2017 Women’s Leadership Breakfast highlights women and student leaders
Tidewater Community College celebrated student success and women’s leadership during the 15th annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast, hosted by the college’s Women’s Center.
“Your support makes a difference for so many at Tidewater Community College,” said President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani. “One out of every four students were reached through direct services by the Women’s Center, and we are proud of the over 200 hours of educational programs we provided to educate and empower women.”
Keynote speaker Angela Reddix, president and CEO of the health care management and consulting firm ARDX, spoke about her personal journey from public housing to the corporate world. “I believe the way you come into the world doesn’t dictate where you go from there,” she said.
A mother, daughter, sister and friend, Reddix’s passion is mentoring and advising the next generation of girls to make a plan for their success. “When setting your sights on a career, consider what makes your heart sing, and do that,” she said.
The event recognized five students with special awards.
Anna Zwade was selected as the 2017 Mary Pat Liggio Student Leadership Award recipient, named for the founding coordinator of the Women’s Center. Zwade is working toward an Associate of Science in Science and holds a 4.0 GPA.
“The students who study inside the walls of this campus are nothing short of extraordinary,” she said. “Although we may have different hair color, skin color, religions, styles, viewpoints, ages, etc., there is a common underlying factor of determination.”
Zwade is president of the Chesapeake Campus Student Government Association and a member of TCC C.A.R.E.S., a student organization dedicated to environmental and community activities. She also volunteers for Chesapeake Humane Society and Stop Hunger Now.
TCC student Kari Davis-Pierce and four others received the Dr. Alexsandria Manrov STEM award. A Navy veteran, Davis-Pierce is pursuing an Associate of Science with a Specialization in Computer Science. She holds a 3.7 GPA and plans a career in cyber and network security.
Christine Dela Cruz is working toward an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology. She holds a 3.5 GPA and plans a career as a medical scientist.
Likhy Flores is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology. She holds a 4.0 GPA. She plans to travel abroad to help areas plagued with inadequate clean drinking water.
Christianah Job-Oduntan is graduating in May 2017 with an Associate of Science in Science. She holds a 4.0 GPA and plans a career as a dentist.
Dominion Energy was the presenting sponsor of the 2017 Women’s Leadership Breakfast. “When you transform the lives of women, you change the lives of the whole family and generations,” said master of ceremonies Bonita Billingsley Harris, media and communications manager for Dominion.
Other sponsors were Pender & Coward: Attorneys and Counselors at Law; TowneBank; Dollar Tree; Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy; Prevailance, Inc.; Top Guard Security; Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas Asset Management; and WillowOak Center for Positive Change. Flowers for the event were donated by The New Leaf, and vases were created by students at TCC’s Visual Arts Center.