Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 College Catalog 
    
2020-2021 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

General Information


About Thomas Nelson:
    Academic Fair Use
    Accreditation
    Code of Ethics
   
 Copyright
    Core Values
    History
    Introduction
    Mission Statement
    Philosophy
    Vision Statement
   


   

   Instructional and Department Staff:
     Academic Advising
     Academic Affairs
     Arts, Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences Division
     Enrollment Management
     Finance and Administration
     Financial Aid, Veterans and Scholarships
     Information Services
     Library and Learning Resource Center
     Office of Secondary School Programs
     Public Safety, Allied Health, and Human Services Division
     Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Division
     Southeast Higher Education Center
     Student Affairs
     Student Services
 
   

Operations Information and Policies:
   After-hours Contact Procedure
   Building Hours
   Bulletin Boards
   Children on Campus
   Email
   Emergency Action Plan
   Emergency Evacuation Procedure
   Inclement Weather
   Lost and Found
   Medical Emergencies
   Parking Decals/Vehicle Registration
   Photo ID
   Switchboard
   Weapons Policy
   Workplace Violence Prevention and Threat Assessment

Operations Information & Policies

Inclement Weather

When the weather creates hazardous travel conditions, the College administration will make a decision about canceling or delaying classes. Closings will be announced on the College’s website www.tncc.edu and social media (such as Facebook and Twitter). Administrators will also notify the following television and radio stations regarding the cancellation of classes and operations of the college:

  WTKR-TV (Channel 3) WHRV (89.5 FM)
  WAVY-TV (Channel 10) WGH-FM (97.3 FM)
  WVEC-TV (Channel 13) WMOV (107.7 FM)
  WVBT-TV (Channel 14) WVHT(100.5 FM)
  WNIS (790 AM) WNOB (93.7 FM)
  WTAR (850 AM) WOWI (102.9 FM)
  WAFX (106.9 FM) WWDE (101.3 FM)
  WNOR (98.7 FM) WXGM (99.1 FM)
  WHRO (90.3 FM)  

Electronic Communication (Email)

Thomas Nelson Community College issues student email addresses to all active students. Email is the primary means for official communication within Thomas Nelson. The College has the right to expect that such communications will be received and read in a timely fashion. Official email communications are intended to meet only the academic and administrative needs of the campus community and will be used for College business (academic and administrative) only. Students are expected to check their Thomas Nelson email account on a regular basis in order to remain informed of College communications. It is recommended that students check email accounts daily. Students are responsible for the consequences of not reading College email communications in a timely fashion. All use of email will be consistent with other Thomas Nelson policies and as stated in the Thomas Nelson Student Handbook.

Switchboard

Should a student need to contact a faculty or staff member or an administrative office and not know the phone number, the student may call the switchboard at 757-825-2700. Operation hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. On the Historic Triangle Campus, the student may call 757-253-4300 between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.

After-Hours Contact Procedure

Campus Police maintains a contact number during nonworking hours. If a student needs the assistance of a campus police officer after 10 p.m. Monday - Friday, or on weekends and holidays, please call 9/879-3649 from any Thomas Nelson office phone or 757/879-3649 from any residential or cellular phone. The hearing impaired should use the Virginia Relay System, 7-1-1.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

The Emergency Action Plan contains basic responses to several potential emergencies that the campus could experience. The events within the EAP include fire, medical emergencies, severe weather and active shooters. All Thomas Nelson students and employees are encouraged to become familiar with these procedures to assist in enhancing safety. Please select EAP  to review our plan.

Medical Emergencies

If a medical emergency arises between 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Friday, call the Office of Campus Police, 757-825-2732. After 10 p.m. Monday - Friday, or on weekends and holidays, the Office of Campus Police can be reached by dialing 9/879-3649. Call boxes are located throughout the Hampton campus.

The hearing impaired should use the Virginia Relay System, 7-1-1-. If the caller is unable to get help when calling either of these numbers, contact the Rescue Squad by dialing 911 from any pay phone or 9-911 from any College office or classroom telephone.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

In the event of an emergency where the building must be evacuated, activate the College fire alarm system from any pull box. Faculty, staff, and students, other than those assigned specific duties, will:

  1. Ensure that all lights, office machines, electrical devices, etc. are turned off.
  2. Close and lock all safes, file cabinets, and other record repositories.
  3. Evacuate all buildings, closing office/classroom doors as they leave their respective areas, taking all personal belongings with them. In the event that a physically challenged student is in a class during an emergency, the instructor conducting the class will be responsible for ensuring that the individual is evacuated along with the rest of the students. Remember that the elevator is reserved for physically challenged persons. Do not use the elevator in case of fire.
  4. Comply with directions issued by authorized college personnel. All personnel will be directed to the nearest area assembly point until further instructions are received.
  5. Remain calm and move promptly to area assembly points.
  6. Remain on campus. Do not enter the building until a verbal all-clear signal has been given by Campus Police or Physical Plant.

Workplace Violence Prevention and Threat Assessment

Thomas Nelson is committed to the prevention of violence on campus and provides guidance on how to access supporting programs and assistance. Please select violence prevention and threat assessment  to review additional information. 

Weapons Policy

Thomas Nelson follows the guidelines of the State Board for Community Colleges guidelines regarding weapons on campus.

Pursuant to State Board for Community Colleges Regulation 8VAC95-10-20, effective January 30, 2013, “[p]ossession or carrying of any weapon by any person, except a police officer, is prohibited on college property in academic buildings, administrative office buildings, student centers, child care centers, dining facilities and places of the kind where people congregate, or while attending any college-sponsored sporting, entertainment or educational events. Entry upon the aforementioned college property in violation of this prohibition is expressly forbidden.”

Building Hours

College buildings are unlocked by 6 a.m., Monday - Friday. Buildings are usually locked at 10:30 p.m. Those who are in need of entry at times other than during normal hours, must contact Campus Police dispatch at 757/825-2732 for information concerning access procedures.

Children on Campus

College policy dictates that no child under the age of 15 years old may be left unsupervised at any time while on the Thomas Nelson campus, unless approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs. Any person who leaves a child unattended may be subjected to disciplinary action or, in the case of a non-student, criminal action.

Parking Decals/Vehicle Registration

All vehicles must be registered with the Parking Services Office and display a current College vehicle parking permit. Failure to register a vehicle and display a current parking permit may result in a parking citation, towing, or wheel locking of the vehicle. Information on how to obtain a parking decal can be found at https://tncc.edu/police/parking.

Visitors may park in a visitor’s parking space or in any non-designated parking space. Visitors choosing to park in a non-designated parking space must obtain a visitor’s parking permit from the Parking Services Office with Campus Police and display it on the front dashboard of the vehicle. The Parking Office is located in Diggs Hall, Room 155 Hampton Campus and Room 122 at the Historic Triangle Campus. The office of Campus Police is located in Diggs Hall, Room 153 and Room 115, Historic Triangle Campus. Prospective students are requested to display a temporary parking permit obtained from the Admissions Office in Griffin Hall, Hampton Campus Room 201 or Room 112 on the Historic Triangle Campus.

Photo ID Required

Thomas Nelson Community College photo IDs are required and are available in the Photo ID Office. To obtain a photo ID, faculty, staff, and students must present their driver’s license, DMV issued ID card, passport, or military ID card along with their current semester schedule and EMPL# or student ID#.

The Photo ID offices are located in Room 155in Diggs Hall, Hampton Campus and Room 111, Historic Triangle Campus. For additional information, please call 757/825-3593 in Hampton and 757/253-6521 at the Historic Triangle Campus.

Lost & Found Property

The Office of Campus Police is the receiving department for all found or abandoned property. If a student finds an item, he or she may turn it in to the Campus Police in Diggs Hall, Room 153 or Room 112, Historic Triangle Campus. The Campus Police will make every effort to return the property to its rightful owner. Those who have lost property can report to Room 112, Historic Triangle Campus, Monday - Friday, during normal business hours to claim their property. Proof of ownership will be required (brand name, color, ID marks, etc.), as well as a photo ID.

Property left at the Historic Triangle Campus for more than one month will be transported and stored at the Hampton Campus.

All unclaimed property will be handled in the following manner:

  1. Property valued at $100 or less will be held for three months.
  2. Property valued in excess of $100 will be held for five months.

Bulletin Boards

Notices pertaining to College functions and activities are posted regularly on designated bulletin boards around campus. Any items to be posted must be approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs, or the Dean of Student Services at the Historic Triangle campus, or the Coordinator of Student Life and Leadership at the Hampton campus. Defacing or destroying signs, posters, notices, etc. that have been approved for posting is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct; all violators are subject to disciplinary action, or in the case of a non-student, criminal action.

Instructional and Departmental Staff

(All phone numbers are included in the 757- area code.) All offices are located in Hampton unless specified otherwise.

Academic Affairs

Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan English   9 Harrison Hall 825-2952
Director of Curriculum and Instruction Lauren Williams   9A Harrison Hall 258-6596
Administrative Assistant Barbara Mason   9 Harrison Hall 825-2952
Curriculum Specialist Kim Allen   12A Harrison Hall 825-2914
Coordinator of Master Scheduling Julie Lambert   12 Harrison Hall 825-2953

Arts, Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences Division

Dean Ursula Bock   851 Templin Hall 825-2799
Administrative Assistant Roslyn Upshur   851 Templin Hall 825-2799

Arts

Art Cece Wheeler   862 Templin Hall 825-3608
Performing Arts Michael Sundblad   829 Templin Hall 825-3659

Business

Accounting Kelly Hines   105 Diggs Hall 825-3667
Business Administration and Management Robert Askew   113 Diggs Hall 825-2705

Communication

Communication Anthony Fotinos   871 Templin Hall 825-2789

Education

Teacher Preparation Advisor Virginia Massaro   845 Templin Hall 825-3876

English

English        
English Fundamentals Michael Weiser   867 Templin Hall 825-3802

Humanities

Humanities, Philosophy & Religion Alandra Giron-Simmons   321J Historic Triangle Campus 258-6502

Social Sciences

History/Geography Stacey Schneider   313J Historic Triangle Campus 258-6646
Political Science Leo Keneally   928 Templin Hall 825-2761
Psychology Shanda Jenkins   928Templin Hall 825-3443
Sociology Margaret Preble   329G Hastings Hall 825-3636

World Languages

World Languages Alandra Giron-Simmons   321J Historic Triangle Campus 258-6502

Public Safety, Allied Health, and Human Services Division

Interim Dean Paul Long   747 Hampton III 825-2808
Associate Dean, LEAP Fellow Keisha Samuels   106 Diggs Hall 825-3669
Administrative Assistant Kristin May   747B Hampton III 825-3894
         
Administration of Justice & Paralegal Studies Dave Coffey   115 Diggs Hall 825-2787
Administrative Support Technology Cyndy Somerset   111 Diggs Hall 825-2742
Dental Hygiene Harold Marioneaux   313 Historic Triangle Campus 258-6598
Early Childhood Development Teresa Frazier   328 Hastings Hall 825-3550
Economics Ian Taylor   955 Templin Hall 825-2892
Fire and EMS Education Paul Long   747 Hampton III 825-2808
Health, Physical Education and Wellness Valerie Burge-Hall   710 Hampton III 825-3641
Human Services Keisha Samuels   106 Diggs Hall 825-3669
Nursing - Administrator     747C Hampton III 825-3844
Nursing -  Program Coordinator Karen Lynch   747E Hampton III 258-6647

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Division

Dean   321 Hastings Hall 825-2898
Associate Dean Beth Dickens   321C Hastings Hall 825-2811
Administrative Assistant Keisha Matthews   321 Hastings Hall 825-3679

Computer Science

Computer Science Sally Schaffner   425B Hastings Hall 825-2992

Engineering and Engineering Technologies

Air Conditioning, Heating, Ventilation & Refrigeration Terrance Scott   320 Hastings Hall 825-2896
Automotive Technology Mark Burge   500 Automotive Building 825-3859
Computer Aided Drafting and Design Technology Edward Morris   322 Hastings Hall 825-3624
Engineering Ji Hyon Mun   421B Hastings Hall 825-2930
Industrial Technology Jean Frank   306 Hastings Hall 825-2947
Mechanical Engineering Technology Julie Young   414 Hastings Hall 825-3622

Information Systems Technology

CISCO/Cyber Security Michael Mann   937 Templin Hall 825-2817
Geographical Information Systems Cherie Aukland   207E Historic Triangle Campus 258-6592
Information Systems Technology/Information Technology Sharon Cotman   326 Hastings Hall 825-3880

Mathematics

Mathematics/Developmental Mathematics Rimma Feygelson   940 Templin Hall 825-2920
Mathematics Tatiana Golub   207G Historic Triangle Campus 253-4298
Developmental Mathematics Marie Struble   207F Historic Triangle Campus 253-4322
Mathematics Advisor Ted Tweel   122D Diggs Hall 825-2963

Science

Biology Shaheem Abraham   313G Historic Triangle Campus 258-6590
Chemistry Lucinda Spryn   433E Historic Triangle Campus 258-6659
Geology Peter Berquist   321A Historic Triangle Campus 258-6643
Physics Elena Kuchina   304 Hastings Hall 825-2745

Library and Learning Resource Center

Library Assistant Matt Hedrick   227 Wythe Hall 825-2868
Canvas Administrator & Academic Technology Jason Vance   227 Wythe Hall 825-2819
Distance and Online Learning Librarian Robert Harrison   227B Wythe Hall 825-3829
Information Literacy Librarian Corey Buttram   227A Wythe Hall 825-2878
Library Assistant Antoinette Tubbs   Library - Wythe Hall 825-2877
Library Specialist Ella Belch   Library - Wythe Hall 825-2875
Library Technology Specialist   Library - Wythe Hall 825-2877
Math Tutor - Hampton Campus Vickie Herzog   Library - Wythe Hall 825-2933
Math Tutor - Hampton Campus Elizabeth Rizzatto   Library - Wythe Hall 825-2884
Open Educational Resources Librarian Mary Hanlin   227B Wythe Hall 825-3878
Public Services Coordinator - Hampton Campus   Library - Wythe Hall 825-2870
Public Services Coordinator - Historic Triangle Campus Stephanie Comer   Library - Historic Triangle Campus 258-6500
Technology Lead - Hampton Campus Will Moore   Library - Wythe Hall 825-2876
Technology Specialist - Historic Triangle Campus Donald Carr   Library - Historic Triangle Campus 258-6503
Tutor Zone Coordinator Eve Walker   Library -Wythe Hall 825-2940

Student Affairs

Vice President for Student Affairs Kris Rarig   4 Harrison Hall 825-3810
Administrative Assistant   4 Harrison Hall 825-3810

Enrollment Management

Dean of Enrollment Management   208A Griffin Hall 825-2736
Administrative Assistant   200 Griffin Hall 825-3642
Interim Director of Admissions Dana Cook   208C Griffin Hall 825-3885
Interim Registrar Patricia Reese   200B Griffin Hall 825-2844
Transfer Jeannetta Hollins   221 Griffin Hall 825-2790
Senior Admissions Specialist Geraldine Newson   200D Griffin Hall 825-2910
Admissions Specialist Shanda Barnes   206 Griffin Hall 825-2980
Admissions Specialist Natalie Bellamy   208 Griffin Hall 825-2978
Graduation Specialist Carmen Charland   208 Griffin Hall 825-2846
Senior Registration and Records Specialist Alicia Jones   200D Griffin Hall 825-3692
Registration and Records Specialist Jeneen Hamilton   200 Griffin Hall 825-2838
Registration and Records Specialist Cathy Murrow   208 Griffin Hall 825-2975
Transfer Credit Evaluation Specialist Edie Gilbert   709 Hampton III 825-3517

Information Services

       
Director of Information Services Michelle Manfred   200C Griffin Hall 825-3524
Information Center Specialist Lynette Banks   200 Griffin Hall 825-2702
Information Center Specialist Essence Brown   200 Griffin Hall 825-2792

Office of Secondary School Programs

Dean of Enrollment Management   208A Griffin Hall 825-2736
Dual Enrollment Coordinator Kimberly Calloway   709B Hampton III 825-2706
Dual Enrollment Coordinator   709C Hampton III 825-2801
Career Coach, York High School Tiffanie Rosier   709 Hampton III 825-3524
Career Coach, Heritage High School Erin Nobile   709 Hampton III 825-3524
Career Coach, Warhill High School Suzy Lindley   709 Hampton III 825-3524
Career Coach, Bethel High School Darlene Barnes   709 Hampton III 825-3542

Academic Advising

Director of Advising Jeannetta Hollins   323A Hastings Hall 825-2810

Art, Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences Advisors

    122 Diggs Hall  
Academic Advisor Katrina Bailey   122A Diggs Hall 825-2831
Academic Advisor Melissa Gray   122C Diggs Hall 825-2949
Academic Advisor David Lannon   122D Diggs Hall 825-2862
Academic Advisor Tschenavia Patterson   122E Diggs Hall 825-2852

Public Safety, Allied Health, and Human Services Advisors

    323 Hastings Hall  
Academic Advisor Maggie Haley   323F Hastings Hall 825-2749
Academic Advisor Linda Hubbard   323E Hastings Hall 825-3874
Academic Advisor Peggy Waddell   323G Hastings Hall 825-2765

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisors

    323 Hastings Hall  
Academic Advisor Veronica Dempsey   323C Hastings Hall 825-3647
Academic Advisor Ted Tweel   323D Hastings Hall 825-2963
Academic Advisor Karen Weaver   323B Hastings Hall 825-2828

Southeast Higher Education Center

Outreach Coordinator Alyson LeMaster   5720 Marshall Ave., Newport News 283-7820 ext. 63532
Evening Facilitator Amber Richardson   5720 Marshall Ave., Newport News 283-7820 ext. 63532

Student Services 

Dean Betsy Harrison   117J Historic Triangle Campus 253-4881
Coordinator of Disability Support Services Richard Hurst   201D Griffin Hall 825-2833
Coordinator of Life and Leadership Kadisia Archer   224 Griffin Hall 825-2863
Interim Coordinator of Athletics Angela Jackson   201C Griffin Hall 825-2887
Retention Coach Monette Dutch   201G Griffin Hall 825-3549

Finance and Administration

Vice President for Finance & Administration Steven Carpenter   10A Harrison Hall 825-2717
Administrative Assistant Geraldine Mathey   10 Harrison Hall 825-2717

Financial Aid, Veterans and Scholarships

Director, Financial Aid, Veterans & Scholarships Marc Vernon   214 Griffin Hall 825-2851
Assistant Director, Financial Aid Renee Peterson   214 Griffin Hall 825-2850
Assistant Director, Veteran Recruitment, Retention, & Advising Gary Pounder   230 Wythe Hall 825-2938
Manager, Financial Aid Lisa Smith   209A Griffin Hall 825-3508
Lead Veteran Services Coordinator Brandie Mitchell   214 Griffin Hall 825-2912
Veteran Services Coordinator Katheryn Carbaugh   214 Griffin Hall 825-3858
Veritas Liaison   230 Wythe Hall 825-2750
Financial Aid Advisor Charity Hancock   209 Griffin Hall 825-2926
Financial Aid Advisor Antoinette McCarter   209 Griffin Hall 825-2932
Financial Aid Advisor Krystle McMahan   117B Historic Triangle Campus 253-6526
Financial Aid Advisor Katja Roers   209 Griffin Hall 825-2564
Administrative Assistant Helen Stallings   209 Griffin Hall 825-3538
Financial Aid Processor Felicia Carter   214 Griffin Hall 825-3884
Financial Aid Processor Cassandra Creech   214 Griffin Hall 825-3889
Financial Aid Processor Renee’ Davis   214 Griffin Hall 825-2840
Financial Aid Processor Catina Copeland   214 Griffin Hall 825-2911

Introduction

Thomas Nelson Community College is a two-year institution of higher education established in 1967 as part of a statewide system of 23 community colleges. It primarily serves the residents of the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, and the counties of James City and York. The College operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and with the guidance of the Thomas Nelson Community College Board. The administration of the College is directly responsible to the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). The College is financed primarily by state funds, supplemented by contributions from the participating localities, the federal government, student tuition and fees, and private organizations and individuals.

The College provides financially accessible, high quality, comprehensive educational programs and services to meet the educational needs of citizens of all ages and to support the economic development of the Commonwealth. To this end, the college offers:

  • associate’s degree programs to prepare individuals for careers as technical and paraprofessional workers;
  • associate’s degree programs to prepare individuals for transfer, as upper-division students, to baccalaureate degree programs at four-year institutions;
  • programs to prepare individuals for careers as technicians and skilled and semi-skilled workers;
  • certificate programs to prepare individuals for further instructional programs;
  • eCampus course options;
  • student development services to assist individuals with decisions regarding occupational, educational, and personal goals;
  • industrial training programs for new or expanding businesses, industries, and professions;
  • continuing education programs, including credit and non-credit courses, seminars and workshops for individuals who wish to continue or expand their learning experiences, and;
  • cultural and educational opportunities for the community.

Accreditation

Thomas Nelson Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) to award associate degree curricula. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Thomas Nelson Community College.

History

Thomas Nelson Community College is named in honor of Thomas Nelson, Jr., who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and an early colonial governor of the Commonwealth. Thomas Nelson, Jr., was a merchant in early Yorktown and served in the Virginia militia during the Revolutionary War. He was very active in leading a segment of the Virginia militia during the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis. During the siege, the story is that one of Nelson’s men informed him that Cornwallis had set up headquarters in the Nelson House. When the soldier asked what should be done, Nelson is said to have responded, “Blow the damn thing down.” Today one of the cannonballs is still lodged in the wall. Thomas Nelson, Jr., spent his fortune to aid the revolutionary cause and died a pauper.

The 1966 session of the Virginia General Assembly in active legislation established a statewide system of comprehensive community colleges. A local committee investigated the need for and feasibility of a community college for the region and requested that the State Board for Community Colleges approve an application to establish Thomas Nelson Community College. A site almost in the population center of the Peninsula area was selected and a local board of advisors was appointed. After the site was purchased by the City of Hampton, construction began on the initial phase of four buildings in August 1967, and the cornerstone was laid December 5, 1967. Construction was completed, and 1,232 students began classes on September 20, 1968. Thomas Nelson Community College graduated its first class of students with associate degrees on June 13, 1970. Since 1970, the College has graduated more than 14,000 students and has provided credit and non-credit instruction to many more residents of the Peninsula and nearby communities.

To better support the needs of the communities it serves, the College provides credit and non-credit training in the greater Williamsburg area. It opened a permanent site in Williamsburg in 1999 and the site was officially designated the Historic Triangle campus in 2003. Today, the College provides both credit and non-credit training at its new permanent facility at 4601 Opportunity Way, as well as noncredit and customized training at its new site in the Thomas Nelson Workforce Center (Prudential Towne Building) 4135 Ironbound Rd. In August 2007, the College opened the Southeast Higher Education Center which expanded access to the citizens of the Southeast Newport News community. Through a partnership with the Achievable Dream Middle and High School, the College offers an array of credit courses. The College is committed to meeting the educational and training needs of the local population.

In the 1990s, the College expanded its emphasis on workforce development with additional programs to serve the needs of employers in our service region. In 2001, the College moved into the Peninsula Workforce Development Center, adjacent to the Hampton campus.

Vision Statement

As the Peninsula’s Community College, Thomas Nelson is committed to excellence, recognized for student success, and dedicated to meeting the needs of our community.

Mission Statement

Thomas Nelson Community College changes lives, empowers students to succeed, and enhances the civic and economic vitality of the Peninsula community through high quality education and workforce training, excellent services, and innovative partnerships.

Philosophy

At Thomas Nelson Community learning is fostered, lives are changed, excellence is an attitude, and responsiveness to our students and community is paramount.

Core Values

The College’s strength lies in our value system. The core values embody the principles, ideals, and beliefs of our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and College Board. Our values are the foundation of our actions and they reflect what is important to us and what we strive to be as members of the Thomas Nelson community:

  • Students First – We are passionate about our students’ success and their futures, and are committed to providing outstanding education and training opportunities in a supportive collegiate environment that will equip students to compete in the global workforce.
  • Educational Excellence – We value high standards for learning and appreciate our dedicated faculty and staff who create learning environments that stimulate intellectual growth and academic achievement, encourage life-long learning, and help students realize their dreams.
  • Community Responsiveness – We affirm our commitment to meeting the education and workforce training needs of our community and to building strong innovative partnerships that support the economic vitality of the region.
  • Integrity – We expect everyone to take responsibility for their actions, to engage in ethical behavior, and to impart honesty, trust and transparency in all interactions.
  • Diversity – We are committed to exploring and understanding our similarities and differences and fostering inclusive working and learning environments that promote respect and appreciation for our diverse cultures, beliefs, lifestyles and perspectives.
  • Mutual Respect & Shared Governance – We value the contributions of everyone, encourage the sharing of ideas, and commit to equitable treatment in all that we do. We acknowledge a shared responsibility for institutional success and improvement, and commit to shared decision making characterized by broad participation, openness and teamwork.

Code of Ethics

Thomas Nelson Community College is committed to supporting a collaborative environment noteworthy for its civility, integrity and mutual respect. The Code of Ethics establishes high standards of professionalism for employees and students.

  • Excellence – We establish high standards in and out of the classroom and strive for excellence in all we do.
  • Respect – We respect every individual and practice civility in our communication and conduct.
  • Integrity – We reflect the principles of honesty, fairness and integrity in our communication and action to create a just and equitable learning and working environment.
  • Diversity – We promote an inclusive working and learning environment with respect for and understanding of our individual differences, diverse cultures, and beliefs.
  • Responsibility – We are accountable for our decisions and actions, and we exercise good stewardship of human and material resources.
  • Compliance – We uphold the regulations, codes and statutes of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the policies, procedures and protocols of Virginia’s Community Colleges and Thomas Nelson Community College.
  • Cooperation – We are committed to working collaboratively to achieve our goals.

Copyright Defined

Copyright is defined as a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States to the creators of “original works of authorship.” These works include such intellectual property as literary, photographic, dramatic, musical, artistic, computer software, movies, websites and certain other intellectual works. This protection is broad and can include both published and unpublished works.

Copyright infringement takes place when a person duplicates intellectual property, such as mentioned above, without the consent of the property’s creator. In many cases, this consent must be in writing.

Campus Copyright Contact

If you have questions regarding copyright and academic fair use please contact the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, 757-258-6596.

Academic Fair Use

The definition of fair use is unclear. According to the United States Copyright Office “There is no specific number of words, lines, or notes that may safely be taken without permission.” In an effort to guide the understanding of what is considered fair use, the following four guidelines were created and must be considered.

  1. The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes
  2. The nature of the copyrighted work
  3. The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
  4. The effect of the use upon the potential market for, or value of, the copyrighted work

If someone is planning to use all or part of a work for an educational project it is always advisable to contact the creator of the work for permission.