CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Tracey Gilchrist’s love for education began when she was a child. She liked to “play school;” enjoyed writing and learning; and found inspiration in her teachers, who pushed her to always strive for excellence. As she grew up, Gilchrist’s view of education also was influenced by family. “My mother had high expectations for her children and emphasized the importance of education,” Gilchrist says. “To this day, she reminds me that no one can take away your knowledge and experience.” 

Gilchrist took those lessons to heart and decided to turn her passion for education into a career, which includes working with elementary, middle, high school and college students in roles ranging from admissions to counseling to district administrator. She is currently an elementary school counselor for Surry County Public Schools. “I am truly a student advocate at heart,” says Gilchrist. “Over the years, I have seen an expansion in opportunities for students. Simultaneously, I have seen more social challenges facing students that have the potential to challenge their emotional and mental health (bullying, school and community violence, etc.).” 

Among the opportunities she sees for students are Virginia’s community colleges. “Through colleges like John Tyler, many in our community have an opportunity to expand their skills and seek an advanced degree at an affordable price,” she says. Gilchrist also points to other community college attributes, including giving high school students the opportunity to jump-start their college educations; supporting workforce development; providing supportive environments that help students build confidence in their abilities; and offering programs and activities that enhance cultural richness within communities. “All of these factors make colleges like John Tyler beacons of light within the community,” says Gilchrist.  

Gilchrist, who represents Surry County on the John Tyler Community College Board, holds a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Virginia State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The College of William and Mary. She has been married for 25 years and has three children.

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance.

By Holly Walker

LiveSafe is a mobile app that provides Tyler students and employees with a quick, convenient, and discreet way to communicate directly with John Tyler Community College security officials. Through LiveSafe, you can quickly report emergency situations; suspicious behavior; or other safety or security concerns. The app gives you the ability to submit real-time reports through texts, pictures, videos and audio to JTCC security. Plus, you can use the app to live chat with a college security official, invite your contacts to “virtually escort” you from place to place; and access important college safety resources. 

The LiveSafe app can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store or from Google Play. For more information about LiveSafe, visit www.jtcc.edu/about/safety-security/livesafe-mobile-app.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – John Tyler Community College is pleased to announce its honors and dean’s list students for the Summer 2018 semester. Students named to the honors list have completed at least 24 college credit hours at John Tyler and have achieved a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5. Students named to the dean’s list are full-time students (12 or more college credits, exclusive of developmental credits) who have earned a minimum 3.2 GPA for the semester. 

Honors (zip codes appear in parentheses)

Ashly Adkins (23451)
Brandi Albright (23234)
Gregory Alexander (23803)
Abdullah Alqudah (23114)
Tohri Archer (23120)
Sarah Ashby (23139)
Ashton Atkins (23113)
Aaron Autler (23225)
Xiaomei Au-yeung (23114)
Haley Ayers (23237)
Tayratou Bah (23832)
Mia Baird (23120)
Anthony Ballard (23231)
Nicholas Bampton (23113)
Stephanie Barker (23139)
Kristin Barnes (23139)
Wayne Barnes (23831)
Lauren Barrows (23225)
Keyona Bartley (23236)
Haywood Baugh (23231)
Kourtney Baumfalk (23120)
Andrew Bell (23114)
Marlon Bell (23875)
Haley Bendall (23842)
Genevieve Benzinger (23112)
Christopher Berry (23832)
Lori Blalock (23803)
Virginia Bland (23238)
Christina Blanks (23060)
Mara Blumer (23112)
Enyo Bokor (23225)
Rachel Bollinger (23114)
Cadesia Boulware (23112)
Emma Bowlin (23139)
Unity Bowling (23231)
Tammy Breining (23838)
Joel Brewster (23831)
Richard Bride (23834)
Tanisha Briggs (23831)
Alexia Brown (23225)
Nina Brundle (23141)
Amanda Burry (23059)
Kelsie Burton (23114)
Hayden Calhoun (23237)
Jeremiah Camp (23224)
Laurie Carlson (23236)
Ann Carmody (23225)
Dale Carney (23120)
Raymond Carothers (23831)
Madison Carpenter (23112)
Zachary Carter (23112)
Karen Anne Cataldi (23114)
Jennifer Cather (23947)
Cody Chappell (23836)
Matthew Chervenak (23112)
Jennifer Chewning (23836)
Jason Ciaschi (23231)
Charles Clark (23831)
William Clymer (23238)
Kristin Coiner (23832)
Victoria Colby (23112)
Isaac Collins (23838)
Mitchel Combs (23294)
Rachel Cornatzer (23112)
Andrew Craig (23233)
Melissa Creasey (22723)
Candace Cromwell (23237)
Grayson Crouch (23236)
Destiny Cryer (23112)
Clayton Dalkiewicz (23831)
Matthew Daniel (23832)
Desirae Daniels (23113)
Lacey Daulton (23832)
Caleb Davis (23860)
Christopher Davis (23139)
Marvin Davis (23836)
Regan DeBord (23883)
Ciara Dennehy (23235)
Isaac Desmond (23838)
Maria Diaz Vazquez (23234)
Alexandra Dizon (23112)
Stephanie Doan (23141)
Roxanna Dodson (23235)
Ian Dooley (23235)
Macy Dowdle (23139)
Ryan Drewery (23805)
Abigail Duing (23831)
Morgan Easley (24580)
Amanda Easter (23083)
Justin Edwards (23002)
Aliyah Elganainy (23112)
Sandra Elsakr (23112)
Mikayla Evans (23832)
Jennifer Felts (23059)
Elizabeth Fleenor (23236)
Jacob Florence (23112)
Andrea Ford (23236)
Christina Foust (23112)
Christine Franke (23236)
Carla Fuentes (23234)
Sabrina Fuller (23139)
Lauryn Galloway (23221)
Jazmin Garcia (23235)
Mikayla Gayness (23139)
Scott Gecan (23832)
Wilma Gerideau (23228)
Brooke Gilliam (23834)
Lakeisha Glaspie (23803)
Johnne Glover (23235)
Laurel Gofton (23238)
Tyler Gould (23838)
Sarah Grabosky (23112)
Allison Graham (23838)
Autumn Grant (23836)
Tiffany Grayer (23219)
Mason Green (23885)
Rhonda Griffin (23113)
Emily Gurkin (23112)
Jehimy Guzman Monroy (23234)
James Gwinn (23237)
Cameron Haddock (23139)
Trevor Hall (23238)
Joshua Hann (23112)
Devin Hantin (23831)
Katlyn Hardy (23831)
Rachel Harney (23235)
Reid Harris (23831)
Megan Hayes (23002)
Philip Heaton (23112)
Kiran Heffner (23237)
Emily Hertzler (23002)
Lance Heskett (23150)
Beverly Hetrick (23113)
Erika Hetrick (23236)
Jessica Hevener (23235)
Ny'Asia High (23860)
Anna Hilton (23120)
Beverly Hios (23234)
Carly Hippchen (23060)
Noelle Hisle (23112)
Jamece Hobbs (23803)
Jeffrey Hobbs (23838)
Gabrielle Holcombe (23120)
Thomas Hollowell (23805)
Jessica Holzknecht (23831)
Daniel Horton (23002)
Alexandra Houghton (23831)
Tammy Howell (23234)
Eric Hubbard (23803)
Jessica Hubbard (23805)
Zachary Humphrey (23842)
Alexander Huneke (23221)
Nicholas Hutcheson (23220)
Elisabeth Ingram (23834)
Victoria Isenberg (23113)
Omonye Isi (23113)
Dani Jabado (23114)
Phoebe Jackson (23114)
Heather James (23832)
Heather James (23116)
Javel Jefferson (23030)
Srishti Jha (23112)
Coleman Johnson (23002)
Jasmine Johnson (23860)
Duncan Jokisch (23059)
Ariel Jones (23236)
Zane Jones (23832)
Caitlyn Kastner (23114)
Harpreet Kaur (23831)
Jason Keating (23832)
Samantha Kennedy (23139)
Anzelle Kiddie (23838)
Connie Kim (23834)
Cynthia Kirby (23832)
Frank Knott (23002)
Yash Korde (23120)
Izabella Kovacs (23236)
Bailey Lakata (23834)
Hannah Landry (23831)
Jay Laughlin (23236)
Lauren Layburn (23139)
Christine Learned (23294)
Madison Leonard (23223)
Jessica Lessnau (23112)
Stacey Loulies (23834)
Mary Lowe (23834)
Kathryn Lunsford (23002)
Alexis Lyles (23113)
Jamayca May Madolid (23235)
Molly Mahoney (23832)
Michele Malone (23237)
Gabriella Marcellus (23139)
Morgan Marcolini (23233)
Lilandra Marquez (23237)
Eric Martin (23139)
Luke Martin (23832)
Sarah Martin (23832)
Kathleen Martinson (23238)
Tierney Mason (23832)
Matthew Matheny (23229)
Jacob Mayton (23836)
Jordan McAdam (23113)
Mikayla McCann (23834)
Daniel McCloud (23831)
Madison Mckenney (23060)
Kujore McKinney (23831)
Tristan McMahon (23832)
Taylor McNeely (23831)
Adrianna Mendoza (23832)
Sean Minogue (23112)
Kasey Mitchell (23838)
Cara Moisan (23075)
Cory Moon (23139)
Cheryl Moore (23832)
Alexandra Moragne (23860)
Peyton Moreland (23236)
Magen Moreno (23875)
Dakota Morris (23235)
Kayla Morris (23114)
Alison Morris-Rucker (76226)
Nicole Mueller (23832)
Anne Mumford (23229)
Nathan Muncy (23803)
Anna Munnikhuysen (22960)
William Murfee (23112)
Tristan Murrin (23832)
Luke Narug (23112)
Phoebe Nassar (23114)
Savannah Neale (23838)
Rebecca Newman (23229)
William Ngu (23836)
Lillie Nicholas (23139)
Elana Nichols (23842)
Flora Njugi (23236)
Austin Nyhart (23225)
Jacob Obernesser (23103)
Francisca Ortez (23236)
Allison O'Toole (23692)
Ugonma Ozurumba (23114)
Joshua Paetzold (23231)
Carrie Parnell (23237)
Disha Patel (23234)
Sarah Patton (23831)
Lindsey Paulette (23112)
Dorothea Pegram (23238)
Joshua Perry (23083)
Sophia Petrov (23114)
Rachel Pill (23832)
Kristen Pisa (23237)
Madeline Pomaville (23831)
Brandon Pope (23139)
Annabelle Rasmussen (23237)
Geraldine Raybould (23237)
Nicholas Reams (23114)
Caitlin Reamy (23139)
Michelle Reeves (23831)
Jessica Reid-Burrell (23112)
Larry Reynolds (23860)
Wanda Reynolds (23832)
Baher Rezk (23233)
Nathan Richards (23832)
Kenneth Richardson (23112)
Lakota Riddlesperger (23150)
Cristian Rivas (23234)
Fran Roach (23836)
Deanna Roberts (23139)
David Robinson (23832)
Sarah Robinson (23112)
Benjamin Rose (23831)
Irina Ross (23229)
Noah Routhier (23832)
Anthony Runyon (23834)
Elizabeth Ryan (23222)
Julia Ryan (23236)
Kristin Salim (23120)
Roselin Saye (23840)
Janice Schultz (23236)
Samantha Seay (23236)
Gerardo Serrano (23112)
Justin Shankle (23234)
Patrick Shaughnessy (23236)
Alexandria Shaw (23235)
Kelly Shelton (23139)
Kristin Shook (23225)
Laura Showalter (23139)
Kyle Simmons (23233)
Julia Simons (23059)
Julia Sisson (23236)
Autumn Smith (23236)
Christopher Smith (23875)
Ciara Noelle Smith (23832)
Kristin Smith (23860)
Renee Soderlund (23015)
Sarah Spencer (23113)
Tyler Spiers (23882)
Zachary Stefanovich (23139)
Jacqueline Stephens (23225)
Jordan Stephens (23834)
Katheryn Stettler (23139)
Dillan Stroh (23237)
Sari Sweet (23236)
Alan Taylor (23235)
Alexzane Taylor (23832)
Anthony Taylor (23224)
Teshawna Threat (23234)
Christy Tilman (23860)
Ananda Tol (23831)
Ashlyn Torres (23235)
Gabrielle Torres (23236)
Brittany Townsend (23832)
Elizabeth Travers (23225)
Nathanael Traylor (23112)
Hien Truong (23059)
Jacqueline Tucker (23860)
Michael Tunstall (23236)
Jessica Turner (23236)
Janet Vogel (23838)
Don Vreeland (23842)
Elizabeth Wade (23235)
Meredith Walsh (23112)
Madeline Walter (23236)
Brandon Watson (23838)
Olivia Watts (23831)
Felicia Wears (23139)
Brianna Webb (23894)
Rebecca Welling (23235)
Hannah Wells (23114)
Adam Wever (22974)
Melissa Wilkerson (23832)
Ebony Wilkes (23231)
Kenisha Williams (23836)
Martha Williams (23803)
Troy Williams (23112)
Alexander Wilson (23233)
David Wiltshire (23832)
Kathryn Wood (23235)
Christopher Woodum (23294)
Scottie Wyatt (23831)
SungUn Youn (23112)
Joy Young (23237)
Sarah Zawedde (23236)
Ariana Zoldork (23832)
Katherine Zube (23113)
 

Dean’s List (zip codes appear in parentheses) 

Elizabeth Abele (23002)
Abigail Bittner (23842)
Isabella Clouse (23113)
Julissa Davidson (23234)
Abriale Davis (23112)
Charles Davis (23238)
Keana Dawson (23834)
Nina DeLellis-Mitch (22801)
Benjamin Ferrell (23113)
Heather Fikel (23824)
Maicoll Gomez (22801)
Xena Hernandez (23832)
Lauren Hockaday (23139)
Sameca Ingram (23224)
Paolo Jimenez (23114)
Ellen Justesen (23238)
David Lamm (23803)
April Mace (23803)
Jason Mace (23803)
John Mauldin (23120)
Megan Mayes (23832)
Raemie Merritt (23860)
Juan Ortegaoros (23234)
An-Vu Phan (23235)
Keegan Reynolds (23223)
Trevor Scott (23238)
Shannon Shaw (23150)
Dasia Shelton (23234)
Matthew Taffer (23832)
Alexander Underwood (23233)
Jonnie Upton (23838)
Heather Weaver (23002)
Maryellen West (23236)
Jalynn Williams (23831)

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance. 

By Holly Walker

Journey through a haunted house. Take a stroll along a trick-or-treat-trail. Play spooky games, and create creepy crafts. No matter your age, you can do this and much more at the Spooktacular Fall Festival on October 19! 

The festival, held by John Tyler Community College’s Theatre Club, will take place from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Midlothian Campus in the T Building lobby. It is open to the community, and there’s no charge to attend.

Join us for this evening of frighteningly good family fun!

Questions? E-mail theatreinfo@jtcc.edu, or call 804-378-1217.

By Holly Walker
Are you studying nursing at Tyler? If you are and you will be entering your third semester of the program in January 2019, then you are eligible to apply for the CJW-JTCC Nurse Externship Scholarship. Students selected for this scholarship will receive:

• A $4,000 scholarship for Spring and Fall 2019.
• A part-time job as a nurse technician at Chippenham or Johnson Willis hospital during your third and fourth semesters.
• Reimbursement for NCLEX fees.
• $200 uniform/nursing shoe allowance.

To be eligible for consideration, you must be a full-time students (12 credits or more a semester) and must maintain a 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA in Tyler’s Nursing program. Scholarship finalists will participate in an interview at CJW’s hospitals. Those selected for a scholarship will commit to working at a CJW hospital for two years immediately after graduating from Tyler’s Nursing program.

Applications for the CJW-JTCC Nurse Externship Scholarship are now being accepted at www.jtcc.edu/scholarships. The scholarship application and all required support documentation must be submitted by November 2.

If you have questions about this scholarship or the application, please contact foundation@jtcc.edu. 
 

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Get into the fall spirit, and join John Tyler Community College for its Theatre Club’s Spooktacular Fall Festival on October 19, 2018. During the festival, you can take a walk along a trick-or-treat trail, explore a haunted house, try out your artistic talents with some creepy crafts, play games, and much more. There’s fun for all ages!

The Spooktacular Fall Festival will be held in the T Building at Tyler’s Midlothian Campus, located at 800 Charter Colony Parkway, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. It is free and open to the community.

For more information about this family friendly event, e-mail theatreinfo@jtcc.edu or call 804-378-1217. For directions to the Midlothian Campus, go to www.jtcc.edu/locations. 

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance.

By Holly Walker

Interested in a career in engineering and computer science but aren’t sure what kind of education is needed for those jobs? You can get the answer to this and more at John Tyler Community College’s Engineering Transfer Night on Thursday, October 25.

At the event, you’ll learn about Tyler’s programs and how you can save money starting your bachelor’s degree work at JTCC. You’ll also find out about guaranteed admissions agreements, which help Tyler graduates seamlessly transfer to four-year colleges and universities where they can complete their bachelor’s degrees. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to meet representatives from some of Tyler’s four-year partners, including George Mason University, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Tech.

Engineering Transfer Night will be held in the Lynn Theatre in the T Building at Tyler’s Midlothian Campus. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with an information session about Tyler’s programs and services. Then at 6:30 p.m., a panel of university representatives will give presentations, followed by group and individual question and answer sessions.

Engineering transfer night is free and open to current Tyler students, as well as anyone who has an interest in engineering and computer science. Those who would like to attend are encouraged to register in advance at www.jtcc.edu/EGRtransfernight.

If you have questions about Engineering Transfer Night, please contact Dr. Anna Bampton, assistant professor of engineering at John Tyler, at abampton@jtcc.edu.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Interested in pursuing a career in engineering or computer science? Then join us on October 25, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. for John Tyler Community College’s Engineering Transfer Night. During this event, you will have the opportunity to explore Tyler’s programs and find out how you can save money by starting your bachelor’s degree work at Tyler. You will also learn about guaranteed admissions agreements, which can help Tyler graduates seamlessly transfer to four-year colleges and universities to complete their bachelor’s degrees. In addition, several of Tyler’s four-year college and university partners will be on hand to discuss the transfer process and their programs, including George Mason University, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Tech.

Engineering Transfer Night begins at 6:00 p.m. with an information session that offers insights into Tyler’s programs and services. Then at 6:30 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of university representatives, followed by group and individual question and answer sessions. All activities will be held inside the Lynn Theatre (room T112) in the T Building at Tyler’s Midlothian Campus located at 800 Charter Colony Parkway. The event is free and open to high school students and their parents; current Tyler students; and anyone who wants to know more about getting an education that leads to in-demand careers in engineering and computer science. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to register in advance at www.jtcc.edu/EGRtransfernight.

If you have questions about Engineering Transfer Night, please contact Dr. Anna Bampton, assistant professor of engineering at John Tyler, at abampton@jtcc.edu. For directions to the Midlothian Campus, visit www.jtcc.edu/locations. 

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance. 

By Holly Walker

Join us at 11:00 a.m. on November 12, as we come together to honor those who have served our country at John Tyler Community College’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony. This year’s ceremony will be held at the college’s Midlothian Campus in Hamel Hall, H109.

Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl Leonard, who served as a Coast Guard reservist for 30 years, will deliver the keynote address, and Virginia Patriot Guard will present John Tyler Community College and its Student Veterans Organization with a POW/MIA flag.  The ceremony will also include recognition of the college’s faculty, staff and student veterans, and a memorial tree planting. 

John Tyler Community College’s Veterans Day Ceremony is open to all students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the community.

If you have questions about the ceremony, contact Lisa Kendrick (lkendrick@jtcc.edu or 804-594-1527).

By Holly Walker

The Bookstore at Tyler’s Chester Campus has a new home – at least temporarily. The store is now located in a trailer behind Moyar Hall, in Parking Lot F. The Bookstore will remain there while construction continues in and around the Nicholas Center. Tyler is currently renovating and expanding the Nicholas Center. The work on the building is expected to be completed the second half of 2019.

For information about the Bookstore at JTCC, visit the store’s web site at www.jtcc.edu/bookstore.  

Need a map of the Chester Campus? Visit www.jtcc.edu/locations.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – The community is invited to go on a mystical journey to a town in the Smoky Mountains where a tragic tale of love, superstition and betrayal unfolds in Dark of the Moon. Based on the folk ballad of “Barbara Allen,” Dark of the Moon tells the story of John, a witch boy who falls in love with Barbara Allen, a human. Their relationship sparks resentment among the superstitious townspeople, and trouble soon ensues. 

John Tyler Community College’s theatre program brings the story of this ill-fated love affair to the stage this November. The performances, intended for mature audiences only, will be held at 7:00 p.m. on November 8, November 9, November 10, November 15, November 16, and November 17, 2018. 

All shows will take place in The Lynn Theatre, located in the T Building at Tyler’s Midlothian Campus (800 Charter Colony Parkway). Directions to the campus may be found at www.jtcc.edu/locations. 

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3799346. Current Tyler students are free with a valid JTCC ID.

Dark of the Moon, by Howard Richardson and William Berney, is presented with special arrangement through Samuel French Inc. 

To learn more about The Lynn Theatre and about Tyler’s programs related to the performing arts, visit www.jtcc.edu/theatre. 

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance.

By Holly Walker

Tyler’s spring semester kicks off in January, and this is a great time to start planning your schedule. Registering early gives you the chance to get the classes you need at the times, in the places, and in the formats you want. And, if you sign up for classes now, you’ll have until December 14 to pay your tuition and fees. Not sure what classes to take? It’s always a good idea to talk to your faculty advisor about your class options.

As you plan for the spring semester, here are links to some helpful web pages:
Spring Class Schedule:  www.jtcc.edu/schedule
Tuition Payment Deadlines: www.jtcc.edu/pay-for-tyler/payment-deadlines
Financial Aid: www.jtcc.edu/financialaid 
Academic Calendar with Important Semester Dates: www.jtcc.edu/academics/academic-calendar 

Are you new to Tyler or are thinking about enrolling at Tyler? Explore the college at www.jtcc.edu/nextup.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Local employers regularly struggle to find qualified workers to fill critical manufacturing positions. Many of these jobs are middle-skill; they offer good pay and benefits and require some education beyond a high school diploma, but not a bachelor’s degree. Almost 60% of Virginia companies report a lack of qualified candidates to fill current and future manufacturing job vacancies.

A new public-private partnership between John Tyler Community College (JTCC) and Altria Group will help address this skills gap by building the college’s capacity to prepare students for these high-demand jobs.  A $1.33 million grant from Altria to the JTCC Foundation will expand the college’s industrial electricity and mechanical maintenance programs, which offer students the option of earning a career studies certificate in a year or less, an associate degree, or both. 

“We are thankful for Altria’s generous gift,” said Dr. Edward “Ted” Raspiller, president of JTCC. “This grant gives our college the resources needed to expand access, as well as enhance our programs that train people for high-demand jobs. We are also grateful for Altria’s ongoing partnership with John Tyler Community College. Collaborations such as ours are vital to the work we do at Tyler and support our efforts to empower people through education.” 

Specifically, grant funding from Altria will allow Tyler to create and equip a second industrial electricity lab on its Chester Campus, as well as upgrade the equipment in its existing electrical lab. As a result, Tyler will have the capacity to serve 40-60 additional students per year in state-of-the-art facilities. 

With Altria’s support, the college will also upgrade the equipment in its mechanical maintenance lab and launch a new mechanical maintenance concurrent enrollment program, which will bring area high school students to campus for training. Those who complete the program earn a career studies certificate and are work ready by the time they graduate from high school. The grant provides scholarship funding for 20 – 30 high school students to participate in this program.  

“We appreciate our partnership with John Tyler Community College and are eager to help the college expand its advanced manufacturing program with more courses and modernized training equipment,” said Sheila Freeman, vice president manufacturing, Philip Morris USA, an Altria company. “Skilled tradespeople like electrical technicians are highly sought-after in Virginia and nationally, including at Philip Morris USA. This investment will enable more people, including those seeking new career opportunities, to get the skills and credentials they need to fill these in-demand jobs.” 

Data collected by the National Skills Coalition indicates that middle-skill occupations, which include the majority of jobs in the manufacturing industry, accounted for 49% of Virginia’s labor market in 2015; yet, only 39% of the Commonwealth’s workers were qualified to fill job openings. 

“Manufacturing is facing a workforce crisis with about half a million manufacturing jobs going unfilled across the country today -- and tens of thousands in Virginia alone -- because there simply are not enough interested candidates with the right skills to fill them. This is why investments in manufacturing programs like those at John Tyler Community College are so important,” said Carolyn Lee, executive director of the Manufacturing Institute, part of the National Association of Manufacturers. “These programs are critical to getting more students interested in manufacturing careers by exposing them to the reality of modern manufacturing and they are vital to helping students actually get those jobs by providing the skills they need to do so.” 

These investments and partnerships are key as community colleges like Tyler are increasingly recognized as a solution to preparing and connecting people to these in-demand jobs. And, with more than 75% of Tyler students staying in the community after college, private philanthropic investment in JTCC has a direct return for the local economy.

 “On behalf of the Northam administration and the Commonwealth, I would like to thank both Altria and John Tyler Community College for collaborating on this exciting initiative,” said Chief Workforce Development Advisor Megan Healy. “Their partnership will allow more Virginians to develop in-demand skills, supporting the growth of families, businesses, and our economy as a whole.”

The new mechanical maintenance equipment will be up and running for the spring 2019 semester. Tyler’s new industrial electricity lab and upgrades to the equipment in its existing electricity lab will be complete in August 2019, in time for the start of the college’s fall semester. The college also anticipates welcoming high school students into its new concurrent mechanical maintenance program in fall 2019.

The JTCC Foundation secures resources that provide scholarships for students; fund academic programs, student support services, capital projects, and renovations to modernize classrooms and labs; and stimulate innovation within the college faculty and staff. This work ensures the college continues its pledge of providing academic excellence to students while expanding the services it offers to meet the community’s workforce requirements.     

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – The community is invited to join John Tyler Community College’s faculty, staff and students as they honor those who have served in the armed forces during the college’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 12, 2018. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. in Hamel Hall, room H109, at the Midlothian Campus, located at 800 Charter Colony Parkway. 

This year’s ceremony will feature a keynote address by Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl Leonard, who served as a Coast Guard reservist for 30 years. In addition to his service to the Coast Guard, Leonard has spent more than 30 years working in local law enforcement. He began his law enforcement career as a deputy in the Richmond City Sheriff’s Office before moving to the Chesterfield County Police Department, where he became a patrolman and rose through the ranks to the position of major before his retirement from the department in 2012. He began working for the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 before being appointed sheriff in 2014. He was then elected to the position in 2014 during a special election and re-elected in 2015.    

Also during Tyler’s Veterans Day Ceremony, the Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 VA will present the college and its Student Veterans Organization with a POW/MIA flag, and the College will recognize its faculty, staff and student veterans. The ceremony will conclude with a memorial tree planting.  

For directions to Tyler’s Midlothian Campus, visit www.jtcc.edu/locations. For more information about John Tyler Community College’s Veterans Day Ceremony, contact Lisa Kendrick, office and events specialist, at lkendrick@jtcc.edu or 804-594-1527. 

To learn more about how John Tyler Community College supports active members of the military, military retirees, veterans and their families, visit www.jtcc.edu/veterans. 

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance. 

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – The public is invited to attend the upcoming meeting of the John Tyler Community College Board on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at 3:00 p.m.  The meeting will take place at the college’s Midlothian Campus, located at 800 Charter Colony Parkway, in Hamel Hall room H109. A sign-up sheet will be made available 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the meeting for those persons interested in addressing the Board.

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance.

By Holly Walker

You are invited to go on a mystical journey to a town in the Smoky Mountains where love, superstition, resentment and tragedy unfold in the tale, Dark of the Moon. Based on the folk ballad of “Barbara Allen,” Dark of the Moon tells the story of John, a witch boy who falls in love with Barbara Allen, a human. Their relationship sparks resentment among the superstitious townspeople and trouble soon ensues. This tragic tale, intended for mature audiences only, comes to the stage at The Lynn Theatre this November, with six performances by John Tyler Community College’s Theatre program. Performances will be held:

Thursday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 17 at 7:00 p.m.

The Lynn Theatre is located in the T Building at Tyler’s Midlothian Campus (800 Charter Colony Parkway).

Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3799346. Current Tyler students are free with a valid JTCC ID.

Dark of the Moon, by Howard Richardson and William Berney, is presented with special arrangement through Samuel French Inc. 

Learn more about Tyler’s performing arts majors at www.jtcc.edu/theatre.

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Scholarships open doors by easing financial stresses that can interfere with a student’s ability to succeed. This academic year, those doors opened for 162 students who received $333,600 in scholarships thanks to the individuals, businesses and organizations that support the John Tyler Community College (JTCC) Foundation.

The impact these scholarships have on students’ lives goes beyond the classroom, said Heather Ashbeck, JTCC alumna, former Neall Family Scholar, and keynote speaker at the 2018 Scholarship Celebration Luncheon. Ashbeck, a mother of three, came to Tyler after spending 18 years in the United States Air Force. She planned to study business, but one sociology class changed her path, inspiring her to go into social work. Ashbeck said the scholarship she received from the JTCC Foundation allowed her to reduce the number of hours she needed to work, giving her the opportunity to focus on her classes and her newly ignited desire to get involved and to give back. She challenged all the scholarship recipients in attendance to do the same. “Take advantage of the gift that you have been given,” said Ashbeck. “Pay it forward. Get involved, both at school and in your community. Make a change in your life. Then, make a difference in someone else’s life, just as our generous donors have made a difference in our lives.”

“When generous individuals and organizations provide scholarships at Tyler, they are creating life-changing opportunities for our students,” said Rachel Biundo, vice president of institutional advancement at JTCC and executive director of the JTCC Foundation. “We can’t thank them enough for not only making higher education more financially accessible, but also for showing our students that others believe in their ability to succeed.”

The list of students who were awarded scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year is as follows:

The Scholarship Celebration Luncheon was made possible with the support of sponsors National Student Clearinghouse; Virginia Asset Management; Amsted Rail; Davenport & Company; Atlantic Constructors, Inc.; Eliades and Eliades, P.C.; Patient First; RealTime Accounting Solutions; and William H. Talley & Son, Inc.

Photographs taken at Scholarship Celebration Night may be found on Tyler’s Flickr page at www.flickr.com/johntylercc. 

To learn more about the John Tyler Community College Foundation Scholarship Program, visit www.jtcc.edu/scholarships. 

The JTCC Foundation secures resources that provide scholarships for students; fund academic programs, student support services, capital projects, and renovations to modernize classrooms and labs; and stimulate innovation within the college faculty and staff. This work ensures the college continues its pledge of providing academic excellence to students while expanding the services it offers to meet the community’s workforce requirements.

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance.

By Holly Walker

Giving back and finding ways to help others is something we often do throughout the year, but, during the holiday season, we often find ourselves trying to do a little more. On November 27, we celebrate this generosity, as people from all over the world come together to participate in #GivingTuesday. This is a day when individuals, organizations and businesses give back and make a difference in the lives of others. These gifts come in many forms – the donation of time, the collection of food, a random act of kindness, the organization of fundraisers, the gift of money, and more.

At John Tyler Community College, community is part of our name, and we believe in giving back and supporting our students and the communities we serve. Throughout the year and during the holiday season, our student groups, employees and Foundation support our college family and our community. 
Team up with John Tyler Community College for #GivingTuesday.

• Support Tyler’s students through the John Tyler Community College Foundation, which provides scholarships, helps obtain equipment for programs, and so much more. Your gift will touch the lives of thousands of Trailblazer students. Donations to the foundation may be made online at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/johntylerdonatenow. 
• Find out how you can help our student organizations with their community projects, contact Che Boisseau, Tyler’s student activities coordinator, at studentactivities@jtcc.edu.

By Holly Walker

Do you love to write? Are you an artist? Then consider entering your work in John Tyler Community College’s 2019 Sherwood Forest Art and Literary Competition. The competition is currently accepting entries. There are four categories:

• Art (including photography)
• Fiction
• Creative non-fiction
• Poetry

The competition is open to all current Tyler students. Rules for each category may be found at www.jtcc.edu/sherwoodforest. 

Those who place first, second and third in the competition will have their work published in the Sherwood Forest Art and Literary Review, will receive a cash prize, and will be recognized at the college's Annual Awards Night Ceremony in April 2019. Honorable mentions may also be published if space is available.

To be considered for the competition, entries must be submitted electronically to Mike Gray, associate professor of English, at mgray@jtcc.edu by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 1, 2019.

Each submission must include your Student ID number. Students may submit up to two entries total, one submission per category.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Gray at mgray@jtcc.edu or 804-594-1481.
 

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Like many parents, Kenneth Pritchett wanted to support and nurture his two daughters as they began their educational journeys in elementary school. So, he decided to join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). He soon found himself taking lead roles in the organization, first being elected vice president and then president. His experience with the PTA was life-changing. It inspired him to attend trainings and workshops and to learn more about advocacy; parent and student rights; and leadership roles in education. It also expanded his interest in service and prompted him to run for the Petersburg City Public School Board. In 2006 Pritchett was elected to the Board to represent Ward 3, and currently, he serves as the Board’s chair, a position he’s held for the past 11 years. 

As he became more involved in advocacy, Pritchett’s passion for education continued to grow, and with that growth came a desire to earn a college education. He also wanted to set an example for others. “For me to encourage students to attend college and obtain a degree, I needed to obtain my degree,” said Pritchett.” So, he enrolled in John Tyler Community College, and after one-and-a-half-years, he earned an Associate of Applied Science in Human Services and a Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling. Pritchett then transferred to Norfolk State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. He is currently in graduate school, taking classes toward a Master of Arts in Pre-Elementary Education.

In late 2017, Pritchett was given a new opportunity to give back to his community when the Petersburg City Council appointed him to represent the city on the John Tyler Community College (JTCC) Board. Pritchett calls the appointment “a blessing,” saying it will allow him to do more to connect the citizens of Petersburg with the educational opportunities offered by his alma mater. “At JTCC, a student or citizen can obtain certification, job skill training, a certificate, and a degree,” he says. “JTCC is a college where great professors will prepare you for the real world of work or prepare you to transfer to a four-year institution. JTCC is an affordable college with rigorous standards. We are grateful for the partnership JTCC has with Petersburg City Public Schools.”

In addition to his roles with JTCC and the Petersburg School Board, Pritchett chaired, from November 2016 – November 2018, the Southside Region School Board, which includes 18 school districts in Southside Virginia, and he serves on the regional board of Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies. He has more than 30 years with the Commonwealth of Virginia and currently works as a privacy officer for Central State Hospital.

John Tyler Community College offers more than 60 majors that provide pathways to careers in high-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, a Nursing Education Center, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served more than 14,329 students during the 2017-18 academic year. It also assisted more than 7,000 learners through its workforce development division, Community College Workforce Alliance.