State Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents.

During his first weeks on the job in Chesapeake, Cotton hosted meet-and-greet events at Chesapeake’s seven high schools. He connected with students, teachers and staff and brought a message of “inspiring hope in others by doing our best work.”

He challenged staff to remember their why.

“What we do in education has such a powerful impact on our students’ lives. We need to reconnect with our why because that’s what gives us the motivation and drive to continue our work,” he said.

A proponent of community college, Cotton says CPS will continue to partner with TCC for dual enrollment and career pathway options for students like the ones in mechatronics, collision repair technology, welding and electrical wiring.

“When we work together, we can accomplish much more than we can do alone,” he said. “Strong partnerships are absolutely essential for student success.”

Cotton encourages students to learn as much about the different opportunities available post-high school.

“It’s worth the time to find out what you like and don’t like while still in high school. And if you can find your passion before earning your diploma, that’s even better,” he said.

Cotton’s mother, Delores Bolton, who died in 2016, was a TCC alumna and nurse. His sister, Merrie Cotton, earned her Associate of Science in Science and went on to become a physical therapist with an advanced degree.

Cotton and his wife Joanna a former educator, have two grown children. Their daughter, Michaela, is a community college graduate who earned her degree while still in high school. She also has a bachelor’s from University of Virginia. Son Billy also started at TCC and now is working in the HVAC industry.

It’s one thing to decorate. It’s another to design. Learn how at TCC

Is your Pinterest feed flooding with the latest home design trends? Do you have an eye for color and space planning? If so, a career in interior design may be the perfect fit for you.

Complete Tidewater Community College’s Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design and you’ll be ready to enter the field with an impressive portfolio and sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam.

Enhance your creative and technical skills on your time

It’s one thing to decorate. It’s another to design. TCC’s program teaches you the creative skills to design commercial and residential spaces and master the technical side using the latest computer-aided design software.

Lana Sapozhnikov chats with a student in the interior design lab on the Chesapeake Campus. — Lana Sapozhnikov (left) chats with one of her students in IDS 100.

“The best part about the program is that it is really diverse,” said Lana Sapozhnikov, interior design instructor at the Chesapeake Campus. “The introduction class really 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.”

Part of the program includes working with real clients. You won’t just read about designing. You’ll actually do it!

“A lot of students fresh out of the program – or even before they graduate – are able to start their own businesses because of the portfolio they build at TCC,” Sapozhnikov said. “We had a student who designed a plastic surgeon’s office before she graduated. There’s just a lot of options for students when they are going through the program.”

Interior Design Alumna Whitney Regan — TCC alumna Whitney Regan

“This program has opened so many doors for me,” said Whitney Regan, who earned her Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design in 2014. “I do home staging, work with design clients and even real estate.”

In addition to the two-year degree, TCC’s program offers specialized career studies certificates in associate designer, kitchen and bath design and green design for interiors.

Added bonus: Day, evening and online classes accommodate your busy schedule.

Learn from seasoned pros

TCC’s interior design faculty actually work in the field and have the scoop on transforming the spaces where we work, play and live.

TCC interior design student Stephanie Adams — Stephanie Adams, interior design student

“The professors are really helpful in terms of teaching practical skills that are used every single day in the profession,” said student and career switcher Stephanie Adams.

“I chose TCC’s interior design program because I wanted to make sure I had experience with real professionals,” Regan said. “I did my research on the professors who taught the program before enrolling and they had great reviews.”

“TCC is wonderful because the professors and instructors have a wide variety of experiences. They can give real-life examples. Student really benefit from that,” Sapozhnikov said.

Words of wisdom

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Adams advised.

If you’re interested in the program, contact Jennifer Hopkins, program head for interior design, at jhopkins@tcc.edu or 757-822-5183.

Computer-savvy alum at work for IBM

Hezroy Hammil identifies as a Virginia Tech Hokie thanks to starting at Tidewater Community College.

Now he’s putting his education to work at IBM’s Client Innovation Center. Hammil develops and tests cloud applications for the government. His work is on the leading edge of the field and involves automation using mirco-services to build dynamic applications.

“The coursework at Tech was immensely difficult, but TCC prepared me well for the higher level work,” he said.

TCC alumnus Hezroy Hammil graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2017. — Hammil graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2017.

Hammil graduated with his bachelor’s in computer engineering and a minor in cyber security from Tech in May 2017. He spent his first two years at TCC earning an Associate of Science in Science with a Specialization in Computer Science.

“What I remember most about college is graduating from Tech with my bachelor’s,” he said. “It was that pinnacle moment when I’d finally accomplished what I started.

“The journey was not easy. But I kept my eyes on my goals and now I’m where I want to be.”

While at TCC, Hammil jumped into college life at the Chesapeake Campus becoming a Student Government Association senator, and a year later, president of the group. “I got involved and realized right away that I had a passion for serving and giving back,” he said. “I also enjoyed advocating for the student body during a time when the new buildings were under construction.”

He and other student volunteers had an active voice in planning for the Chesapeake Campus Student Center. Hammil also served as chapter president of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools. He was also member of the Computer Club, Bible Club and Student African American Brotherhood.

“TCC laid the foundation for me to be doing what I have always wanted to do. The experiences I gained there propelled me to take on the next steps,” he said.

Hammil hopes to one day own his own computer business and be his own boss.

“I encourage people I meet to start at a community college before transferring into a four-year school,” he said. “Financially and otherwise, I’m in a way better position because of TCC.”