New Child Development Centers opening at TCC Campuses

Tidewater Community College values quality education for both you and your children, which is why new TCC Child Development Centers will be opening on the Portsmouth and Norfolk Campuses starting Fall Semester 2023. These centers will provide quality care and developmental learning for children of TCC students, helping them thrive while their parents pursue higher education. Full-time students with a FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid office are eligible to apply for child care scholarships.

The first center will open on the Portsmouth Campus in mid-August followed by a second location on the Norfolk Campus opening in January 2024. The Child Development Centers will be staffed by TCC’s Early Childhood Development program alumni and students. They will focus on teaching children school readiness and important skills through play.

Ciera Streeter, director of TCC’s Childhood Development Centers, urges all students with children ages 3-5 to apply for this opportunity. She said, “Parents will be able to attend in-person classes, complete internships or program requirements and feel relief from financial barriers, all while their children receive high-quality care.”

TCC Child Development Center services are available to any currently enrolled TCC student in need of child care. In addition, students can use financial aid to cover child care costs. Students can authorize TCC to charge the cost of child care services to their remaining financial aid, after the cost of tuition, fees and any bookstore charges have been deducted.

Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, TCC is also able to offer the Child Care Access Means Parents (CCAMPIS) in School scholarships. Students with children and financial needs can receive reduced or no-cost child care. To learn more and apply, visit here. The scholarship will be open for applications between June 15, 2023 – Aug. 25, 2023.

Each center will provide safe, convenient and consistent child care five days a week. Center hours are Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for children 3 to 5 years of age, with after-school and drop-in care available for children up to 12 years of age.

The TCC Child Development Centers are in the following locations:

Norfolk Campus, Norfolk Student Center, TCC Child Development Center, Room 213
Portsmouth Campus, Portsmouth Student Center, TCC Child Development Center, E101

To learn more about child care at TCC and to register your child, visit here. For more information, contact Streeter at cstreeter@tcc.edu or by calling 757-822-1099.

For information about TCC’s CCAMPIS scholarship, please contact LaShell Currie, Childcare Provider liaison by emailing lcurrie@tcc.edu or calling 757-822-1796.

TCC student awarded top state scholarship

Damien Algernon, a Tidewater Community College student, is this year’s New Century Transfer Pathways Scholarship awardee for the state of Virginia.

Selected out of two hundred applicants, Algernon will receive a $2,250 scholarship.

Algernon was recognized on April 3 at the American Association of Community Colleges conference, held in Denver, Colo., during the President’s Breakfast event.

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation President Jenny Hale Hopkins (left) wtih Algernon and Monica Marlowe with the Phi Theta Kappa Fondation.

“We are proud of Damien for this tremendous accomplishment and grateful to be part of his academic journey,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “Damien’s work ethic and perseverance will certainly take him far in his career and life.”

The New Century Pathway Scholarship program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa.

Algernon, 18, started at TCC while a sophomore at Salem High School in Virginia Beach. As a dual enrollment student, he got a head start on college, earning his associate degree one year after his high school diploma.

“When the pandemic hit, I had a lot of free time and nowhere to go,” Algernon said. “I decided to take some college courses and found it easy to engage and throw myself into my studies.”

Algernon said that he discovered his life’s passion while at TCC, after taking his first astronomy class. “I always enjoyed chemistry but found a passion for the stars and sky while at TCC.”

Algernon is earning an Associate of Science in Science this May. He plans to continue at a university to study Astro chemistry. He plans to work his way toward a Ph.D. and one day be a researcher and university professor.

While at TCC, Algernon was an intern at NASA, a place where he hopes to work again one day.

TCC Dean of Student Life Emily Hartman with Algernon.

“TCC is a place of opportunities,” Algernon added. “My time at the college helped me discover a career path I’m excited about. But more importantly, it was a place to grow and find out who I am.”

TCC receives $250,000 donation from Banister Automotive for scholarships and more

Tidewater Community College is the recipient of a $250,000 sponsorship and scholarship donation from Banister Automotive.

“We are thrilled to partner with Banister Automotive to provide scholarship opportunities for our students,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “We are grateful for this contribution and look forward to a continuing partnership with Banister Automotive to support our students and community.”

The donation will also fund a new TCC Presidential Scholarship for outstanding student scholars. The scholarships may be used to cover tuition, books, fees, tools, and all other needed materials for students to be successful.

In addition, the donation will be used to develop dual enrollment programs for high school students. Dual enrollment programs provide access to college classes for high school juniors and seniors, in an effort to give them a head start on their college careers.

Banister Automotive, established in 2017, is committed to supporting the community it serves. One of their goals is to support community initiatives and propel past barriers to get students into great jobs.

“Education is empowering which is why I stand behind the mission of community colleges and the vision of Tidewater Community College. TCC affords students in our region with the opportunity to attend college for little to no cost and succeed with the proper support; it is an effort we support at Banister,” said Dan Banister, Owner of Banister Automotive, which includes Banister Nissan of Chesapeake, Banister Nissan of Norfolk and Banister Ford of Marlow Heights Maryland.

Banister continued, “I serve on TCC’s Educational Foundation Board to represent my wife and children. We know what it’s like to have the college dream and want to ensure that all people have those opportunities. Our board is focused on reducing college debt for graduates. Currently, 3 in 5 TCC students graduate debt free. And we have dreams to make that 5 out of 5 students. We’d like to see all students stay local and get jobs with no educational debt. That would be a massive community achievement and a level of public-private engagement that moves the needle for our citizens’ success.”

The donation will be paid over five years beginning in 2023.

There’s still time to apply for fall scholarships at TCC

Whether you’re studying nursing, culinary arts or automotive technology, TCC has scholarships designed just for you. In fact, TCC has scholarships for dozens of program areas and a special scholarship for women in STEM fields.

Don’t miss out on free money to further your academic goals.

Applications for Tidewater Community College’s 2022 fall scholarships are being accepted now through March 31.

Thanks to the contributions of individual donors and organizations, TCC’s Educational Foundation is able to provide scholarships to support students academic studies and achievements. Awards may be used for tuition, books and fees at TCC.

Most TCC Educational Foundation scholarships are worth $500 or more. They do not need to be repaid. Depending on your unmet need, you may be awarded more than one scholarship.

Browse the list of opportunities to find your fit.

Remember, scholarships are a form of financial aid that do not need to be repaid. Most scholarships awarded by TCC are worth at least $500.

Some scholarships factor in demographics. The Betty L. Shores Memorial Scholarship, for example, gives preference to students attending the Virginia Beach Campus. The Frank Farello Scholarship seeks students who are studying Culinary Arts of Hospitality Management.

A few, including the Barnes and Noble Textbook Scholarship, offer multiple scholarships to students on each of the four campuses and have minimal requirements.

Start by completing the 2022-23 FAFSA to determine your eligibility for financial aid. Find the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. List TCC as your school of choice by using code 003712.

Use your myTCC login and password to sign into the scholarship application system. From there, browse scholarship opportunities and apply for ones that fit you best. The system will recommend scholarships that are right for you.

For more information contact the TCC Educational Foundation at foundation@tcc.edu or 757-822-1080.

G3 Scholarships give students an opportunity to get ahead in a career/technical field

On the heels of Governor Northam’s 21-22 budget signing, G3 Scholarships at Tidewater Community College are now open and available to eligible students seeking certifications and degrees that will lead to an in-demand job. G3 Scholarships cover tuition and fees for individuals who qualify for state financial aid, allowing students to gain the skills they need for a good career in their community without worrying about costs.

G3 Scholarships are available for select programs in five of Virginia’s most in-demand industries, including Early Childhood Education, Healthcare, Information Technology, Public Safety and Skilled Trades.

“G3 is a game-changer for our students as it provides scholarships for education and career training for today’s in-demand career fields,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “If students want to come to TCC to get a certificate or degree that leads to a career, we will help find the money to make it happen.”

Applicants for G3 Scholarships must meet certain financial qualifications. For example, a student’s household income (for a family of four) must be less than $106,000 or a single adult making less than $51,000. Income thresholds vary as the household number increases. Once a student qualifies, G3 Scholarships require a level of academic performance to stay eligible. For full-time students who also receive the maximum Pell Grant, additional scholarship benefits are designed to help offset the cost of living so they can continue to take care of their family while going through a program.

Typically, the cost of attendance for a full-time student taking 30 credits at Tidewater Community College is $5,560 per year. The G3 Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship that, with other financial aid, could bring that cost down to $0.

Students who are interested in learning more about the G3 Scholarship at TCC and what programs of study they can pursue can find more information here.

Students who need help applying to TCC and enrolling in classes can receive support from the college’s Virtual Student Support Team by emailing info@tcc.edu or calling 757-822-1122.

REV program a win-win-win for students, employers & the economy

It’s not just Tidewater Community College students who will benefit from the Re-Employing Virginians (REV) initiative, which will provide scholarships to those unemployed or underemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regional employers will benefit as well. Gov. Ralph Northam’s $27 million initiative in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act targets those in the essential industries of health care, information technology, skilled trades, public safety and early childhood education.

“TCC is ready to lead this charge to help students in these essential fields,” said Cindy Free, chair of the TCC College Board.

REV vouchers are available now

One-time REV scholarships of $3,000 are available to those who qualify for a full-time workforce program and scholarships of $1,500 will help those who qualify for a part time or a short-term, noncredit training program.

Training the next generation of skilled technicians has been an ongoing priority for TCC.

“Mitsubishi Chemical has long supported TCC’s development of workforce training and we have benefited directly from it,” said Bill Yannetti, president and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Chemical Composites America. “We believe graduates of the Mechatronics program, and others within the college, are a fantastic source of well-trained, ready-to-work manpower.”

TCC students who complete workforce programs often have jobs prior to graduation.

Helping Virginians get back to work

“We know jobs are plentiful in these high-demand career areas in the Hampton Roads region,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “TCC’s curriculum aligns with the needs of its industry partners in those areas, so once you have the education, you are prepared to be hired immediately. “

TCC’s allotment, $3 million in tuition-only scholarships, will be passed on to those who meet some basic eligibility requirements.

Norfolk’s Jessica South, 21, is among the first to use a REV voucher to enroll at TCC. She looks forward to working toward an associate degree in early childhood education. She is unemployed and would not be able to afford college without the REV program.

“I read up on it and found my degree on the list of programs and right away decided to apply,” said South, who received $3,000 toward her tuition. “I received a call from a TCC advisor the very same day. It was such an easy process.”

TCC partners agree this is a win-win for the community

TCC has a long history of working with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and that continues with the governor’s REV initiative.

“Governor Northam’s commitment to providing the resources to meet the educational needs of Hampton Roads and Virginia residents is a great step in the recovery process,” said Shawn Avery, president and chief executive officer of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. “The Workforce Council looks forward to supporting Tidewater Community College in promoting this opportunity to the region.”

Northam regards the program as a win for workers, employers and the state’s economy.

“As we focus on recovering from the impacts of the global pandemic, the new REV initiative will give Virginians the resources they need to get back on their feet and help ensure that our Commonwealth emerges from this public health crisis even stronger than we were before,” he said.

To find out if you qualify for a REV scholarship, visit here.

“I’ve gone from nothing to something in three semesters.” — scholarship recipient Dasha Chaney

Dasha Chaney wasn’t ready for college the first time around.

Now the 23-year-old is close to completing her Tidewater Community College cyber degree in just one year.

“I’ve gone from nothing to something in three semesters,” Chaney said. “I actually have the mindset for college now. I’m ready to push and meet my goals.”

A TCC scholarship recipient, Chaney was awarded the Christopher M. Garrett Memorial scholarship for $1,800 and the Barnes and Noble Textbook scholarship for $600.

Chaney is grateful for the funds, as they are helping to ease the financial crunch of her final 16-credit- hour semester at the college.

A high achieving student, Chaney was delighted to be awarded an academic scholarship. “It definitely gives me a boost and peace of mind that I can and will finish my degree,” she said.

Growing up, Chaney opted for Game Boy Advance instead of Barbie dolls.

“I always liked video games that were hands-on and visual. That’s what attracted me to cyber security. It’s a field that’s always advancing,” Chaney said.

The daughter of a Navy officer, Chaney said her father, Lt. Cmdr. Shelley Pulliam, has been a great influence in her life with everything technical, and now as an inspiration for her cyber career.

“My parents encouraged TCC early on, but I didn’t listen. I had to find my way back after a time at Old Dominion and a very brief enlistment in the Navy,” Chaney said.

Now Chaney’s course is clear, and she is preparing to be a cyber security analyst. While at TCC she is also completing her Network+ and A+ certifications. She plans to transfer back to Old Dominion to complete her bachelor’s degree.

Chaney credits campus advisor Kita Graham with helping make the transfer process easy.

An online learner, Chaney sends a shoutout to Joel Kirch, her favorite professor. “The community at TCC is what makes learning possible. All of my professors have been supportive and engaging,” she said.

Chaney participates in the Virginia Beach Campus Cyber Security Club. Because of COVID-19, the group has been meeting virtually for games and competitions. Chaney also volunteers for TCC’s Computers for Student Success, helping to refurbish computers and provide them to students in need.

She encourages students coming after her to “trust in your process and push yourself.”

Chaney added, “Never think you can’t do it, because you always can! And if it doesn’t work out the first time, get back up and try again!”

Spring scholarships are available now and most TCC students qualify. Browse the list of opportunities at tcc.edu/scholarships to find your fit.

“TCC fits into my schedule and is helping me build the life I always saw for myself”

Single mom Teosha Taylor is determined to make a difference.

Taylor, 34, is studying Human Services at Tidewater Community College. After graduating next spring, she hopes to establish a charity to help teen moms, runaways and youth who have been neglected and abused.

Taylor is passionate about being the light for youth who are the most vulnerable.

“This hits close to home for me,” she said. “I’ve been in a home where there’s abuse and some of my friends were runaways because of abuse. I saw first-hand the damage that can be done, so now I want to be part of the solution.”

She added, “I know how it is to be in certain situations, but I also know that those situations don’t have to define you.”

Taylor received two scholarships this fall, the Mary Ferrell Flickinger scholarship for $1,500 and the Barnes and Noble Textbook scholarship for $600.

“What a gift! Getting help with tuition, fees and books was tremendous!” she said. “It’s helped me keep pushing, to make it to the finish line next May.”

The mother of three concedes that balancing home life and school can be challenging.

“The best part of TCC for me is the supportive faculty, the open access to programs, and the online classes,” she said.

Taylor’s favorite professor is Melvilyn Scott because she takes the time to make sure students understand the concepts and she responds to every request for help.

Taylor is already using what she is learning at her current job as a patient care specialist at Sentara Health Systems.

“I love everything about the program, even the paper writing,” she said.

“TCC fits into my schedule and is helping me build the life I always saw for myself. What could be better than that?”

Spring scholarships are available now and most TCC students qualify for scholarships. Browse the list of opportunities at tcc.edu/scholarships to find your fit.

There’s still time to apply for scholarships and get money for school

TCC offers a variety of program-specific scholarship opportunities, including unique awards geared towards students studying fields like automotive technology, engineering, culinary arts, and early childhood education!

Nate Parker and Omar Lezcano at the Regional Automotive Center.

Nate Parker and Omar Lezcano never met Jordan McNair, but they are grateful for his life and passion for Hondas. They were the inaugural recipients of the Jordan McNair Memorial Honda PACT Scholarship, sponsored by Priority Automotive. The $12,000 scholarship covers half the cost of tuition for two students in the Honda PACT program for two years.

“I never thought I’d go to school, but once I saw this facility with the instructional bays and vehicles, I knew I was supposed to be here,” Lezcano said. “The program has fast-tracked me at my work and been a great experience.” Lezcano credits the Honda program with increasing his knowledge “through the roof” and providing opportunities even before graduation.

It’s not too late to apply for a variety of scholarships in automotive and diesel technology, including:

Carter Machinery Company and Caterpillar, Inc.’s Diesel Technology Scholarship
David Aldridge Memorial Scholarship (Toyota T-TEN)
Ford ASSET Scholarship
Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers Association Scholarship
NAPA Auto Care Annual Expendable Scholarship
Tidewater Area Fleet Manager’s Association Scholarship

Students can also find scholarship opportunities in STEM.

Ramon Veal, a Daniel C. Pettway Scholarship recipient, originally came to TCC to study music, but after experimenting with engineering classes, he fell in love with mechanical engineering technology.

Ramon Veal poses with the STEM Club robot.

“The scholarship has made a difference,” Veal said. “This funding has helped fill the gaps from my grant money and allowed me to buy my supplies and books,” he said. “It’s been a boost for my self-esteem. Knowing someone notices that I’m doing something good and wants to help me go even further? That’s cool!”

There are dozens of other program-specific scholarship opportunities available, including the Ann Peele Ambrose Scholarship, established for Administrative Support Technology students at the Portsmouth Campus, the Norfolk LOGISTXGAMES Scholarship, for students pursuing course work related to the logistics and warehousing industry, the TIFSEA C-CAP Scholarship, for students in the culinary arts or hospitality management program, and the Suffolk Smart Beginnings Early Childhood Development Scholarship, which supports Suffolk residents studying early childhood education.

We even offer an Electronics Engineering Scholarship for high school students pursuing dual enrollment course work in electronics!

How to apply

Interested in these or other scholarships? The time to apply is now! Scholarship applications are accepted through Nov. 15.

Start by completing the 2019-20 FAFSA, which determines your eligibility for financial aid. Find the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. List TCC as your school of choice by using the code 003712.

If you already have an active FAFSA on file you do not need to submit a second one.

Sign in to the scholarship application system using your myTCC log-in and password. From there, it’s just a matter of browsing scholarship opportunities and applying for ones that fit you best!

It’s time to apply for your spring scholarship to TCC

Applications for TCC scholarships are being accepted now through Nov. 15.

Whether you’re a recent high school graduate or a military-related student returning to school, Tidewater Community College offers scholarships that can help you pay for classes. Don’t miss out on free money to further your academic goals.

TCC’s Educational Foundation provides scholarships to support students’ academic studies and achievement. Awards may be used for tuition, books and fees at TCC.

Most TCC Educational Foundation scholarships are worth $500 or more. They do not need to be repaid. Depending on your unmet need, you may be awarded more than one scholarship.

Emeakama Favour in the Chesapeake Academic Building — Emeakama Favour at the Chesapeake Campus.

Nigerian student Emeakama Favour came to TCC to study cyber security and get a head start on her future. Two scholarships, the Mary Ferrell Flickinger and E.C. Wareheim scholarships, helped pave her way. “These scholarships helped me experience the joy of learning. They covered most of my tuition for one semester and helped me stay in school,” she said.

TCC donor Sarah “Tata” White Kellam and student Dawn Johns — TCC alumna Dawn Johns and donor Sarah “Tata” White Kellam.

Dawn Johns, recipient of the Sarah “Tata” White Kellam Scholarship, searched for all the awards she was eligible to receive in Academic Works. “Some of them don’t even require an essay – you’re just completing the form,” she said. “I take so much pride in being the recipient of a scholarship. Every semester after I received that award, I was a 4.0 student.”

Start by completing the 2019-20 FAFSA, which determines your eligibility for financial aid. Find the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

List TCC as your school of choice by using the code 003712.

Sign into the scholarship application system using your myTCC log-in and password. From there, it’s just a matter of browsing scholarship opportunities and applying for ones that fit you best.

Spring classes start Jan. 13.

For more information about scholarships, visit www.tcc.edu/scholarships. To learn about establishing a scholarship at TCC, contact the TCC Educational Foundation at foundation@tcc.edu or 757-822-1080.

TCC scholarships help international student stay in school

Nigerian Emeakama Favour came to Tidewater Community College to study cyber security and get a head start on her future. Two scholarships from the college helped pave her way.

This summer, Favour is a camp host for the STEM, Robotics, Mechatronics and Maker camps, sharing knowledge and encouraging youngsters to follow their dreams.

“I came to the U.S. because the education system is one of the world’s best and my family encouraged me to do so,” Favour said. “So far, it’s been great. I’m adjusting to the culture and learning how things are done here. The toughest thing has been to the cold weather in winter.”

To help pay for college, Favour, 24, received the Mary Ferrell Flickinger and E.C. Wareheim scholarships from TCC.

“These scholarships helped me experience the joy of learning. They covered most of my tuition for one semester and helped me stay in school,” she said.

Favour said she made the right choice coming to TCC because of the small classes and quality professors. “My professors have been very helpful. We’re dealing with real-world issues and using current software,” she said. “It’s amazing to be learning on the same tools that are used in the cyber industry.”

In her free time, Favour writes poetry and hosts a podcast called “Franc Poetry with Favour,” where she shares her work and invites poets from all over the world to share their poems and talk about their cities.

Once she earns her Career Studies Certificate in Cyber Security, Favour hopes to work full time as an IT security professional.

For more information about scholarships opening soon, click here.

Priority Automotive sponsors the college’s first Jordan McNair Memorial scholars

Nate Parker and Omar Lezcano never met Jordan McNair, but they are grateful for his life and passion for Hondas.

They are the inaugural recipients of the Jordan McNair Memorial Honda PACT Scholarship, sponsored by Priority Automotive.

Priority established the scholarship following the death of McNair, a student in Honda’s Professional Automotive Career Training program at the Regional Automotive Center.

The McNair scholarship, which is for second-year TCC students enrolled in the Honda program, covers half the cost of tuition.

2018-19 McNair Memorial scholars

Nate Parker and Omar Lezcano at the Regional Automotive Center in Chesapeake.

Parker, 22, started off in information technology and realized it was not the field for him. He never considered automotive as a career until he learned about the programs offered at TCC.

“I’ve always enjoyed being able to look at something and figure out how it works,” Parker said. “My buddy went to another tech school, and that’s all I knew before coming here. At TCC you get hands-on training with master technicians on real vehicles.”

Parker currently works at Priority Honda and will graduate with his Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology in May. He plans to continue working at Priority but would like to travel to Europe to work on Hondas there.

Lezcano, 20, started working on cars with his cousin while in middle school. He decided to turn his hobby into a career once he visited the RAC.

Lezcano credits the Honda program with increasing his knowledge “through the roof” and providing opportunities even before graduation. He works at Priority Acura and will earn his associate degree in May.

Want to learn more?

For information on scholarships, visit www.tcc.edu/scholarships

Learn how to qualify for TCC’s full-ride STEM Promise Scholarship at Q&A Session

Jen Essary, 2018 STEM Promise Scholar, Associate of Science with a Specialization in Computer Science

Join us on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 3 p.m. on the Tidewater Community College Facebook page for a Facebook Live to learn about TCC’s exciting full-ride scholarship opportunity: The TCC Women’s Center STEM Promise Program.

The TCC STEM Promise Program awards 20 scholarships each year to qualifying students. The scholarship pays tuition and fees for 2 full academic years at TCC.

Professor Bill Simmons — Bill Simmons, engineering professor, Chesapeake Campus

William Simmons, engineering professor, and Jena Essary, scholarship recipient, will join Jaedda Hall, program coordinator, for a half-hour Q&A session via Facebook Live. Interested students and parents are invited to tune in and learn more about how to qualify for the program and why the scholarship is a great opportunity for students interested in STEM fields.

RSVP Online via Facebook!

Applications for the 2019-20 academic year are currently being accepted. The deadline to apply is March 1.

View the application requirements at: www.tcc.edu/STEMpromise.

Interested but can’t attend? Email enroll@tcc.edu. Our New Student Support Team will send you the full video recording as soon as it’s available!

ASHRAE’s hot scholarship helps HVAC/R students land a cool degree

Over the last 30 years, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to nearly 500 students. These awards are designed to motivate students to pursue engineering or technology careers in the HVAC/R field.

In 2010, the Hampton Roads Chapter of ASHRAE announced the creation of a unique, chapter-specific scholarship: the Daniel C. Pettway Scholarship at Tidewater Community College.

Daniel C. Pettway started his career in HVAC/R as a youngster by helping his neighbor assemble catalogs. His passion for the field led to decades-long involvement with ASHRAE while his career advanced through the heating and air conditioning industry in both the residential and commercial marketplaces.

A TCC alum, Pettway transferred to Old Dominion University with his Associate of Science in General Studies, but was never able to obtain his bachelor’s due to financial constraints.

He returned to TCC later as an adult learner to set a good example for his son, Daniel C. Pettway II, when he realized “just how important a college degree is” for job advancement.

His plan worked. Pettway II earned an Associate of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology, graduated with a bachelor’s in civil engineering from ODU and is now a project manager for Akridge in Washington, DC.

The Daniel C. Pettway Scholarship at TCC recognizes Pettway’s long-standing commitment and contributions to ASHRAE at the local, regional and national levels. The award also strives to “serve humanity and promote a sustainable world” by helping to train students for careers focused on energy efficiency, air quality and industry sustainability.

RJ Hartman, the outgoing 2017 ASHRAE Hampton Roads Chapter President and LEED Green Associate Mechanical Engineer at Clark Nexsen, calls the scholarship a well-deserved honor for Pettway and an important part of ASHRAE’s mission.

“To say that Dan is involved is an understatement. Since the ’80s, he’s been working with the local chapter, at the regional level as director at large and has even served as vice president of the ASHRAE Society. He’s a huge supporter of our initiatives regarding research promotion and energy.”

The scholarship also has a personal meaning to Hartman, who was a recipient of an ASHRAE scholarship award when he was pursuing his mechanical engineering degree at ODU.

“There are tons of metrics people are using now to understand how to get to a ‘green’ construction,” said Hartman. “Insulation, window performance, HVAC systems, locally sourced materials, reusing construction materials. . . . Everyone wants to be in a 75-degree building in 100-degree weather, and we want you to be comfortable too – with the lowest environmental impact possible.”

Adam Forshey, Treasurer, Hampton Roads ASHRAE Chapter, and Ramon Veal, 2017 scholarship recipient.

Eligible students need to demonstrate interest in an HVAC/R career and be enrolled in one of TCC’s engineering, HVAC/R or computer-aided drafting and design programs.

Ramon Veal, this year’s award recipient, is a mechanical engineering technology student with a blueprint for success and a passion for evolving technology.

A talented musician on the clarinet and drums, Veal originally came to TCC to study music, but after experimenting with engineering classes, he fell in love with the subject: “I still love music, but I’ve definitely found a passion for engineering here.”

Veal enjoys the opportunities available to learn beyond the classroom – and recently placed fourth with his classmates in the American Society for Engineering Education Two-Year College Division Model Design Competition in Salt Lake City.

“The scholarship has made a difference,” Veal said.

“This funding has helped fill the gaps from my grant money and allowed me to buy my supplies and books,” he said. “It’s been a boost for my self-esteem. Knowing someone notices that I’m doing something good and wants to help me go even further? That’s cool!”

Veal will finish his associate degree next year and hopes to transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue a bachelor’s.

“I want to enjoy what I do for a living,” Veal said. “TCC is preparing me for a career that will allow me to do just that.”

For Hartman and local ASHRAE members, the outcome couldn’t be better; “We want to educate our young people to be more responsible to the Earth,” he said. “But, ultimately, our goal is to continue the legacy of our chapter by creating more engineers who can better serve our community.”

For more information about available scholarships at TCC, visit www.tcc.edu/scholarships. To learn more about establishing a scholarship at TCC, contact the TCC Educational Foundation at foundation@tcc.edu or 757-822-1080.

An Enduring Love: Donors embrace love and honor the past after loss

When Doug and Pat Barner finished raising their blended family, they followed their hearts to Chic’s Beach in Virginia Beach. They built a house just blocks away from the water and settled into retirement and beach living.

Doug quickly took to the neighborhood, especially the civic league and the neighborhood watch. Early mornings found him walking the beach, chatting with neighbors and keeping an eye on things. When Doug died unexpectedly there was a big empty space in the heart of Chic’s Beach.

Before his death, Doug had revived his interest in art and began to paint in earnest. His beach landscapes were filled with light and movement. He had arranged to exhibit his new work at Alexander’s on the Bay restaurant, so after his death Pat decided to go ahead with the show.

She endowed the Doug Barner Fine Arts Scholarship at Tidewater Community College with the proceeds of his artwork. The award supports a student pursuing painting, drawing or photography at the Visual Arts Center in Portsmouth, Virginia.

A few years later, Bob Randolph was grieving the death of his wife Joanne when he and Pat reconnected.

The Barners had gone to the same church as the Randolphs for over 40 years.

With children the same age and overlapping social circles, the families were already close. And now, Pat and Bob were joined in an unexpected way – through grief.

Robert Randolph and Patricia Barner in Croatia — Bob Randolph and Pat Barner in Croatia

Over the next weeks and months, Pat helped Bob through the grieving process and, in turn, he helped her realize that she had come a long way since her husband’s death.

Their feelings for one another grew and took on new shape. They fell in love and got married.

Bob was moved to establish a scholarship in his late wife’s name, as Pat had for Doug.

Joanne was a longtime resident of Norfolk and a retired registered nurse who worked in the Peace Corps before a decades-long career at DePaul Medical Center.

“I thought a scholarship was a terrific idea,” Bob said, “but both of Joanne’s alma maters had closed. I knew that TCC offered a nursing program, so I reached out.”

He established the Joanne Randolph Nursing Scholarship, which supports a high-performing nursing student pursuing a career in the field.

The 2018 recipient of the Joanne Randolph Nursing Scholarship, Nicole Merritt-Croft is a proud future nurse. As a Navy veteran, mother of three, and full-time nursing student, the scholarship money made a big difference to her family while she was in school.

“My daughter was also taking classes at TCC while I was enrolled and my husband was deployed on active duty,” said Merritt-Croft. “While we were all studying – all the money mattered, down to the very last penny. I’m so appreciative of this scholarship; it allowed me to buy my nursing supplies and textbooks. It was one less thing to worry about!”

A former hospital corpsman in the Navy, Merritt-Croft graduated in May and has been studying for the National Council Licensure Examination with hopes of landing in a labor and delivery unit. Like Joanne, she has a passion for medicine and helping others.

“I had been trying to get back to school for a long time before starting at TCC,” she said. “When we got stationed here four years ago all my kids were old enough that I could do it without having a nervous breakdown. There was nothing stopping me – and I went for it!”

“TCC was a great value for the cost,” Merrit-Croft said. “I learned a ton – so much. And thanks to my amazing teachers, I have no reason to think that I’m not just going to pass my boards with flying colors.”

“We never forget our Joanne and Doug,” said Pat. “We live with them. Bob and I feel they’re always here, together with us, because of the memories. Finding each other has been a beautiful gift.”

Go anywhere but first come to TCC’s open house on June 23

Find your future at Tidewater Community College.

Learn about the gamut of TCC’s programs, including cybersecurity, culinary arts, health sciences, maritime technologies and many other potential career paths and transfer opportunities the college offers.

Take the next step by visiting TCC’s open house on June 23 held on all campuses from 9 a.m. until noon.

There is plenty of time to enroll for fall classes, which begin Aug. 20.

All are invited, especially:

2018 high school graduates and their families;
adults who want to start or finish a degree, learn a new field or advance in their careers;
active-duty military and veterans, their spouses and dependents.

You will be able to apply to TCC; learn about financial aid, grants and scholarships; explore academic options; tour campuses; and learn about campus life at all locations.

If you have an eye on a four-year college, TCC can help get you there, too. Transfer agreements allow a student to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at TCC and gain guaranteed admission to most Virginia colleges and universities.

Locations for open house are:

Chesapeake Campus: Student Center
Norfolk Campus: Student Center
Portsmouth Campus: Building A
Virginia Beach Campus: Advanced Technology Center
Regional Automotive Center, 600 Innovation Drive in Chesapeake

For more information, call 757-822-1111, email enroll@tcc.edu or visit www.tcc.edu/open.

Need $$$$ for college? Avoid these pitfalls when applying for financial aid

Stressed about paying for college? If you’re planning on college, don’t overlook the important step of applying for financial aid. You might qualify for grants and scholarships – money you don’t have to pay back – work-study jobs – paid part-time work that’s generally on campus – or loans – funds you can repay after graduation.

If you’re attending Tidewater Community College this summer or have plans to be a student in the fall, here are some important tips to remember when applying for financial aid.

Yes, you can still apply for financial aid for summer even if you’re already enrolled in a summer class. Jen Perkinson, enrollment team manager at TCC, stresses she has seen students receive aid as late as their final week of classes. Yes, TCC’s priority deadline to file the FAFSA is April 1, but it is not too late. So if you haven’t filled out your FAFSA, what are you waiting for?
When you fill out your FAFSA, be sure to send the results to TCC by using the code 003712. The form will list that as being “TCC Norfolk,” but it applies to all of TCC’s campuses.
You don’t pay a cent to apply for financial aid or scholarships – FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Complete the form online at fafsa.gov or download paper forms there. Do not go to any other URL to fill out the FAFSA.
The deadline to apply for TCC scholarships is June 1. For more information, visit tcc.edu/scholarships.
If you or your family has filed a tax return in the last two years, the FAFSA has actually gotten easier to complete. Thanks to the IRS data retrieval tool, you can import information directly from the IRS website. This transfers data from a federal income tax return directly to the FAFSA. To see if you are eligible to use this time-saving tool, after you log in to your FAFSA, go to the “Student Financial Information” tab or, if relevant, the “Parent Financial Information” tab and follow the prompts.
Want help with your FAFSA? Consult your high school’s ACCESS counselor, who can walk you through the process. If you are not in school, call the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at 757-683-2312 to make an appointment for free assistance. You can also email the EOC at eoc@edufind.org.
Be aware that in addition to tuition, financial aid can pay for child care, meal plans and HRT transportation.
If you are offered loans, make sure you need them as you will have to pay those back. If you are offered a subsidized loan, interest does not accrue until you graduate.
If two weeks have passed and you haven’t heard about your financial aid, reach out to TCC at 757-822-1111. We are always here to help.

Perseverance pays off for TCC scholarship recipient

Dakota Bernacki always knew he would be paying his own way through college.

So when the time came for him to consider his educational options, Tidewater Community College’s affordability made it the clear choice.

“I didn’t want to wing it and hope I got the financial aid I needed at a four-year school,” Bernacki said. “And I also wasn’t 100 percent sure what I was going to study. I wanted some flexibility in my first year of college to explore my options within the electrical and computer engineering fields before committing to a particular degree track.”

The engineering program’s reputation, hands-on skills training and guaranteed transfer agreements sealed the deal.

Bernacki knew the proceeds from his small business, an on-call tech company that specializes in home networking, tech setup and virus/malware removal, would cover the cost of his textbooks. But he wanted to explore all of his funding options.

In his research, he stumbled across TCC’s scholarship website. He applied for a variety of awards but the system was difficult to navigate. Last year’s upgrades made all the difference.

“The new system recommended a variety of scholarships for me, including quite a few that I would not have known about before,” Bernacki said. That includes the Chesapeake Campus General Scholarship, which he received this year.

The Chesapeake Campus General Scholarship was established through donations from a diverse group of donors. The funds are intended to help high-performing students pursue higher education at TCC. Recipients are selected based on financial need, academic standing and personal qualities.

David Kiracofe, professor of history on the Chesapeake Campus, is a faculty member who has contributed to the Chesapeake Campus General Scholarship fund.

“I donate to scholarships because from my experience at TCC, it’s the point at which students struggle the most. For some of them, one good semester can keep them going – without help, their momentum can just evaporate.”

Kiracofe was a scholarship recipient himself in college – “for mathematics, which is really unsuitable because I’m terrible at math” – and he understands how the rising cost of education can complicate a student’s dreams of a degree.

“Community college students often don’t have the luxury of a four-year student,” he said. “They have responsibilities weighing on them like jobs, family obligations and personal issues. My hope is that scholarships like this one can help them complete their educations.”

For Bernacki, the scholarship has helped relieve the financial pressure of student loan debt.

“Knowing I don’t have to repay my scholarship money means one less thing for me to worry about,” he said. “When less debt hangs over your head, it becomes quite a bit easier to focus on learning new things. Paying less out of pocket also gives me more flexibility to transfer immediately to a four-year school instead of taking a few years to work full time and save up.”

Bernacki will finish his Associate of Science in Engineering this fall and hopes to transfer to a four-year school after that to pursue a bachelor’s in computer engineering.

“My education is my responsibility,” he said. “This is my future and there are more resources here at TCC to help me succeed than I could’ve known existed.”

For more information about available scholarships at TCC, visit tcc.edu/scholarships. To learn more about establishing a scholarship at TCC, contact the TCC Educational Foundation at foundation@tcc.edu or 757-822-1080.