A student and advisor sit and talk

Advising

Get the most out of your TCC experience with Academic Advising

The role of academic advisors is to assist students as they define, plan and achieve their educational goals. Advisors advocate for student success and persistence. Working with an academic advisor can help you stay on track and make informed decisions about your future. They can also connect you to opportunities and resources across campus.

Future Students

Not yet admitted to TCC? Connect with the Welcome Center to get started. The Welcome Center is here to help you navigate the admission process and answer any questions about getting started.

New Students

Admitted to TCC and getting ready for your first quarter? Returning to TCC after a break of one year (four quarters)* or more? Sign up for a New Student Advising session.

Current Students

Working toward your academic and career goals? Connect with a pathways advisor to ensure you're on track. You are a current student if you are currently enrolled in classes or have completed classes at TCC within the last year (four quarters).*

*If it’s been more than one year (four quarters) since you last attended classes at TCC, you must reapply to the college and are considered a returning student. After reapplying to TCC you will follow the admissions steps including completing New Student Orientation online and attending a New Student Advising session.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you belong to one of the following categories we have additional resources to help advise you

If you are only planning on attending TCC for one quarter, you may be eligible to bypass the New Student Advising process. Students planning to attend TCC for just one quarter still complete the New Student Orientation. Please connect with the Advising Center at advising@tacomacc.edu or 253-460-4472 for more information.
If you have attended TCC in the past four quarters (one year), you can meet with your Pathways Advisor as a current student. If it has been more than four quarters (one year), you will have to proceed as a new student by re-applying at TCC and starting with a New Student Advising session.
At TCC’s Gig Harbor campus, we offer a host of educational opportunities where students have direct access to instructors, classes, advising and support resources. Our students will work with Melody Griggs, who advises all students attending TCC's Gig Harbor Camps. Explore offerings at the Gig Harbor Campus.
Service members, military veterans, and their families have unique needs when it comes to furthering their educational goals. The TCC Veterans Service Office is here to help them meet those goals by meeting them where they are. We support these students’ needs, whether it be academic, social, or administrative. Our comprehensive knowledge base and campus-wide connections works to provide a network of resources to make our students successful. Our students will work with Rick Souza, who advises service members, military veterans, and their familiar.
Students who have previously attended another college or university should follow the new student admissions process. If you have completed college credits at your previous institution, TCC may accept these for placement purposes through the unofficial transcripts process. Placement uses classes that fulfill prerequisites for enrollment process.

Be sure to apply to TCC, complete the New Student Orientation online, email your unofficial college transcripts to placement@tacomacc.edu, and register for a New Student Advising session.

Don’t forget to also send Official Transcripts for credits.

Guiding Principles

Our Mission

Academic Advising at Tacoma Community College is a personalized and equitable process that supports students helping explore and attain their personal, educational and career goals.

Our Vision

Advising at Tacoma Community College is the hub of student connections by engaging with students where they are. Advisors help foster confidence and agility in navigating the educational system while partnering with students to inspire a community within a community.

Our Values

Kindness, learning, empathy, reliability, efficiency, connection

Quick Links

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION