Military Resource Fair shines light on opportunities

TCC, Virginia Employment Commission and Virginia Wounded Warrior program, region 5, welcomed active-duty military members, veterans and family members to the college’s first Military Resource Fair, held at the Virginia Beach Campus on Feb. 28. The goal: to connect attendees with valuable resources.

Michael Skidmore, a sailor who will soon exit military service, came to learn about opportunities for college and work after the Navy. “The people have been great. It’s like a one-stop shop to learn about veterans’ benefits, colleges and jobs,” he said.

New to the area, Navy veteran Lisa Prahl added, “I’ve been looking for these resources with no success and I came here and found them under one roof. My time here has been invaluable.”

The fair included presentations by TCC’s own including Bruce Brunson, executive director of the Center for Military and Veterans Education; Emanuel Chestnut, director of military student support services; Calvin Scheidt, director of military contract programs; and Jon Harrison, president of the Military and Veterans Student Association.

More than 40 organizations had representatives on hand during the fair including Fleet and Family Support Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Vetshouse Inc., Military Spouse Corporate Career Network, Blue Star Families, Old Dominion University, Volunteer Hampton Roads and University of Maryland.

Miss United States Charms Students

Ashley Smith, Miss United States 2011, visited with students at the Portsmouth Campus on Feb. 16. Passionate about education, she urged students to set and meet goals. Smith also talked about the importance of being grateful for every opportunity.

A Virginia native, Smith graduated from Oscar Smith High. She holds a bachelor's in communications from Old Dominion University and is currently pursuing a master's in journalism at Regent University. She works as a management analyst for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic.

Kosher creations delight film goers

Culinary students prepared a selection of kosher treats for the opening night reception for the 19th annual Jewish Film Festival, hosted by TCC in the Roper Performing Arts Center. The featured film, Mabul (The Flood), told the story of young Yoni and his upcoming Bar Mitzvah.

In keeping with the theme of the evening, 16 TCC students baked a Bar Mitzvah dessert feast, all in the kosher kitchen of B'Nai Israel, an orthodox synagogue in Norfolk. Chef Deanna Freridge, a TCC instructor who ran her own catering business for many years, led the students as they produced a wide array of desserts in short order. When cooled, the students' culinary delights were packed and sealed under the supervision of the rabbi in charge.

"It was exciting to learn how to prepare food in this setting and to learn about the strict regimen required to make food for Jewish families," said Carolyn Jones, one of the student bakers. "Cooking is my passion and this was a great experience." Jones, a retired Navy warrant officer, is using her GI Bill to retrain; her ultimate goal is to run her own high-end catering business.

Culinary student Carolyn Jones.

The students also pitched in during the gala to serve the fruits of their labor – a kosher array of cupcakes, cheesecakes, brownies and other desserts.   

Hunting for "stars"

Students at the Chesapeake Campus searched for "stars," during a campus-wide scavenger hunt designed to get students involved in college life. The information tidbits were hidden all over campus, and students were encouraged to scour the grounds to find the items and learn more about student activities, clubs and college services.

Black History Month 2012

With a national theme of Black Women in American Culture and History, TCC recognizes the contributions of African American women and men with a month-long celebration. The commemorative event includes a wide assortment of free, public activities throughout February with performances, workshops, lectures and entertainment at each of its four campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach. For a complete listing of activities, click here.

Playing to win

Come out and root for your Storm basketball teams. For a complete listing of men's and women's games, click here.

Lady Storm

The learning process continues for the Lady Storm. With an entirely new roster of players to start the season, Head Coach Curtis McGill and his Lady Storm were "learning on the job" during the first semester. With the start of 2012, the Lady Storm will look to build upon lessons learned while navigating a very difficult schedule.

The Storm

The TCC men's basketball team enjoyed some success and some setbacks during the first half of the 2011-2012 season. Now that the 2011 portion of the schedule is done, the Storm looks to start 2012 off strong.

Giving from the heart

Helping those in needs here at home and around the globe, TCC faculty and staff contributed more than  $35,000 to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign. The annual drive provides funds to hundreds of health and human services agencies, and gives hands-on help to families and individuals.

Hands-on learning yields healthy harvest

Pretty poinsettias set the tone for holiday gatherings and provide hands-on learning for Horticulture program students. The process begins as students prepare in late summer by planting poinsettia cuttings, flown in from the Paul Ecke Ranch in Antigua, Guatemala.

Students nurture seedlings and ensure growth by pinching, fertilizing and spacing plants until they’re ready for holiday fanfare. The hardy plants bloom in December and are available for sale from now until Dec. 13 in the greenhouses at the Chesapeake Campus. For more information, visit the poinsettia page.

Storm basketball thunders the competition

TCC's men's basketball team swept the competition during the Thanksgiving Classic, held Nov. 26 and 27 at the Signet Family Life Center in Chesapeake. Winning their first two home games of the season, the Storm outplayed Stillwater Christian Preparatory with a crisp 106-38 win. They followed up with a hard fought 90-84 victory over Community College of Baltimore County at Dundalk.

The team returns to action on Dec. 10 and 11 as they host Davidson County Community College, Pitt Community College and Howard Community College in the 2011 Storm Shootout. With this high caliber competition, the Storm are certain to be tested. For game times and locations click on http://www.tcc.edu/students/activities/sports/index.htm.

Johnson brings multicultural message to campus

Brian Johnson engaged students with his Reel Diversity message on Nov. 17. Speaking at the Norfolk Student Center, Johnson used humor and analogies, and encouraged students to find common ground. A faculty member at Bloomsburg University and director of the Frederick Douglass Institute for Academic Excellence, Johnson is co-author of Reel Diversity: A Teacher’s Sourcebook, winner of the 2009 Book Award by the National Association for Multicultural Education, and We’ve Scene It All Before: Using Film Clips in Diversity Awareness Training.

Talking social

Social media expert Beverly Macy rounded out the Words of Wisdom lecture series with a talk on Nov. 9 at the Portsmouth Campus. Presented by TCC’s Student Government Association and student activities, Macy provided a current analysis on social media’s critical impact. As chief executive officer of Gravity Summit, Macy presents social media marketing conferences across the nation.

Art and life

Bringing a message of peaceful global-awareness, Artists as Peacemakers visited the Norfolk Student Center with a colorful exhibit, drumming exhibition and lectures. Sponsored by a student club, the event focused on interactive demonstrations.- Oct. 13-15, 2011

From here, go anywhere

TCC art students bound for baccalaureate studies met with college representatives to learn about curriculums, internships and housing. Dozens of college representatives, armed with materials and information packets, met with interested students at the Visual Arts Center on Oct. 12 throughout the day. Participating colleges included Corcoran College of Art and Design, Rhode Island School of Design, Art Institute of Virginia Beach, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Old Dominion University and Christopher Newport University.

Women leaders speak out

TCC's Women's Center presents the second annual Women's Leadership Speaker Series
this fall, with presentations on campuses. Guest speakers are leaders in the community, offering words of encouragement and success strategies for future leaders.

The series launched on Oct. 18 with Lisa Sinclair, general manager and part owner of Sinclair Communications. Sinclair Communications radio stations include BOB-FM, WNIS 790AM and FUNNY 850AM. Sinclair’s talk, “Leading the Sound Waves,” was held at the Norfolk Student Center.

On Oct. 25, Nancy Creech, president and CEO of Virginia Beach Events Unlimited, discussed how “Only the Lead Dog Gets a Change of Scenery.” Creech heads up the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival and is a partner in Ayers Associates. She spoke at the Advanced Technology Center Theater on the Virginia Beach Campus.

Fran Dillard-Moore, director of Women in Crisis, YWCA of South Hampton Roads, talked with students on Nov. 1 about “Opportunity May Not Knock Twice,” making the most of every opportunity, seizing the moment and being ready to act. Dillard-Moore spoke in the Forum at the Portsmouth Campus.

Capt. Mary K. Nunley gave the final leadership talk on Nov. 14. Nunley is the senior nurse executive and director of nursing services for Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Nunley spoke at the Norfolk Student Center.

Walking, running, racing for a cure

A balmy, breezy day welcomed the early morning participants of this year’s Race for the Cure, held on Oct. 15 at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. As part of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the TCC team, one of the largest in the educational category, walked, jogged and ran to raise needed funds for the fight against breast cancer.

When weather and math mix

Evan Stewart, meteorologist with WVEC 13, talked with TCC students about using math to predict the weather. On the job, Stewart uses computer programs to generate models for weather forecasting. He noted that many models incorporate calculus, chaos theory and physics. Stewart added, "the more accurate the data entered, the better the outcome."

A native of Hampton Roads, Stewart is a graduate of Deep Creek High. The weekend evening meteorologist at WVEC, Stewart's passion for weather came while growing up in Hampton Roads. Events like the “Circus Blizzard of 1980” and Hurricane Gloria left a lasting impression. Stewart has made a lifelong study of Hampton Roads' quirky weather and his observations are backed by considerable training in math and physics. Stewart has a bachelor of science in meteorology from North Carolina State University. - Oct. 11, 2011

Public services careers in the spotlight

The public services arena offers careers in a variety of settings from law enforcement to early childhood development. TCC program heads gathered on Oct. 4 to speak with students about curriculums, hands-on training and career opportunities.

Don Haley, program head of the Administration of Justice program on the Virginia Beach Campus, talks about faculty with real-world knowledge. With professional backgrounds and years on the job, instructors give students an authentic look at police work, the court systems and working with the public.

Giving firefighters the opportunity for advancement, TCC's Fire Science program, led by Rick Dienst, prepares firefighters for work as fire administrators, arson investigators, fire training coordinators, safety directors and municipal department administrators. TCC's classroom instruction compliments on-the-job training.

Preparing students to care for young children, TCC's Early Childhood Development program provides students with hands-on training and classroom instruction on child development, especially during the first five years. Kerry Ragno, program head at the Virginia Beach Campus, talks about job training and work settings from preschools to child-care centers to homes to Head Start programs and public schools.

Frank Walton, program coordinator for the Funeral Services program, talks about careers in the modern-day mortuary. Students learn about embalming, health and sanitation, and the ethical and management principles of making funeral arrangements. Students also learn how to direct a funeral.

Seeing red

Connecting with the statewide Red Flag Campaign, students planted hundreds of red flags on TCC's four campuses this October to highlight relationship violence. The campaign raises awareness on issues like stalking, emotional abuse, coercion, sexual assault and isolation. Brought to TCC by the Women’s Center during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the campaign hopes to draw discussion about dating violence and provide solutions for college students and others. Shown here, Nikki Sumner and Brandon Morgan view flags on the Chesapeake Campus. - Oct. 6, 2011

Storm soccer kicks it

Sporting a new look, the Storm soccer team kicked off the season by improving their 3-0 record by knocking off VCCS foes Richard Bland College and Wytheville Community College on Oct. 1. Led by new head coach Scott Wright and assistant coach Alex Perez, the team showed stamina, skill, and determination in winning these early matches.

Preparing for safety

Teaching students to stay safe, Dave White, instructor, administration of justice at the Chesapeake Campus, shares smart strategies for a variety of settings. Sponsored by Student Activities, White talked about knowing the situation before you go; communication being a lifeline; telling someone close to you where you are; and having a trained response for escape. White reminded students to be assertive and prepared. - Sept. 29, 2011

Study abroad gives students a global view

Helping students gain a global perspective, TCC's International Programs office arranges learning excursions around the globe. The latest offering to broaden students' learning experience is a study abroad trip to Belize and Guatemala. Students gathered to learn about the trip, which is set for early March and led by TCC faculty members Gabriela Toletti, Spanish professor, and William Paquette, history professor. - Sept. 30, 2011

Walking with heart

Cool temperatures and torrential downpours did not damper the spirits of TCC staffers participating in this year's American Heart Walk. With 280 members, the TCC team was one of the largest in the educational category, raising needed funds for the American Heart Association. - Sept. 24, 2011

Prior to the walk, the TCC family raised additional funds for Heart Walk through activities including a Zumbathon, pancake breakfasts, a pre-walk, bake sales, a chili-in-a-bag snack sale and a quilt raffle, with a beautiful lap quilt made and donated by Linda Jacobs, veteran affairs coordinator. The lucky winner: Dorie Monroe with human resources.

Gathering together to “Make it Happen”

TCC employees gathered for a “Make it Happen” Professional Development Day on Sept. 23. Held at the Chesapeake Conference Center, the group received a college update from President Deborah M. DiCroce, right.

Other presenters included chiropractor Jason Heydinger, who spoke about back health and gave attendees tips on how to sit properly to avoid stress on nerves. David Ring, assistant professor of English, provided a review on the modern resume. TCC’s own Beth Lunde gave a run down on benefits, while Okema Harper talked about accountability in the workplace.

As in years past, a highlight of the day was the school supply drive for the Salvation Army’s Write Stuff campaign. TCC donated a wide assortment of pens, paper, glue, pencil pouches and more.

Preparing for the 2012 presidential election

Preparing to do their civic duty, students register for the 2012 presidential election. Signing up voters early, TCC offers registration events on its campuses now, and in the months ahead. - Sept. 21, 2011

Future nurses learn about TCC program

TCC’s Beazley School of Nursing trains future nurses to provide hands-on care in hospitals, clinics, doctors offices and other facilities. Program staffers welcome potential students during monthly information sessions and provide details about admission steps, prerequisite courses, physicals and transfer credits. A projected need for nurses remains strong in Virginia and the nation.
- Sept. 21, 2011

A "frugal chick" comes to campus

During tight economic times, saving money is essential for families. Laura Oliver from afrugalchick.com shared money-saving ideas on Sept. 21 with students at the Norfolk Campus. From couponing basics to online sources for deals, Oliver shed some light on strategies to save money on groceries.

Open Mic event packs the house

Sharing hip-hop prose, poetry and music, students gathered for an Open Mic event at the Norfolk Campus Student Center on Sept. 19. Dozens of students took the stage, while a full house enjoyed the entertainment.

Good medicine

Health IT conference highlights improving patient safety

Physicians, health professionals and health information technology educators gathered on Sept. 14 and 15 at the Virginia Beach Campus for a conference focused on electronic health records and their role in improving patient safety. A keynote address by David Hunt, M.D., chief medical officer, Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, launched the event, arranged by TCC’s Health IT consortium grant office. Other speakers included Laura Rosas, MPH, JD, analyst, ONC Office of the Chief Privacy Officer, and Richard Bikowski, M.D., quality officer, Eastern Virginia Medical School. Sponsored by EVMS, Sentara and TCC’s Health IT grant, the conference drew attendees from a dozen states.

Department of State rep visits Virginia Beach Campus

Government jobs can offer security and good pay – on Sept. 15 students got a close-up of diplomatic security careers through the U.S. Department of State. Darwin Cadogan, director of protection (retired) and senior recruiter, visited the Virginia Beach Campus to hold an information session on security technical specialist opportunities.

Giving blood, saving lives

Rolling up their sleeves to help those in need, students gave blood during an American Red Cross blood drive at the Virginia Beach Campus on Sept. 14. Blood donations continue to be a much needed commodity to ensure that this life-sustaining gift is available to those in need in Hampton Roads.

 

Students visit the American Red Cross Bloodmobile on the Portsmouth Campus, giving blood to help save more lives. - Oct. 6, 2011

 

 

Transfer ready

Preparing to pursue baccalaureate studies, TCC students mingled and mixed with college representatives during fall Transfer Days at the Portsmouth and Virginia Beach campuses. Held Sept. 14 and 15, students talked with staffers from more than 24 colleges and universities about courses of study, college life, housing and more. TCC has guaranteed admission for successful students to more than 20 institutions of higher education in Virginia including William and Mary, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Old Dominion University and Radford University. The college holds transfer events on each campus throughout the year.

Constitution Day

A timely activity with the upcoming presidential election, students learned more about government and its impact on daily life during Constitution Day, Sept. 13. Students gathered for a Constitution Day Roundtable led by David Kiracofe, history professor, to discuss the legacy of this powerful document.

A Day of Caring

Rolling up their sleeves to help those in need, dozens of TCC employees took part in United Way’s Day of Caring on Sept. 9. A thousand volunteers from across Hampton Roads came out to assist area charities. Shown here, TCC teams went to work cleaning up Western Branch Park and providing hands-on help at the HER Shelter.

TCC - NSU expand partnership to help transfer students

Norfolk State University and TCC are working together to ensure that students who transfer from TCC to NSU realize their dream of attaining a bachelor’s degree. The two institutions reaffirmed their commitment and their partnership at a signing on Aug. 17 of the Guaranteed Admission and Transfer agreement and Partnership for Academic and Student Success (PASSport).

TCC President Deborah M. DiCroce says, “In these challenging times, it is more critical than ever that we pave new paths for our students to reach their dreams. Toward that end, our robust partnership with NSU helps provide accessible, affordable, quality education to fuel the region’s success.”

“NSU is especially pleased to reaffirm its partnership with TCC,” says NSU President Tony Atwater. “Higher education attainment is a shared priority and goal for both of our institutions. Consequently, NSU and TCC will collaborate in new and additional ways to increase the number of degrees granted to students in the Hampton Roads area.”

The NSU/TCC PASSport program is a partnership to help prospective students at both institutions become better academically prepared. This structured program gives PASSport students an opportunity to be enrolled at TCC while being involved in campus life at NSU. TCC counselors will assist PASSport students based on their academic needs. After successfully completing an approved course of study at TCC, PASSport student admission to NSU is guaranteed.

The two presidents signed agreements reaffirming their commitment to student success.	Dr. DiCroce presented Dr. Atwater with a framed copy of the congratulatory page TCC ran in The Virginian-Pilot on his appointment.
President DiCroce gamely donned her gift of an NSU hat and showed off her new t-shirt.	Two TCC transfer students spoke about how the PASSport program helped them succeed at NSU.

News Clips:

I scream for ice cream

As TCC campuses wrap up summer session, students take a break from studies and enjoy the season. On the Chesapeake Campus, students gathered on July 27 to enjoy sundaes complete with hot fudge, whipped cream and the works.

Reaching out to Japan

When disaster strikes, members of the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) respond with heart. The group collected $600 to help with Tsunami/Earthquake Relief for the people of Japan. Reaching out around the globe, all 23 SAAB members activated for the drive, led by Herbert Davis, a group member and TCC student. SAAB members, Virginia Beach Campus Provost Mike Summers and Theresa Soska, major gifts officer with American Red Cross, gathered July 5 for the ceremonial check passing. Launched this year, SAAB encourages participants to excel in all areas of life including academics, social, cultural, professional and in the community. 

Kitchen gadgets galore
Staffers join hands to help the homeless, others

Helping here at home, TCC staff members collected kitchen gadgets for residents of Samaritan House, an organization providing emergency housing for victims of domestic violence and the homeless. Sponsored by the Classified Association, the drive collected kitchen necessities at the Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach campuses during the month of June. “TCC’s donation of more than $1,000 worth of kitchen items came at the perfect time, as we just reopened a transitional housing unit and were in need of things to stock the shelves," says Melody Sanders, volunteer coordinator with Samaritan House. “Together, we are giving seven families a great start on a new life.”

Staffers box up kitchen gadget donations and ready them for delivery to Samaritan House. Working together: (left to right) Joyce Banks, Annette Nealy, Christie Bradley and Tiffany Rector.

TCC has heart

TCC gears up for Heart Walk 2011 with a kickoff event on July 12. Representatives from each of TCC’s four campuses were on hand to hear plans for the annual event that raises needed funds for the area’s American Heart Association. TCC’s team includes members from the Alumni Association, Phi Theta Kappa, Student Government Association, as well as faculty and staff. Plans are underway for a Zumba-thon. on Sept. 17 to increase participation and raise additional funds for the Heart Walk, which takes place on Sept. 24 at Mount Trashmore.

Kim Hudson, senior director of development, American Heart Association, motivates the TCC team during the kickoff event.	TCC volunteers discuss plans for the 2011 Heart Walk; time to get new walking shoes.

Helping, learning at Homearama

TCC interior design students went to work helping transform the newly constructed Cameron Lea, a Homearama home, into a livable dwelling. Realizing an opportunity for hands-on experience, students accepted an invitation to work with Bonnie and Dashana Jefferies, a mother-and-daughter design team who own Off Da Hook Interior Decorating. Under their guidance, students staged furniture, hung art work, placed decorative objects and readied the home for the May 28 - June 12 show. In its 30th year, Homearama is sponsored by Tidewater Builders Association and this season includes nine fully furnished and landscaped showcase homes and an idea marketplace. UPDATE: Summer Advanced Rendering class makes news in the Clipper.

TCC interior design students place decorative items and artwork in the great room.	Lorri Maestrello (center),  Sylvette Lockhart and Pete Watters decorate the laundry area.
Lavonne Williams adds the finishing touches to an upstairs bath.

News Clips:

Honoring Hampton Roads women who lead

President Deborah DiCroce welcomed dozens of community leaders to the 9th Annual Women's Leadership Breakfast held on May 3. The well-attended event included an impromptu address by Kenneth Wright, mayor of the city of Portsmouth.

Featured speaker Angelia Williams, a Norfolk native and TCC alumna, spoke about her educational journey and career. Williams continued her studies at University of Virginia and has held a variety of position with the city of Norfolk in the offices of the Commissioner of Revenue and the Sheriff. She was elected to Norfolk City Council to represent Superward 7 in 2010.

Scholarship winner Marcella Martin found success at age 40, earning her associate degree in social science this month. She learned to manage her dyslexia and excelled, including taking part in the Student Government Association. She also participated in the WISE (Women Inspiring Self-Empowerment) mentoring program, and met with members of the General Assembly in Richmond to speak about the importance of community colleges. Martin was awarded the Mary Pat Liggio Leadership award by Linda Samuels, a member of TCC's Network for Empowering Women Students. Martin proudly shared the moment with her two teenage children.

Donors honored at annual Scholarship Dinner

TCC hosted the 2011 Scholarship Recognition Dinner on May 4, attended by more than 100 students and donors. The annual event gives students the chance to share their stories and express appreciation to the donors who have helped them pursue their education. Guests included scholarship recipients Valentine (right) and Frank (left) Aikhu, brothers from Nigeria, shown here with President DiCroce and their father, Francis (center). The Aikhu family came to the United States when Francis needed specialized care following a plane crash. Both brothers will attend the University of Virginia this fall, attaining a long-held dream.

Women Can!

TCC students and more than 120 juniors and seniors from four area high schools learned about non-traditional career options at this year’s Women Can! conference held April 29 at the Portsmouth Campus. Keynote speaker Donna Coleman, with Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Co., spoke about non-traditional fields for women.

Keynote speaker Donna Coleman, vice president, comptroller and corporate secretary for Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad Co. dons boots and a hard hat while speaking to the group about non-traditional careers.	Milani Cleary, chief design engineer for Sumitomo Drive Technologies, talks with students.

The event featured break-out sessions with close to a dozen presenters focusing on a variety of fields from architecture to computer networking to design engineering to law enforcement to auto technology.

Representatives were on hand to talk about career possibilities with wages ranging from mid-$30,000s to upper $40,000s in these non-traditional fields. TCC offers training opportunities that prepare women for careers in two years or less.

Judy Sweetland, a TCC alumna and owner of Sweetland’s Heating and Cooling, gives a hands-on demonstration.	Firefighter for the City of Chesapeake Faith Gollob talks about saving lives and property.

Job Fair 2011

In today’s competitive job market, TCC students gained an edge by attending the college’s annual Job Fair, held on April 19 at the Advanced Technology Center on the Virginia Beach Campus.

More than 65 organizations had representatives on campus, giving job seekers the chance to discuss career positions, internships and part-time opportunities. Participating companies included BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Chesapeake Fire Department, GEICO, Military Sealift Command, Sears, and the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel.

Singing in spring

Ringing in spring with song, TCC’s Choral Ensemble presented Songs for A Spring Concert on April 27 at the Roper Performing Arts Center.

Guests enjoyed musical works by William Byrd, Orlandodi Lasso, Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Haydn, Johannes Brahms and
Rene Clausen.

Under the direction of David Warren, music faculty, the group also sang arrangements from two of the world’s most celebrated ensembles: Chanticleer and The King's Singers.

Innovative teaching ideas shared at New Horizons

With a conference theme, Engage, Immerse and Grow, TCC faculty and staff shared innovative teaching methods and project ideas with peers at the Virginia Community College System’s New Horizons conference held April 13-15 in Roanoke.

Presentations varied, with many focusing on rapidly changing technology designed to enhance today’s learning. Topics included Engaging Students in Online Learning; Global Learning Modules: Building Faculty Multimedia Capacity; and How the Kids are Doing It: Visual Rhetoric and Its Place in English 112.

TCC presenters were David Alger, Paul Gasparo, Kathy Gause, Charles Hamilton, Bill Harlow, Michele Martis, Russ Meade, Anne Parrella, Lynn Rainard, Susanne Rauch, Joe Reish, Jim Roberts, Peter Shaw, Thomas Stout and Ian Taylor.

Student art shines during 40th annual show

Students at TCC’s Visual Arts Center showcased their works during the 40th Annual Student Art Show, held March 27-April 24. Top student winners included Rob Walker Jr., for K9 Cop, a photograph that earned him the President’s Award. Ryan Powell took the Purchase Award for ‘Ohana, a glass offering. Elizabeth Goebel rounded out the top winners with WPW Syndrome, an oil on canvas. Dozens of students participated in the show and 23 were recognized with a variety of awards. Galleries are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information, call 822-1888.

	Ryan Powell
Rob Walker Jr.
Elizabeth Goebel

The latest in virtualization

Information systems technology students heard about the latest developments in virtualization from experts in the field on April 6 at the Chesapeake Campus.

Anne Roine, with EMC, a large manufacturer of storage area network hardware, talked about information storage and management technologies. She also discussed a new partnership TCC has with her company, enabling students enrolled in the virtualization career studies program to earn the EMC Proven Professional certification at a reduced fee.

Rick Watson joined the conversation with information on the VMware IT Academy, VMware certifications and VMware’s enterprise-class virtualization technology. VMware is the virtualization technology of choice with Fortune 100 and 500 companies, as well as the U.S. government and the Department of Defense.

Raising Awareness about sexual violence

Students at the Norfolk Campus gathered to “Take Back the Night” on April 7. The goal: to raise awareness about sexual violence and provide support for its victims. Guest speaker Katie Hnida, a pioneer in the world of sports, talked about her journey through sexual assault. Students also shared their stories of survival and success.

Katie Hnida talks to students about her journey through sexual assault.
Michelle Gordon and Joshua Caudell share their stories.

The event included a musical performance by Mermaids in the Basement, the all-female rock group that fuse their songs with the everyday sweat of love and pain.

Mermaids in the Basement provide entertainment with a message.

Decorating t-shirts with messages of hope, students joined together for the Clothesline Project, held on each of TCC’s four campuses, a vehicle giving students the opportunity to express emotions during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, held each
year in April. - April 7, 2011

Tornado prepping

TCC staffers got tornado ready by participating in the statewide tornado drill at 9:45 a.m. on March 15 on all four campuses. Students, faculty and staff were directed by hall wardens to interior hallways, away from windows and exterior doors. While there they discussed safety measures including the importance of planning what to do and where to go during a tornado.

While preparing for a possible worst-case scenario, participants were reminded of the 62 tornadoes that struck Virginia over the past three years.

Learning and growing, and giving back

Classified staffers focused on personal and professional growth during the spring Professional Development Day held March 1 at the Chesapeake Conference Center. Presentations included tips for home safety, personal safety, TCC applications and college systems, as well as CommonHealth news, benefit updates and yoga techniques.

A highlight of the day, President Deborah DiCroce addressed the 120-plus member group, giving an update on the college and answering questions during a special session.

Generous and community-minded, Classified staff collected breakfast items for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia including boxed cereals, oatmeal, grits and more. The items will feed hungry children, families and individuals in Hampton Roads.

Pradia speaks out

An esteemed speaker on college-age women’s issues, Kemba Smith Pradia spoke at TCC’s Virginia Beach Campus on March 1. Her message for young women involved being careful of the choices they make, and finding love and contentment within themselves, instead of seeking it elsewhere.

While attending college, Pradia was swept into a relationship with an abusive drug dealer who was a major figure in a crack cocaine ring. She received a 24-year prison sentence for a drug charge, even though she didn’t do drugs or sell them. After being incarcerated for over 6 years, Pradia was given clemency by then President Bill Clinton and released from prison. Pradia now tours the country speaking to women about her experiences.