ERC’s $400,000 donation will double the size of TCC’s Skilled Trades Academy

Elizabeth River Crossings OpCo, (ERC), the operator of the Downtown and Midtown tunnels, continues its commitment to supporting the community and higher education with a new $400,000 donation to Tidewater Community College.

The gift is designated to support the expansion of the Skilled Trades Academy in Portsmouth. The Academy offers hands-on, short-term instruction for in-demand trade jobs. Programs are offered in welding, sheet metal, pipefitting, roofing, marine coating and more.

“We are grateful to Elizabeth River Crossings for its continued generosity in support of our students,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “This gift ensures that even more students will be able to take short-term programs that have long-term gains.”

This donation will directly support:

New Programs that address emerging in-demand careers, with short-term hands-on programs.
Facility expansion that will double the size of the academy creating a 40,000- square-foot, fully equipped facility in Portsmouth.
Expanded program offerings by increasing class offerings and capacity.

“We are proud to help fund quality training for in-demand jobs and invest in the vibrancy of the Hampton Roads workforce,” said Anna Bonet, chief executive officer of ERC. “As an infrastructure company, we strongly value skilled trades and safety training programs. There is such a high demand across multiple industries in this region right now, and we want to help eliminate any barriers for these students to get the training they need and find higher-paying, and more stable careers. These students are truly the future of our economy.”

The Skilled Trades Academy opened in 2019 and currently provides training in 10 trades. The facility offers hands-on training in spaces that mimic a variety of job sites. To date, a total of 96% of students who complete industry-recognized credentials are hired by regional employers.

ERC is also a long-time supporter of TCC’s STEM Promise Scholarship program, helping to provide full scholarships for 20 students each year as they earn their associate degrees in STEM-related fields.

“We appreciate that Elizabeth River Crossings has been our pioneer scholarship supporter in the STEM fields for the past six years,” said Christopher Bryant, TCC’s vice president for Institutional Advancement. “We are thrilled that this new gift will expand the physical footprint of the Skilled Trades Academy and increase student opportunities for hands-on training in the trades.”

TCC STEM Promise Program receives fifth annual gift from Elizabeth River Crossings

Elizabeth River Crossings continues to invest in STEM education by supporting Tidewater Community College’s STEM Promise Scholarship Program.

The college named its fifth class of STEM Promise scholars in June. These 19 students are awarded full tuition and fees for two years of study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related disciplines at TCC.

Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC) donated $60,000 in support of the newest cohort, increasing its total investment in the STEM Promise Scholarship Program to $300,000 in five years.

“We deeply appreciate the continued generosity of Elizabeth River Crossings in support of TCC’s vision to diversify the Hampton Roads workforce,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “Working with the staff of our new Student Resource and Empowerment Center, we are addressing the persistent challenge of creating a larger and more diverse STEM workforce pipeline. Our longtime partnership with Elizabeth River Crossings ensures we can continue training students for careers in those in-demand areas.”

“We are proud to provide the gift of education to the outstanding students in TCC’s STEM Promise Program,” said David Sullivan, chief executive officer of ERC. “As we invest in their education, we also invest in the future vibrancy of the Hampton Roads workforce.”

STEM Promise scholar Deloren Perry went on to earn her bachelor’s in cybersecurity from Old Dominion University.

A total of 89 students have had their education funded through the STEM Promise Program. TCC’s most recent class of students was selected from a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants.

Recipient Catherine Hubbard is pursuing an Associate of Science in Science. She participated in the NASA Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholar program and learned about the Mars mission and the Artemis 2024 mission for return to the moon. “There is clearly a need for women in STEM to support and join these critical missions,” Hubbard said.

STEM Scholar Katherine “Katie” Synowiec is now a branch engineer for a local firm.

TCC’s STEM Promise graduate Katherine “Katie” Synowiec earned an Associate of Science in Engineering in 2018 and is a branch engineer at Barnhart Crane and Rigging. Her fiancé, Logan Hofer also earned an engineering degree and is now a drafter at Chugach Government Solutions.

The TCC Educational Foundation started the STEM Promise Scholarship Program in 2017 to create a larger, more diverse STEM pipeline in Hampton Roads. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply for the scholarships, which are open to all. Applications for the 2022-23 class of STEM scholars will be open from Dec. 20 until April 1, 2022.

Xiaomin Chen earned her engineering degree through the STEM Promise Program.

For more information about the program, contact Jaedda Hall, TCC’s STEM Promise Program coordinator, at jhall@tcc.edu. To support the STEM Promise Program, contact the TCC Educational Foundation at foundation@tcc.edu

Visit here to learn more about the TCC’s Student Resource and Empowerment Center that connects students with a variety of free and comprehensive social services and financial resources to help them stay focused on their academic goals.

TCC Women’s Center STEM Promise Scholarship Program receives another gift from Elizabeth River Crossings

The Tidewater Community College Women’s Center STEM Promise Scholarship Program continues to benefit from the generosity of Elizabeth River Crossings.

The college named its fourth class of STEM Promise scholars in June. These 20 students are awarded full tuition and fees for two years of study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related disciplines at TCC.

Elizabeth River Crossings donated $60,000 in support of the newest cohort, increasing its total investment to the STEM Promise Scholarship Program to $240,000 in four years.

“We deeply appreciate the continued generosity of Elizabeth River Crossings in support of TCC’s vision to diversify the Hampton Roads workforce,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “Employers tell us they want to hire more women and minorities for the STEM fields. Our longtime partnership with Elizabeth River Crossings ensures we can continue training students for careers in those in-demand areas.”

“Elizabeth River Crossings continues to be extremely proud to partner with and support the STEM Promise Program — especially this year, when STEM education feels more vital than ever,” said Doug Wilson, ERC’s chief executive officer. “We can’t wait to see where these outstanding students are able to go with the gift of education from TCC.”

TCC’s most recent class includes students selected from a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants. Recipient Noah Boucher, aiming to complete a doctorate in electrical engineering, interned at Jefferson Lab. Zackary Kopp, who will major in Mechanical Engineering Technology at TCC, is a former IMS Gear intern. Madison Millspaugh researched, designed and built a prototype for a propeller-based bladed boat while in middle school. She plans to pursue an associate degree in engineering.

The TCC Educational Foundation started the Women’s Center STEM Promise Scholarship Program in 2017 to create a larger, more diverse STEM pipeline in Hampton Roads. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply for the scholarships, which are open to all. Applications for the 2021-22 class of STEM scholars will be open from Dec. 20 until April 1, 2021.

For more information about the program, contact Jaedda Hall, TCC’s STEM Promise Scholarship Program coordinator, at jhall@tcc.edu. To support the Women’s Center STEM Promise Scholarship Program, contact the TCC Educational Foundation at foundation@tcc.edu.

TCC introduces class of 20 for its third STEM Promise Program scholarship

Tidewater Community College’s third class of Women’s Center STEM Promise Program scholars aspire to be engineers, cyber security specialists, entrepreneurs and software developers.

The TCC Educational Foundation introduced the new class of 20 scholarship recipients on May 19 in a ceremony at the Virginia Beach Campus. Doug Wilson, chief executive officer of Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC), presented a check for $60,000 of continued support for the program. That brings ERC’s total investment in the STEM Promise Program to $180,000 over three years.

“We are honored to be a part of this excellent and important program,” Wilson said. “We know firsthand the impact that STEM education has on the transportation industry, and how the demand for employees with STEM backgrounds continues to rise. For TCC to sponsor this homegrown source of talent for Hampton Roads speaks volumes for their commitment and vision. We’re proud to do our part by supporting these deserving students who are going to accomplish amazing things here at TCC and beyond.”

STEM scholar Sophia Delos Santos wants to transfer to the University of Virginia for computer engineering after earning her TCC associate degree.

The recipients will pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related disciplines at TCC and receive two years of free tuition and fees under the Women’s Center STEM Promise Program.

“We appreciate the continued generosity of ERC to help fund this program,” said Jeanne Natali, director of the Intercultural Learning and Women’s Center at TCC. “The STEM Promise scholars are the embodiment of TCC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by identifying underrepresented students and supporting them as they prepare to enter the workforce in the STEM disciplines.”

STEM scholar Jaiden Williams envisions opening her own company that specializes in STEM exploration programs. She will pursue an associate in information systems technology at TCC.

The newest class, with members from all over Hampton Roads, was selected from a competitive pool of more than 100 applicants. Recipient Whitney Bivins recently completed a civil engineering internship in Germany. Sophia Delos Santos is a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines who graduated high school at age 15. Kyla Stewart was the first freshman to be admitted to an introductory engineering class at Tallwood High School. TCC alumna Kellie Burchfield, a senior engineering technician for the City of Suffolk, is returning to college to pursue her own engineering degree.

STEM scholar Ramona Chambers is a math whiz with a love for technical drawing. She plans to pursue an associate degree in civil engineering technology.

The TCC Educational Foundation started the TCC Women’s Center STEM Promise Program three years ago to boost the number of degrees in the STEM fields and to create a larger, more diverse STEM pipeline in Hampton Roads. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply for the scholarship, which is open to all.

Applicants must meet requirements that include a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher, eligibility for in-state tuition and immediate placement into College Composition and College Algebra. Recipients must enroll as full-time students in the following associate degree programs: engineering, computer science, civil engineering technology, electronics technology, information systems technology or mechanical engineering technology.

STEM scholars benefit from smaller class sizes and specialized support, including mentoring from the Women’s Center. Earlier this month, five graduates from the inaugural cohort of 10 students graduated with associate degrees. Four will transfer to Old Dominion University and the other is bound for Virginia Tech. Another from that class will graduate this summer and transfer to ODU’s honors college.

For more information about the STEM Promise Program, contact Jaedda Hall, program coordinator, at jhall@tcc.edu or 757-822-7324.

To learn how you can support the STEM Promise Program, call the TCC Educational Foundation at 757-822-1080 or email foundation@tcc.edu.

Landmark Foundation, Elizabeth River Crossings receive Chancellor’s Awards for Leadership in Philanthropy

Pictured, from left: Carol Curtis, TCC Educational Foundation Board; Marian Anderfuren, vice president for Institutional Advancement; TCC President Edna Baehre-Kolovani; Carley Dobson, Elizabeth River Crossings; VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois; Tiffany Whitfield, Elizabeth River Crossings; Frank Batten, Landmark Foundation; LaVerne Ellerbe, executive director, TCC Educational Foundation; Christine Damrose-Mahlmann, associate vice president for Student Affairs; Lynn Clements, TCC College Board; and Donna Henderson, TCC Educational Foundation campaign manager

Two Hampton Roads organizations were honored Tuesday for their support of Tidewater Community College students.

The Landmark Foundation and Elizabeth River Crossings, LLC received Chancellor’s Awards for Leadership in Philanthropy during the 13th annual awards ceremony in Richmond. In attendance were Frank Batten, president and director of the Landmark Foundation, and Tiffany Whitfield and Carley Dobson, representing Elizabeth River Crossings.

More than two dozen individuals, families, businesses and foundations from around Virginia have been honored with the 2018 Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy.

Hosted by the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE), the annual event recognizes leading philanthropists from each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges as well as the statewide foundation. This year’s class of distinguished philanthropy leaders has contributed a combined total of $6 million to Virginia’s Community Colleges.

“In 2017, the TCC Educational Foundation launched its innovative TCC Women’s Center STEM Promise Program, and we are pleased to honor two early investors, Elizabeth River Crossings, LLC, and the Landmark Foundation,” said President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani.

“The goal of the program is to increase the number of women and minority students receiving STEM degrees at TCC. Both ERC and the Landmark Foundation saw the future value of a more diverse technology workforce – ERC in the area of engineering and construction and Landmark in meeting the IT needs of Dominion Enterprises, a Norfolk-based multifaceted media company.”

President Kolovani noted that the Landmark Foundation also supports dual enrollment scholarships for high school students in foster care who are earning college credits at TCC.

“I am grateful for the support of both of these organizations,” she said. “They truly put the ‘community’ in ‘community college.’”

Keynote speaker Paul Koonce, executive vice president and president and chief executive officer of the Power Generation Group, Dominion Energy, called the community college system “one of Virginia’s greatest inventions.”

He borrowed a passage from a 1903 Teddy Roosevelt speech to underscore the invaluable connection between higher education and opportunity: “Far and away, the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

The purpose of supporting community colleges, he said. “is to make sure that prize – meaningful work – the best prize that life offers, remains within reach of every Virginian.”

The TCC Educational Foundation works to lower financial barriers for students seeking college educations. For information on supporting TCC scholars, contact foundation@tcc.edu or 757-822-1080.