“I was a student in the worst of circumstances. But I had people who believed in me.” — Jamie Farris, TCC alum

TCC is proud of all of its alumni. But for Norfolk Campus staff alum Jamie Farris holds a special place in their hearts.

Jamie had a challenging childhood. He was bounced from school to school throughout his elementary and high school years due to mental health and emotional issues.

“Growing up, no one thought I could do well in an academic setting. It was something I needed to overcome to get on with my life,” Jamie said.

As an adult learner, Jamie came to TCC to confront his past and set a new course for his future. Staffer Mark Flanders saw Jamie’s desire for an education and his potential as a student. Flanders and the campus community rallied around Jamie and helped with his transition to college.

Jamie Farris with his degree and certificate from the City of Virginia Beach. — Jamie Farris is proud of his TCC degree and his certificate for financial literacy from the City of Virginia Beach.

“We worked with Jamie on career readiness skills, time management and encouraged him on the journey,” Flanders says. “Watching him overcome some pretty difficult circumstances was an inspiration to all of us.”

Despite the support while at TCC, the road was still difficult. Jamie experienced homelessness and lived at the Union Mission and later in transitional housing.

“I was a full-time student in the worst of circumstances. I had no car, no money, no home. But I did have a bus pass from TCC and people who believed in me,” Jamie said.

Jamie received support through the college’s Open Door Project (ODP), a Department of Education federal TRIO program. ODP offers free academic, career and cultural counseling to low-income, first-time college students on the Norfolk and Portsmouth campuses.

“Once I opened up about my past, my struggles, I was able to overcome those obstacles with help from Open Door,” Jamie added. “The staff made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”

Jamie also made friends through ODP, an unexpected benefit. “We took so many educational field trips and really had fun,” he added.

A turning point for Jamie was during a meeting with Thomas Chatman, currently the Dean of Norfolk Campus. Jamie recalls that he painted a vivid picture of someone graduating in a cap and gown. “He told me that even with my difficulties, I could do it and I finally believed it,” he said.

Jamie earned an Associate of Science in General Studies in 2019 and his degree was one of the first things he proudly hung on the wall.

He now enjoys a stable life with his own apartment and a steady job with UPS.

“I tell everyone to not be afraid to open up about your mental health struggles,” Jamie said. “The people at TCC are there to help. This was where I built a new life.”

TCC announces 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards

Tidewater Community College honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by presenting annual awards to those who embody his teachings and spirit.

The 2022 recipients are:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award: Annette Mewborn, English professor at the Virginia Beach Campus.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award: Jiahuan Lin, a TCC student working toward her Associate of Science in General Studies.

The two will be honored during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Virtual Awards and Recognition Program on Feb. 25 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Register for the event.

William Harrell, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit

The featured speaker is William E. Harrell, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit. Harrell will speak on “Why is Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy relevant today?”

Annette Mewborn
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award

Annette Mewborn is passionate about bringing people together and serving the community.

The English professor, who began working at the Virginia Beach Campus admissions office, joined the college in 1989. For close to a decade, Mewborn organized Black History Month events on the Virginia Beach Campus to celebrate African American history and culture. The events included programs like “From the Root of It,” a look at hairstyles through the ages, as well as a historical review of “Motown Music.”

Her long list of accomplishments includes starting a tutoring center for children at Rehoboth Baptist Church. She set up the center and recruited volunteers to teach English, writing, music and Spanish.

Pre-pandemic, Mewborn presented 12 holiday concerts at TCC with Echoes of Excellence, a group of students with a love for music. Together they packed the Pungo Auditorium year after year. She also established High Class, an educational band that writes and performs songs for youth at community events.

Most recently, Mewborn organized a toy drive and holiday concert for abused children through her work with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). The outdoor event was held in Mewborn’s own backyard.

And during the pandemic, she started The Novel Kids, a reading program for children to keep them engaged and learning in the summer months.

“I believe in peace and unity, and the tenets Dr. King held dear,” Mewborn said. “If you look at some of his most influential quotes, you see one word that mirrors the Bible and that is love. That’s how I strive to live my life. By loving my neighbor, wherever I am.”

Jiahuan Lin
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award

Community service has become a way of life for Jiahuan Lin. She began volunteering in high school and has no intention of slowing down.

Lin,18, holds a 4.0 GPA and is working on an Associate of Science in General Studies.

An Outstanding High School Scholar, Lin serves as a TCC student ambassador and represents the college at open houses and other events for new and prospective students. She is also vice president of TCC CARES, a student engagement club designed to help the community and the environment through service projects. Additionally, she serves the Virginia Beach Campus as vice president of the Student Government Association.

Lin has also been active in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic working with Virginia Beach Medical Reserve Corps during pop-up vaccination clinics. While there, she helped with medical records and monitoring patients.

“Community service benefits not just the one who receives the service, but also the one who does it,” she said. “It is also a way to connect with others and gain enormous amounts of knowledge that you could not learn in school.”

MLK scholar plans a lifetime of community service

Community service has become a way of life for Jiahuan Lin. She began volunteering in high school and has no intention of slowing down.

Jiahuan, 18, is the 2022 recipient of the Tidewater Community Colleges Martin Luther King Jr. student scholarship, which will be presented during a virtual ceremony on Feb. 25. The award, now in its 20^th year, is designed to recognize a student who best exemplifies Dr. King’s vision and philosophy in his call for unity and equality for all.

Jiahuan holds a 4.0 GPA and is working on an associate degree in general studies.

An Outstanding High School Scholar, Jiahuan serves as a TCC student ambassador and represents the college at open houses and other events for new and prospective students. She is also vice president of TCC CARES, a student engagement club designed to help others and the environment through service projects. Additionally, she serves the Virginia Beach Campus as vice president of the Student Government Association.

Jiahuan Lin at TCC's Virginia Beach Campus.

Jiahuan has also been active in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic working with Virginia Beach Medical Reserve Corps during pop-up vaccination clinics. While there, she helped with medical records and monitoring patients.

Through her participation in community service, she feels that there is a bigger picture than just giving her time. “I think I gain just not more friends and knowledge, but also bonds with the community and the society as a whole,” Jiahuan said.

Jiahuan lives in Virginia Beach with her family and her eight-month-old adopted kitten, Xiao Yu. She faced a good deal of culture shock after coming to the United States from China in 5^th grade, but now enjoys the mix of the two cultures.

Like other college students, she enjoys hanging out with friends, trying new foods and playing video games in her free time. Don’t be surprised if she offers you an opportunity to give back. “Now that I understand how important it is to volunteer, I always encourage people around me to do so as well,” she said.

Jiahuan is confident that community service will always be a part of her life. “I believe that volunteering has changed me a lot and I am certain I will still be doing it after I graduate from TCC,” Jiahuan added. “By volunteering, it feels like my community and society in general, are unbreakable.”

Meet two military students who are part of the TCC family

This Veterans Day and every day, we honor our military service men and women and their families who have stepped forward to serve, no matter the circumstances. Their dedicated service is invaluable, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Thank you, vets!

Mohammed Aljuboor and Obmarie Rodriguez are among the thousands of active-duty military members who are part of the TCC family. Here are their stories.

Mohammed Aljuboor has two years of active service in the Navy. He works in Port Operations assisting arriving ships coming into port after deployments. Mohammed is pursuing an associate degree in cybersecurity, with the goal of becoming a network systems administrator.

Mohammed decided to go to TCC because the staff work to ensure active-duty service members can attend college and achieve their educational goals in spite of their unpredictable work schedules.

Mohammed moved to the US from Iraq and experienced some hard times during the transition. Those hard times helped build Mohammed’s character and made him believe failure is part of building success.

Thriving professionally and academically, Mohammed hopes to earn multiple degrees before leaving active duty and to motivate his shipmates to advance and grow in life.

Obmarie Rodriguez is an Aegis Fire Controlman with six years of service in the Navy. She decided to pursue her general studies associate degree at TCC in order to live out her motto, “Vincit Qui Se Vincit,” which means “He conquers who conquers himself.”

Her family instilled this motto in her as they moved to the mainland U.S. from Puerto Rico without financial stability and were unable to speak English. But they had dreams and goals.

Her mother was the first in the family to go to college and Obmarie was the first to join the military. Obmarie has set her sights on becoming a Limited Duty Officer or Chief Warrant Officer by the end of her time in the Navy. She encourages others to push themselves, conquer themselves and conquer those things around you that inhibit your growth.

TCC welcomes close to 8,000 veterans and military-related students on its campuses. In fact, one-third of TCC’s student body are veterans and their families. To find out more about TCC and its program and services for veterans, email enroll@tcc.edu or call 757-822-1111.

TCC honors military veterans on Veterans Day

Logan Campbell is one of the thousands of students who came to Tidewater Community College to train for a new career after serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Campbell, 32, spent a decade in the U.S. Army as a veterinarian technician caring for military working dogs, horses and other animals. He is pursuing a General Studies degree to prepare to enter the college’s Radiography program.

“When I was looking for schools, I could have chosen any college up and down the Eastern seaboard. I selected TCC because of the high pass rates for radiography grads,” he said.

Campbell’s transition to college life was eased by support from TCC’s Center for Military and Veterans Education where staff helped him navigate veterans’ services and apply for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.

Campbell checking the vitals of a military working dog during a field exercise in Texas.

His decade-long work in the Army began at Lackland Air Force in Texas where all military working dogs are trained. He continued at Fort Carson in Colorado caring for more dogs, horses and even some Falcons that are mascots of the Air Force Academy.

“I loved my career in the Army and enjoyed patient care with our animals. From critical care work to surgery, there was always something new to learn,” he said.

Campbell’s last mission was a joint humanitarian tour with the U.S. Navy, followed by an assignment as the senior vet tech on the veterinary surgical team in Seoul, South Korea.

When he returned to the states, he left the military and was working as a vet tech at Tufts University. He got moved to diagnostic imaging and was supervising radiography techs when he discovered that his skill set could lead him to a new career.

“From the start, I found a passion for imaging and with the competitive pay, it was a no-brainer to make the switch,” he said.

While at TCC Campbell has maintained a 3.87 GPA and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools. He is also involved with the Student Veterans of America chapter at TCC. “There is very much a culture shock coming out of the military and being a civilian again. Having a network of people to talk with and support you has made a big difference for me,” he said.

Campbell added that returning to the classroom in his 30s has gone more smoothly than he imagined. “I’ve been well supported on my journey,” Campbell said. “My professors put out a lot of information each class and prepare us well for exams.”

Fen has traveled with Campbell for most of his military career

In his free time Campbell spends time with his girlfriend Lexi and their rescue animals including a Belgian Malinois, a military working dog reject turned family pet, as well as four cats, a couple of snakes and a parrot.

Accelerated Degree student now has open door to VCU

Mekhi Moore planned to attend Virginia Commonwealth University right after high school.

When he didn’t get in, he had to come up with a new plan.

Moore, 19, started searching options on Tidewater Community College’s website and found the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP).

“Right away I saw this as a way to get to VCU as quickly as possible, so I signed up and never looked back,” he said.

Accelerated Degree student Mekhi Moore in the library on Norfolk Campus.

While most of us think of it taking at least two years to earn an associate degree, TCC’s accelerated option allows students to complete all of their credits in just one year.

For Moore, the doors to VCU are now open.

“I’ll be attending my dream school in the fall and living with my best friend in an apartment off-campus,” he said.

Moore will enter VCU as a junior and begin work on his bachelor’s degree in math. Additionally, he hopes to earn his teaching credential.

While at TCC, Moore says he made some great connections, even though all of his classes were online because of the pandemic.

“We worked closely as a cohort. We had classes together, studied together and helped each other,” he said. “While the program is rigorous, we had everything we needed to be successful.”

Moore graduates from TCC this summer with an Associate of Science in General Studies.

He credits the college with giving him more than a degree. “I’m more confident. I also know how to manage my time and balance work and school,” Moore said.

Moore has a lot to say to high school juniors and seniors.

“Keep your options open and make smart decisions,” Moore said. “I’m leaving TCC with no student debt and a head start on college.”

Moore hopes to give back by becoming a high school math teacher. He wants to help guide students in those last years before adulthood.

“I still hold on to the life lessons from some of my best teachers and I want to do that for other kids,” he said.

Moore added, “I’ll graduate from college at 21 and be teaching before most people earn their degrees. TCC’s accelerated degree made that possible.”

To learn more about the program and receive help applying to TCC, contact the college’s Virtual Student Support Team by emailing info@tcc.edu or calling 757-822-1111.

Mother and daughter both got their start at TCC

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit a year ago, Tidewater Community College alumna Marguerite Bates-Frier was working to keep goods moving from the Port of Virginia to retailers nationwide.

As regional vice president of intermodal drayage for XPO Logistics, Inc., Bates-Frier and her regional fleet of more than 500 owner/operator truck drivers work to move cargo from large shipping containers to import and export distribution centers locally and over the roads.

“Truck drivers move America and are often taken for granted, as most people don’t know the critical role they play in America’s supply chain. Without them the shelves are empty,” she said. “With record freight volumes, lack of storage space and vessel delays, it has been a delicate dance to keep this all moving.”

Bates-Frier got her start at TCC when she was a stay-at-home mom with her infant daughter Nadia. Today mother and daughter are both TCC alumni, earning general studies associate degrees.

“It’s not something I reflect on often, but I owe a lot to TCC and appreciate the start I got there,” she said.

“I learned a lot at TCC and was quick to turn there once again when it was time to start looking at options for Nadia such as dual enrollment,” Bates-Frier said. “TCC provided the educational building blocks and played a pivotal role in the success of my future education and my career.”

After TCC, Bates-Frier went to work for local shipping company, Maersk, as a dispatcher. It was there that she was introduced to the maritime industry and her passion for the field ignited.

Bates-Frier worked her way up the ladder from dispatcher to regional vice president in ten years. She utilizes this knowledge to give back to the community by advising academic graduates and supporting maritime and supply chain needs — locally, regionally, and nationally.

“I absolutely love what I do. The days are fast-paced and rewarding. I encourage others to look at the field as the opportunities are endless,” she said.

Bates-Frier went on to earn her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from University of Virginia (UVA) and a Master of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University (ODU).

She is on the board for the Virginia Maritime Association, is the past president of Tidewater Motor Truck Association and serves on the Old Dominion Maritime and Supply Chain Advisory Council.

“My TCC education was absolutely the springboard that got me here,” Bates-Frier added. “I’m confident in business and proud to be on an executive team.”

As for daughter Nadia Frier, the 18-year-old earned her high school diploma and associate degree in 2020. As a dual enrolled student, she completed the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at TCC and now has her sights set on completing her four-year degree at University of Vermont or UVA.

“It felt good to have something to do during the pandemic and to work hard to get my general education classes done,” Frier said.

Frier spent the winter working at Wintergreen Resort, honing her customer service skills.

“My time at TCC helped me gain confidence and independence,” she said.

Frier is back in class at TCC, taking summer courses that will prepare her for what is certain to be a successful academic career.

“It’s always been my dream to go to college and I’m grateful to have my first degree at 18. And even though I probably won’t use statistics and bio in my daily life, having that knowledge and getting through those exams just makes me feel more prepared for what comes next.”

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.

Save time and money by completing your associate degree in just 1 year

Between moves and mom life, Alyssa Beach never got around to college.

When the Portsmouth resident finally carved out the time, she wanted to complete an associate degree program quickly. Tidewater Community College’s Accelerated Degree program offered her the opportunity to do just that.

Beach is among three Portsmouth Campus students who completed associate degrees this month in less than a year by going to college full time year-round. Beach earned the 60-credit Associate of Science in General Studies that will allow her to transfer to Old Dominion University as a junior.

“I felt like I needed to do more,” said Beach, a 2008 graduate of Granby High, who moved multiple times due to her husband’s job. “What really attracted me to TCC was being able to do this so quickly.”

Beach decided on a career path after a psychology class sparked her interest. She will work toward a bachelor’s in forensic psychology at ODU.

She recommends the Accelerated Degree option for students willing to commit to the demanding workload. “If you can get ahead, get ahead,” she said. “You can’t wait until the last minute to do your work.”

Two additional Portsmouth Campus students, Amber Kochishan and Alexis Mays, earned associate degrees in general studies following the Accelerated Degree program. Kochishan, who is in the Navy, plans to pursue a bachelor’s in social work when she returns to college in spring 2021. Mays plans to attend ODU this fall.

Accelerated Degree students attend classes in eight-week sessions on either the Norfolk or Portsmouth campuses for nearly one year.

Applications for the next cohort of students are due July 31. For information, contact enroll@tcc.edu.

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.

TCC graduate hopes to pay it forward with a human services degree

Even before the COVID-19 crisis, William Toncray was spending a lot of time at the hospital. As a Child Life department volunteer, Toncray provides engaging activities for patients at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.

“We play games and do crafts with children bedside or take them to the playroom,” he said. “There are moments when it’s really hard to see kids so sick, but it’s also very rewarding watching them light up when we paint, draw or even just play cards with them.”

The Hickory High graduate came to Tidewater Community College with no specific career goals. He graduates with an Associate of Science in General Studies on May 11 and plans to pursue a human services bachelor’s degree at Old Dominion University.

Toncray, 20, credits his volunteer work at TCC with helping him come up with a career plan that involves helping those in need through social work and advocacy.

It all started for Toncray when a student government leader invited him to get involved on campus. “Without that one interaction, my entire TCC experience could have been very different,” he said. “As student leaders, it is important to consider what effects our actions have on other people.”

Toncray holds a 3.6 GPA and was parliamentarian for student government. He helped launch a campus chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a national group working to break the stigma and provide support for those dealing with mental health challenges.

Struggling with clinical anxiety when he first came to TCC, Toncray found help through the new NAMI group. “Having peers you can lean on and talk with has been a huge help,” he said.

Toncray also developed plans for a food pantry on Chesapeake Campus. He even presented the project at a Virginia Community College Association student leadership conference. “It was during this time that I found that I’m passionate about helping people with their basic needs and found my calling,” he said.

Toncray calls his time at TCC transformative, noting two particularly inspiring professors in Bert Fox (psychology) and Marc Wingett (biology). “They made you want to go to class and participate,” he said.

“My goal was to get my general education requirements done for a lower cost, and I did that. But I got so much more,” Toncray said.

“TCC puts the community in college. Once I got involved, I made some great lifelong friends and found my future path.”

His “somewhere” was TCC. Now this first-generation grad can go anywhere

Lack of finances cost South Norfolk’s Taariq Brown his first shot at a college degree and left him depressed.

Today, he’s a first-generation college graduate on the Dean’s List with a plan to transfer to Old Dominion University in January. He’s also an author at work on a second book and a mentor to young boys desperate for the direction he found at Tidewater Community College.

The oldest of nine children will walk the stage on Dec. 16, at TCC’s 69^th Commencement Exercises at Chartway Arena in the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

“I gave up on life and thought life gave up on me,” said Brown, who will receive an Associate of Science in General Studies. “Something came over me and told me this isn’t the life you should want, and it’s definitely not the life you deserve. I had to start somewhere.

“That somewhere was TCC.”

Brown, 21, credits his mother, Kiba, for not allowing him to fall into a rough crowd as a youngster. Many of his peers weren’t so lucky, but she valued education, and in turn, so did he. After graduating from Oscar Smith High, he attended Virginia Wesleyan University, but financial aid didn’t cover all his costs.

Brown quit. Without school or work to occupy him, he became aimless.

That’s when he discovered all TCC has to offer.

Coming here altered his life.

Connecting with the Open Door Project, a federally-funded program that helps first-generation college students, gave Brown the assurance that he could complete what he started. It also incentivized him to become more involved in campus life. He’s worked two jobs with a full academic load and will finish with a 3.2 GPA.

As a mentor at a local Boys and Girls Club, he assists children with their homework and teaches a “passport to manhood” class for young boys. Recently, he was accepted into a national mentoring partnership, which will allow him to receive further training to help at-risk youth.

Brown has also been a work-study student in TCC’s advising office, where he is quick to share his personal story to inspire others. “Taariq is a stellar employee and encourages students as they walk through our doors every day,” said Meredith Pollard, the lead counselor on Norfolk Campus.

He self-published a book on poetry and is following that up with a second title.

Brown will study psychology at Old Dominion. He would like to counsel others who find themselves navigating a difficult path after high school. Eventually, he plans to start a nonprofit for sexually abused men.

“Many open doors are coming to me in the new year, and I have to go through to get there,” he said. “I truly appreciate TCC and that staff that helped me grow into a person I never knew I was.”

TCC provides a second chance for Navy veteran

Navy veteran George Porzig never thought he’d be a college graduate. Now he’s determined to earn a doctorate.

“For someone like me who barely graduated high school, TCC has been my second chance,” he said.

After scraping by in high school, Porzig, 28, came to Tidewater Community College to prepare for a career that includes finding solutions for global poverty.

“I couldn’t think of a realistic situation where academics could help me when I was a kid. That all changed once I was in the Navy and traveling the world,” he said. “I realized the impact of academics – especially economics – on real people.”

Porzig graduates with a 4.0 GPA on Dec. 16 with an Associate of Science in General Studies. From here, he will transfer to the College of William & Mary to study economics.

Prozig spent six years in the Navy, doing a tour aboard the George H.W. Bush. He is using his GI Bill benefits to pay for school and completed his degree in less than two years.

Free moments on his last deployment were spent reading books on economics rather than binging on Netflix.

That sparked his passion for learning and set him on a new course.

“At TCC, I found that as much as I wanted to learn, my teachers wanted to dialogue and really engage me in the subjects they were teaching,” he said. “The faculty’s expertise and their willingness to share their knowledge make this place special.”

Porzig came to TCC because he didn’t have the grades to get into any other school. He stayed for the degree because of the community he found on the Chesapeake Campus.

“If I’m having a bad day, I can’t make it through the Pass Building without someone reaching out,” he said.

Now Porzig is paying it forward as a work-study student in the Cedar Room, the one-stop-shop where new and returning students can receive help. He says technology can be a barrier for admission for some students and he enjoys helping them navigate the process.

Married to Danielle, Porzig credits their son, Aurik, 3, with motivating him. “I look at him and know that it’s not an option to fail.”

Porzig hopes to advance toward a doctorate and work as a professional academic and researcher.

Mural at Oceanfront designed by TCC student

As much as Olivia Hudson enjoys drawing and painting, she rarely shares her work.

“Everything I do is for me to put on a shelf and really never look at again,” says the Virginia Beach 20-year-old, who will graduate from Tidewater Community College in December with an Associate of Science in General Studies.

Drive by Cypress Avenue near 17^th Street, though, and you can’t miss Hudson’s artistry – an 8×12 mural with a sky blue background featuring two hands – one of color and the other white – interlocked. Underneath the letters read “Building a Better Community.”

The mural is one of three created by students selected after an open tryout offered by the ViBe Creative District, a Virginia Beach nonprofit, in July. The challenge: to design a mural positively reflecting the community theme, a response to the construction and orange cones littering the Oceanfront that are the result of a number of building projects that will enhance the area when complete.

It’s Hudson’s first mural and the challenge overwhelmed her at times.

“I’ve never painted anything nearly that big before,” she says.

When she arrived in the early morning hours to avoid the heat meant, she had to deal with the dew that dampened her work from the night before. Paint dries quickly outdoors, she realized, and blending skin tones proved challenging.

She chugged Gatorade and put an estimated 30 hours into the mural before the final product satisfied her.

Deciding how to best reflect the theme was easy. “Community for me is just about people and their relationships and helping each other,” she says. “I wanted to do something I thought would speak to people around here.”

The 2017 First Colonial High grad works full time for a company that specializes in making wood furniture and doesn’t anticipate transferring after she earns her associate degree. While completing her degree is an accomplishment she’s proud of, Hudson wants to continue working in carpentry and one day, own her own business.

She doesn’t rule out taking classes at the Visual Arts Center, but admits turning a hobby into a job might dampen the joy. The whole experience creating the mural, she says, turned out better than she expected.

“I’ve got to admit,” she says, “driving by it is pretty cool.”

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.

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

While most of us think of it taking at least two years to receive 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 or an Associate of Science in Business Administration through its Accelerated Degree Program (ADP).

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

The application deadline is July 26; learn about all the documents necessary to apply here.

The business degree is offered both on campus and 100% online. On campus students must attend classes on either the Norfolk or Portsmouth campuses. They received dedicated advising, including monthly check-ins.

Meredith Pollard, lead counselor and ADP advisor, recommends the program for:

*High achieving students with a clear career path

*Students who already have college credits

*Active duty military and dependents who are stationed in Hampton Roads

Nargis Martin graduated with her accelerated degree in May. “I learn a lot better when it’s going faster, and I’ve appreciated the extra help provided by my ADP teachers and advisor,” she said. Even the monthly check-ins are great because I could express concerns and keep on top of everything.”

Meredith Pollard in the advising area on Norfolk Campus.

Pollard is happy to help. She got her start as an earth science teacher at Booker T Washington High, and while there, found her passion helping students find their career paths. She returned to school for her master’s in high education administration and joined TCC’s advising staff in 2012.

“My greatest joy is to see students graduate after they’ve been told that they can’t do it,” she said. “I see so many small successes day by day, and that’s what excites me about my work. Every day there are new challenges and a chance to change someone’s future.”

For more information, email accelerated_degree@tcc.edu.

Pollard’s top tips for all students:

*Come to campus well before the semester starts. Giving yourself two or three weeks of lead time will help when applying for financial aid and ordering books and supplies.

*Meet with an academic advisor from the start so you don’t waste time taking classes outside of your degree track.

*Review class offerings and understand the difference between taking classes on campus and online.

*Know how you are going to pay for college. TCC is one of the most affordable options.

*Do a little bit of research on possible fields of study and think about where you may like to transfer.

*Don’t worry if your path is unclear. Community college is an ideal place to find your path.

*Know that TCC offers different class offering with 16-, 12- and eight-week classes.

After learning he could learn at TCC, alumnus wants to teach others

Rudy Wingate could have become another statistic – another special-education student left behind in life.

Instead, he is a college graduate working toward becoming a music teacher.

“I came to TCC and learned that I could learn, and that was a great surprise,” said Wingate, who earned his Associate of Applied Science in General Studies from Tidewater Community College in May 2017.

He completed the two-year degree in three packed semesters and is now studying music education at Norfolk State University.

“My plan was to get through TCC as quickly as possible because of a promise I made to a teacher. After that, I was going to get a job and never look back,” Wingate said. “But once I got to TCC, I started believing in myself and was making good grades. I realized that education could take me places.”

While at TCC, Wingate found a passion for music by taking a guitar class. After one semester, he was proficient on both guitar and saxophone and participating in two TCC music program ensembles.

“It was like a lightbulb went on, and music just clicked with me. I was surprised at how fast I was learning, and not just in my music classes,” he said.

Wingate found support from his academic advisors, teachers and pretty much everyone on the Norfolk Campus. He credits counselor Mark Flanders, who helped him develop a career plan.

His introduction to education hindered his progress prior to his college years. Wingate repeated second grade and was placed in special education classes because of behavioral issues. Even though he was smart enough, he was never part of a mainstream classroom after that.

“In high school, I would score well on SOLs, but I didn’t know how to act. I really didn’t learn what other high school kids were learning,” he said.

Meeting Jahkari “J.T.” Taylor, a special education teacher with Chesapeake Public Schools, changed his direction.

“He saw something in me and encouraged me to go to college. He even helped me with the admissions process to TCC,” Wingate said.

Taylor regarded Wingate as an extremely energetic student with untapped academic potential, recalling, “I would tell Rudy on a regular basis, ‘You can do whatever you put your mind to and you can become whatever you want to. You got this!’ ”

“If I could I’d buy him a house or something big, I would just to thank him,” Wingate said. “I decided to become a music teacher so I can be the change for someone else.”

How a personal training certificate turned Navy vet’s passion for fitness into a dream job

At 38 years old, Ann Scott retired from the Navy and needed a new career.

GI Bill benefits in hand, she explored a plethora of options at Tidewater Community College, which played to her love of learning by offering so many versatile programs.

That explains why Scott has an Associate of Science in General Studies to go with an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting along with her Career Studies Certificate in Accounting Technician. She also took classes toward an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant, but then stumbled into a career field that was the natural fit all along.

Scott and husband Jeffrey are fitness buffs who would rather be in the gym than anywhere else.

“I’ve got 20,000 steps today, which is about normal,” she says, glancing at her Fitbit.

In addition to the physical benefits, both needed the social aspect the gym offers given the challenging transition from military to civilian life.

“Body pump and doing yoga really helped me adjust,” said Scott, whose final deployment in Iraq involved working for Gen. Petraeus’ Boots on the Ground operation.

Ann Scott student center — Scott works out at the gym in the Virginia Beach Campus Student Center.

When Scott discovered TCC’s Career Studies Certificate in Personal Training and Fitness, she was thrilled. She and Jeff both completed the 24-credit program on the Virginia Beach Campus that stresses anatomy, weight lifting, nutrition, health, communication and marketing together. Instructor Rachel Thompson became a mentor.

“I love how the human body works and you can apply it to anything you do – any sport, any physical activity,” she said. “Something as simple as good posture can impact having a strong core.”

They graduated in 2016, and while Jeff went on to be certified in massage therapy, Ann went to work in Virginia Beach Public Schools. While working as a substitute physical education teacher, she was hired as a cross country and track coach at Salem High. She did some substitute teaching, too, and was inspired when she saw the interaction between the kids at Old Donation School in Virginia Beach and Thompson, who works there as a physical education instructor.

“She was so good with them and they loved her,” Scott said. “I realized that would be a pretty good job.”

Scott got hired to teach physical education at Pembroke Elementary, where she has spent the last two years.

Scott stressed more than jogging and jumping jacks to her students. At Salem, she’d spy the high school athletes filling up on burgers, fries and soda before a meet and cringe. So she started showing up with a cooler of her own snacks – granola bars, pretzels, chocolate milk – healthy options that provided fuel instead of sugar. She also introduced high protein options to run clubs at the elementary level, and soon had youngsters more cognizant of what goes into their bodies.

Next month Scott is primed to start a new position as a physical education instructor at Old Donation. She’s realized her joy comes in impacting youth at an early age.

“You want health and fitness to be a lifelong thing,” she said. “If they find it and love it, they’ll do it for the rest of their lives.”