TCC grad earns degree one year after diploma

Rachael Kay Fitzgerald has big plans for a future in politics.

“I’ve always loved reading and writing. But when I learned about our government, I was hooked and knew I’d one day work in politics,” she said.

Rachael Kay was an early 2022 graduate of Nansemond River High School. At 17, she started at Tidewater Community College in the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP).

“The last few years of high school were tough with the pandemic and virtual learning,” Rachael Kay said. “I came to TCC to knock out a degree. But what I found was a new excitement for learning.”

Rachael Kay will earn an Associate of Science in Social Sciences in June 2023, just one year after earning a high school diploma.

“I’ve loved my time at TCC. The faculty, staff and advisors are so friendly, and they really push you to more opportunities to help you get where you want to be in life,” she said. “I’ve made so many connections with people. I’m beyond grateful I started here.”

The ADP gives students the opportunity to earn a degree in one year, saving thousands by completing the first two years of college at TCC. ADP students receive personalized attention with low student-to-faculty ratios and regular academic advising.

“When I started at TCC, I was overwhelmed and a little sad. All of my friends were still in high school, so it was a lonely time,” Rachael Kay said. “I started praying to God and asking for help and that’s what kept me. He opened doors and made a way for me to do this.”

While at TCC, Rachael Kay’s favorite professor was Lara Tedrow, who teaches psychology. “Dr. Tedrow was so amazing, and we had some really good conversations. She made me love psychology even more,” she said.

Rachael Kay plans to transfer to Christopher Newport University to study psychology and political science. From there, she has her sights set on William and Mary Law School and a career in criminal defense or corporate law before jumping into politics. She hopes to make a difference for many.

“Whenever you feel like quitting, don’t do it. Just remember what you are fighting for. For me, I’m fighting for a law degree and a future political career,” she said. “Even though it’s years down the line, that keeps me going.”

Accelerated degree launches alum into the entertainment industry

Justin Jeffrey is on the way to landing the job of his dreams.

He may soon be working as an agent assistant for William Morris Endeavor (WME), one of the largest media and talent agencies in the world. WME represents plenty of big names in Hollywood including Oprah, Denzel, Tom Brady and Matthew McConaughey.

A 2016 graduate of Western Branch High, Jeffrey got his start at Tidewater Community College through the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP).

It was there that he met Khari Nixon who became a mentor and friend.

“Khari worked for a record label in Brooklyn and being able to talk with him and learn from him set me on the path to work in the industry,” Jeffrey said.

Jeffrey earned an Associate of Science in General Studies in 2017, one year after graduating from high school. He transferred to University of Virginia as a junior that same year.

“The ADP gave me a lot of flexibility in the classes I selected, providing me with a broad education,” Jeffrey said. “I also enjoyed the diversity of my classmates that included older students, military and those coming back to school after years in the workforce.”

The accelerated degree is offered 100% online. Participating students also receive personalized attention and dedicated advising, including monthly check-ins.

Applications are due Jan. 25 for the spring cohort. Learn about all the documents necessary to apply here.

Jeffrey, a first-generation college graduate, credits TCC staffers Kia Hardy, Cassandra Small and Johnna Harrell with investing in his success and helping him learn important lessons including time management and study skills.

The Chesapeake native completed a bachelor’s in communications and media studies at UVA in 2019.

Since graduation Jeffrey has been working with Txyy, an artist from New Jersey. He plans to work for WME for now but would ultimately like to attend Cornell or Columbia law school and become an entertainment lawyer.

Learn more about the Accelerated Degree Program here. Email accelerated_degree@tcc.edu to connect with an advisor and get started. If you still have questions, email TCC’s Virtual Student Support Team at info@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111.

There’s still time to apply for the TCC’s Accelerated Degree Program

While most of us think it takes at least two years to complete an associate degree, Tidewater Community College offers an accelerated option that allows you to complete all of your credits in just one year.

TCC is accepting applications for students interested in earning an Associate of Science in General Studies, an Associate of Science in Business Administration or the General Education Certificate through its Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) .

The Spring Semester cohort begins Feb. 1.

TCC’s Accelerated Degree may be your fast track to a bachelor’s degree

The ADP satisfies freshman and sophomore general education requirements at most Virginia public colleges and universities. Students who complete the degree and meet the GPA required for admission at their transfer institution will likely be admitted as juniors.

The application deadline is Jan. 25. Learn about all the documents necessary to apply here.

The accelerated degree is offered 100% online. Participating students also receive personalized attention and dedicated advising, including monthly check-ins.

The program is open to new high school graduates as well as adult learners, including military-related students, both active duty and dependents.

In her own voice

TCC graduate Lauren Harrell earned her associate degree in one year and transferred to Cornell University in fall 2020. “When I saw the congratulations notice on my admissions portal, I was shocked!” Harrell said. “I ran downstairs to tell my dad, who was working from home because of COVID. We both ran to get my mom, who was on a call. Together we jumped around the kitchen for a long time.”

Completing the Accelerated Degree made Harrell an attractive candidate to some of the nation’s top colleges. Cornell ranks 17th nationally in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent rankings of nearly 1,400 schools. Harrell also earned acceptances from University of Virginia, Vanderbilt and William and Mary.

“The ADP gave me a sense of what it takes to get college done,” Harrell said. “You don’t have anyone holding your hand, and you have to stay on top of your work and be accountable for what you are doing.”

From high school student to college grad in one year

Caroline Mahoney skipped a grade in high school. Now she’s about to skip a year of college, too.

The Virginia Beach native is a 2020 graduate of Kellam High. By spring of 2021, Mahoney will earn her Associate of Science in Business Administration from Tidewater Community College.

Mahoney, 18, is one of 34 students currently enrolled in the college’s Accelerated Degree Program (ADP), offered on the Norfolk and Portsmouth Campuses.

“I saw this as a way to get into the workforce faster. I’m a fast-paced person and enjoy classes that move quickly so I don’t lose interest in the subjects I’m learning.” — Caroline Mahoney

Mahoney heard about the program when a TCC career coach visited her high school during her junior year.

“I saw this as a way to get into the workforce faster,” she said. “I’m a fast-paced person and enjoy classes that move quickly so I don’t lose interest in the subjects I’m learning.”

The college’s ADP program gives students a way to accelerate their education, enabling them to earn an associate degree in three semesters. Degrees are offered in business administration and general studies. Students who complete the ADP can transfer to a four-year university as a junior.

The program usually begins in August and includes classes in 8-week sessions for a full-year.

For the first time this spring, a second cohort of students can enroll and start classes in February. The degrees offered are:

With the COVID-19 pandemic, all ADP courses are offered online.

One of the best aspects of the program for Mahoney is that she can complete the program at home.

“In high school, the bell rings and you have to go here or there,” she said. “Now I make my own schedule and I’m responsible for the work.”

Mahoney says she appreciates the personalized attention from her advisor Meredith Pollard, the lead counselor on the Norfolk Campus. She also credits her professors with holding engaging classes and being accessible during online learning.

“My classes have been super interesting, and I enjoy the diversity of the people,” she said.

“Also, having a woman of color as president, well that gives me a sense of hope and that’s no small thing right now.”

Mahoney is excited about applying for her first job soon. She is seeking a position in accounting and said the accounting courses in her degree have given her an excellent foundation.

“College is so much better than high school because you have a hand in your future,” she said.

“TCC is a great place – it’s like when you’re practicing driving. You are behind the wheel, but in a safe place to start.”

For information about the Accelerated Degree Program, visit here. Or email enroll@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111.

From TCC to the Ivy League in just two semesters

Lauren Harrell dreamed of attending an Ivy League school.

When the rejections poured in for the Granby High School graduate with a 4.86 GPA, she wasn’t daunted. She was determined.

Now that dream is realized after just one year at Tidewater Community College. The 19-year-old earned an associate degree through TCC’s Accelerated Degree Program and will attend Cornell University this fall.

“When I saw the congratulations notice on my admissions portal, I was shocked!” she said. “I ran downstairs to tell my dad, who was working from home because of COVID. We both ran to get my mom, who was on a call. Together we jumped around the kitchen for a long time.”

College was always a priority in the Harrell home. Granby’s International Baccalaureate program, which Harrell attended, offers high achievers in-depth scholastic preparation for college. Yet when Harrell applied to 16 schools, she was rejected by eight.

“I was hoping for Duke or Brown, and that didn’t pan out even with my high GPA,” she said.

A postcard from TCC about the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP) piqued her interest. Under this option, students can complete the degree in one year — typically mapped out over three semesters. Most of the classes are broken into eight-week sessions.

Last summer, Harrell enrolled.

“Coming to TCC for a year just made sense to me,” she said. “I could live at home, save money on tuition and housing and gain a bit more independence.

“I was also nervous about the cost of higher education, so saving money on my gen eds was also a benefit.”

Harrell graduated with an Associate of Science in General Studies. She managed a heavy course load with 26 credits the first semester and 23 the second.

“Taking that course load showed that I could perform well in school and really opened doors for me,” said Harrell, boosted by 12 credits of Advanced Placement courses from high school.

Completing the Accelerated Degree made her an attractive candidate to some of the nation’s top colleges. Cornell ranks 17^th nationally in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent rankings of nearly 1,400 schools. Harrell also earned acceptances from University of Virginia, Vanderbilt and William and Mary.

Harrell plans to major in government and international relations at Cornell. She is considering a law career but is also interested in working in public policy at the highest levels.

“This is probably the most excited I’ve been for school to start,” she said. “I’ve researched classes 50 times. I’m so ready to go.”

Harrell credits Emanuel Chestnut, dean of students on the Norfolk Campus, with helping smooth some bumps along the way.

“The people at the college are what make it special,” she said. “I’ve stressed over plenty of decisions, but I’m confident that I made the right choice starting at TCC.”

The application deadline for the next cohort for the Accelerated Degree is July 31, 2020. Visit here for more information about program. You can also email Meredith Pollard on Norfolk Campus at mpollard@tcc.edu or Joyce Flowers at the Portsmouth Campus at jflowers@tcc.edu.

Ready, set, get your associate in just ONE year with Accelerated Degree option

While night class right before a holiday isn’t enticing for everyone, Taniea Walton, Robert Kinsman, Nelly Zabala and Austin Bartlett wouldn’t consider being absent, even if it is the 3^rd of July and the parking lot at the Portsmouth Campus is nearly empty.

The four are on a fast track to their associate degrees thanks to Tidewater Community College’s accelerated option, which allows students to finish all their credits in 12 months.

TCC’s Accelerated Degree program offers students the chance to start their associate degrees and keep going. Classes are year round.

Applications are due July 26 for the next cohort of students. The accelerated program is offered on the Norfolk or Portsmouth campuses only. Some coursework can be completed online.

Walton, Kinsman, Zabala and Bartlett are the first Accelerated Degree graduates from the Portsmouth Campus. They survived the intensive class schedule that started last August thanks to leaning on each other, often through their four-way GroupMe.

“We’ve been helping each other all year,” said Kinsman, 26, in the Navy and on shore duty, who like the rest of his classmates, also holds a job. “I came in on a Tuesday and started classes that Friday. It worked with my Navy schedule.”

Kinsman wants to be an officer in the Navy or go into law. He finishes with an Associate of Science in General Studies.

Zabala, 33, is a Navy veteran who wants to finish school as quickly as possible, making the accelerated option perfect. She enjoyed one of the psychology classes she took so much that she is now planning a future in the field.

She finishes with her Associate of Science in Social Sciences, the same degree as Bartlett and Walton.

Bartlett, 25, juggles his full-time job working for a VDOT contractor with the program, noting that the evening classes make it all possible. “This is the only way I could go to school,” he said. “I knew education would put me further ahead.”

He finishes with his Associate of Science in Social Sciences with plans to eventually pursue a master’s in clinical psychology.

Portsmouth native Walton will transfer to Old Dominion University this fall. The traditional path to an associate didn’t appeal to her because she feared she would procrastinate and take even longer to finish.

“With my schedule – I work all day and I have a 2-year-old – this is very challenging,” she said. “I’ve learned to compartmentalize my life. When I’m in class, I’m all in.”

TCC’s Accelerated Degree is open to new high school graduates and adult learners, including military-related students. For more information, email accelerated_degree@tcc.edu.