Live! From inside the classroom

In this series, we provide a closer look at hands-on learning during
COVID-19.

While COVID-19 means online learning for most Tidewater Community College students, some are back in the classroom for hands-on training. In fact, more than 400 sections of classes in interior design, automotive, health professions, welding, veterinary technology, culinary arts, visual arts, electronics technology and other programs have on-campus components.

A peek at an Interior Design classroom

Step inside Theory and Techniques of Interior Design for an animated discussion about mood boards, drafting techniques and color theory. You’ll also see splashy videos on the same topics.

Professor Lana Sapozhnikov teaching “live” on Chesapeake Campus.

The course, IDS 100, covers drafting and presentation, color theory, coordination, space planning and arrangement of furnishings.

“I love being able to see my students and know they are getting the concepts,” said Professor Lana Sapozhnikov.

“The introduction class teaches students the whole process of design from start to finish. It explains to them all the things that they will encounter in the real world.”

Tips for learning

Vonyea Pippins, a first year student, in the interior design lab on Chesapeake Campus.

During labs, ask questions! Also, bring your supplies, which for interior design students include drafting paper, colored pencils and pens. Keep your mask on and hand sanitizer at the ready.

Student voices

“I’m glad to be back in class,” said Bailey McDaniel, a second year student who transferred to TCC from Coastal Carolina University.

“I decided to come home for a cheaper, in-person option,” McDaniel said. “I love interior design. So far, so good.”

“It feels good being here. I feel safe, and I like being in class more than online,” added Fatima Jaffar.

Vonyea Pippins, a new student said, “I like the program. It’s different because of COVID. We are spaced out, and the labs only have 10 people. I’m comfortable here.”

Recent Hickory High graduate Colleen Morris, added, “It’s better to be here than not in class. I like everything so far, and I’m enjoying more freedom than I had in high school. TCC is definitely a good option for people.”

About the professor

Lana Sapozhnikov owns her own interior design and home staging business. She is knowledgeable about green design and is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified designer.

About the program

TCC’s interior design program provides a foundation in both commercial and residential design. And it is one of two programs offered within Virginia’s Community Colleges, providing an affordable option to private design schools. TCC interior design lab includes state-of-the-art equipment and a work room full of supplies and samples to inspire any budding designer.

For more information about the interior design program, email Jennifer Hopkins.

Social distancing makes in-person learning comfortable during COVID.

“Don’t let a temporary situation derail your long-term plans”

Still on the fence about attending college during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Fall classes start at Tidewater Community College on Aug. 24. There’s still time to enroll.

Business Professor Linda Williams offers her thoughts on why community college is an ideal option during these uncertain times.

Why TCC?

TCC delivers an educational experience that is every bit as high quality as the four-year school. So, with many universities going to online learning, taking away the on-campus experience, you only have instruction left. Why pay $30,000 to sit in your dorm room and learn online when you can come to community college and get the same education for a quarter of the price? TCC will put you in a better place financially.

Are there benefits of online learning?

I can appreciate a certain amount of apprehension about online learning, but online education is the best preparation you can have for your future. This is a skill that is going to be extremely marketable when you get out of school.

The world has discovered during COVID-19 that people are effective and efficient when they telework. I don’t think corporate America is ever going back to big buildings full of people. Why would they pay rent, electric and other expenses to house all of their employees when they can cut expenses by having some work from home? Some preliminary data from Business News Daily shows that those who telework typically work longer hours, amounting to 1.4 more productive workdays per month.

What if I’m unsure about my major?

If you are exploring career paths, it makes sense to study different subjects at community college. Why pay large tuition bills to later discover that the path ahead is not a fit for you? Also, TCC has academic advisors on every campus to help you plan your journey.

What is some fresh advice for students?

Engage! When I teach my “live” online courses, I spend the first few minutes of class checking in with students and giving them a chance to express how they are feeling. During these uncertain times, it’s important to have people around you – even if it’s virtually. I always tell students to not let a temporary situation derail your long-term plans. If you were planning to go to college and launch yourself into the next phase of life, do it now.

About Professor Williams

Williams hosts a dynamic YouTube channel with dozens of instructional videos, which have received more than 850,000 views from people around the globe. She uses everyday concepts, including flip flops and a basket of bulldog puppies, to teach finance and statistics. Williams enjoys teaching for those lightbulb moments. “I love hearing from my students that they were able to complete a mathematical process or learn a new theory after watching one of my videos,” she said. “It makes it all worthwhile.”

Williams has taught at TCC’s since 2009. She has owned several businesses and worked as an industry consultant for some large firms from Sara Lee to DuPont to the U.S. Coast Guard.

TCC will offer remote and hybrid classes this fall

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (July 30, 2020) — Most of Tidewater Community College’s class schedule will be online this fall, with some classes being taught with a combination of online and in-person instruction.

Fall classes begin Aug. 24.

Career and technical courses, as well as some academic courses, that require hands-on instruction, will be taught online and supplemented with on-campus sessions.

More than 400 sections of classes including automotive, health professions, welding, veterinary technology, culinary arts, music, visual arts, electronics technology and other programs, will have on-campus components. Browse classes here.

The college is complying with health and safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Virginia Department of Health. Its Fall 2020 Reopening Plan was recently certified by the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia.

Faculty, staff, students and visitors must wear face coverings, use hand-sanitizer and complete a health self-assessment when they enter all college buildings. Signs will remind all to practice physical distancing and healthy hygiene.

“We have put a lot of thought into the safe reopening of our campuses to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” said Michelle Woodhouse, interim vice president for academic affairs. “Students should be confident that they can finish what they start this fall, whether they are studying remotely or coming to campus.”

The plan is subject to change based on the state’s responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Current and new students and their families can use TCC’s virtual student support services to prepare for the coming fall semester. Assistance is available with admissions, academic advising, financial aid, tuition payments and more.

For those without access to technology, TCC will open Virtual Student Support Rooms beginning Monday, Aug. 3. These rooms are equipped with computers and internet access and will link directly to TCC’s virtual resources. Students will also be able to obtain I.D. cards, drop off documentation, and access computer labs.

“The digital divide is real, and we realize that not all of our students have access to the technology needed to use our virtual services,” said Karen Campbell, interim vice president for student affairs. “This gives us the opportunity to serve everyone.”

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. For a complete list of open buildings and drop box locations, visit here.

For further assistance, call 757-822-1111 or email enroll@tcc.edu.

Hope-U Foundation donates computers to help TCC students in need

Hope-U Foundation is helping Tidewater Community College students stay in school by proving laptops for those who don’t have access to needed technology for remote learning.

“We have many students who are below the poverty level and this pandemic has magnified their needs,” said Thomas Chatman Jr., coordinator for First Year Success at the Norfolk Campus. “Many of these students didn’t have computers, so the transition to remote learning put them at a huge disadvantage.”

Hope-U is a nonprofit organization formed for the sole purpose of helping youth in the Hampton Roads area.

When Nick Gabriel started the organization, his goal was to help disconnected youth between the ages of 16-24, which includes transitioning foster youth, homeless or underemployed youth.

When COVID-19 hit, Hope-U donated 26 Chromebooks to students at TCC’s Norfolk Campus.

The computer donation is part of an overall effort to reach youth in need. Hope-U works to end homelessness, hunger and unemployment for young people in Hampton Roads. Gabriel’s goal is to help clients achieve independence and sustainable employment through a reliable support system.

“We can do our part to mitigate the damage and level the playing field for those who are trying to get ahead,” Gabriel said. “Increasing earning potential is key to rising out of poverty. We can’t let COVID stop that.”

TCC students sent shoutouts to Hope-U for the help.

Randell Barkley with his new laptop from Hope U Foundation.

“Before I received the laptop, I was struggling with completing my photography class. With the laptop, I was able to pass the class with a B. I can do graphics, Photoshop and Zoom calls with ease,” said student Randell Barkley. “The director came out on a rainy day, and it was such a blessing!”

Student Alexander Reap added, “Given the pandemic, it became even harder to complete assignments, as my access to technology was limited, and I was doing my work on my phone. But now, with my computer, I completed the semester with a 4.0 GPA.”

“It takes a village to make a change,” Gabriel said. “We are that village.”

Learn about TCC in a Virtual Information Session

Don’t let COVID-19 sidetrack your college plans. Explore TCC through our upcoming Virtual Information and Zoom sessions. Learn about the college’s transfer degrees and hands-on programs in respiratory therapy, welding, mechatronics, nursing, computer-aided design and more.

Sessions, held every week all summer, include:

Military Monday – Military-related students can find support in these sessions conducted by TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education.
General Information – Gain an overview of TCC’s academic offerings, including the Accelerated Degree program and dual enrollment options.
Financial Aid Friday – Learn about paying for college.
Pathway Sessions –Dive into TCC’s academic career pathways with program-specific break-out sessions. These range from Arts and Humanities to Nursing to Manufacturing and Transportation.
Canvas for Students – Current students can learn how to optimize their use of Canvas.

RSVP for a Virtual Information Session.

Fall classes begin Aug. 24.

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

TCC employee tests positive for COVID-19

The Chesapeake Campus of Tidewater Community College is closed after a college employee tested positive COVID-19. The college was notified on June 23 by the Virginia Department of Health and, in turn, notified all employees on June 24.

The employee is in self-isolation. The health department is identifying individuals who may have had close or prolonged contact with the employee and will notify those who need assessment. Any employee with concerns about exposure is encouraged to self-isolate, monitor symptoms and obtain a COVID-19 test.

No students were on the campus.

“We are taking this action out of an abundance of caution,” said Marian Anderfuren, the college’s spokesperson. “TCC is following internal health and safety protocols, and the areas on campus where exposure may have taken place will be disinfected.”

Create a peaceful, productive study space

Learning at home can be fraught with distractions. With remote learning in full swing, make sure your study space works for you.

Jennifer Hopkins, Interior Design program head at Tidewater Community College, offers these tips to create a peaceful, productive corner in your world.

“During this extraordinary time, we are spending more time at home and our spaces need to be functional and comfortable,” she said.

Here’s how:

Find a work space away from the chaos of daily life and commit to honoring your school schedule (if possible) so you can succeed. This may take help from family members who also want to see you achieve.
If you do school work during the day, find a location that has good natural light and/or a view. It takes hours focused on technology to learn online, so nice lighting will prevent strain and provide a break from screen time.
Many students enjoy music in the background to help block distractions, create a sense of calm and remain on task. Studies show that classical music remains the No. 1 choice for productivity. But your music should work for you, whether it’s Mozart or Drake.

Arrange your work area to prevent glare while still providing plenty of light. Desk lamps should be placed on the left side for a right-handed person so paperwork isn’t shaded by the working hand. Left-handed people should do the opposite.
If young children are in the home, make sure you put all school work away between sessions to prevent curious or sticky hands from wandering too close!
Fully clean or declutter your space each evening to make your routine less stressful the next day. Put something beautiful near you such as a plant, flowers or favorite photo.

TCC will extend remote learning through the spring semester

Tidewater Community College will continue remote learning for all students for the remainder of the spring semester.

All campuses and buildings are closed to students and the public through April 4. The college will provide virtual services only. TCC converted to remote learning on March 23 due to COVID-19.

Students needing support are encouraged to use TCC’s virtual resources. They can also connect with the college via chat through tcc.edu, by phone at 757-822-1111 or by emailing enroll@tcc.edu.

TCC cancels Spring Commencement Exercises

Tidewater Community College will not hold its 2020 Spring Commencement Exercises scheduled for Monday, May 11, at Chartway Arena in Norfolk.

On Tuesday, Glenn DuBois, chancellor for Virginia’s Community Colleges, announced the cancellation of all May commencements due to recent CDC guidance that  calls for avoiding gatherings of 50 or more people over the next eight weeks because of a rise in coronavirus cases in the Commonwealth.

The VCCS announcement is also in compliance with Gov. Ralph Northam’s statewide ban on all gatherings of 100 or more people.

“We will find an alternate and safe way to honor our graduates,” said Marian Anderfuren, TCC’s public information officer.

The college’s Commencement Committee will consider alternatives, such as rescheduling for the summer or holding a virtual commencement. Those details will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

“What’s difficult is that the very things that make commencement meaningful also makes them dangerous in this pandemic,” DuBois said. “While it’s a celebration of individual achievements, it’s a community celebration. Many of the same family members who travel far and wide to attend are at particularly high risk with this virus. And the hugs and high-fives that come naturally to so many of us in that moment fly in the face of the social distancing practices we are asked to observe.”

Read his entire statement.

While TCC remains open and staffed, the college will move to remote instruction starting March 23. TCC extended its Spring Break by a week to allow faculty time to prepare. By April 1, the college will evaluate whether to continue remote delivery of classes or return to in-person instruction.

TCC is maintaining a comprehensive web page with information about its response to COVID-19.