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Mary Bunting is doing what she loves in a place she loves. For the city she calls home it’s significant. She became Hampton city manager in 2009 and is the first woman to hold the position since the city established the job in the1950s. “I love doing the work. It’s even more special when you can help to make the community that raised you even stronger and better for the next generation,” she said, noting it’s rare for those in her position to serve in their hometown.  While some may consider her a trailblazer, Bunting sees it differently.

Thomas Nelson President Dr. Porter Brannon (back row, center) stands with a number of scholarship winners at Monday's reception. (Photo by Harry Washington) For the first time in three years, Thomas Nelson Educational Foundation scholarship winners were able to mingle with donors who made it all possible. The more than 40 people on hand March 21 at a Newport News hotel heard firsthand from those students how appreciative they were.

Be part of something special by supporting the Care Team as it prepares to present its spring Pop-Up Clothes Closet.  Everyone can participate by donating clean, gently-used clothing suitable for men, women and children. Donations of jackets, suits, professional attire, backpacks, lunch bags, toiletries, accessories, children’s books and more are welcome.

Christopher Hobbs is in his 14th year of military service and is looking toward the future. The Army staff sergeant is charting his course for a career in the medical field with Thomas Nelson as the foundation. Here’s he sheds light on his College experience and gives a few details about his background.

Myo Kyaw with his wife and child. FastForward is a grant-funded training program aimed at high-demand fields. It is available at the 23 institutions in the Virginia Community Colleges System. The programs usually last from 6-12 weeks, and upon completion, students earn a workforce credential or industry certificate. The completion rate is 90 percent, and many students are hired as soon as they complete the program requirements.

Jennifer Martin has had some impactful moments in her lifetime. However, none stands out more than a chance meeting in the early 2000s. The experience of sitting down with her all-time idol, who is an icon in science circles, was affirming.     Martin is a scientist with a penchant for research.     “I’ve always known what I was going to do. I’ve always known I wanted to do something in natural sciences ...

The cast of Thomas Nelson Performing Arts' production of "Cabaret" When the roof over the Dr. Mary T. Christian Auditorium collapsed in April 2021, Thomas Nelson’s Performing Arts department was left homeless. The acting courses were moved to the Espada Room. Introduction to Theater and other classes were conducted via Zoom. A class called Theater/Musical Workshop, where students receive hands-on instruction, was on hold.

Georgie Marquez grew up in Puerto Rico, in what she described as a traditional environment. She often saw women in leadership roles, including politics. “In Puerto Rico, there have always been women who have been very powerful,” she said, mentioning former San Juan mayor Dona Fela and describing her as “a brilliant woman.” As a student in a Catholic school, Marquez said she the nuns who taught her were “very strong, brilliant women who were not dependent on the traditional being married and having children. They just seemed to be very independent.”

A recent visual arts project challenged Professor CeCe Wheeler's students to tell a compelling story through infographics. The assignment required critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to translate subject matter and data into imagery.

It’s that time of year when all personnel can nominate deserving colleagues for the College’s Annual Employee Awards. The Awards Committee depends on you to provide a strong pool of nominees for four prestigious awards. Nominations are due by Thursday, April 21.  Get details about each award and enter your nominations at the following links.

When asked if she wanted to create a fresh, vegan smoothie recipe for Smoothie Stop Cafe's Hampton Grand Opening celebration and regular menu, Thomas Nelson Community College ChefsGO 2019 graduate Ruth Potter, didn't skip a beat.  "Absolutely!" Potter exclaimed.

Just a little more than one-third of the way through the season, Thomas Nelson baseball coach Todd Barker is confident his team is better than last year’s. “I just don’t know yet how much better we are,” he said, which is why he’s looking forward to the start of the conference season March 19. “When we start playing those conference games, I’ll get a better idea of where we are compared to some other teams.” The Gators were 9-8 heading into the weekend, which was spurred by a stretch of seven wins in eight games. “We’re playing good baseball,” Barker said.

Patricia Avila, a television producer and host in Hampton Roads, believes how you handle rejection determines your chance of success. She knows this firsthand. Despite being rejected a lot, she knew she would eventually get her chance. “It was tough,” she said. “But I never gave up.” She kept looking for that one “yes” after hearing “no” on too many occasions.

Being elected as a co-chair of a task force subcommittee often is considered a burden, but not to Sgt. Kathy Shannon of the Thomas Nelson campus police. “To have that opportunity to sit on that committee and then come up with ways on how to change that environment, that was a privilege to me,” she said in reference to being assigned to look into faculty diversity.

Army Spc. Amy Lugo, thinking about post-military life, is plotting a course for a career in the automotive industry. Male-dominated fields are those that have 25% or fewer women in the ranks. That’s according to Catalyst, a global organization dedicated to guiding companies to build workplaces that work for women.