News

The 2021 Employee Awards Ceremony took place Friday, Nov. 5 as part of a State of the College program. Among highlights was the presentation of the Gator-Great Customer Service and Outstanding Employee of the Year awards. Outstanding Employee of the Year Award recipients are Myleah Kerns (AP faculty), Shaheem Abrahams (teaching faculty), Julie Lambert (classified), Doreen Dougherty (wage), and Adrianna Hardage (adjunct faculty),

Thomas Nelson President Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon surely made a memorable entrance at her first state of the college address. Walking on stage with the song “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden and Whitehead playing, she explained that’s how she feels about the College. “The song that you just heard playing, that is a song that I think about almost every morning when I get up and I think about coming to Thomas Nelson Community College,” she said to an audience of more than 50 gathered at the Peninsula Workforce Development Center as well as those tuning in online.

Even before the men’s basketball season at Thomas Nelson began, a special year was in the making for coach Chris Moore. First, the team is back in action after last season was canceled because of the pandemic. Second, the College’s new president has thrown her support behind the program. Third, the first home game for the Gators will be played at Warwick High School as part of ceremonies to honor Moore’s late father, a longtime basketball coach for the Raiders.

She was attracted by the tuition savings then struck gold when she discovered student organizations. A presidential ambassador at the College, Crystal Ennin said taking advantage of the college experience beyond merely attending classes has been eye-opening.

A military veteran, a longtime educator, a young accountant who also is a 2011 graduate of Thomas Nelson. Backgrounds and experiences as varied as the students, faculty and staff they will serve as the newest members of the Thomas Nelson Community College Board.

Phi Theta Kappa scholarships are available for students in career and technical programs as well as those planning to transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

As students, faculty and staff slowly return to Thomas Nelson campuses in Hampton and Williamsburg, clubs and activities also are making a return. That includes the Poetry Coffeehouse, monthly open-mic gatherings at each campus.

New members of the Thomas Nelson Community College Board will participate in an orientation session at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1 at the Hampton campus in the Hampton III Building’s room 717. Taking place at 525 Butler Farm Rd., the meeting will familiarize attendees with the College’s mission as well as its organizational and operational structure.  College Board meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

Logistics professionals are in one of today’s most rapidly growing fields. Key to helping companies move the supply chain, they impact everything from ordering and managing inventory to dispatch and tracking operations. Recognizing the need for a well-trained workforce in this field, Thomas Nelson Community College, soon to be Virginia Peninsula Community College, has expanded its Workforce Development offerings to include a Certified Logistics Associate–Certified Logistics Technician program.

Approaching the one-year mark as president of the College, Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon is preparing for a major internal speaking engagement. At the 2021 State of the College Address and Employee Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Nov. 5 from 2-4 p.m., she will discuss highlights since her hiring at the beginning of the year, along with her vision for the College's future.

Know students who have leadership potential?  Got stand outs in your class?  Encourage them to register for and attend the 2021 Student Leadership Retreat called “Facing the Future.”  The free online event sponsored by VCCS takes place 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12. The informative and inspirational sessions are guaranteed to take participants’ leadership skills to the next level. The day will include two keynote sessions and a choice between three breakout sessions. Students can attend one or multiple sessions during the day.