Winter 2015 Quarterly Preview

www.tacomacc.edu

Scholarship Superstar! Meet Adriana Meraz-GonzalesLearn how she...

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Harbor InstituteWhere learning never stops

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Tacoma Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or age in its programs and activities.

Two-year degrees that transfer to almost any major college ...

COLLEGE TRANSFER• Associate in Arts and Sciences• Associate in Biology• Associate in Business• Associate in Elementary Education• Associate in Pre-Nursing• Associate of Science

PROGRAM AREAS

Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

American Ethnic & Gender Studies

Anthropology Library Science

Art Music

Communication Studies Political Science

English Composition Psychology

English Literature Social Sciences

History Sociology

Humanities World Languages

Business

Accounting Economics

Business

Physical Education

Math, Science & Engineering

Astronomy Geography

Biology Geology

Botany Mathematics

Chemistry Nutrition

Computer Science Oceanography

Engineering Physics

Environmental Science Science

af • ford • a • bleDid you know? 1 year at TCC is about

one-third the tuition when compared

to a 4-year university.

Skills to get you back to work while earning a certificate or degree ...

CAREER TRAINING• Associate in Applied Sciences• Certificate of Completion

PROGRAM AREAS

Business

Accounting

Business

Early Childhood Education

Health

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Emergency Medical & Health Services

Health Information Technology

Nursing

Radiologic Science

Respiratory Therapy

Human Services

Paralegal

Networking and Cyber Security

www.tacomacc.edu/tuition

2 Winter 2015 www.tacomacc.edu QUARTERLY PREVIEW Tacoma Community College

Why TCC? Because from here, you can go anywhere ...

Wherever you are now, wherever you want to go ...

LEARNING OPTIONS• Adult Basic Skills• Continuing Education• eLearning• English as a Second Language• Fresh Start• High School Completion• Integrated Basic Education & Skills Training (I-BEST)• Running Start• Study Abroad• WorkFirst / Worker Retraining

TACOMA CAMPUS6501 S. 19th St., Tacoma I 253.566.5000TCC’s Tacoma campus has been completely redeveloped in the last 10 years and includes technologically advanced learning and study space.

GIG HARBOR CAMPUS3993 Hunt St., Gig Harbor I 253.460.2424GHC offers transfer, continuing education and basic skills education. The campus extends TCC’s programs and services to the residents of Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula.

eLEARNINGwww.tacomacc.edu/elearningTCC offers a broad array of online and hybrid online (online combined with limited classroom sessions) to allow for convenient, quality education.

Explore your interests ...

CAMPUS TOUR

Experience TCC in person. Schedule a personal tour by calling 253.566.6042. Arrange for your own introduction to TCC!

BE INFORMED

Get connected. Know deadlines and events. Sign up at www.tacomacc.edu/insidetccsignup

Tacoma Community College QUARTERLY PREVIEW www.tacomacc.edu Winter 2015 3

Do you want assistance navigating your way ...

TCC ADMISSION INFO SESSIONS

All the information you need to complete your admission application, prepare for your assessment test, sign up for your orientation, and begin the financial aid application and FAFSA process.

Day Date Time Location

Wed Jan. 7 3:45-5 p.m. Bldg. 11

Wed Jan. 21 3:45-5 p.m. Bldg. 11

Mon Jan. 26 5-6:30 p.m. Bldg. 11

Fri Jan. 30 3:30-5 p.m. GHC

Wed Feb. 11 3:45-5 p.m. Bldg. 11

Fri Feb. 13 3:30-5 p.m. GHC

Wed Feb. 18 3:45-5 p.m. Bldg. 11

Mon Feb. 23 5-6:30 p.m. Bldg. 11

Wed Mar. 4 3:45-5 p.m. Bldg. 11

Wed Mar. 18 3:45-5 p.m. Bldg. 11

Bldg. 11, Senate Room, Tacoma Campus Gig Harbor Campus

www.tacomacc.edu/admissioninfosession or call 253.566.6042

Get started at ReachHigher.me

What’s YOUR goal?

Starting a bachelor’s degree?

www.tacomacc.edu/collegetransfer

Training for a new career?

www.tacomacc.edu/careertraining

Sharpening job skills or enhancing life? www.tacomacc.edu/continuingeducation

Getting the basics? www.tacomacc.edu/basicskills

4 Winter 2015 www.tacomacc.edu QUARTERLY PREVIEW Tacoma Community College

Paying for college? APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

Applying for financial aid is a PROCESS – not a single step.

• Apply to TCC. Get connected with MY TCC portal

• Complete the FAFSA and list TCC as your college

• Complete TCC's Financial Aid Data Sheet

DE

AD

LIN

ES

Starting? Apply to TCC before Submit Fin. Aid Application by

Winter 2015 November 2014 October 9, 2014

Spring 2015 February 2015 January 29, 2015

Summer 2015 March 2015 April 9, 2015

Fall 2015 March 2015 March 12, 205*

*Priority deadline

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS• TCC Foundation: www.tacomacc.edu/scholarships

• External: www.tacomacc.edu/externalscholarships

Steps to get into college

Apply/Reapplywww.tacomacc.edu/theenrollmentprocess

Get connectedTCC student portal and email: my.tacomacc.edu

Explore your interests on Inside TCCwww.tacomacc.edu/insidetccsignup

Get help paying for collegewww.tacomacc.edu/costsandaid

Assess your skillswww.tacomacc.edu/assessyourskills

Get oriented & register for classeswww.tacomacc.edu/getoriented

Pay your tuitionwww.tacomacc.edu/tuition

Washington community and technical

colleges provide a pathway to the

bachelor’s degree for about 4 out of 10

baccalaureate graduates. 1

1 Stern, 2009. ‘What well-prepared transfer students tell us about strategies to remove barriers to transfer.’

Apply for TCC Foundation Scholarships

January 1-March 31, 2015 www.tacomacc.edu/scholarships

Did you know? The tuition paid by students who are state residents covers only 38 percent of the cost of the education they receive. The balance is covered by Washington taxpayers through state funding. Non-resident students pay the full cost of their education.

This information is provided by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WASAC) as required by RCW 28B.10.044. Exact figures are available from the Washington Student Achievement Council.

FERPA Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

FERPA is a federal law that protects students’

y right to inspect and review education records y right to seek the amendment of education records y right to consent to the disclosure of education records, and y right to obtain a copy of the school’s FERPA policy.

A complete copy of TCC’s written policies and guidelines governing the review, inspection, release, confidentiality and maintenance of a student’s education records is available upon request at either Enrollment Services or the Student Services Administration office.

Offering programs and training for

the next step in life ... wherever it

takes you.

Veterans Services 253.566.5033

www.tacomacc.edu/veterans

Tacoma Community College QUARTERLY PREVIEW www.tacomacc.edu Winter 2015 5

Scholarship Superstar: Adriana Meraz-Gonzales Second-year TCC student Adriana Meraz-Gonzales is a self-described “scholar-holic.” And no wonder. Thanks to the effort she’s put into scholarship applications, Adriana can focus on her classes without having to worry about college expenses or student loans.

Adriana started early. She applied for her first college scholarship in 7th grade and got it. She applied for the same scholarship in 8th grade, got it again. She was hooked. “Middle school was the turning point for me,” said Adriana.

The Seattle Mayor’s Scholarships Adriana won in middle school went into a Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) account. By the time she was ready to start college, $2,500 had matured into $4,500.

A first-generation scholar, Adriana tapped into high school resources like Upward Bound and the TRIO program, using them to help her find scholarship application opportunities. She’s a recipient of the TCC Foundation’s Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation scholarship, a Seattle Rotary scholarship, a Washington Women in Need scholarship, and a renewable McDonald Family Foundation scholarship.

“My mom would probably pay part of my schooling, but so far she hasn’t paid a penny,” said Adriana. “I do it all for my mom. I just want my family to be proud.”

Adriana’s advice to high school students: Apply for every scholarship you can. Use resources like TRIO and CASA. And let teachers and counselors know you’re looking.

“It’s kind of like networking in high school. My counselor nominated me for a $2,000 scholarship without me even knowing!”

Of course it helps to keep your grades up. But working or volunteering in the community is equally important.

“You could have the highest GPA I’ve ever seen, but they won’t know it if you’re not out there. Get to know the people who can help you out.”

Adriana says it’s also important to believe in yourself.

“Take your time on applications, know your deadlines. You have to put your heart into it. And always think you’re going to get it.”

After graduating from TCC with an accounting transfer degree this spring, Adriana is off to UW, Seattle University, or WSU. Her plan to fund the second half of her BA? One guess.

www.tacomacc.edu/harborinstitute

6 Winter 2015 www.tacomacc.edu QUARTERLY PREVIEW Tacoma Community College

Harbor InstituteWhere learning never stops!

Tacoma Community CollegeGIG HARBOR CAMPUS

Lifelong Learning for Gig Harbor A new program at TCC’s Gig Harbor campus promises to do away with tests, term papers and grades while keeping the impassioned discussions and academic rigor that make the college learning experience… well, the college learning experience.

“Harbor Institute is a multifaceted program for engaged, non-degree seeking adults,” said Gig Harbor Campus Executive Director Janine Mott. “Courses are dynamic and topics are inspired.”

When the Institute opened in Fall 2014, classes included “The New Marijuana Law: What Does it Really Mean for Washington State?” and “Feasting With the Eyes: Food in Art and Food As Art.”

“It’s about the community deciding which topics they want to teach, and what they want to learn about,” said Ben Pagnelli, Harbor Institute chairperson.

A typical Harbor Institute course meets 4 times for a 1.5-hour class and costs $47. The course structure aims to provide sufficient time and space for learning with while keeping the classes accessible and affordable.

TCC instructors and community subject matter experts teach the classes. The volunteer steering committee is open to ideas, and the ultimate goal is for people from the community to become teachers as well as students.

“This institute doesn’t exist without community support,” said Pagnelli. “You’re welcome to suggest a class topic, offer to instruct, or volunteer for committees.”

See the complete Harbor Institute class lineup at tacomacc.edu/harborinstitute.

Tacoma Community College QUARTERLY PREVIEW www.tacomacc.edu Winter 2015 7

POSTAL CUSTOMER

Periodicals PostagePAID

Tacoma, WA

ECRWSS

2 years at TCC $8,000

2 years at TCC + 2 years at a

WA state college or university

$19,617*

4 years at a WA state

college or university $39,235*

*Average cost tuition and fees between all Washington state 4-year colleges or universities

Transfer to a 4-year college. Earn your bachelor's degree.

Attend TCC for the first two years. Earn your associate's degree.

Get a job. Start your

career.

6501 S. 19th Street I Tacoma, WA 98466 I www.tacomacc.edu

Volume 50, No. 2 Winter 2015 USPS 7574

Published quarterly by Tacoma Community College, 6501 S. 19th

Street, Tacoma, WA 98466. PERIODICAL postage paid at Tacoma,

WA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Tacoma Community

College, Marketing, Communication & Outreach, 6501 S. 19th St.,

Tacoma, WA 98466.

Reason #2 to attend a 2-year college: Spend (a lot) less.