Educational Services

The Office of Secondary School Programs

Tel: 757/825-2801

The Office of Secondary School programs includes the Dual Enrollment Program, the Early College Scholars Program, and the Career Coach Program. The programs are designed to increase opportunities for students in high school on the Peninsula. By partnering with local school divisions, the Office works to increase college and career readiness of area students, thereby meeting the educational and workforce needs of the community.

Dual Enrollment (DE)

Tel: 757/825-2706 or 3452

The Dual Enrollment Program provides opportunities for qualified high school juniors and seniors to enroll in college coursework and earn college credit while still in high school.

• DE admissions requirements reflect the admissions standards at the College; students must apply to the College and take the college placement exam which is offered at no cost.
• DE courses are taught by full or part-time faculty who meet VCCS credentialing requirements.
• DE courses offered in the high schools follow a community college course outline, include the same content as campus-based courses, and use college-approved textbooks.
• Credit for DE courses is generally accepted at Virginia private and public colleges. Students should contact their intended four-year institution to discuss the applicability of dual enrollment coursework.

 Advantages of Dual Enrollment (DE)

• DE provides college-level instruction to high school students during regular school hours.
• DE may accelerate a student’s college career and provide quality, affordable education close to home.
• DE enriches the course opportunities for outstanding high school students in both academic and career-technical education.
• DE provides access to college resources, facilities and services such as learning resources, advising, career counseling, and mentoring.
• DE students may enter college with credits applicable to their degree program.
• DE students gain understanding of the rigor of college work as well as college faculty expectations.

Eligibility for Dual Enrollment

DE courses are college-level courses. The amount of work necessary to succeed in DE courses is greater than in typical high school courses. In addition, credit and grades earned in DE courses become a part of a student’s permanent college transcript. To do well in these courses, it is important for students to realize the benefits of dual enrollment.

Although high school and home schooled students are normally not qualified for general admission, colleges may offer admission to those students who meet additional criteria. Dual enrollment is restricted to high school juniors and seniors and home school students studying at the high school junior or senior levels. Home school students must also provide a copy of a home school agreement approved by the school district or a letter from the local school board or a copy of the letter filed by the parent/legal guardian declaring home school for religious exemption. Documentation of parental permission is required for all dual enrollment students.

All dual enrollment students must have applied to the College, taken the placement test or met course prerequisites and submitted a signed dual enrollment registration form prior to published dual enrollment dates for that term. Students are responsible for ensuring all requirements have been fulfilled and turned in prior to the registration deadline. Students will not be registered for classes after registration deadline dates have passed. For current registration dates and deadlines, please check www.tncc.edu/dualenrollment or call –the Office of Secondary School Programs at 725-825-2706 or 757-825-2801.

All students admitted under this section must demonstrate readiness for college by meeting the criteria below.

Students interested in a taking DE courses in their high school should talk with their school counselor about dual enrollment opportunities. Students interested in taking college courses on the Thomas Nelson campus should contact a Thomas Nelson Dual Enrollment Coordinator for more information.

Dual enrollment students are not eligible to take developmental courses or to receive financial aid. For more information, please visit our website at www.tncc.edu/dualenrollment

Career Coaches

Tel: 757/825-3524

Thomas Nelson Community College has five career coaches stationed in area high schools: Heritage High School, Warhill High School, Lafayette High School, Bethel High School, and New Horizons Regional Education Center. The fundamental purpose of the Virginia Community College System Career Coach Program is to empower students to make informed decisions about their career and educational plans, and to prepare students for success in post-secondary education and training. The major responsibilities of a Career Coach include:

• Facilitating the development of individual career plans and portfolios.
• Administering and providing interpretation of career assessments, such as the Virginia Education Wizard.
• Sharing information on careers, career pathways, and related employment.
• Connecting students to early college programs such as dual enrollment.
• Easing the transition of students from high school to post-secondary education and the skilled workforce.

Great Expectations

Tel: 757/825-3452 or www.tncc.edu/GreatExpectations

Great Expectations coaches reach out to current and former foster youth (ages 17-24), helping them consider their career options and what community colleges have to offer. Together they explore the young person’s skills, values, and interests, and match them to higher education options. They help with college applications and guide young people through the financial aid maze. Once a student has enrolled, coaches provide intensive, “high touch” support to ensure these students’ success. This active support includes regular check-ins, curriculum advising, mentoring, tutoring, direct financial assistance in the case of emergencies, incentives for success, and peer connections through group activities. Key components include:

• Individualized tutoring
• Help applying for college admission and financial aid
• Career exploration and coaching
• Help applying for and keeping a job
• Life skills training, including managing finances, healthy relationships
• Personalized counseling and academic advising
• Peer mentors
• Summer Prep Program

 The Campus Coach also focuses on way to help at-risk youth overcome well-documented barriers to their life success, including housing, transportation and medical and child care issues. Great Expectations helps Virginia’s foster youth complete high school, gain access to a community college education and transition successfully from the foster care system to living independently. Thomas Nelson offers foster youth a feasible path to a four-year degree, a wide range of general and technical two-year degrees, or other workforce credentials that give them skills valued by employers, with the goal of earning a family-sustaining income in the future. For student referrals, please contact the office at 757/825-3452.

Distance Learning

Tel: 757/825-2955 or http://tncc.edu/distance

The purpose of distance learning at Thomas Nelson Community College is to support the mission and core values of the College by increasing access to educational programs and services. Thomas Nelson Community College distance learning options improve accessibility by minimizing enrollment barriers due to time constraints, geography, job obligations, and/or family commitments.

Distance learning courses are a flexible and convenient alternative to courses taught on campus. Distance learning courses provide the same content and quality as on-campus courses and have specific online qualities that equal or exceed direct classroom instruction. Distance learning courses take advantage of a variety of online teaching and learning formats. Instead of working under the constraints of classroom times and locations, students are able to work independently, within the requirements of the online course calendar and assignment schedule. However, such flexibility requires a strong student commitment and self-discipline.

Distance learning courses require students to have access to personal computers or other electronic devices, as well as access to the Internet. Distance learning students should be comfortable using educational technology, software, and e-learning tools such as “Blackboard.” Many distance learning courses require proctored exams as part of the course assessment process. Proctored exams are typically administered at an on-campus location, or at an approved remote site or institution. Distance learning students have access to library services, including online library collections and databases, and can communicate with Thomas Nelson librarians via email, chat, or telephone. Orientation sessions to prepare students who are taking distance learning courses at Thomas Nelson are available, and are strongly recommended. Not all on-campus support services are available at a distance, and may require a visit to one of the Thomas Nelson campuses.

Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Distance and Distributed Education at TNCC (Tel: 757-825-2955), from Thomas Nelson counselors and academic advisors, or from the distance learning web site at http://tncc.edu/distance.

Learning Resources Center

Tel: 757/825-2868

The Learning Resources Center (LRC) provides a variety of instructional resources for students, faculty, and the community. The Historic Triangle Campus LRC is located in Rooms 100 and 106. The Hampton Campus LRC is located in Wythe Hall. The Learning Resource Centers are comprised of five departments: the Library, Technology Learning Center, College Math Center, College Writing Center, and Peer Tutoring Center.

Library

Tel: 757/825-2877 or www.tncc.edu/library

Libraries are located on the Hampton Campus in Wythe Hall and in Room 100 on the Historic Triangle Campus. The library offers a wealth of information resources in all formats for students and faculty. In addition to a book collection of more than 50,000 volumes, the library provides periodicals, compact discs and other instructional media, reference services, along with access to hundreds of online database resources. Reference librarians are available to assist with research requests during the library’s operating hours. Research inquiries can also be submitted after hours through the state of Virginia’s LRC Live link located on the Thomas Nelson Library’s homepage. The library participates in the Virginia Tidewater Consortium program that allows students, faculty, and staff of member institutions to borrow materials and use the facilities of consortium libraries.

Tutor Zone

Tel: 757/825-2940 or http://tncc.edu/tutoring

The Tutor Zone is located inside the library on each campus. The Tutor Zone consists of College Math, College Writing and Peer Tutoring. Along with in-person tutoring, the College offers Smarthinking, an online tutoring service. Smarthinking is available to all students, including distance learning students, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Technology Assistance

Tel: 757/825-2993 or http://tncc.edu/tlc

Technology assistance is located inside the Library in Wythe Hall. Technology assistance is available at the Historic Triangle Campus is inside the Library, Room 100. The library’s technology assistance services provides computer and related technology help to students, faculty and staff.

College Math 

Tel: 757/825-2884 or http://tncc.edu/collegemath

The College Math Center is located on the Hampton Campus in Room 256 Wythe Hall, and at the Historic Triangle Campus in the library. The College Math Center offers individual tutoring to all students of the College who use mathematics in their classes and who require assistance. In addition, a variety of instructional materials are available to help students review and improve their mathematical skills. Computer tutorials include pre-algebra, algebra, precalculus, calculus, geometry, technical math, math for liberal arts, and statistics. Hours vary according to the academic year, and are posted in the facility and on the College Math Center webpage.

College Writing 

757/825-2940 or http://tncc.edu/collegewriting

The College Writing Center on the Hampton Campus is located in Room 256 Wythe Hall, and at the Historic Triangle Campus in the library. Its mission is to provide help in all aspects of the writing process, from preliminary brainstorming and outlining, to analysis and composition. All students, whether enrolled in English class or not, may use the College Writing Center for assistance with writing skills. Individualized sessions are offered to help students think critically about their own writing and to offer suggestions that help make students’ writing stronger. Software, sample student essays, and tutorial books are among the materials available for student use. Hours vary according to the academic year and are posted on the College Writing Center webpage.

Make-Up and Distance Learning Testing Center

Tel: 757/825-3540 or http://tncc.edu/students/become-a-student/placement-testing/

The Make-up and Distance Learning Testing Center on the Hampton Campus is located in Room 254B Wythe Hall, and provides a quiet and proctored setting for student testing. Proctoring is provided for make-up tests for students who have missed a classroom test, for distance learning tests, and for students with disabilities in accordance with the guidelines offered by the college disability coordinator.

Hours vary according to the academic year and are posted. Students must arrive at least one hour before closing and must show photo identification.

Make-up test proctoring is provided by appointment at the Historic Triangle Campus in Room 124. Those students needing test proctoring should phone 757/258-6538 at least 24 hours in advance.

Office of Student Success (Hampton) Office of Student Services (Williamsburg)

The Office of Student Success and the Office of Student Services provide students with a variety of support services designed to assist students in achieving academic and personal success. This division provides new and continuing students with opportunities and experiences that promote their academic and personal growth, while encouraging their personal responsibility in preparing for future success. The division supports the instructional programs of the College through coordinating advising/registration for new, continuing and returning students, crisis counseling, group counseling, disabled student services, orientation activities, student activities, and intervention strategies for students experiencing difficulties.

Academic Advising

Tel: 757/825-2827 or http://www.tncc.edu/advising or advisinghelp@tncc.edu

Academic advising is a program designed to enable students to develop and attain their academic, personal, and career goals. The advising program focuses on the development of a continuous relationship between academic advisors, faculty mentors, support staff,and administrators to support each student’s growth in these areas. Students should meet with an academic advisor or their assigned faculty advisor to obtain information and assistance with academic planning. Academic advising assists students with a wide range or services as it relates to programs of study, curricula planning, transfer, college and career resources, and support services.

New students at Thomas Nelson are required to meet with an academic advisor to explore program options that meet their educational and career objectives. Students are advised by professional academic advisors within their Academic Division. To locate an academic advisor, please visit one of the following advising locations:

Business, Public Services, Information Systems and Mathematics

Hampton Campus, Diggs Hall, Room 122

Historic Triangle Campus, Room 117

Communication, Humanities and Social Sciences

Hampton Campus, Griffin Hall, Room 222

Historic Triangle Campus, Room 117

Health Professions

Hampton Campus, Hastings Hall, Room 323

Historic Triangle Campus, Room 117

Science, Engineering and Technology

Hampton Campus, Hastings Hall, Room 323

Historic Triangle Campus, Room 117

Before meeting with an advisor please review the program of study of your interest online at http://www.tncc.edu/advising. If you are undecided about your program of study you may visit The New Student Success Center, Griffin Hall, Room 221S or Room 117 on the Historic Triangle campus to explore possible career pathways and programs offered at Thomas Nelson.

Counseling Support Services

The goal of Counseling Support Services is to assist students in developing skills to make intelligent decisions regarding their educational, career, personal and social goals. Counselors in the Counseling Center (located in Room 323 Hastings Hall) see new, entering, and non-curricular students while continuing students are directed to Counselors in the Office of Student Success. Professional Counselors interpret various educational assessments for students and assist them with curriculum placement and schedule development. Counselors are available to assist students throughout their college experience with educational, career, and personal planning concerns. Students have an opportunity to confidentially discuss personal concerns in a non-judgmental environment. These services are free to all currently enrolled students. These offices work closely with community agencies and resources to refer students when appropriate and based on the needs of the student.

For information or a counseling appointment, call 757/825-2827 (Hampton) or 757/253-4755 (Historic Triangle).

Advising-Military Installations

Advising is provided by a college representative at the major military installations in the College service region. Military personnel desiring educational and career advising may schedule an appointment with a college representative by contacting the post or base education center and scheduling an appointment. Students wishing to pursue a degree may receive further assistance at the campus Counseling Center. Appointments are not required. Full services, including admissions, assessment, advising, registration, and tuition payment are provided at the military installations.

College Success Skills (SDV 100)

All curricular students are required to take the one-credit College Success Skills course during their first semester of attendance. The objective of the College orientation program is to assist incoming students in becoming adequately acquainted with college life. More information on the orientation program may be obtained in the Office of Student Success located in Room 323 Hastings Hall or at 757/825-2827.

College Success Skills Waiver

Applicants to the College, who have completed a two-year or four-year academic degree at a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education, may request a waiver of the College Success Skills (SDV 100 ) course. Students requesting a waiver of SDV 100  will be required to fulfill the program requirements by the election of additional credit hours to compensate for the course waiver. Students receiving a waiver for the SDV 100  course assume all responsibility for knowledge of the college’s policies on curricular requirements, scholastic honesty, and standards of conduct for the student body. The College may substitute other transfer credits earned to satisfy the total credit hour requirement of the degree. Students who have completed SDV 100  at other Virginia community colleges will receive, upon request, a copy of the college catalog and the current schedule. Transfer students who determine that they need additional information from the college may enroll in the SDV 100  course.

Transfer Services

Students interested in transferring to a four-year institution should meet with their Academic Advisors to discuss the requirements necessary to transfer successfully to a four-year college or university.

Transfer services are offered to assist students with choosing a major and career planning by providing information on:

• Articulation and Guaranteed Admission Agreements
• Four-year college transfer admission requirements
• Academic program transfer course equivalencies
• Information on the four-year college transfer admissions requirements
• Academic advising for selection of academic program transfer course equivalencies
• Serve as liaison with four-year college/university representatives

The following are some steps to make transferring to a four year college or university a seamless transition

• Speak to an academic advisor to assist you with choosing your major
• Decide on a career or major
• Choose a college or university
• Determine classes that will transfer to your chosen college or university
• Apply for admission and financial aid
• Transfer

 Students are encouraged to use Virginia’s Education Wizard: a helpful interactive website which helps them choose a career, plan how to pay for college, transfer to a four-year college or university. https://www.vawizard.org/vccs/TransferGAA.action.

Disabled Student Services

Tel: 757/825-2867 or TDD 757/825-2853

Thomas Nelson Community College is committed to creating an accessible environment for students with disabilities, while allowing students the opportunity for growth, greater responsibility and empowerment. Students who will require more extensive accommodations, such as Sign Language Interpreters or textbooks in alternate formats, should contact Disabled Students Services at least four weeks prior to the start of classes. The student with a disability should contact the Office of Disabled Student Services (voice 757/825-2833 or 825-2867 and TDD 757/825-2853) at least two weeks prior to the start of classes to ensure there is adequate time to discuss any necessary and appropriate accommodations. The student is not required to disclose his or her disability with his/her instructor. It is recommended that the student registers with the Office of Disabled Student Services for accommodations. If the student chooses not to register, a faculty member is not required to provide any accommodations until he or she receives an official letter from the Office of Disabled Student Services. Prior to or during the meeting with the Disabled Student Services Counselor, the student should provide recent documentation of the disability (within three years) and review all limitations (all of which are held in complete confidence). Disabled Student Services and the student discuss the appropriate accommodations the student may receive at the college during the initial meeting. The student is briefed on what his or her responsibilities are as well as the responsibilities of Disabled Student Services staff and faculty. The purpose of this is to demonstrate to the student that the primary individual responsible for his or her needs is the student himself or herself. Disabled Student Services continues to act as a resource and advocate, but it is the student who is expected to accept the leadership role for meeting his or her own needs.

Following are some of the services available for students with disabilities:

• Access to Assistive Technology
• Coordination with community agencies
• Liaison with faculty
• Note-takers
• Testing accommodations
• Textbooks in an alternate format
• Tutoring assistance
• Interpreters for deaf students
• Counseling/advising services

For further information, contact Disabled Student Services in Room 323 Hastings Hall or at 757/825-2867 or 757/825-2833.

Student Life and Leadership

Tel: 757/825-2863

The Student Life and Leadership program is responsible for implementing, coordinating, and integrating the policies and procedures relating to the operation of campus organizations and activities. The Student Life and Leadership office is the hub for extracurricular programs and services, and students can obtain information on clubs and organizations, community service opportunities and scholarships, leadership development, students’ rights and responsibilities, activities and events, discount tickets to attractions/events and more. The office provides a variety of educational, cultural, volunteer, and social experiences, and assists in integrating them with the college instructional program. Additionally, help is provided to individual students, informal groups, faculty, and staff to develop new activities and services that meet the needs of the college community. All campuswide activities and events of interest appear on the monthly Student Life and Leadership calendar, Thomas Nelson Web calendar and Thomas Nelson Facebook page. For further information, contact the Student Life and Leadership staff in Room 224 Griffin Hall in Hampton at 757/825-2863 and Room 106B at the Historic Triangle Campus or at 757/258-6588.

Alumni Affairs

Tel: 757/825-2719

Thomas Nelson Community College actively seeks to stay in contact with graduates and former students of the college. Information about current college events and activities and the successes of our alumni are posted on the web site and published in an alumni newsletter. For further information, contact the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at alumniaffairs@tncc.edu or by calling 757/825-2719.