TCC has resources that actually help students thrive

Fall Semester is almost here, with classes starting on August 22. Now is the time to get ready for your next steps in school. The college offers free computers, emergency financial help, food and more. Here’s what you need to know.

Travis Johnson at Portsmouth Campus. — Travis Johnson earned two associate degrees from TCC. An Army veteran, Travis said, “TCC helped me financially and provided meals for my family. The people at the SREC kept me on track and supported my journey every step of the way.”

TCC’s Student Resource and Empowerment Center (SREC), is a Single Stop site that connects students with a variety of free and comprehensive social services and financial resources to help students stay in school. The SREC also has a Career Collection on every campus, where students can pick out a free, professional outfit for that important interview, internship or leadership opportunity. Reach out to the SREC online for assistance.

TCC staffers are ready to help you! Shown here: Mel Scott (SREC), Talesha Smith (The Community Feed), Charles Thompson (Student Center) and Crystal Kirby (Open Door Project). — TCC staffers are ready to help! Shown here: Melvilyn Scott (SREC), Talesha Smith (The Community Feed), Charles Thompson (Student Center) and Crystal Kirby (Open Door Project).

Computers for school
TCC’s Computer Club makes personal computers and laptops available through its Computers for Student Success program. Visit here for more information and details on how to apply.

Emergency Assistance
Student Emergency Assistance is available to help students with temporary, short-term financial needs that may hinder their education. Consideration is given to students that have experienced financial hardship due to an unforeseen emergency. Funds can be used to bridge the gap when students receive less financial aid than needed for school costs and emergency living expenses.

TCC has computers for students and even shows new users the basics. — TCC has computers for students and volunteers show new users the basics.

Meals, fresh foods and pantry staples
Tidewater Community College and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore have partnered to offer The Community Feed at TCC. Through the program, students can receive meals and fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as pantry items for their families. Students can utilize the online scheduling tool to select a time to pick up pre-packaged meal kits to prepare nutritious meals at home.

Mental health services available for students
TimelyCare is a new telehealth program for students. The service provides access to 24/7 virtual mental health care from anywhere in Virginia, with no cost to visit! TimelyCare’s TalkNow is on-demand access to a mental health professional to talk about anything at any time. You can also schedule counseling sessions and receive health coaching. To learn more, visit here.

Open Door Project
Open Door Project students come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are often first-generation college students. Offered on the Norfolk and Portsmouth campuses, this federally-funded program helps students with academic performance while providing support services to keep them in school. Eligible students receive academic advising, assistance with FAFSA completion, success skills workshops, career and transfer counseling, and one on one tutoring. To find out more, fill out this form.

Wi-Fi available on campus
If you are equipped with a Wi-Fi-enabled portable device, you may access TCC’s network in the following campus locations. Spaces are marked “TCC Student Wi-Fi Parking.” Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Chesapeake Campus: Parking lot next to the Pass Building. You may park in handicapped spaces. Of the four campuses, this area has the strongest external Wi-Fi signal.
Norfolk Campus: On Granby Street in front of the Walker Building and on College Place across from the Green District Administration Building. Note that these are metered spaces with the first hour free.
Portsmouth Campus: On Freedom Avenue alongside the B Building
Virginia Beach Campus: Driveway in front of the Regional Health Professions Center. You may park in the handicapped spaces.

For additional assistance with enrollment, advising or any other need, contact the Virtual Student Support Team at 757-822-1111 or email enroll@tcc.edu.

Career Collection professional wear is available for students on every campus.

“It’s easy to think it’s too late and you’ve missed your opportunity. But it’s never too late.” – Angi Wood, TCC student

Angela “Angi” Wood says the most important thing she’s learned at TCC is how to be a compassionate nurse.

She credits her nursing skills instructor, Catina Davis, with inspiring her to be an excellent nurse, while also teaching her the nursing process and critical thinking on the job.

Angi is an adult learner who returned to TCC to earn her nursing degree, after spending more than a decade as a stay-at-home mom with her daughter, Adelaide, who is now her biggest cheerleader.

“I hear my daughter telling her friends that I’m in nursing school and she’s really proud,” Angi said. “It’s easy to think it’s too late and you’ve missed the opportunity. But it’s never too late.”

Angi, 41, selected TCC’s nursing program because of its strong reputation in the community and the resources available for students.

“I like the challenge and rigor of the program,” she said. “And TCC has the equipment and simulators to help you gain the skills needed to be a great nurse,” she added.

Angi says that at one point the pressure of adding school to her already busy life was really challenging. “I was dealing with family demands, the pandemic, along with school and work. When I heard about the mental health counseling offered at TCC, I jumped at the opportunity.”

She signed up through TimelyCare, a service provided through Virginia’s Community Colleges. “I worked with my counselor on interventions for stress management and coping skills. At first, we met weekly and now we talk every other week. It’s made a big difference,” she said.

TCC’s nursing program includes clinical rotations in area hospitals, and that’s where Angi found her fit in the Intensive Care Unit. She hopes to land a full-time position after graduation and when she becomes a registered nurse. “It takes a lot of skill to care for critical care patients, and TCC’s program has prepared me well for the task ahead,” she said.

Angi is on track to earn her Associate of Science in Nursing in December 2022. She is earning her bachelor’s in nursing from Old Dominion University concurrently.

Angi’s family, including her husband Randall, and their daughter Adelaide, will be there to cheer her on when she graduates from TCC.

“I got a great education at TCC that’s going to translate into a rewarding career,” Angi said. “I’m ready for the work and looking forward to serving my community.”

For more information on TimelyCare and the other student support services available through the Student Resource and Empowerment Center, visit here.