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New Child Development Centers opening at TCC Campuses

Tidewater Community College values quality education for both you and your children, which is why new TCC Child Development Centers will be opening on the Portsmouth and Norfolk Campuses starting Fall Semester 2023. These centers will provide quality care and developmental learning for children of TCC students, helping them thrive while their parents pursue higher education. Full-time students with a FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid office are eligible to apply for child care scholarships.

The first center will open on the Portsmouth Campus in mid-August followed by a second location on the Norfolk Campus opening in January 2024. The Child Development Centers will be staffed by TCC’s Early Childhood Development program alumni and students. They will focus on teaching children school readiness and important skills through play. 

Ciera Streeter, director of TCC’s Childhood Development Centers, urges all students with children ages 3-5 to apply for this opportunity. She said, “Parents will be able to attend in-person classes, complete internships or program requirements and feel relief from financial barriers, all while their children receive high-quality care.”

TCC Child Development Center services are available to any currently enrolled TCC student in need of child care. In addition, students can use financial aid to cover child care costs. Students can authorize TCC to charge the cost of child care services to their remaining financial aid, after the cost of tuition, fees and any bookstore charges have been deducted.

Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, TCC is also able to offer the Child Care Access Means Parents (CCAMPIS) in School scholarships. Students with children and financial needs can receive reduced or no-cost child care. To learn more and apply, visit here. The scholarship will be open for applications between June 15, 2023 – Aug. 25, 2023.

Each center will provide safe, convenient and consistent child care five days a week. Center hours are Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for children 3 to 5 years of age, with after-school and drop-in care available for children up to 12 years of age.

The TCC Child Development Centers are in the following locations:

  • Norfolk Campus, Norfolk Student Center, TCC Child Development Center, Room 213
  • Portsmouth Campus, Portsmouth Student Center, TCC Child Development Center, E101

To learn more about child care at TCC and to register your child, visit here. For more information, contact Streeter at cstreeter@tcc.edu or by calling 757-822-1099.

For information about TCC’s CCAMPIS scholarship, please contact LaShell Currie, Childcare Provider liaison by emailing lcurrie@tcc.edu or calling 757-822-1796.

Learn about everything TCC offers at two open houses, April 27 and June 3

Find your future at Tidewater Community College.

Learn about TCC’s programs, including information technology, engineering, culinary arts, health sciences, maritime technologies and the many other potential career paths and transfer opportunities the college offers.

Take the next step by visiting one of TCC’s open houses on April 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and June 3 and from 9 a.m. to noon.

On April 27, visit TCC’s Virginia Beach or Portsmouth Campuses.

On June 3, visit the Norfolk Campus or Chesapeake Campuses.

Registration is not required, but recommended and can be done by visiting here.

Visit our website for a complete listing of programs. There is plenty of time to enroll for fall classes, which begin on Aug. 21.

All are invited, especially:

  • 2023 high school graduates and their families;
  • adults who want to start or finish a degree, learn a new field, or advance in their careers;
  • active-duty military and veterans, their spouses and dependents.

You will be able to apply to TCC; learn about financial aid, grants and scholarships; explore academic options; tour campuses; and learn about campus life at all locations.

If you have an eye on a four-year college, TCC can help get you there, too. Transfer agreements allow a student to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at TCC and gain guaranteed admission to most Virginia colleges and universities.

Locations for TCC’s open houses are:

  • Chesapeake Campus: Student Center
  • Norfolk Campus: Student Center
  • Portsmouth Campus: Building A
  • Virginia Beach Campus: Bayside Building

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to the Office of Educational Accessibility by emailing oea@tcc.edu or calling 757-822-7751.

For more information, call 757-822-1111 or email enroll@tcc.edu or visit this site.

A lifetime of service to students and leaders

When Karen Campbell, Ph.D., was working on her bachelor’s at the University of Richmond, a mentor there suggested she look at higher education as a place where she could make a difference.

Campbell took that advice to heart and has spent 30 years helping students find their paths to success.

After working in area universities for more than a decade, Campbell joined TCC in 2005 as a Career Coach in area high schools. In that role, she directly supported students beginning their higher education journeys.

Campbell with high school students.

Over the years, Campbell has served in various leadership positions before being selected to the top spot for student services. She currently serves as vice president for student affairs and provides college-wide leadership for admissions, recruitment, registration, advising, education accessibility, student success, student activities, career services and more.

“I enjoy what I do every day,” Campbell said. “It’s rewarding to provide support for those who come through our doors as they prepare for the work they want to pursue.”

In her free time, Campbell also serves as state chair of the American Council on Education’s Women’s Virginia Network. The mission of the group is to identify, develop, advance, and support women in higher education.

“We all give our time to make sure women in Virginia have the skills and confidence to go to the next level if they choose to do so,” Campbell said.

 “We encourage women to consider positions out of their comfort zone and to also look at their skills through a different lens,” she added. “Ultimately, we encourage, engage and provide a network to help women leaders advance to the positions they seek.”

For those who may be considering careers in higher education in the future, Campbell says it is still a great place to make your mark while making a difference for others.

“I want everyone to know that higher education is a place you can learn and grow as a professional. It’s also a place where you can help other learners understand who they are and create confidence to build the leaders of the future.”

In her free time, Campbell enjoys traveling to experience different cultures and to learn people’s stories.  So far she has visited 25 countries and territories.

Need a ride to campus? Try HRT’s GoSemester Pass

Did you know that as a Tidewater Community College student you can ride Hampton Roads Transit for just $25 a semester and only $15 for Summer Session?

Now is the time to save money on your commuting costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

TCC students receive discounted access to HRT’s public transit network of buses, ferries, Metro Area Express (MAX) routes, and Norfolk’s light rail system through the GoSemester Pass program.

This week, HRT’s TRAFFIX representatives will be on TCC’s campuses to help you get rewarded for commuting differently. In addition, you’ll get a chance to spin the TRAFFIX prize wheel to win a commuter prize.

HRT GoSemester pass event dates include:

Virginia Beach Campus Student Center
Jan. 17
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Norfolk Campus Student Center
Jan. 18
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Chesapeake Campus Student Center
Jan. 24
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

To be eligible for a GoSemester pass, you must be currently enrolled at TCC, and have paid tuition or been awarded financial aid. Just present your TCC ID at any campus business office and pay the fee for the semester. You may use your financial aid award to purchase a GoSemester Pass only during the available charge period. 

Para-Transit for students with disabilities

Additionally, students with disabilities who are approved by HRT to utilize Para-Transit can receive passes at a discounted rate of $2 per pass for each of the days they have classes (plus one additional day). Visit an Educational Accessibility Office for help accessing this service.

Visit HRT’s website for information on transit routes, alerts and trip planning tools.

For more information about TCC support services, reach out to the Virtual Student Support Team at enroll@tcc.edu or 757-822-1111.

Help available over the holidays at TCC

Tidewater Community College is open virtually during the holidays to help students enroll in spring classes, explore career options, learn about financial aid and support services.

All college offices are closed beginning Dec. 23 through Jan. 2.

TCC’s Virtual Student Support Team will be available on Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by phone at 757-822-1111 or email at enroll@tcc.edu. After the New Year, the team is also available on Jan. 2 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

In addition, after the holidays, on-campus and virtual support will be available with expanded hours and a Special Enrollment Day on all campuses.

Spring Semester enrollment support:
Jan. 3 – Jan. 12
Monday – Thursday – 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Special Enrollment Day – All Campuses:
Jan. 7 – 9 a.m. – noon

Spring Semester classes for the 15-week session begin on Jan. 9. Questions? Contact us at 757-822-1111 or enroll@tcc.edu.

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.

Virtual information sessions will be held:

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.

Visit our Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach campuses virtually through our online videos and learn more about campus-specific services.

Need help? Email enroll@tcc.edu, call 757-822-1111 or visit our Help Center for answers to frequently asked questions.

A conversation with Kia Hardy

Get to know Kia Hardy, dean of student services at the Norfolk Campus.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I enjoy working with adult learners, whether they are young adults or nontraditional students. The conversations we can have are different at the college level, especially as students are trying to find the next steps.  For nontraditional students, we talk about how to manage life and do the work to change or enhance their careers. Working in higher education also keeps me youthful! I learn about what’s trending and current events. I escape my personal bubble.

What are your top tips for students?

I often refer to a quote from Arthur Ashe that says, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

I live by this quote myself. I’m always reminding students that it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. Even with limited resources, you can make your way. I remind students to celebrate small victories day-by-day. Don’t think too far ahead and mark the milestones, whether it’s completing that major paper or finishing the semester. Treat yourself along the way with a milkshake, walk in the park or pedicure.

Why Tidewater Community College?

While getting my bachelor’s at William & Mary, I played basketball and majored in sociology. I thought I was going to be an athletic trainer or coach. And for a short time, that was my path. But I found my passion working with students while in undergraduate admission at William & Mary. I went on to get my master’s in education and now I love what I do every day.

What did you learn from basketball?

My dad is the basketball coach at First Colonial High, and since he didn’t have any boys, my sister and I started sports early. Back then, they didn’t have a lot of girls leagues, so we played on community coed teams. I gained a great work ethic playing sports and found out that I’m definitely competitive and a perfectionist. My sister was a different personality, more laid back but still focused on success. I now use that knowledge when working with students. We all have our strengths and weaknesses; it’s just a matter of discovering what they are.

What do you like about working at the college?

I’m learning about so many things and meeting so many people. With the national trend of enrollment reductions, we have to change how we are doing our work. I’m encouraged since TCC is a modern community college with faculty and staff moving forward and focused on students.

It’s personal

A lifelong resident of Virginia Beach, Hardy went to preschool at the child development lab on TCC’s Virginia Beach Campus. Her mom, Phyllis Butts, was an administrative assistant at the college for 32 years. Hardy is at work on her doctorate in community college leadership at Old Dominion University. She and husband Cerone have one son, Kai, 3. They spend a lot of time with family and doing kid-friendly activities including bowling or playing at the park.

 

Explore your options during TCC’s College Preview Day, April 14

Discover why Tidewater Community College is the best place to earn your degree at College Preview Day on April 14.

Students and their families will get a firsthand look at all TCC offers by meeting program representatives, attending information sessions and receiving one-on-one help. Information regarding every campus will be available.

The event on the Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road, is from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

At TCC’s College Preview Day, prospective students can:

  • Explore college programs and career pathways
  • Learn about financial aid
  • Find out about student services, including tutoring and child care
  • Talk with counselors and advisors
  • Prepare to enroll for summer classes and fall semester

Registration is recommended by visiting www.tcc.edu/open.

Summer classes begin May 21. Fall classes will start on Aug. 20.

Questions? Call 757-822-1111 or email enroll@tcc.edu.