Tacoma Community College

This has been a not so great college experience and after my second semester I’m looking at transferring. The teachers and students are great but advising is HORRIBLE. The front desk women are rude with very little customer service skills, advisors are incompetent and will try to sabotage your educational plan if they don’t like you, and there isn’t a cafeteria or a place to get food. I also noticed a lot of staff are rude and nasty over the phone. I’ve had issues calling and being hung up on or the front desk women getting smart for no reason to the point an advisor got on the phone and apologized for the reckless and unprofessional conduct these women were engaging in. When I first started, I created an educational plan with the director. In this plan we went over my interest and what degree would make the most sense. We both decided A.A DTA. I left feeling confident. Later on in the semester, I needed to have a meeting with my assigned Advisor, Dawn for an assignment. It seems she was given a "story" about me already because she began to have a panic attack as soon as the meeting started (breathing heavy, avoiding eye contact, fidgety). I immediately felt uncomfortable and like I did something wrong. She came up with her own educational plan for me, completely different from what I discussed with the director. She changed my degree from A.A DTA to AAS Nursing. When I spoke to the director, he told me I would be taking unnecessary classes going this route. When I told her that she insisted the AAS Nursing would be best and I’d be taking unnecessary classes going for AA. As I’m now confused, she pulled up the "new" educational plan which was filled with classes I didn’t need. I counted the classes and I’d have to take 23 classes instead of 18 going this route instead. Not only this but my educational plan had classes that were only 2-3 credits. Im only interested in taking courses that are 5 credits each. She would’ve known this had she asked what my interests are and what I see for myself or even what I’d want. When I asked about taking 4 classes for a semester she was extremely discouraging and seemed to talk down on my abilities as a student. Yes, for background I’m a non trad student, 28 yrs old but I was Top 4% back in my home state , last math in 11th grade Advanced trig. I’m not unintelligent, just uneducated. My delay in school isn’t anything but bad timing in life. She never inquired about MY wants or MY background. When I questioned why would this be the best way versus the AA, she ignored my question and said "we can just do it the way you want" and I asked "I’m just asking how would this way be easier because it doesn’t seem that way to me." Ultimately, she ended the advising session and told me I could just talk to the director. This interaction as well as many others have made me lose confidence in the advising office and because of this I will be leaving after the winter semester. Check your classes and educational plans!!!!! I’ve also had a classmate follow her advisor blindly and they put her in a cmst 240 class when she never did 101 or any introductory course, making her feel unprepared and lost in the class. I would not recommend this school to anyone.

What a sad education system. Please hire enough academic advisor to meet the community needs. Verify the an increase of new residents and ensure you have enough staff to cover. I been waiting patiently since 12/2025 & the only thing im waiting is to meet with an advisor. Im informed nothing available till 2-3 months fully booked. How can someone try to go back to school? Yes, I have emailed to get an answer regarding my academic transfer but to no luck my advisor didn't answer my questions and said to make an appointment. I just wasted money to transfer my official transcripts just to wait 2-3 months for an appointment. If

Tacoma Community College offers an excellent educational experience with dedicated faculty who truly care about student success. The campus is welcoming, safe, and equipped with great resources—from modern classrooms to helpful student services. I appreciated the variety of programs available and the flexibility they offer for different schedules. Whether you’re starting your college journey or looking to advance your career, TCC provides a supportive environment that encourages growth and achievement. Highly recommend for anyone seeking quality education in a friendly community!

First off I want to say do not trust all of the fairy tail things they tell you. I was put into a program they have at TCC called fresh start. I was told before I enrolled that I would be able to finish getting my highschool diploma and also get an AA for free through them! (Too good to be true, now I know) After I enrolled completely I find out that not only can I not get my aa degree there. The staff in the program are completely unorganized, and I had to fight to keep trying to earn my AA through this program which I was promised prior to enrolling. They had a huge drama where one of their counselors who ended up leaving the program. I was under this advisor, who wasn't being honest with me about why he was putting me in the classes he was (which would have gotten me discharged from the program due to my high school diploma being completed) they have gone back and forth for MONTHS talking about ethical Delmas on keeping me enrolled in the program in order to earn my degree. The staff keeps going back and forth telling me I can earn my AA through them and then telling me I cant. This is absolutely ridiculous. I have gotten deans list two quarters in a row and try my absolute hardest in school. To be put into a program, promised something just to be unknowingly, behind my back trying to discharge me from the program is causing too much stress to my life. I work early mornings (anywhere from 3am-5am starting time) on top of schooling. Now they are saying that I will have to look at financial aid because I wont be able to get my aa fully covered through this program. Overall, make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. If I could do it all over again I would have never enrolled in this program.

Parking tickets ALL OVER but yet people’s cars still get stolen here all the time! Thanks TCC Security, real secure!! Maybe people wouldn’t park in the wrong spots if the school would simply LIMIT the number of passes sold?!?! Typical staff anywhere public/govt funded—"forget service, and duty, we’re all about power-trips and money!" There’s a finite amount of parking stalls, they’ll sell as many passes as people will buy = there’s never any parking!!! Other students are bloodthirsty about trying to get your parking spot. We just want to pursue an education!!! We deserve so much better. Quite sad.

Currently a student here and i am deeply impressed. The staff are helpful, and they have many different ways to make sure you and your educational career are successful. So far my experience with instructors has been decent as well. Very well informational people who are always willing to help and teach. These same people also push us to do our best.

Emily K in Financial Aid has been stellar. Her attention to detail, professionalism, kindness and timeliness are unmatched. A true pillar of the community at TCC.