TCC expands offerings to help post-pandemic workforce recovery
For the past several months, Tidewater Community College faculty and staff observed the changing higher education needs of the community and resolved to make significant changes for summer and fall programs — broader range of both curriculum and workforce offerings, exceptionally accessible and more flexible for our students.
As the country seeks to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, community colleges experienced a decline of 9.5% in enrollments for the spring 2021 semester. Not spared from the realities of the pandemic in Hampton Roads, TCC observed a sharp decline of 12.3% this spring compared to the previous year.
A result of intensive strategic planning and community outreach, TCC has experienced a positive change in enrollment for the first time since spring 2012. Student headcount has increased, and full-time equivalent enrollment is up 12.4% this summer. Guided by principles of student success, faculty and staff implemented comprehensive initiatives to support our students, which subsequently will strengthen the Hampton Roads workforce.
In addition to Gov. Ralph Northam’s state-funded G3 program that provides tuition assistance to help Virginians earn credentials in high demand careers, TCC implemented three strategic initiatives to support the needs of Hampton Roads students and workforce.
TCC identified a need to forge a bridge for recent high school and GED graduates to higher education. The LEAP scholarship program affords students who take six or more summer credits a head start. LEAP bridges the gap between high school and college, which may have felt like a gorge as a result of the global pandemic.
As students and community voices identified technology needs, TCC established partnerships to provide hot spots for students and internet through COX Cable. In addition, every First Time in College Student attending TCC this summer and fall will receive a new laptop. By eliminating the barrier of technology for students in the community, TCC strives to make higher education equitable in Hampton Roads.
TCC received significant funding as a result of COVID-19 relief funds to support students with the cost of tuition and fees, books, technology and emergency grants. We are investing in the education of Hampton Roads residents to increase the success of the vitality of the region.
TCC is here to serve — providing opportunities in education and training that transform the landscape of the communities in which we live. Through various partnerships, TCC is able to dedicate wraparound services for students and community members in need of food, transportation, social services and mental health support.
The TCC Student Resource and Empowerment Center that opened this spring offers SingleStop. This organization connects students with free and comprehensive social services and financial resources to meet the physiological needs of our students that go beyond tuition.
TCC continues to grow workforce training. The recent designation as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education from the U.S. Department of Transportation echoes the success of infrastructure in training at TCC. FastForward program offerings continue to expand, ushering more trained skilled workers into the workforce.
I am pleased with the work faculty and staff have committed to increase student enrollment, bridge gaps in funding, supplement technology and establish new support services. We will continue to examine innovative methods to meet community needs, enhance recruitment and increase retention.
As we continue to strategically increase enrollment, planning teams across the college have analyzed facility and programming requirements to better suit the communities we serve. Moving the Visual Arts Center to Norfolk this summer and further expanding the Skilled Trades Academy in Portsmouth align the college with long-term goals to facilitate the needs of the Hampton Roads workforce and our students.
The best is yet to come here at TCC, we look forward to continuing this positive trend of expansion in the fall. TCC’s vision is to be the community’s first choice for education, opportunity, partnership and innovation.