A Driven Student Pursuing a Future in Psychiatry: Nolyn Smith
Nolyn Smith made the most of his college journey at Tidewater Community College (TCC), where he is set to graduate with an Associate of Science degree in Psychology on Monday. With plans to transfer to a four-year institution, Nolyn is focused, determined, and passionate about understanding people and helping others.
A 2024 graduate of Manor High School in Portsmouth, Nolyn began taking college courses at TCC during his senior year through the dual enrollment program. He took 14 college credits as part of the program, which combined on-site high school instruction with in-person classes at TCC’s Portsmouth campus. This early exposure to college-level coursework laid a strong foundation for his academic future.
Nolyn’s journey continued after high school graduation, as he made the decision to continue his education at TCC. He weighed the options of attending larger universities; however, a scholarship from TCC played a role in his choice,
“I chose TCC because coming out of high school, I didn’t have a lot of scholarship offers for bigger name colleges. But I got blessed to receive a scholarship from TCC, so I took that and did my time here.”
Eager to get ahead, Nolyn took classes during the summer of 2024 through the college’s “Learn. Explore. Accelerate. Persevere.” (LEAP) program where he took 12 credits that will transfer to a four-year institution.
Throughout his time at TCC, Nolyn made a lasting impact on campus. He served as a student ambassador, helping new and prospective students feel welcomed and informed.
“As a student ambassador, I help with a lot around campus. We try to get more people educated about events and help at the desk enrolling students,” he shared.
In recognition of his academic excellence and leadership, Nolyn was recently inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. He is super grateful for the unwavering support of his family, professors, and friends, especially his mother,
“My mom has a medical background as well. She encourages and pushes me to do everything that I need to do. She started at an early age and then came back to it. She’s been really pushing me to get it done early instead of trying to wait till later in life to do it.”
In addition to his full class load and campus involvement, Nolyn works part-time in retail. When he does find time to relax, he enjoys playing and watching sports—particularly baseball, a sport he has loved since childhood.
Now, Nolyn faces an exciting decision about his next steps. He is currently deciding between Old Dominion University and the University of Alabama to continue his education. He plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a Pre-Med track and eventually attend medical school to become a psychiatrist.
With commencement on the horizon, Nolyn looks ahead with optimism, ready to embrace the future and all the opportunities that lie ahead.