STEM scholar overcomes many obstacles to earn degree

Tidewater Community College STEM Promise scholar Rachel Roszko never thought she’d go to college. But when she took her son to tour Old Dominion University, she was inspired to pursue higher education as well.

“Going to school tuition-free made my dream possible. TCC would not have been an option for my family even if we ate PB and J sandwiches every day,” Rachel said. “Earning a full scholarship also gave me the boost and confidence to conquer college.”

The Air Force veteran will earn an Associate of Science in Science this May. The journey has been fruitful, but not easy.

Rachel, 43, has faced serious health concerns including a cancer scare, a heart arrhythmia requiring surgery, and a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, as a stay-at-home mom of three, including a special needs child, the demands on her time are also very real.

“Having so many medical issues and caring for my daughter can make it difficult to get out of the house,” she said. “But after enrolling at TCC, I had a full day of school in real time and that was a huge help to my mental health.”

Rachel is thankful that she could complete the bulk of her degree online. “Caring for my daughter and dealing with PTSD made it difficult to be in a traditional classroom program,” she said. “But with my online classes and teachers using document cameras and technology, it was like having a front-row seat in every class.”

She added, “My professors were supportive and worked with me through every situation. If I had a panic attack and had to leave class, my teachers were there making sure I was okay,” she said. “They are very human and understanding.”

With a passion for animals and conservation, Rachel hopes to parlay her degree into a career teaching biology. She will continue working on a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology at Oregon State University online.

Rachel’s latest rescue transport was a cormorant.

In her free hours, Rachel volunteers with local rescue agencies including Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge and Tidewater Wildlife Rescue. She picks up animals in trouble and transports them to local rescue centers or veterinarians. She has recently helped an opossum, a pelican, a baby cooper’s hawk and a cormorant find safe havens.

“I’ve always been an animal person but growing up I didn’t think I was smart enough for college,” Rachel said. “When I started homeschooling my kids, I fell in love with science. Once I took my first biology class at TCC, I was totally hooked.”

Rachel’s family is proud of her success. Her husband Bernie and children Rosie, Anthony, and Eden are her biggest cheerleaders. “I wanted my kids to see that there’s not ever a completely closed door and paths have forks in the road,” she said. “It’s never too late to do something you love.”

TCC’s STEM Promise Scholarship program is accepting applications now through March 31. STEM Promise covers all tuition and fees for four semesters at TCC. Students who complete their degrees transfer to their selected universities as juniors. To learn more about the program visit here.

From TCC to the State Capitol

By now, most people know that Winsome Earle-Sears is the first woman, and the first woman of color, to serve as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor. But you may not know that she got her start in higher education at Tidewater Community College.

On May 8, Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears will be the speaker for TCC’s 76th Commencement Exercises at Chartway Arena in the Ted Constant Convocation Center on the campus of Old Dominion University.

She will share a message of encouragement with students, as she knows what it’s like to walk in their shoes. “I think it’s so awesome that I get to do this,” Earle-Sears said. “It’s not something I ever thought I’d be able to do when I came to TCC trying to get my life straight.”

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears at her inauguration with husband Terence Sears.

Sears, 59, was born in Jamaica and came to the United States with her family when she was six. “My father had $1.75 in his pocket and arrived during the height of the civil rights movement, just days before Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I have a dream speech.’”

She added, “Growing up I had no excuse not to succeed. Education was what brought my father success and it will lift all boats.”

At 18, Earle-Sears was working as an electrician in the United States Marines. After four years of service, she left the military and married Terence Sears, a Marine officer. Earle-Sears was in her mid-twenties and a young mother of three children, all under the age of five, when she started at TCC.

Winsome Earle-Sears in her Marine uniform. — Winsome Earle when she was in the Marines.

“I remember my first English professor who was old school. She had us diagramming sentences and rewriting paragraphs,” Earle-Sears recalled. “She refused any typed papers, and we hated having to write the same paper twice. But that work taught us to understand the process of writing a paper. It was only later that we thanked her for being so no-nonsense. She would accept nothing but greatness.”

On starting at a community college, Earle-Sears says there were many things that made the experience valuable. “The small classes and affordability were helpful. And the quality of the education was not diminished because the same professors at TCC also taught at the four-year institutions,” Earle-Sears said. “TCC was a godsend for me, having been out of school for eight years. I had to brush up my skills and the administrators and professors showed such patience and encouraged returning students not to think we were less than others.”

Earle-Sears received an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from TCC in 1992. She continued her studies earning a bachelor’s from Old Dominion University in English and a master’s in organizational leadership from Regent University.

The newly elected Lt. Governor of Virginia.

On her time at TCC, Earle-Sears says she carries important lessons with her. “It’s not one thing, but the whole experience of being back in college with professors who understood you didn’t just graduate from high school, and you were quite rusty. They knew they would have to take a little bit more time with you and do a little bit more hand-holding. All while knowing that we were more like them in their current stage of life, and not a child coming into adulthood.”

She added, “You didn’t have anything to prove – except to yourself that you could do it.”

Earle-Sears doesn’t consider herself a trailblazer, but she does admire trailblazing women from the past. Specifically, her grandmother, who spent time serving the poor, the homeless and anyone in need. Also, Margaret Thatcher with her no-nonsense approach. And lastly, Nanny of the Maroons, the Jamaican who led African slaves to revolt against the British. Nanny became a symbol of unity and strength for her people during times of crisis.

As Lieutenant Governor, Earle-Sears presides over the Senate and is a member of several other state boards, commissions and councils. A former program manager for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and VISTA volunteer, Earle-Sears is a trained electrician and successful businesswoman. She is most proud of her community work of leading a men’s prison ministry and as director of a women’s homeless shelter.

During Commencement Earle-Sears will commend graduates on making the decision to start. “These graduates have made the best decision to start their lives. They are no longer wondering about the ‘what ifs.’”

She continued, “Don’t ever think that there was a time when things were easier. Times are relative. For some people, things have been historically easier, but where we are today shows we are overcomers. We must move forward for the sake of our children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. We must move forward; we must forgive, and we must strive.”

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.

Making a difference for students at home and in the nation

Psychology Professor Andrea Palmisano has been teaching at TCC since 2010. When she is not in the classroom, Palmisano serves as a general and family mediator with the Supreme Court of Virginia.

She also has her own mediation business. In May, Palmisano will help the Tangipahoa Parish School System which is under a desegregation order by the U.S. Eastern District Court of Louisiana.

Palmisano has created an eight-hour peer mediation program for high school students. The goal is to provide students with the opportunity to become proficient in conflict resolution skills.

“We hope to reduce the number of fights and create harmony in the school,” she said. “It’s about helping students develop leadership skills and motivating them to succeed.”

During mediation at the parish school, Palmisano will present students with concrete steps to resolve conflicts. By working with a team on-site, she will help them find solutions for their problems. The final step will be to draft a binding document for those who are working to resolve a specific conflict.

“I’ve implemented a similar program at Granby High School and saw the number of fights decrease pretty dramatically,” she added. “We know this approach works, but it requires the adults there to believe in the program and then nurture it.”

Palmisano will provide the training and then stay connected as the program unfolds. “When developing a new culture, one of conflict resolution, you have to stay in close contact and be there for the students, parents and staff,” she said. “That’s what I’ve signed up to do.”

Professor Palmisano with TCC student Cecilia Cruz.

A beloved faculty member, Palmisano gets top marks – a 5 out of 5 – on ratemyprofessors.com. In addition, 100% of her students would take her classes again.

“I care about my students’ education and their personal well-being,” Palmisano said. “I learn every student’s name and I listen. They know my classroom is a judgment-free zone so they can talk and share freely.”

A native of Brazil, Palmisano came to the United States when she was in high school because of her father’s job. “I spent my high school years in three different countries. I know what it feels like not to belong and that shaped my interest in helping people,” she said.

Palmisano is the faculty advisor of the TCC student psychology club, Psi-Chi-Phi, which meets every other week. To learn more, check them out on Instagram @tcc_psichiphi.

Palmisano holds a Ph.D. in psychology, a master’s in clinical psychology and has professional experience working as a therapist for children with emotional and behavioral issues. She has also been the director of children’s programs for a non-profit mediation organization.

In her free time, Palmisano enjoys Salsa dancing and outdoor activities with her husband, Dr. David Palmisano. The couple has two sons, Tiago, 27, and Matias, 24. Both sons are in medical school. Tiago and his wife Raygan recently welcomed Lucas James, the family’s first grandchild.

TCC celebrates Women’s History Month 2023

Tidewater Community College celebrates Women’s History Month in March with activities on every campus.

This year’s events include panel discussions, speakers, celebrations, and interactive learning events. All are designed to inform students and the community about the history of women and how women continue to overcome adversity and challenges.

Women’s History Month has been observed annually in the United States since 1987. This year’s national theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

Dr. Paula Young – Dr. Rashida Gray – Dr. Martha Manar – Nurse Tori Tucker – Dr. Tamika Lasege

TCC’s keynote event is a medical panel featuring five medical professionals talking about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. The event will take place on March 22 from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. and is Virtual. Panel participants are:

Dr. Paula Young, the medical director of Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital in Richmond, Va., and a pediatrician for the Bon Secours Care-A-Van mobile free clinic.
Dr. Rashida Gray, an adult psychiatrist and owner of Gray MD Psychiatry, LLC in Richmond, Va. She treats a wide variety of psychiatric conditions, with a special focus on mood and anxiety disorders.
Dr. Martha Manar, a pediatrician sub-specializing in Neonatology. She currently serves as a staff neonatologist at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. She has been involved in several research projects and has served as a physician mentor and/or clinical faculty for mid-level providers.
Tori Tucker, a palliative care nurse and interdisciplinary researcher. She earned her Ph.D. in nursing history at the University of Virginia. Her research explores the educational, professional, and personal lives of Black nurses in Virginia during the 1950s-1980s.
Dr. Tamika Lasege, a pediatrician and neonatologist with over 10 years of experience in managed care. She currently serves as chief medical officer for the Georgia Medicaid health plan of UnitedHealthcare.

For more information and for accommodations, email vsc@tcc.edu.

Campus Events

Campus events are free and open to students, faculty and staff. Community members are also welcome and may email Emily Hartman at ehartman@tcc.edu for entry details.

March 1

Movie and Discussion
10 a.m. – Noon — Virginia Beach Campus Student Center
Join us as we watch “Story of a Movement.” In this documentary, female office workers in 1970s Boston inspire change with a call for better pay, more opportunities, and an end to sexual harassment. A round-table discussion will follow the film showing.

March 2

Leadership Institute – Beyond Barriers to Success
6 p.m. — Virtual
Join Student Life and our guest speaker TCC alum Jeanine Ortiz as she shares her story and experiences regarding breaking barriers and narratives as a woman of color in higher education. Leadership Institute Sessions provide students with an opportunity to explore a variety of personal and professional development topics through the lens of leadership.

March 15

Camaraderie Speaker & Outreach for Veteran Students with Del. Jackie Hope Glass
Noon – 1 p.m. – Norfolk Campus Student Center
Del. Jackie Hope Glass is a self-proclaimed certified doer, mama and Navy veteran from the Chicagoland area and served in the United States Navy for eleven years as a cryptologist where she deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jackie moved to Virginia eight years ago and currently resides in the heart of Norfolk at Ballentine Place. She holds a bachelor’s in Workforce Education Training and Development from Southern Illinois University.

Currently, she serves in the Virginia House of Delegates for the 89^th district covering most of the city of Norfolk. As an elected official, she was able to pass two bills in the 2022 General Assembly, with more coming for the 2023 General Assembly.

Kahoot Trivia
Noon – 1 p.m. – Portsmouth Campus Student Center
Celebrating International Women’s Day with fun facts.

Paint Party
7 p.m. – Chesapeake Campus Student Center
Celebrate Women’s History through art and expression. Seating is limited. RSVP with your name and student ID to Shair@tcc.edu to save your seat!

Canvas, paint supplies, and instruction provided. Open to all TCC students, faculty, and staff. A valid TCC ID is required to participate.

March 22

Women’s History Month Medical Panel
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Virtual
This educational event features a panel discussion with five medical professionals talking about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Panel participants are Dr. Paula Young, Dr. Rashida Gray, nurse Tori Tucker and Dr. Tamika Lasege.

Women’s History Celebration
5:30 p.m. — Virginia Beach Campus at the Joint-Use Library
Join staff from the Virginia Beach Student Center as they partner with the Joint-Use Library for an event celebrating Women’s History Month. Come prepared to learn and grow.

President Conston to be highlighted by the Sentara Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competency
Noon – 1 p.m. — Virtual
Join TCC President Marcia Conston and Virginia Peninsula Community College President Towuanna Porter Brannon, as they share their unique perspectives on education, leadership and the influence gender has played on their successful careers. Registration is required. Please use the link above.

March 23

Human Trafficking Awareness
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Join us to learn about FreeKind, an organization that assists victims of human trafficking.

March 29

What Are We Watching – Women’s Stories Movie Marathon
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — NorfolkCampus Student Center. This movie marathon features films by women directors. Films include “Lucky Grandma” (2020); “Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story” (2021); and Fruits of Labor (2021).

March 30

SheROSE
Noon – 1:30 p.m. – Portsmouth Campus Student Center
This event highlights and brings awareness to women in STEM fields. In addition, there will be a segment focusing on dressing for success.

Resilience as a Leadership Practice
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Norfolk Campus Student Center
Join us for a discussion featuring TCC alum Les Henderson, residential and hospitality coordinator at goDCgo and founder of EndoQueer.

“TCC was a good fit for my mom and it’s been great for me, too.” — Danielle Paitsel

Danielle Paitsel is following in her mother’s footsteps and starting her higher education at Tidewater Community College.

For Danielle, watching her mom, Angelica, flourish as a radiographer, compelled her to find her own path into the health professions.

“TCC was a good fit for my mom and it’s been great for me, too,” Danielle said. “I’m pretty excited to earn my degree so quickly.”

At 19, she is just weeks away from graduating with an Associate of Science in Science and a Career Studies Certificate in Pharmacy Technician.

As a TCC STEM Promise Scholar she will leave the college with no student debt.

“My ultimate goal is to become a pharmacist because I want to help people who may not be able to afford their medications,” Danielle said. “I don’t think people should have to choose between their prescriptions and other necessities.”

Both Danielle and Angelica are among the growing number of women who work in the health professions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women account for three-quarters of full-time, year-round health care workers today.

Danielle is completing her pharmacy technician internship and says she is well prepared for the work ahead.

In fact, she is one of 25 students nationwide selected for the Phi Theta Kappa Walgreen’s Pharmacy Technician Certification Scholarship. This means she will be pay zero to sit for the national exam.

Danielle plans to work as a Certified Pharmacy Technician while pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. She also hopes to attend Pharmacy School at VCU.

“There are so many good things about TCC. You can take a lot of different classes and work them into your degree,” she said. “But my favorite thing was the people.”

“I tell everyone to come to TCC and make a plan. If you have to drop a class, that’s okay. Your mental health is important, too.”

TCC’s STEM Promise Scholarship program is accepting applications now through April 1. STEM Promise covers all tuition and fees for four semesters at TCC. Students who complete their degrees transfer to their selected universities as juniors. To learn more about the program visit here.

TCC celebrates Women’s History Month with two expert panel discussions, an expo and a keynote address

Tidewater Community College celebrates Women’s History Month 2021 with two events that highlight women in the workplace. The events are live via Zoom and open to everyone.

March 18
Noon – 1 p.m.
Live via Zoom register here

Closing the Gap: Making Space for Women in Engineering, Computer Science, Economics & Cyber Security

This live panel discussion will feature women leaders discussing the challenges they’ve witnessed regarding gender inequities in their own career journeys. Learn about their perspectives on how society can play a more effective role in empowering women and girls to pursue careers in engineering, computer science, economics and cyber security.

Panel members include:

Marilyn Castro, Economics Professor at Tidewater Community College

A Puerto Rico native, Marilyn Castro is an alumni and economics professor at TCC. She is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration from Old Dominion University. Castro is a community activist for causes involving migrant workers’ rights, homeless children and food insecure families. She is the 2017 City of Virginia Beach Human Rights Awards recipient.

Marquita Snow, Service Member with the Army National Guard

A native of Okolona, Mississippi, Marquita Snow earned a bachelor’s in English from University of Memphis and is pursuing a second degree in cyber security from Old Dominion University. She serves in the Virginia Army National Guard’s 529th Combat Sustainment Support Brigade in roles including information technology specialist. A combat veteran, Snow is recognized for her role in serving our country combatting the Global War on Terrorism in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom. She’s a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, where she enjoys volunteering in the community and mentoring young people to aspire to reach their dreams.

Ciara Rogers, Vice President of Product at xTuple ERP

As vice president of Product at xTuple, Ciara Rogers manages the product life cycle of the Enterprise Resource Planning software. She oversees software development, research and development, quality assurance, and user experience teams, all of whom contribute to the robust software that manufacturing and distribution companies use to run their businesses. With a passion for data analysis and solving problems, Rogers earned a master’s in applied sociology from University of Maryland Baltimore County and her bachelor’s in psychology from Towson University.

Bertha “Bee” Ballard, Mechanical Engineer at the Newport News Shipbuilding

Bertha “Bee” Ballard is a mechanical engineer in the Nuclear Propulsion Division at Newport News Shipbuilding. Her job involves researching, designing, improving and developing equipment for the maintenance of nuclear reactors in nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. Ballard earned a bachelor’s in civil engineering technology with a concentration in construction management from Old Dominion University. While at ODU, she was an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers; the American Society of Civil Engineers; the Society of Women Engineers; and the College of Engineering Dean’s Ambassadors. A returning college student, Ballard juggled many roles while pursuing her degree including legal assistant, children’s ministry teacher, wife and mom.

Women’s Empowerment Symposium

March 26
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Live via Zoom – register here

The Women’s Empowerment Symposium will reflect the theme, “Front and Center: Women Leading the Charge.”

The event features keynote speaker Jackie Jackson Glass, a community activist who works to start important conversations in Hampton Roads. She is the founder of Rubbish Media company and a podcast host. She is also a wife, mom and educator.

The event will also feature a panel discussion focused on women taking the lead in civic engagement and an empowerment expo featuring highlights from local organizations that empower women and girls.

TCC alumna building a life she loves

Kathryn Hart spends her days building communities as a construction superintendent for a Washington, D.C. contractor.

At night, she’s building an online community to support, connect and inspire women in the construction industry. The Tidewater Community College alumna founded “Space to Build” with the mission of removing the feeling of isolation women can sometimes feel when building the communities around us.

Hart’s podcast, “Space to Build,” airs weekly on Spotify, Apple, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music and other platforms. Launched in November 2020, Hart welcomes guests from the construction community to talk about their successes and challenges.

“In this industry, you can feel isolated and this is a way to open doors and set the pace for other women in the field,” Hart said. “My goal is for women to find a community of women who encourage and empower them to grow in the construction industry.”

Hart, 28, got her start building communities at TCC as a member of the Engineering Club on the Virginia Beach Campus. “What I remember most about TCC is the people I was around all the time. We were like family,” she said. “Having that community got me through some of the toughest classes because there was always someone there to help out.”

“I started at TCC because I knew I’d get a good education and save money. But the real benefit was finding my way into a career I love.” — Kathryn Hart

In 2013 Hart earned two associate degrees at TCC – one in science, the other in social sciences. She found her path into the construction industry through conversations with Professor Paul Gordy and other Engineering Club members. She even learned about Virginia Tech’s Myers-Lawson School of Construction through the group.

“I started at TCC because I knew I’d get a good education and save money,” Hart said. “But the real benefit was finding my way into a career I love.”

Hart continued her education at Virginia Tech, earning a bachelor’s with a dual degree in building construction and psychology in 2016.

At Virginia Tech, Hart co-founded “Building Women in Construction,” a student club that is still meeting today. The goal of the group is to encourage students to grow personally and professionally and to provide career developing activities for members.

“We had large contractors contact us and we visited job sites and toured firms. This experience helped me build a network and gave me friends in the industry before I ever set foot in it,” she said.

Today, as a construction superintendent, Hart coordinates the field work and handles the onsite supervision of subcontractors, as well as the materials, safety, and quality control on the job site. She builds everything from multi-family apartments to data centers and school renovations.

Hart’s favorite thing about the work is interacting with people and watching nothing turn into something. “I enjoy watching the process from drawings to the physical end product,” she said.

Hart is involved professionally with the National Association of Women in Construction and serves as the Northeast Chair for Professional Development and Education.

Hart encourages others to follow in her footsteps because the opportunities are plentiful.

“This is an industry with smart people and good pay,” Hart said.

Once on the job, Hart bought her first car and her own home in Northern Virginia – all by the age of 25.

Her home now shelters two roommates, and a mini zoo with a fish, turtle, degus (ground squirrels), two cats and a dog.

“People can sometimes underestimate young women on the job. But if you show up with a strong work ethic and are willing to learn, you will be successful,” she said.

Women’s History Month 2020

Tidewater Community College celebrates Women’s History Month and the strength and perseverance of women alongside students and community members like you!

Spanning the entirety of March, TCC is hosting a month-long celebration for Women’s History Month. These events include panels, speeches, and interactive learning events designed to educate and inform those who wish to learn more about the history of women and how women continue to overcome adversity and challenges by rising above them.

Events are free and open to the public.

THE WOMEN’S CENTER

The Women’s Center at Tidewater Community College offers comprehensive, specialized services to educate, empower, enhance and engage students so they can define, pursue and achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. The Women’s Center is a leader and resource on women’s unique interests and is committed to advocating for equality and social justice for all. The Women’s Center provides a safe environment and creates a campus culture for students to exchange ideas, network and advocate for these goals.

Trailblazing train conductor from NNSY is the headliner for TCC’s Women’s History Month celebration

Tidewater Community College will recognize Women’s History Month with a keynote speech by the first African-American female train conductor at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, who is also an alumna of the college.

Bianca Wilson

Bianca Wilson’s talk will encourage students to work hard and follow their dreams. She will speak on March 7 at noon at the Norfolk Campus Student Center, 5^th floor.

Wilson earned an associate degree in administrative support technology from TCC. The mother of three owns her own photography business, Everlasting Pictures and Photobooth, LLC.

The talk is free and open to the public.

TCC Women’s History Month Events

Note: Three luncheons noted below focus on Returning Women. Many women take a break from formal education for one reason or many, including to raise a family, start a career or serve in the military. When they resume higher education, they are categorized as “Returning Women.”

The luncheons also provide opportunities to learn about the programs offered by TCC’s Women’s Center, and visit with representatives from admissions, financial aid and student support services.

March 5

International Women’s Day – “Women in War Zones: Stories of Peril & Persistence”
12:30 – 1:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus, Intercultural Learning Center, Room A-115

Join the conversation with two experts in the area of refugee resettlement. They will speak about the needs of women fleeing and surviving in conflict zones. Presented by the Intercultural Learning Center in observation of International Women’s Day.

Presenters are Suheir Diyab, refugee resettlement supervisor, and Soheila Alizadeh, refugee mental health specialist, both with Commonwealth Catholic Charities.

March 21

Returning Women’s Luncheon – Chesapeake Campus
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Chesapeake Bay Room

Speaker Benita Adams is a television and radio host, author and motivational speaker. She has worked in the media and communications field for more than 30 years, including Channel 13 News Now, an ABC affiliate, in Hampton Roads. She is currently the host and producer of the radio show “Hampton Roads Voices” on Norfolk State University’s WNSB 91.1.

Space is limited. To reserve a seat, contact the Intercultural Learning Center at intercultural@tcc.edu or 757-822-7296

March 26

Returning Women’s Luncheon – Norfolk Campus
12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Norfolk Campus, Student Center, 5th Floor

Valerie Myers

Chesapeake native Valerie Myers, the media and communications coordinator with the City of Virginia Beach, is the speaker. She received her associate degree from TCC in 2005. She went on to earn a bachelor’s in English and creative writing, with a minor in African American Studies, from Old Dominion University.

Space is limited. To reserve your seat, contact the Intercultural Learning Center at intercultural@tcc.edu or 757-822-7296.

March 28

Returning Women’s Luncheon – Virginia Beach Campus
12:30 – 2:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Room K-320

Camilla Walck, a high school science teacher, STEM ambassador and adjunct professor at TCC and Virginia Wesleyan University, is the speaker. Walck received national recognition from the Chamber of Commerce as the 2012 National Life Science Teacher of the Year and was selected as a Claes Nobel Top Ten Teacher of the Year for 2013 by the National Society of High School Scholars. In 2016, she was a Presidential Awardee for Excellence in teaching math and science.

Space is limited. To reserve your seat, please contact the Intercultural Learning Center at intercultural@tcc.edu or 757-822-7296.

Discover your inner scientist as TCC celebrates Women’s History Month

Tidewater Community College celebrates Women’s History Month with a keynote speech by a nationally recognized scientist, a women’s empowerment symposium and a luncheon geared toward female students returning to college.

All events are free and open to the public.

Ainissa G. Ramirez, who aims to awaken the inner scientist in everyone, will deliver an address on March 27 at 12:30 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Campus Student Center in room K-320.

A scientist herself, Ramirez co-authored “Newton’s Football: The Science Behind America’s Game,” which tackles topics that include why woodpeckers don’t get concussions to how improved helmets actually make the game more dangerous.

Ramirez graduated from Yale University and earned her doctorate at Stanford University.

TCC Women’s History Month Events
An assortment of free, public activities throughout March will be held at each of TCC’s campuses. Events are subject to change and are on a first-come-first-served basis.

Chesapeake Campus

Returning Women’s Luncheon

March 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Chesapeake Campus Student Center

Representatives from student support services and TCC’s Women’s Center will be on hand for networking. Regina Brayboy, executive director of Healthy Suffolk, will present the keynote address. RSVP at tccreturningwomenchesapeake.eventbrite.com.

Norfolk Campus

Why Does She Matter?

March 15, Noon – 2 p.m.

Norfolk Campus Student Center, 5th Floor

LaJuan Hines-Rome, founder and director of She’ Matters GIRLS, Inc., a Norfolk based nonprofit that connects females ages 6 to 22 with mentors, will speak.

Documentary Day – “Hidden Figures”

March 21, Noon – 2 p.m.

Norfolk Campus Student Center, Women’s Center (3rd Floor)

Learn about women’s contributions to NASA during a showing of “Hidden Figures.”

Portsmouth Campus

Vision Board Workshop

March 12, Noon – 1 p.m.

Portsmouth Campus Student Center, room E-126

Create and design your own vision board and explore techniques for successful goal setting.

Her Story Pop-up

March 13, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Portsmouth Campus, lobby of Building A

Challenge your knowledge of women’s contributions to culture and advancement and win prizes.

Women’s Empowerment Symposium

March 23, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Portsmouth Campus Student Center

Following the national theme of Women’s History Month, “Nevertheless, She Persisted,” the symposium will include plenary sessions, a keynote luncheon and a girl power exhibition fair. Reserve your seat at tccwomensempowerment.eventbrite.com.

Women’s Empowerment Pledge

March 28, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Portsmouth Campus Student Center, Commons

Support women in their lives and pledge to be an agent of change on campus.

Virginia Beach Campus

Film – “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry”

March 12, 10 a.m.

Virginia Beach Student Center, Movie Lounge

Filmmaker Mary Dore chronicles the events of the feminist movement from 1966 to 1971.

Voter Registration Drive

March 15, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Virginia Beach Campus Student Center Café

Visual Arts Center

Her Story Pop-up

March 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Challenge your knowledge of women’s contributions to culture and advancement and win prizes.