From Self-Doubt to STEM Scholar: How TCC Empowered Jessica to Reimagine Her Future
Jessica Melton didn’t plan on returning to college in her 30s, and she definitely didn’t expect to earn a degree in computer science. After more than a decade working in early childhood education, she made a major career shift that started with a single decision to enroll at Tidewater Community College. What followed was two years of hard work, resourcefulness, and a newfound sense of confidence. Now, as she prepares to graduate and transfer to Old Dominion University (ODU), Jessica is grateful for TCC not only for giving her the academic foundation she needed, but also for helping her build the confidence to pursue a future she once thought was out of reach.
Though Jessica was praised for her natural ability to work with children, she worried that she didn’t foster the same passion for her work as her colleagues, and she knew that she was sacrificing a discovery of her true passion to avoid discomfort.
“A lot of people told me I had a God-given gift for working with children,” said Jessica. “And I think I do. But I could see the structural issues in education, and I knew that if I stayed, I would be drained. I needed to find a path where I could grow, be challenged, and be happy for the rest of my working life.”
Jessica’s transition into STEM began with a moment of interest during her work in education. While collaborating with a curriculum development team, she found herself drawn to the data and research side of the process. That spark of curiosity grew into a serious commitment to re-enter higher education and pursue a new career path in a completely different field.
Jessica was drawn to TCC over other local options because of the sense of community she saw reflected in other student’s stories.
“I actually remember reading about another student’s journey on the TCC website, and it stuck with me,” said Jessica. “They didn’t just go to class; they took advantage of everything the school had to offer. I decided that if I was going back to school, I was going to do the same.”
Jessica admits that choosing to pursue a degree in computer science was intimidating.
“I always just thought I wasn’t good at math or science,” said Jessica. “When I saw how many math classes were required for the program, I really thought I’d made a mistake.”
Jessica worried that if she could not get through her first major math class, maybe computer science wasn’t for her. But encouragement from professors like Michele Leazer, who taught her pre-calculus course, helped her push through.
“She told me, ‘If you can get through this class, then you’ll be just fine in the rest of your math courses.’ That reassurance gave me a lot of confidence,” said Jessica
With the support of small class sizes and accessible professors, Jessica built confidence in her abilities.
She credits instructors like her biology professor, Grace Murray, for inspiring her growing interest in conservation and ecology. The encouragement she received in those classes helped her realize that learning was a process, not a test of ability.
“I realized I didn’t need to be a natural genius in math or science. I just needed to brush up on fundamentals, ask questions until I understood, and take advantage of every resource,” said Jessica. “I learned how to teach myself, and that made all the difference.”
Jessica credits her advisors, Jonathan Queen and Meredith Pollard, for helping her navigate not only her classes at TCC, but also the transfer process to ODU, where she’ll pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a concentration in Sustainable Conservation Leadership.
“Thanks to the support I receive from my instructors and advisors, I learned how to advocate for myself,” said Jessica. “I had trouble navigating how to get enrolled in the right courses at ODU, but the confidence I built at TCC helped me persist. I knew how to ask questions, follow up, and make sure I got what I needed.”
Jessica also found personal support at home. Her husband was always encouraging of her decision to pursue a new path and discover new passions when she first enrolled at TCC. After watching how hard she worked and how much she transformed throughout her first year in the program, he too decided to enroll at TCC in the same computer science program.
“Now we study together, support each other, and encourage each other through every exam,” said Jessica. “He saw how much this experience changed me and now he’s on the same path.”
Jessica is passionate about her unique intersection of interests: computer science, conservation, and sustainability. She hopes that one day she will be able to combine them to create a role she feels will make a difference.
“I don’t believe in tech for tech’s sake. I want to use data science for good; for modeling predator-prey relationships, tracking endangered species, and using geospatial analytics to understand and protect the environment,” said Jessica. “I want to create a career that merges computation with conservation. Anything that involves uncovering solutions to the challenges our world is facing is something that I want to be a part of.”
Jessica is already off to a strong start. She was one of just 10 students selected among 140 applicants for the prestigious Research Experience for Undergraduates in Disinformation Detection and Analytics program at ODU. She discovered the program through TCC’s Student Connection emails, and with encouragement from Meredith Pollard and faculty in the Computer Science Department, she applied and was accepted.
“Without those emails, without those mentors, I would’ve missed the opportunity. That program gave me real-world experience, a research advisor, and a head start in data science,” said Jessica.
Jessica emphasizes that her journey wouldn’t have been possible without the many resources TCC provides. She received the TCC STEM Promise Scholarship in her second year, which covered her tuition, connected her with a supportive mentor, and ultimately allowed her to continue her education.
She also joined Phi Theta Kappa and was named to the 2025 All-Virginia Academic Team.
“I am fairly sure that every single thing TCC offered, I used,” said Jessica. “From the library’s Wi-Fi hotspots and book checkouts, to TimelyCare for mental health, to the Computer Science Club’s Computers for Student Success program, which provided me with a PC when my laptop couldn’t handle my internship work. If there was a resource, I found it and used it.”
Jessica urges current and prospective TCC students to embrace the full experience of TCC.
“Don’t be afraid to be wrong. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re unsure, ask for help. I emailed people constantly. I went to office hours,” said Jessica. The professors and instructors and advisors you will meet all want you to succeed, you just have to reach out.”
While Jessica’s academic success stands on its own, she says the personal meaning of earning her degree is just as powerful. She will be the first person on her mother’s side of the family to earn a college degree.
Her mother, Diane Melton, faced significant hardship while raising Jessica. She remains her biggest source of inspiration. Jessica is dedicating her degree to her mother’s resilience and strength.
Jessica says TCC gave her more than just an education, it also gave her a renewed sense of purpose, a clear direction, and the tools to succeed in a field she once thought was out of reach.
After transferring to ODU in the fall, Jessica plans to pursue a Master of Science in Data Science with a concentration in geoanalytics, and maybe even a doctorate one day. No matter where her academic or professional journey takes her, she’ll carry the lessons of TCC with her.
“Being at TCC restored my confidence,” said Jessica. “For years, I didn’t feel good about myself. This school reminded me of what I’m capable of and challenged me in a way I never thought possible.”