TCC's Coby Dillard

For Coby Dillard, a student at Tidewater Community College and student government president at the Norfolk Campus, wandering the halls of the General Assembly Building is comfortable. He stops Delegates and Senators walking to committee meetings to introduce himself. Since beginning his community college journey, he had the opportunity to work on political campaigns in Hampton Roads and briefly running for Congress himself. This is a dramatic change from the days he spent in the navy at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba at the peak of the Global War on Terror in 2005.

Last Wednesday, at “Everyday is Community College Day”, Coby and his classmates shared their stories with legislators. This represented the first trip to Richmond for many Tidewater students. They were able to visit their district’s representatives, advocate for community colleges and see, first-hand, how the state legislative process works. However, the importance and prevalence of the military in community college education was apparent for any legislator who met with Tidewater Community College. This is indicative of the prevalence of military students in community colleges across the country. The Department of Defense recently stated that nearly half of soldiers receiving federal military benefits for college are enrolled in community colleges.

Tidewater students met with members of the Hampton Roads General Assembly updating them on plans for a new student center, child care services that are now being offered to parents taking classes at the Norfolk campus, and the increasing military student presence. Students also urged legislators to support Governor McDonnell’s Higher Education Budget items that include more student aid. Kevin Yocum, an Army Reservist that gave his G.I. Bill benefits to his wife, told Senator Yvonne Miller “ I would not be here in community college  without financial aid.”

Senator Miller offered her support to sustaining aid for community college students, particularly military members. The Senator then gave Tidewater students some homework. She gave the students a copy of the Governor’s Budget and asked them to go back to their campus’ financial aid office and ask their officers how it will affect student aid and report back to her. The students promised to visit their financial aid office and continue to be in contact with Senator Miller’s office.

When one of Coby’s classmates asked him what Guantanamo Bay was like, he responded simply with “It was bad.” For him, community college was a bridge from service to his country in the armed forces to serving his community in a quickly developing political career. “I’d rather be here at Tidewater than over there,” said Coby. “Every day is Community College Day” continues throughout the General Assembly Session.

Posted by Stephen Parker

Stephen Parker  is a SVCC graduate who transferred to Longwood University and received his bachelor’s degree. He is currently a graduate student at W & M and on the foundation board for SVCC.