TCC’s AVP for Student Success, Dr. Kia Hardy, Inspires Leaders for Women’s History Month

Tidewater Community College’s Associate Vice President for Student Success, Dr. Kia Hardy, inspired leaders on Tuesday afternoon, March 25, as the featured speaker at the college’s Women’s History Month event, “Preparing to Fill the Leadership Gap: The Challenges Facing Mid-Level Women Leaders in Urban Community Colleges.” Speaking at the Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Dr. Hardy provided an inspiring address advocating for women’s empowerment, equity, and leadership.

Dr. Hardy is a Virginia Beach native and Kellam High School graduate. She studied sociology and was a member of the women’s basketball team at the College of William and Mary. After earning her undergraduate degree in 2005 at William and Mary, she widened her educational background by earning a Master of Education degree in Educational Policy in 2008. During her time in the master’s program, she worked at William and Mary as the Assistant Women’s basketball coach. After earning her master’s degree, she began working in higher education as the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admission at William and Mary and then as the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission at North Carolina State University.

Hardy started her career at TCC as the Lead Academic Counselor on the Norfolk campus from 2014 to 2018. Subsequently, she served as the Interim Dean of Student Services on TCC’s Norfolk campus from 2018 to 2020 while working on her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Community College Leadership at Old Dominion University.

In her address, Dr. Hardy shared research from her dissertation about women who are underrepresented in higher-education positions in the workforce. Her phenomenological research study was based on women’s experiences in mid-level positions at urban community colleges. The study was qualitative, and she interviewed ten diverse women leaders in dean or director positions. She noted that she found five major themes from her study: leadership progression, work-life balance, mentorship and professional development, communication, and institutional climate and structure.

More of her research noted that there is higher representation for women at the community college-level for presidents versus any other higher education-level. She found that most held faculty or academic positions before their presidencies. She also highlighted that women are often put in interim positions, noting how she is a prime example.

After earning a Ph.D. from Old Dominion University, Dr. Hardy served as Interim Dean of Advising/Virginia Beach Campus Dean, and then Dean of Advising/Norfolk Campus Dean. In May 2024, she was promoted to TCC Associate Vice President for Student Success in the Student Affairs Division.

Through her own research and experience, Dr. Hardy notes several avenues that help women succeed in higher-education, specifically in mid-level to executive-level roles. She highly recommends mentorship, professional development, and pursuing a doctoral degree.

Despite her career and educational successes, Dr. Hardy recalls the challenging time when she was simultaneously working at TCC and earning her Ph.D. at ODU. Dr. Hardy and her husband, Cerone, also had a toddler at the time.

“I knew that that was something that I was going to ultimately do, and so I decided that I was going to [get my Ph.D.] when my son was younger. I trusted the setup that we had with tri-parenting when my mother and mother-in-law were retired and able to help me and my husband parent our child,” Dr. Hardy said.

Dr. Hardy also mentioned how she struggled with her mental and physical well-being for a while. She said that she lost her voice and didn’t feel like herself.

“It was a year and a half during a pandemic of trying to figure out how to fix me. My doctor told me, ‘When you feel something coming on, you need to take a day, or you need to figure out how you can bring yourself back.’”

Dr. Hardy now carefully manages her overall well-being to make sure she is making time for herself and her loved ones with her workload.

“I really worked hard [to center myself] for the last three to four years. Now, I take time for myself. I even have the Calm app. I actually bought a lifetime subscription to it. I listen to it during the day and do the little thirty second mindfulness,” Dr. Hardy said.

Dr. Hardy encourages women to pursue their goals and ambitions, especially in higher education. She wants to serve as a mentor to help guide others through their journey.

Dr. Hardy closed with a special message, “I am available like I mentioned when it comes to mentorship. Whether it’s a student or a staff member, we can make a meeting on my calendar. But, I wish the best on whatever journey that you’re on.”

A lifetime of service to students and leaders

When Karen Campbell, Ph.D., was working on her bachelor’s at the University of Richmond, a mentor there suggested she look at higher education as a place where she could make a difference.

Campbell took that advice to heart and has spent 30 years helping students find their paths to success.

After working in area universities for more than a decade, Campbell joined TCC in 2005 as a Career Coach in area high schools. In that role, she directly supported students beginning their higher education journeys.

Over the years, Campbell has served in various leadership positions before being selected to the top spot for student services. She currently serves as vice president for student affairs and provides college-wide leadership for admissions, recruitment, registration, advising, education accessibility, student success, student activities, career services and more.

“I enjoy what I do every day,” Campbell said. “It’s rewarding to provide support for those who come through our doors as they prepare for the work they want to pursue.”

In her free time, Campbell also serves as state chair of the American Council on Education’s Women’s Virginia Network. The mission of the group is to identify, develop, advance, and support women in higher education.

“We all give our time to make sure women in Virginia have the skills and confidence to go to the next level if they choose to do so,” Campbell said.

“We encourage women to consider positions out of their comfort zone and to also look at their skills through a different lens,” she added. “Ultimately, we encourage, engage and provide a network to help women leaders advance to the positions they seek.”

For those who may be considering careers in higher education in the future, Campbell says it is still a great place to make your mark while making a difference for others.

“I want everyone to know that higher education is a place you can learn and grow as a professional. It’s also a place where you can help other learners understand who they are and create confidence to build the leaders of the future.”

In her free time, Campbell enjoys traveling to experience different cultures and to learn people’s stories. So far she has visited 25 countries and territories.