Category Archives: Brownwood

TSTC Emergency Medical Services student one year away from achieving goal

(ABILENE Texas) – Texas State Technical College Emergency Medical Services student Laura Jungling is close to achieving a major milestone in her life.

“I began the paramedic program this week, and I am one year from my goal of becoming a paramedic,” she said.

Like many people, Jungling enrolled in the EMS program with a specific purpose.

“It might sound cliche, but my reason for becoming an EMT was my desire to help people,” she said. “I also wanted to give back to the community.”

Jungling, who recently passed the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification exam, said she looks forward to the variety of experiences she will encounter in the field.

“I know that not one day will be the same,” she said. “I know that every call will be different.”

Jungling said she considered other options for a medical career, but nursing was not something she wanted to pursue.

“A lot of the schools I looked at offered nursing, but I wanted something fast-paced,” she said.

The more Jungling explored TSTC’s program, the more impressed she became. Once she started taking classes and participating in lab sessions, she knew it was the right decision.

“I really appreciate the instructors. They push us on a daily basis not to fail,” she said. “They really want every student to succeed.”

Jungling said instructors prepared students in every aspect of becoming an EMT from the first day of class.

“They have been through this in the field. They would not let us do anything that they have not done first,” she said.

She also chose TSTC because of the program’s success rate. Instructor Richard Sharp said students who recently completed the program had a 100 percent passing rate on the certification exam, and each graduate found employment.

Jungling knows once she completes the paramedic program, she will be able to find a job that pays well.

“An entry-level paramedic can expect to make in excess of $45,000 to $50,000 a year,” Sharp said.

With a new group of EMS students beginning this month, Jungling said they should not get discouraged.

“There can be some times of uncertainty during the program,” she said. “Just remember that the instructors will give you every single tool you need to be successful.” 

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC student perseveres despite medical condition

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Crystal Neudigate-Sharp did not want a medical condition to stop her from earning an Emergency Medical Technician certificate at Texas State Technical College.

“I wanted to teach my children that once you start something, you need to complete it, no matter the obstacles,” said Neudigate-Sharp, a candidate for graduation this semester.

After being injured in an accident, she suffered an allergic reaction to the medication and was without oxygen for 24 minutes.

“The doctor told me that I did not wake up during that time,” Neudigate-Sharp said. “I spent the weekend in the Brownwood hospital but was later transferred to a Dallas hospital.”

She spent three months last summer recovering, which included physical and occupational therapy. Neudigate-Sharp remains in speech therapy, but that did not stop her from returning to school this fall.

“I was so grateful for the online EMT program. I can say I have successfully completed the program despite my physical limitations,” she said.

It took the help of the Brownwood campus staff to get her back on track.

“Everyone at TSTC was very supportive. They were more than helpful,” she said. “They wanted to see me succeed.”

Teresa Phillips, an enrollment coach at the Brownwood campus, was one of those who made an impact on Neudigate-Sharp.

“Crystal sets goals for herself, and then she is very persistent to follow through and work hard to accomplish the goals she has set for herself,” Phillips said.

Neudigate-Sharp’s interest in the field grew while watching her husband, who is also an EMT.

“I had stayed at home for 13 years and knew one day I would go back to school,” she said. “That one day came when my husband said, ‘It’s time to go to school.’”

Neudigate-Sharp enjoys the camaraderie that EMTs have during the workday.

“There is a closeness in that community,” she said. “It felt like the right job for me.”

During TSTC’s virtual graduation celebration on Dec. 10, Neudigate-Sharp will be waiting with her family to see her name appear on the video.

“My kids are so excited for me. They are ecstatic that I have gone through the finish line,” she said. “They have been encouraging me throughout this whole process.”

Neudigate-Sharp looks forward to the day when she can use her certificate to help someone else.

“God is seeing me through this entire ordeal,” she said. “I still pray that I will be able to serve my fellow citizens. I cannot wait to do what I was trained to do.”

To learn more about the Emergency Medical Services program at TSTC, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/EmergencyMedicalServices.

TSTC alumna works to lead people down right road

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Leigh Anne Folger is using her life experience as a road map to help others.

Folger, a 2017 graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Chemical Dependency Counseling program, is a counselor at Addiction Behavioral Services. Prior to joining the staff, she worked as a counselor at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Thomas R. Havins Unit in Brownwood.

“I know I am not responsible for my clients’ decisions. I can’t take credit for their success or get down if they fail,” she said. “All I do is provide them with the information that can help them. I hold up the road map to a successful life. They have to want to drive the car.”

Folger said she got her life on track after being released from prison. She knew a career in the medical field would not be possible, but another option was available.

“I made a lot of bad decisions in my life, and they finally caught up to me,” she said. “I knew that I would never have a career in the field I once dreamed of, which was the medical field. So I thought, ‘Why don’t I become a counselor?’ I knew I could help people by using my life experiences.”

Folger reconnected with a friend and classmate at Addiction Behavioral Services, Laura Weaver. Folger credits Weaver for steering her to TSTC’s counseling program.

“I had these unrealistic fears of failing. I was kind of hesitant to enroll,” she said. “Laura said she would meet me at the school.”

Once Folger walked onto the Brownwood campus, she felt at ease.

“Everyone had a smile on their face. No one was bothered by all of the questions I had,” she said. “Everyone at TSTC made me excited about going back to school.”

After graduation, Folger began working for the Havins Unit. It served as a reminder for her to move forward.

“I love what I do. Working at the unit felt like a reminder that I did not want to go back,” she said.

She also knew which inmates needed the most help.

“About 60 percent of the guys had already made up their mind that they did not want to return to prison,” Folger said. “It was those individuals on the fence that I targeted. I wanted to persuade them that the grass was greener on the outside.”

When the chance came to work for Addiction Behavioral Services, she did not hesitate.

“Looking back, I enjoyed my time at the unit. I just wanted to make a change,” Folger said. “Being able to work with Laura was also amazing. Everything has come full circle for me.”

Folger continues to praise TSTC and the staff for helping her find her way.

“Had it not been for TSTC, there is no telling where I would be right now,” she said. “TSTC was amazing. (Instructor) Elizabeth Jones is amazing. She has more insight than anyone in this field. I even recommend TSTC to people looking to restart their life. It worked for me.”

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Mother takes EMS classes at TSTC to help son

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Brittany Hanley did not have to look far for motivation when she enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program.

“My youngest son was diagnosed with a heart condition,” she said. “I did not want to be one of those parents that would freak out. I wanted to be the one that would be able to react.”

That is why she decided to enroll at TSTC.

“I know that in a matter of seconds something could go wrong with my son,” Hanley said. “I knew I wanted to be able to help him.”

Hanley, a lifelong resident of Brownwood, said she had previously wanted to pursue a career as an emergency medical technician.

“I just never got started on it,” she said.

After meeting her husband and moving back to Brownwood, Hanley began exploring the program again.

“We started a family, and I was more focused on them,” she said. “But having to travel to Cook Children’s Hospital every six months opened my eyes. I wanted to be able to help my son and family.”

Hanley wanted to know more about her son’s heart condition and was always attentive when doctors spoke to her. She is taking that information and using it in classes this fall.

She is also relying on her classmates to help her when she may be having a bad day.

“The group I am in has a variety of ages and backgrounds. We are building relationships together, and that is something I like,” she said. “We are there to help each other out.”

Hanley said students talk about what they learn during lab sessions to make sure they succeed.

“We are texting each other and asking what to do during a certain part of the class,” she said. “I am having to stay up late to get my studying done. I know it will pay off.”

According to Hanley, students have one goal when they eventually find employment.

“We want to be able to get together and say cheers to saving that one life,” she said. “This program will allow us to do that.”

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Ott credits TSTC staff for pushing him to finish college

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Five years after he graduated from Texas State Technical College, Joseph Ott still thanks the Brownwood campus staff.

“Everybody at the Brownwood campus was on my side,” said the 2015 graduate of the Chemical Dependency Counseling program. “The passion that was there from my instructor Elizabeth Jones, Raquel Mata (associate provost) and Brian Kight (former associate vice president of enrollment) kept me going.”

Ott, who is now a counselor at Corpus Christi’s South Texas Substance Abuse Recovery Services (STSARS), did not consider college or a career in counseling others. An injury on a construction site in Brownwood and being sober for several years led him to TSTC.

“I kind of stumbled on the school and program,” Ott said. “Without my injury, I would not have gone to college.”

Ott was in Brownwood at the time of his injury and knew the counseling program would be a good fit for him.

“I have always enjoyed helping people,” he said. “I knew that being 22 years sober meant that I needed to try and help people.”

While he did have ups and downs at TSTC, Ott said Mata always helped him with writing assignments and Jones offered support when he was down.

“Raquel would always stay after hours to help me with an essay. She looked over it and told me that I was learning to get it right,” he said. “She stayed way beyond her work hours to help. Mrs. Jones could have gone home, but she stayed to make sure the work was done correctly.”

Mata, who was an instructor when Ott was a student, saw his battle to finish school.

“Even though there were times when he said he wanted to quit, I don’t think he meant it. He was just frustrated, but he kept coming back,” she said. “I know my fellow employees, like Brian Kight, Tammy Vassar and Elizabeth Jones, challenged him to continue.”

After he graduated, Ott began a counseling career. Even that took a nudge — from his brother Bruce.

“He asked me after I graduated why I did not send resumes out,” Ott said. “I had a fear of not being hired. My brother told me after about three months that it was not time to waste my education. I sent out my resumes and was hired.”

Ott left his first counseling job and returned to construction. However, he still wanted to help people and was hired by STSARS, where he has been employed for the last three years.

He said one thing he likes to talk to his clients about is being grateful. While many wonder what he is talking about at first, they understand by the end of the session.

“I ask my clients to be grateful. I ask them if they have children. I ask them if they have a house or apartment. I ask them if they have food in the cabinet or refrigerator,” he said. “Each time they say yes, I tell them that is something for them to be grateful about.”

Ott said his goal for the sessions is to be uplifting. He wants his clients to see a path forward.

“I can’t take credit for their recovery. I have to guide them and let them know I am proud of them,” he said. 

Mata remains proud of Ott’s journey and has a reminder on her office wall.

“I consider Joseph a true success story. He graduated during our 50th year, when students were given stoles and encouraged to keep or give them to someone who helped them on their journey,” she said. “He showed up to campus one day and said he wished he could cut this into pieces and give us each a section. It still hangs on my wall today and reminds me of what hard work and determination can accomplish.”

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC student juggles school, job and family

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – “Chaotic” is the best way Mandy Barker can describe her life right now.

Not only is Barker, who lives in Dublin, a student in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program, but she also is the general manager of a fast-food chain in Stephenville and a mother of two children.

“You can say life is very chaotic. Some days it is hard, but I am getting through it all,” she said.

One of the reasons she gets through a day of school, work and family is the support system at home.

“My boyfriend really motivates me. He keeps me going,” Barker said. “I know that the best result for me will be the end result in getting a welding job.”

Barker said she hopes to work on the Texas oil pipelines, a field in which her boyfriend is currently employed. She said knowing a job could be on the horizon after she receives her certificate also is a motivation.

“My boyfriend helps me all the time. He has told me several times that I do not need to quit,” Barker said.

Barker did have one worry before starting the program. She was hoping to see at least one other female in the welding lab.

“It was a huge relief walking into the lab the first time and I saw three other females in the class,” she said. “I called my boyfriend and told him. He was excited for me, knowing that was one of my fears.”

Her boyfriend also offered Barker some advice prior to the first day.

“He told me to just go and show everyone that you can do a man’s job,” Barker said.

While in the lab, she said all of the students help each other.

“It is a very good environment to learn in. TSTC teaches us great skills,” Barker said. “I love this program. It is helping me toward a career.”

She learned of TSTC’s welding program while living in Brownwood. Once she decided to go to school, TSTC was her top choice.

“I knew I could get on track here with my schedule,” she said. “Everyone is willing to work with you to make you successful.”

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC student finds dream job before completing program

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Will Hancock has landed his dream job.

The Texas State Technical College Computer Networking and Systems Administration student will begin working for Bangs ISD as an information technology specialist while completing his graduation requirements. He credits TSTC with helping him find the career opportunity in the field he fell in love with as a child.

“When I was around five or six, my grandmother bought me one of the old Macintosh computers with the floppy discs,” said the 34-year-old Hancock. “I played games on that a lot. I got another computer when I was 10 or 11 and took it apart and put it back together just to see how it works.”

After high school, Hancock did not look to further his education immediately but went to work for an internet company.

“I fell back in love with technology when I got that job,” he said.

It wasn’t until he was sitting with his daughter and former wife that he realized he wanted to go to college.

“I wanted my daughter to have everything, and I knew school would be the only way to do that,” he said.

While working for a broadband wireless internet company, he decided that TSTC would provide him with the skills needed to make his dream become a career.

“I am now living my dream. This is all I wanted to do since I was 19 years old,” Hancock said of working on computers. “At that time, I did not think school would be important. I thought maybe I will go back at some point.”

Today, Hancock praises TSTC and how instructors welcome students of all ages to the program. He passes that message to people he meets in Brownwood and Bangs.

“I have told a bunch of people about TSTC. They ask me if they should go back to school, and I tell them to do it,” he said. “It does not matter what age you are. TSTC has so many programs and can teach you a trade that you want to work in. The learning process is great, and everyone is willing to help.”

Hancock said Bangs ISD officials hired him because of his computer knowledge, but he admitted some of the district’s computers are older models.

“They have the old touch screens around the schools,” he said. “They told me that I should know how they work. I do, but it has been a while since I have seen them. It is going to be nice to work on things I love.” 

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC student follows family tradition of entering medical field

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Seth Johnston is following other members of his family’s career path into the medical field.

The 18-year-old is a first-year student in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program. Johnston plans to join his mother, who is a registered nurse, father, a computerized tomography technician, and brother, an X-ray technician, in the field of medicine.

“I decided to follow in their footsteps,” he said. “They were really excited for me when I told them I was going to go to school.”

He chose the EMS route after a family member was injured.

“I decided on EMS because my cousin was in a car accident after football practice and they transported him to the hospital,” Johnston said. “I really caught on to what they were doing to help him and decided I wanted to do the same for others.”

He plans to further his education at TSTC by completing the paramedic program after the emergency medical technician certification.

Johnston admitted he did not know what to expect when beginning classes this fall.

“I was in awe when I saw the ambulance simulator,” he said. “I am ready to train in the simulator.”

Johnston said he is looking forward to the portion of the program where he will ride with paramedics in the field.

“I know there will be some anxiety and scary parts to see,” he said. “But it will be interesting to see how things are done in the field.”

Johnston said the hands-on approach is the best way he can take in information.

“I like to see something get done, and then I can get with it,” he said.

Being the youngest member of the class does not stop him from doing his best.

“It is a great environment to work in. My classmates pick me up when they see I am having a bad day,” Johnston said. “I feel included in everything we do. When someone else is down, I am right there to pick them up. Everyone in our class is a team.”

Johnston also said the instructors play an important role in the learning environment.

“They push all of us to do our best. They are always by your side, making sure you know what to do,” he said. 

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC student not letting setback stand in his way

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Like many people, Wesley Kite did not let a work layoff stand in his way.

Kite enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program this fall to increase his “workmanship.” The Brownwood native has stayed in touch with his former employer, saying his prospects of being rehired after completing the program are “looking good.”

“I was originally a machinist, but with COVID, I was laid off,” he said. “I always wanted to do some welding. I am working toward improving my workmanship for possible jobs.”

He has continued to talk to his former employer, specifically to tell them he is in school broadening his resume.

“They like that I am in school right now,” he said, adding he was let go because production slowed at his former company.

Kite said he enrolled in TSTC 10 years ago, studying Mechatronics Technology. Even though he did not finish the program, he knew the college had a respected welding program that provided hands-on learning.

“The hands-on approach is great. I learn better by doing things,” he said of the three days students are able to spend socially distanced in the lab.

He credits new instructor Daniel Aguirre with helping him and other students learn proper welding techniques.

“He will sit right there and tell you how you are doing things wrong,” Kite said. “He is good about letting you know how to do things.”

Kite said he is working on obtaining a certificate in the program, but is leaving his options open.

“I may look to come back and finish the associate program,” he said. “I know TSTC offers a good education, and it is here in my hometown.”

With experience in machinery, Kite said welding could become a new career opportunity.

“This is something I like to do. I can see myself doing this for a long time,” he said.

He recommends that people look at the different programs offered by TSTC.

“This is a really good college and offers a lot of options for people,” he said. “I like it so much I keep coming back.”

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Medical student increases knowledge in TSTC’s EMS program

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Before she begins medical school, Mackenzie Brigman decided to spend part of her gap year attending Texas State Technical College.

Brigman, originally from Jacksonville, Florida, said she wanted to gain paramedic experience and enrolled in the Emergency Medical Services program.

“I have always had an interest in the medical field,” she said. “I wanted to spend part of my gap year between college and medical school getting additional experience.”

Brigman learned about the program through her family in West Texas. She said walking into the TSTC lab was “kind of a shell shock.”

“I was excited with what I saw and that everything is hands-on,” she said. “We did not have an ambulance simulator at my college, and I can’t wait to start training on it.”

Brigman said TSTC offers a “great learning environment” for students.

“This is going to help expand my passion for the field I am planning on entering,” she said. “I think coming here will give me a leg up during my first year of medical school.”

Brigman said her passion for the medical field came early in life. After facing medical complications as an infant, she wanted to learn more about it.

In middle school, her interest grew even more when she was able to tour hospitals and other medical facilities.

“It really piqued my interest then. I knew that I wanted to be an OB-GYN,” she said.

Brigman said taking courses this fall will help her “medical confidence.” She added that she has her instructors to thank for building that confidence.

“(Richard) Sharp has really taken us under his wing,” she said. “He invests a lot into making sure we are able to learn. (Timothy) Scalley is also very knowledgeable, and he is a flight paramedic. That adds to his knowledge.”

TSTC is currently accepting applications for the next group of emergency medical technicians and paramedic students, with classes scheduled to begin in the spring. The program is offered both online and with in-person lab sessions. Sharp said students will have opportunities for live discussions and lectures online each week.

Sharp said students interested in the program may contact him at 325-203-2458 to learn about the enrollment process.

For more information, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/EmergencyMedicalServices.