Connect2TCC coordinator selected for global Emerging Leaders program

Tidewater Community College Coordinator Khadijah Peak-Brown was selected for the 2022-2024 Class of Emerging Leaders by NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. Peak-Brown is one of ten advising professionals selected from an international pool of candidates.

The two-year Emerging Leaders program enables participants to work closely with mentors to enhance their skills and knowledge and will prepare them for leadership positions within higher education. Mentors and participants develop individualized plans based on the mentee’s interests, expertise and goals for the future.

“This is a well-deserved honor for Khadijah,” said Michael Summers, Special Assistant to the Vice President of Academics. “Her work this summer is important as it will impact the next generation of scholars by creating academic equity for students.”

Peak-Brown, TCC’s Connect2TCC coordinator, is developing a summer program for Norfolk Public School high school seniors called the Excellence Institute. A total of 50 students will engage in activities that build their academic and professional efficacy and, in turn, increase their persistence in their higher education pursuits.

“This is not just a job for me, but a call to action,” Peak-Brown said. “The Covid-19 pandemic stripped high school students of so many opportunities to build their academic and professional efficacy. They simply did not have the chance to experience milestones that are traditionally had during their high school years. They lost opportunities that organically happen in the classroom which through navigating those challenges, boosts academic and professional efficacy. Something should be done to address that.”

Peak-Brown describes her work as creating academic equity, by working on the social and emotional part of the equation and equipping students with the tools to succeed academically and professionally.

“This work is important and will have a monumental impact on those we serve,” Peak-Brown said. “All the research around efficacy and academic success affirms that high academic efficacy leads to academic success. I’m excited to build opportunities to improve efficacy for students and provide urgent support that will aid in their success.”

Peak-Brown joined TCC this year, having served at institutions ranging from private Christian universities to public historically Black colleges and universities. Her expertise is in at-risk retention and prevention efforts. Peak-Brown holds an Educational Specialists Degree in Educational Psychology and is in pursuit of her Ph.D.

Ten things to know about TCC’s Respiratory Therapy program

Tidewater Community College is on the front lines of training today’s respiratory therapists. TCC students learn in a state-of-the-art high-fidelity simulation laboratory enabling them to develop problem-solving skills with immediate feedback from faculty. Here are ten reasons why this may be the career for you.

Jennifer Briggs, Director of Clinical Education, with students Kia Stankowski and Krystal Hartman.
Kimberly Spear and Corey Minnick manually breathe for a “patient.”
Students Randy Kelton, Kia Stankowski and Justine Moutchou intubate a “patient” during a lab.

Tidewater Community College’s Respiratory Therapy program is a recipient of the 2021 Registered Respiratory Therapy Distinguished Credentialing Success Award. TCC’s program is one of eight in the nation to receive this distinction from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) for eight consecutive years.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of TCC’s graduates in Respiratory Therapy and other health care fields. The college continues to provide critical training for front line health care workers.
The pass rate for students taking the Respiratory Therapy credentialing exam to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is 100%.
Most TCC graduates have jobs before graduating with some even receiving lucrative sign-on bonuses.
The Respiratory Therapy program is offered at TCC’s Regional Health Professions building on the Virginia Beach Campus. The state-of-the-art facility offers a high-fidelity simulation laboratory that allows faculty to provide students with the most authentic educational experience.
The college even has its own ventilators to train students on how to provide lifesaving support when needed.
TCC offers the only Respiratory Therapy associate degree program in Hampton Roads.
The college also partners with all major area health care providers to offer clinical rotations for students. Because of this exposure, students work alongside respiratory care practitioners developing health care plans and evaluating therapies using critical thinking. They see firsthand the real-world benefits of working as a team to solve life-threatening clinical problems daily.
The main skills students learn are therapies to enhance ventilation and oxygenation of the body. Therapists can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and diagnostic laboratories.
Prospective students can learn more about the program at https://www.tcc.edu/programs/respiratory-therapy/ or by attending an open house, which is held on the third Thursday of each month (except December) at 3 p.m. in the Regional Health Professions building on the Virginia Beach Campus. Email Program Director Denise Bieszczad at dbieszczad@email.vccs.edu for more information.

Join TCC in honoring our front-line health care workers during Respiratory Care Week, Oct. 24-30. For more than 18 months, respiratory therapists have been on the front lines more than usual. COVID-19 has forced respiratory therapists into new territory like never before. So many have worked countless hours away from their loved ones, risked their personal health and the health of their families, traveled across the United States to assist in COVID-19 surge cities, and so much more.

TCC’s Respiratory Therapy program earns national recognition

Tidewater Community College’s Respiratory Therapy program is a recipient of the 2021 Registered Respiratory Therapy Distinguished Credentialing Success Award.

TCC’s program is one of eight in the nation to receive this distinction from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) for eight consecutive years.

TCC offers one of eight respiratory therapy programs in the state. Five are associate degree and three are bachelor’s degree programs.

TCC Respiratory Therapy graduate Daniel Velazquez.

“The COVID-19 pandemic certainly highlighted the importance of our graduates,” said Denise Bieszczad, program head for respiratory therapy at the college. “We provide critical training for front line health care workers and have continuously had the highest pass rates on national examinations of any school in Virginia, even those programs offering bachelor’s degrees.”

She attributes the program’s success to several factors, including the Regional Health Professions Center on the Virginia Beach Campus. The state-of-the-art facility offers a high-fidelity simulation laboratory that allows faculty to provide students with the most authentic educational experience.

Respiratory Therapy lab and simulators on the Virginia Beach Campus.

The college also partners with all major area health care providers to offer clinical rotations for students.

“Because of this exposure, our students get to observe respiratory care practitioners developing health care plans and evaluating therapies using critical thinking,” Bieszczad said. “They see firsthand the real-world benefits of working as a team to solve life-threatening clinical problems every day.”

Program Head Denise Bieszczad arranged to donate TCC ventilators to Sentara hospitals during the height of the pandemic.

Award winners must have three or more years of outcomes data; hold accreditation without a progress report; document registered respiratory therapy credentialing success of 90 percent or above; and meet or exceed established CoARC thresholds for certified respiratory therapist credentialing success, attrition and job placement.

For more information about the college’s Respiratory Therapy program, contact Bieszczad at 757-822-7412 or dbieszczad@tcc.edu.

TCC to hold its 72nd Commencement Exercises virtually

Tidewater Community College will hold its 72nd Commencement Exercises virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 10 at 6 p.m., the college will recognize the achievements of its graduates with an online ceremony that will include messages from President Marcia Conston, student speakers, faculty and staff, and community leaders.

To participate, students need to apply for graduation by March 22.

Graduates will have the opportunity to see their photos and names displayed during the virtual ceremony. Photos should be submitted by March 26 by using this form.

Parents, family, faculty, alumni and community supporters are also encouraged to send greetings to graduates. The deadline is April 2.

Also, all May graduates will receive celebratory items for the day including their diploma case, a letter from President Conston, commencement program and alumni pin.

The exercises will be available as a recording afterward.

The decision to conduct this ceremony online honors guidelines announced by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and is in line with CDC regulations for social distancing to deter the spread of COVID-19.

TCC’s May graduates should visit this page for more information about graduation regalia (if desired), yard signs and to join TCC’s alumni community.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Randell Barkley with his new laptop from Hope U Foundation.

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

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

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

TCC employee tests positive for COVID-19

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

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

No students were on the campus.

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

TCC will extend remote learning through the spring semester

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

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

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

TCC moving to remote learning to limit spread of COVID-19

Tidewater Community College students are being instructed not to return to campus after Spring Break, which concludes Saturday, March 14, in order to limit the spread of COVID-19.

TCC has cancelled all classes on March 16 and 17.

“Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been consistent in recommending social distancing as a strategy to help stem the spread of coronavirus,” President Marcia Conston said in a message to faculty and staff. Like many colleges, TCC is canceling classes “out of an abundance of caution and concern,” she said.

Classes will resume March 18 using remote instruction, which may include email, webinars or conference calls, in addition to established distance learning technology. Classes will remain in remote delivery at least through April 1.

“The college’s goal is to maintain continuity in instruction for our students while doing our best to limit the spread of COVID-19,” President Conston said.

Priority enrollment for Summer Session and Fall Semester will open on March 16; students can register for classes online.

Open enrollment begins March 23. New students can call 757-822-1111 or email enroll@tcc.edu to obtain virtual assistance.

If there is a decision to continue with remote learning beyond April 1, TCC will advise faculty, staff and students by March 27.