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The Pathfinder 

 Tidewater Community College's Military Newsletter

August 2014
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Center for Military and Veterans Education (CMVE)
Virginia Beach Campus
1700 College Crescent 
  Bldg. D, Room D100
  Virginia Beach, VA 23453
  
(757)      822 - 7777
 Monday - Friday 
 
Vet Success on Campus (VSOC)

VSOC Counselors can help you with career counseling, academic advising, impact of disabilities related counseling, VA benefit counseling, referral to resources, employment etc. 


 

Carla Riggins
Virginia Beach Campus
757-822-7239

Donecia Lawson

Norfolk Campus
757-822-1085


 
Tim Cornette

Chesapeake/Portsmouth
757-822-5104/2673 

Naval Air Station
Oceana
Willa Engle
Bldg. 531, Room 100    
(757) 491 - 4385
 Monday - Thursday
 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM 
  
Naval Station Norfolk
Lauren Rappold 
& Ciera Harris
  Bldg. CEP-87, Room 210
 (757) 822-1683
  Monday - Friday
  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  [email protected]  OR crharris@tcc.edu
Joint Expeditionary Base - Little Creek & Fort Story
Priscilla Johnson 
  Bldg. 3016, Room 252      (757) 363 - 3939
  Monday - Thursday
  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  [email protected]
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
Cassandra Harris
  Bldg. 272, Room 103
 
(757) 953 - 6007
  Monday/Wednesday
  8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  Tuesday/Thursday
  8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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Get Social with CMVE! 
 

Greetings TCC Student! 

 

We're sure you've seen the links on the left side of The Pathfinder and perhaps you may have even clicked them once or twice. But, just in case you haven't, we want to take a moment to remind you that the CMVE is where you are - on social media! 

 

Those burning questions you might have about enrollment or our hours of operation? You can find the answers on our Facebook, along with timely updates about community events, internships, and CMVE programs. 

 

If there is something we haven't addressed that you would like an answer to, go ahead and send us a message so we can save you some time and make sure your needs are met. After all, serving the military is not the CMVE's secondary job, it's our only job!

Facebook
So go ahead and like us on Facebook so we can better serve you.

 

Sincerely,

TCC CMVE Staff

Professional Development

Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS)


 

This U.S. Coast Guard approved course is for merchant mariners who need ECDIS training to satisfy the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers (STCW) Code in the following areas: 

  • Use of ECDIS to Maintain the Safety of Navigation of Table A-II/1
  • Maintain the Safety of Navigation through the use of ECDIS and Associated Navigation Systems to Assist Command Decision Making of Table A-II/2

The course provides trainees with the knowledge, skills and understanding of ECDIS and electronic charts to safely navigate vessels that use them. It emphasizes the application and learning of ECDIS in a variety of underway contexts by using sophisticated navigation simulation that provides each trainee with unrestrained access to ownship operations integrated with a complete type-approved TRANSAS ECDIS simulator with numerous chart formats installed.

This 40-hour course covers:
 

  • Elements of ECDIS
  • Watchstanding with ECDIS
  • ECDIS Route Planning
  • ECDIS Targets, Charts and Systems
  • ECDIS Responsibility and Assessment 

Location: TCC Virginia Beach Campus
1700 College Crescent
Virginia Beach, VA
Lynnhaven Building, Rm. E-145
Cost: $1,000
Dates: Contact the Hampton Roads Maritime Training Program for information on upcoming course dates at 757-822-7669
Personal Finance 

Financial Resource:
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 

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Service members, veterans, and their families face unique financial challenges.


The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) website offers tools and resources that can help safeguard against consumer fraud, illegal business practices and bad financial deals. For more information, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website
Military Community and Family Policy

Military One Source Magazine

 

The June/July 2014 edition of the Military Community and Family Policy eMagazine is full of ways to ensure our service members and their families have a happy and healthy summer season. 

Whether you're looking for some great health-related resources to pass along, some tips for putting a little joy into a PCS move or the latest information from some of our programs, this edition of the eMagazine has you covered. 

View the eMagazine HERE
  • Learn about important new health initiatives such as the Guard Your Health website or the Real Warriors Campaign.
  • Find out the latest from programs such as Troops to Teachers and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership.
  • Get some great tips and resources to pass along to service members and their families relocating this summer.
New TA Rules are in effect! 
DoD Tightens Tuition Assistance Rules

 

Force-wide changes to the military's Tuition Assistance program may require troops to pay back their TA money if they perform poorly in class.


 

Service members taking undergraduate courses will need to get a grade of C or higher and students taking graduate-level courses will need to get a B or higher or else they will be subject to "recoupment" and will have to pay out-of-pocket for the class's costs. This is according to an internal policy change that Defense Department officials approved July 7.
 

Service members who receive a grade of "I" for incomplete will have to repay their TA money if they fail to complete the class and convert the "I" into a satisfactory grade.
 

The TA program also will no longer cover:

  • laboratory fees 
  • other fees that come on top of tuition (see last bullet)
  • books, fees or other costs that some institutions "bundle" into their tuition (these will now need to be separates by item)
  • these fees include any charge not directly related to course instruction, including but not limited to costs associated with room, board, distance learning, equipment, supplies, books/materials, exams, insurance, parking, transportation, admissions, registration, or fines

Changes are being made because of the rising cost of the tuition assistance program to DoD as the benefits have expanded, school tuition has become more expensive and more service members are taking advantage of the benefit. 


 

The goal of the new rules is to increase student performance and long-term success. However, waivers to the Department's policy may be authorized for service members who fail to meet the minimum grade requirements standards of volunteer education programs with extenuating circumstances, such as deployments, changed duty schedules and other circumstances outside their control.

Employment Opportunities
TCC CMVE Can Help Connect You With the Right Job

Log on to Ebenefits.com to see companies who are hiring
  • Wellpoint
  • CACI
  • Norfolk southern
  • Gstek Inc.
  • Raytheon
  • AECOM
  • CTR Group
  • Sears 
  • Sentara 
  • Bon Secours Health Systems and many more
Dominion Troops to Energy Jobs is a program helping veterans transition to a rewarding career in the energy industry. Although some job openings are out of the Hampton Roads area please review their website for a current list. http://www.troopstoenergyjobs.com/
 
Online Resources:
  • Check out G.I. Jobs website for the top 20 jobs and franchises for veterans. Here's a few jobs that made the list and offered as a certificate/degree at TCC:
    • IT Specialist
    • Operations Manager
    • Engineer
    • Logistician 
    • Manufacturing Technician
    • Financial Services Professional
    • Customer Service Manager 
  • Hirepurpose is a website catering to veterans and spouses searching for employment and exploring companies.   
  • My Next Move has a veteran section that gives you the options to type in your military affiliation and AFSC, MOS, or Rating to see a list of civilian jobs that correlates to your military job.  
  • The Muse, an upbeat and trendy website, profile companies, gives job advice, free on-line classes, and job openings. 
  • Soldier for Life  is a great resources for military families and employment opportunities.
For More Information about Education-to-Employment, Contact:
Alesia Wroten
CMVE, TCC Virginia Beach
757-822-7714
 
Summer 2015 - Recruitment Program

The Federal Workforce Recruitment Program (FWRP) is a government-sponsored initiative that connects college students and recent graduates with disabilities to full-time paid summer intern- ships with federal employers nationwide. 

The program is co-sponsored by the Office of Disability Employment Policy under the Department of Labor, the Department of Defense and about 20 other federal agencies. You can learn more about the Federal Workforce Recruitment program by visiting www.wrp.gov.

FWRP benefits:
  • Full-time, PAID internships
  • Sharpen interview skills
  • Marketable employment experience to add to college resume
  • Opportunities to market skills to potential employers nationwide
  • A supportive work environment to develop skills for future employment
Eligibility Requirements
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Have a documented disability under ADAA
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student, unless the significance of disability precludes a full-time course load to seek a degree
  • Have at least a 2.5 G.P.A.

Sign-up for internships begins at the end of August 2014 and interviews are held in November 2014 for Summer 2015 internships.

Please contact Beth Callahan or Claudia Barrington at 822-7752 for more information.
Math Pre-Placement Program

CMVE Math Pre-Placement Prep Pilot Program Still Enrolling Students!

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The CMVE recently began a Math Pre-Placement Prep pilot program for military-related students, and participants are already showing significant success! 

  

Students participating in the program have access to an online math program that covers material from all the developmental MTE courses.  The program includes diagnostic testing, individualized learning plans, self-paced learning, tutor access, and post-assessment. 

  

And, good news!  The pilot program is STILL ACCEPTING interested students who meet the following criteria:

  • Students must NOT have taken any MTE courses.
  • Students must NOT have taken the Virginia Math Placement Test more than once.
  • Students must be willing to work diligently to achieve success.

Interested students should contact:

CMVE Military Academic Programs

Dr. Maria Lawson-Davenport, Project Manager

[email protected]

757-822-7756

 

VA Information Session Dates
Summer VA Information Sessions are Underway
 

Explore your new surroundings, armed with information about maximizing your benefits, getting paid on time, and ultimately pursuing your new career field. 

 

Chesapeake
Campus VA 
Norfolk Campus
VA 
Portsmouth Campus VAVirginia Beach
Campus VA  
Sessions are held at the Student Center in the Meeting and Events RoomSessions are held in the Walker Building; Room 3315Sessions are held at the Student Center in the multipurpose lobbySessions are held in the CMVE Lobby in the Kempsville Building
July 27
5:30pm
August 5
5:30pm
August 6
10:00am
August 5
5:30pm
August 4
11:00am

August 19
5:00pm
August 8
11:30am

 

 

No reservations required. Sessions last approximately one hour.  

Fall 2014
Important Dates 
16 Week Session
April 5 - April 11

Returning students register for Fall classes*

April 12 - August 24

New and returning students register for Fall classes*

August 7Tuition due for Fall classes
August 16Faculty report
August 25Classes begin
September 1Labor Day (college closed)
September 2Last day to add or change for a sixteen-week course
September 2

Fall 2014 Graduation Application Deadline

(Applications not received by the deadline will be processed the following term.)

September 11Last day to drop for tuition refund from a sixteen-week course
October 21Faculty Professional Development Day (no classes-college open)
October 30

Last day to withdraw without academic penalty from a sixteen-week course

(See Note)

November 26Non-Instructional Day (college closes at 12:00pm)
November 27, 28, 29

Thanksgiving Holiday (college closed)

(Web registration is available for the Spring 2015 semester.)

December 15    Tuition due for Spring 2015 classes
December 19Last day of instruction (including examinations)
December 19     Graduation

TBA

Holiday Break (college closed)

(Web registration is available for the Spring 2015 semester.)

 

1st 8 Week  Session

 

April 5 - April 11

Returning students register for Fall classes*

April 12 - August 24

New and returning students register for Fall classes*

August 25Classes begin
August 27Last day to add or change for a first eight-week course
September 1Labor Day (college closed)
September 2

Fall 2014 Graduation Application Deadline

(Applications not received by the deadline will be processed the following term.)

September 3Last day to drop for tuition refund from a first eight-week course
September 29Last day to withdraw without academic penalty from a first eight-week course (See Note)
October 20Last day of instruction (includes examinations)
October 21Faculty Professional Development Day (no classes-college open)

 

2nd 8 Week  Session

 

April 5 - April 11

Returning students register for Fall classes*

April 12 - October 21

New and returning students register for Fall classes*

October 21Faculty Professional Development Day (no classes-college open)
October 22Classes begin
October 24Last day to add or change for a second eight-week course
October 30Last day to drop for tuition refund from a second eight-week course
November 25Last day to withdraw without academic penalty from a second eight-week course (See Note)
November 26Non-Instructional Day (college closes at 12:00pm)
November 27, 28, 29Thanksgiving Holiday (college closed)
December 15    Tuition due for Spring 2015 classes
December 19Last day of instruction (includes examinations)

December 19

Graduation

TBA

Holiday Break (college closed)

(Web registration is available for the Spring 2015 semester.)

 

Note:  Students who wish to withdraw without academic penalty should contact a counselor to determine the appropriate procedure and date. Withdrawals through completion of sixty percent of a session will result in a W grade. After sixty percent of a session is completed, a withdrawal will result in a grade of F in a credit course or a grade of U in a developmental course, except under mitigating circumstances that must be documented by the instructor and approved by the academic dean.

 

Dynamic Session classes have unique refund and withdrawal dates. Please contact the Enrollment Services Office for procedures and dates.

We'd love to hear from you!
Have questions, comments, suggestions, concerns?
Email us and let us know: [email protected].

If you found this newsletter informative, please take the time to forward it to a friend or colleague via the forward link at the bottom of this page. And to ensure that you continue to get this newsletter on a monthly basis, click the "join our mailing list" button located on the left hand side.

Thanks for reading and have a great TCC day!

Center for
Military and Veterans Education Staff
Tidewater Community College


TCC never sells or gives your information to third parties and your email is kept secure and confidential.
Tidewater Community College - the largest provider of higher education and workforce development services in Hampton Roads - topped 45,000 students in 2009-10. The 16th highest associate-degree producer in the nation, TCC offers more than 150 programs. Among the fastest-growing two-year institutions in the United States, TCC was founded in 1968 as a part of the Virginia Community College System. The college serves the South Hampton Roads region with campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach as well as the TCC Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center in Norfolk's theater district, the Visual Arts Center in Olde Towne Portsmouth, the Regional Automotive Center in Chesapeake, and the Advanced Technology Center in Virginia Beach. Forty-five percent of the region's residents attending a college or university in Virginia last fall were enrolled at TCC. For more information, visit www.tcc.edu