TSTC Evening, Weekend Courses Bring Opportunity

(HARLINGEN) – For students like Fernando Flores who work full time, college can sometimes seem out of reach. But Texas State Technical College is opening its doors for evening and Saturday classes to help students fulfill education and career goals.

Flores is already a TSTC graduate. He earned his associate degree in Mechatronics in August 2016, immediately securing a full-time job at Rich Products Corp. in Brownsville as an industrial electrical mechanic, but he knew he wanted to do more for himself, his wife and their two daughters.

Therefore, the 27-year-old enrolled in TSTC’s Architecture and Engineering associates program so he could continue his education while supporting his family.

“Having evening courses I can rely on makes pursuing my education that much easier,” said Flores. “TSTC is helping me get closer to my goal of becoming an engineer. People at work are now showing interest in evening classes, because it’s so convenient and flexible for me.”

Flores said with his associate degree in engineering he will be able to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in either mechatronics, electrical or mechanical engineering.

Samuel Pizano, lead instructor for the Architecture and Engineering associates program and a TSTC alumnus himself, said all evening and Saturday classes are focused on students who work full time, have families or have other commitments that make it difficult to attend school during the day.

“The majority of our students enrolled in our evening classes are industry professionals who want to further their education or finish a degree,” said Pizano. “This, in my opinion, is the best option for them.”

Pizano said classes within his program are offered on evenings and weekends, and those enrolled can earn an associate degree solely by taking classes during this time frame. The associate degree can then be used to transfer to another college or university if the student desires to pursue a higher degree.

“Even though these classes are offered at nontraditional times, it gives students the flexibility they need,” said Pizano.

Pizano speaks from experience when he says this is the best option for students working full time. Currently, he is registered in Mathematics and pursuing his second associate degree from TSTC. He is doing so by taking all evening courses, since he is a full-time instructor at the college. Pizano’s first associate degree was in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics.

“I have experienced the convenience and flexibility of evening courses firsthand,” said Pizano. “Many students also approach me and tell me they are thankful TSTC offers this type of option.”

Other courses offered during evenings and weekends range from general academics to technologies such as Welding.

Registration for Spring 2017 is in progress. The deadline to register is January 3, and classes begin on January 9.

For more information on evening or weekend classes, call 956-364-4323 or visit tstc.edu.

TSTC’s 12th Annual Noche de Gala Honors Donors, Collects for Scholarships

(HARLINGEN) – Joel Jimenez told his story of digging trenches in the sweltering Rio Grande Valley heat and how they served as a lesson from his father during Texas State Technical College’s 12^th Annual Noche de Gala scholarship fundraiser.

Jimenez talked of his struggle and his temptation to quit when things got hard. Not making enough money to pay for his dorm, purchase school supplies or anything else he needed, he felt afraid, but the Lozano Long Opportunity Scholarship turned that around and lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders.

“I thought, if this is just the beginning and it’s so hard, how will I make it past the rest? But thanks to this scholarship I was able to quit my job at a convenience store, focus on school and realign my priorities,” said Jimenez.

The Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology graduate and Mathematics student remembers his parents always instilling the value of education, and on that particularly hot, humid day his father reminded him how education is the key to success.

“Education doesn’t make your job easier, but it sure beats digging holes in the sun,” he told TSTC’s scholarship donors. “It’s people like you that make life easier for students, and I hope someday I can make life better for someone else. Thank you.”

Joining Jimenez with the same heartfelt appreciation were two other Lozano Long Scholarship recipients: Montserrat Mauleon de Esquivel, an Agricultural Technology student, and Monique Cavazos, a Building Construction Technology major.

Esquivel relived the time she and her husband, while raising a 3-year-old, were forced to live on unemployment checks because of several layoffs. This, while facing other financial, family and health issues, made quitting school tempting. But because of the family she had formed at TSTC and the scholarship she received, quitting became a distant reminder of hard times.

“At TSTC we matter. We’re anything but expendable; we’re important,” said Esquivel. “We even mattered to Provost Adam Hutchinson. I couldn’t believe that someone in such a high position cared to offer me support.”

Hutchinson gave Esquivel a business card and told her to carry it with her and give him a call if she ever felt like quitting was her only option. He knew there would come a point when that would happen, and he wanted to be there to change her mind.

“To this day, I have the card in my wallet,” said Esquivel. “But when I use it, I won’t be telling him that I’m quitting. I’ll be letting him know that I’ve been accepted to veterinary school.”

As for Cavazos, a wife and mother of four daughters, she shared childhood memories of spending time with her grandfather in his wood shop.

“I was only allowed to use scraps and crooked nails,” Cavazos recalled. “But I would bang them straight and voila! I had a new boat to play with in the ditches. But little did I know he was helping me build something bigger: a career.”

Cavazos said college has sometimes been a difficult road, but thanks to the Lozano Long Scholarship she received she will be graduating this spring with an associate degree.

“Generous donors, TSTC staff and faculty, and any person that has ever assisted a college student fulfill their dreams, I would like to thank you,” said Cavazos. “You are the nails that help keep our paths together.”

It is donors and committed volunteers like Ruthie Ewers who help students like Jimenez, Esquivel and Cavazos realize their dreams.

Ewers, who is called the “Energizer Bunny” by Harlingen’s Mayor Chris Boswell, is this year’s Noche de Gala honoree. It is her dedication to youth, students and TSTC that has earned her this honor.

TSTC Provost Dr. Stella Garcia said Ewers has supported TSTC for years. She has been an avid supporter of TSTC’s Interview Practicum, which has held mock interviews for soon-to-be graduates since 2010. Ewers has participated every semester, and when she sees a student excel during an interview she works to place them within the community.

Ewers is also an active member of TSTC’s newest committee, the Scholarship Steering Committee.

“When I asked Ruthie for suggestions or recommendations on setting up a successful fundraising campaign, she immediately volunteered before I even finished my sentence,” said Garcia. “Ruthie is not only a strong supporter of TSTC with her time and money, but more importantly she also believes in what we do.”

Ewers said she loves the type of professionalism that TSTC is turning out and loves what she sees.

“TSTC is something good I believe in and I want to be a part of it,” said Ewers. “I’ve never considered myself a leader, yet this award is given to leaders. I’ve always just tried to help wherever I can. But tonight I feel like I’ve won an Academy Award.”

Special guests celebrating Ewers’ honor and helping students achieve their dreams were Harlingen City Commissioner Victor Leal, Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell, Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, and State Representative Eddie Lucio III. Ewers’ son Joe Ewers was also on hand to give his mother a special introduction.

The Lozano Long Promise Opportunity Scholarship was established in 1999 and has helped thousands of students across Texas realize their dreams of an education.

Noche de Gala is hosted by the TSTC Foundation. The black-tie affair consists of a cocktail hour, full-course dinner and awards program.

The annual scholarship fundraiser has raised more than $1.5 million and helped more than 400 TSTC students achieve their education dreams.

Cantrelle Scholarship Receives Financial Boost at TSTC in Marshall

(MARSHALL) – A scholarship at Texas State Technical College will continue to aid students needing financial help to study, thanks to a generous gift.

The Rev. Earl Cantrelle of Longview recently gave $5,000 to the Clay Aaron Cantrelle Scholarship. The scholarship is named for Cantrelle’s grandson, a graduate of Marshall High School and TSTC, who died in a fire on May 8, 2010 at SCC Auto Center in Marshall.

The younger Cantrelle had an associate degree in software engineering from TSTC and at the time of his death lived at the business where he was also the office manager. Clay Cantrelle was 27 years old.

“He was a great kid,” Rev. Cantrelle said. “He had good intellectual abilities and enjoyed people. He was very helpful to my wife working in the garden and different things she did. We went camping when my grandsons were young and had some good times together.”

One of the TSTC students who received the scholarship this year, Joshua Jackson of Longview, said the money has been beneficial. He will graduate at TSTC’s Fall Commencement on Dec. 9 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration and return in the spring to finish an associate degree in Cyber Security.

“I got laid off from my job in 2015 and I didn’t qualify for any grants,” Jackson, 35, said. “I had to pay using all student loans. The scholarship helped me a lot because I had some money left over to pay bills and normal standard of living stuff.”

Other scholarship recipients this year were Barbara Gill of Marshall, who is studying Professional Office Technology; Gerald Jordan of Gilmer, who is studying Process Operations and Tony Ratcliff of Marshall, who is studying Electrical Lineworker Technology.

Students who have at least a 2.5 GPA and write an essay can apply for the scholarship. Students who receive the scholarship are required to write a note of gratitude to the Cantrelle family.

For more information on scholarships at TSTC, log on to tstc.edu/financialaid/scholarships.

For more information on making a gift to TSTC, go to tstc.edu/tstcfoundation/giving.

TSTC Avionics Technology Program Powers Students Through Hands-On Learning

(WACO) – Nick Kangas is thankful for his relatives.

Kangas, 30, of Tucson, Arizona, moved to Waco because of their advice to give Texas State Technical College a look and to follow his interest in airplanes. He is now in his fourth semester of Avionics Technology, the study of aviation and electronics.

“The program is more than what I expected,” said Kangas. “The instructors are easy to get along with and I have good classmates as well. I discovered I liked soldering, connecting wires and building the radio stacks.”

The Avionics Technology program currently has 16 students. Students take five semesters to earn the Associate of Applied Science degree in Avionics Technology or three semesters for a certificate in Avionics Ramp Testing.

“What I want to see in an avionics student is desire,” said Martin Segraves, the program’s lead instructor. “I want them to solve problems. I want them to be interested in airplanes, flying and electronics.”

Chris Eubanks, 32, of Burleson fits the description.

The former West Coast resident grew up interested in aviation maintenance and how planes function. He said he has surprised himself doing the program’s hands-on work because at 15 he was diagnosed with low motor skills and had challenges working with small objects. Now, he said he has worked up to doing intricate work on wiring.

“It’s a dream come true,” Eubanks said about studying avionics. “In the spring I plan to study aviation maintenance and then later pursue a bachelor’s degree in management. I want a management job in the repair sector and I also want to be a drone mechanic.”

Classes focus on aviation electronic systems, operations testing, troubleshooting and safety in laboratories designed for assembly, repair and wiring. Students also learn how aviation maintenance shops operate and about Federal Communications Commission and Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.

“We are exposing students to as much civil aviation as possible,” Segraves said. “Our focus is narrowed because that’s where most avionics technicians get their first jobs.”

Segraves and the program’s other instructor, Dane Kunkler, have a combined 75 years of professional experience. The instructors have to keep up with current developments in avionics, such as how Wi-fi and Bluetooth systems work with electronics.

“Avionics is a great field to consider if a student likes to work hands-on with technology,” Segraves said. “Many aspects of avionics require excellent problem-solving skills, so I often ask prospective students if they like to solve puzzles. Career opportunities are plentiful right now and nearly all our graduates find employment in the field.”

Texas has more than 1,600 avionics technology workers earning an annual mean salary of $55,070, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hundreds of jobs are clustered in the Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio areas. The field is expected to grow slightly through 2024, according to projectionscentral.com, a clearinghouse of short-term and long-term state labor market predictions.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC Will Host Spring 2017 Registration Rally

(FORT BEND) – With registration for Spring 2017 underway, Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County will be hosting a Registration Rally Wednesday, November 30 to give new and returning students the resources they need to complete the registration process under one roof.

Registration Rallies are a new initiative at TSTC that started for the Fall 2016 semester. All 10 campuses statewide host this event with hundreds of students taking advantage of the assistance offered by faculty, staff and student volunteers.

“This is one-stop shop for our students,” said Dora Colvin, director of Recruitment. “We want to help students by providing the resources and opportunities they need to finish the application and registration processes for the next semester.”

Enrollment representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, Advisement, Support Services and Testing will be on hand to guide those attending the event. Tours of the college will also be available throughout the day.

“We hope that having faculty and staff present will help make this process easier for students,” said Colvin. “They’ll have a chance to learn about the services we offer and get the help they need.”

To complete the registration process students must bring their completed admissions application, GED scores if applicable, recent high school or college transcripts, and proof of their bacterial meningitis vaccination if under 22 years of age.

“We want to encourage students to register early,” said Colvin. “The earlier a student registers, the more likely it is they get the classes they need before they fill up and a schedule they are happy with. Of course students don’t have to wait until the event, they can apply or register anytime.”

TSTC’s registration rally will be from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the new TSTC Industrial Technology campus located at 26706 SW Freeway Rosenberg, Texas. The registration deadline is January 3. Spring 2017 classes begin January 9.

To apply or register visit tstc.edu or call the Admissions Office at 346-239-3413.

Student Success Profile – Stephany Medina

(HARLINGEN) – Harlingen native Stephany Medina is pursuing her associate degree in Education and Training at Texas State Technical College. She expects to graduate in 2019.

The 19-year-old said she is pursuing her education for her two-year-old daughter; to give her a better life. When Medina is not studying you can find her volunteering with TSTC’s Service Squad.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating from TSTC I plan on transferring to Texas A&M Kingsville to pursue a bachelor’s degree in education and becoming an elementary school teacher.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become an elementary librarian. I love books and children, so there’s no better career than combining both.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment at TSTC has to be succeeding in my classes and earning A’s and B’s. Despite becoming a mother at 16, I’ve found success and I’m working toward my dream.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson that I have learned is that no matter what happens in my life I have to continue moving forward.

Who at TSTC has influenced your success the most?

I would have to say my parents have influenced my success the most. They also attended TSTC, and fully supported my decision to come here so I could continue my education. They’re always here supporting my dream of working in the education field.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice to future students would be to never stop working hard to pursue an education. Education is what’s going to get people places. It can’t be taken away.

TSTC Receives Women In Technology Grant

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College recently received the Women in Technology Grant from the National Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science (IWITTS) to help recruit and retain women in non-traditional fields.

This grant will go to train TSTC faculty in outreach efforts for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology in Harlingen and the other four TSTC campuses throughout Texas that offer this program: Fort Bend County, North Texas, Williamson County and Waco.

“This grant will help us enhance and set forth our recruitment and retention plans and strategies to increase the number of women who enroll in our HVAC program,” said Orlando Peñuelas, coordinator with TSTC’s Office of Student Life. “This will, however, take a collective effort from a number of people.”

A committee has been formed to include TSTC instructors, advisors and other coordinators from across the state that will work hand-in-hand to roll out this initiative.

Peñuelas said the committee’s goal is to increase campus involvement when it comes to recruiting women into non-traditional technologies by creating conversations of encouragement, designing of marketing material and inviting HVAC alumni to speak to current and prospective students.

“We need to create a common language when it comes to advisement and how we encourage women to enter into technical fields,” said Peñuelas. “We need to show them the benefits of technologies like HVAC and what kind of success they can find.”

Jorge Cabrera, TSTC HVAC instructor, said the industry is beginning to diversify. As a result women have more opportunity of receiving scholarships and finding a good paying job.

“This has been a male-dominated field for so long I think there’s a fear or intimidation,” said Cabrera. “But there doesn’t have to be. Women can do this job just as well as men. It’s time to break the barrier.”

One woman looking into the future of HVAC and what it can mean for her career is Daisy Ramirez. She is currently the only woman enrolled in HVAC Technology and is looking forward to what the future of this industry has in store for her. She expects to graduate in 2018 with her associate degree.

“At first I was a little nervous about being the only woman in class, but everyone has been so nice and helpful, and has made me feel so comfortable,” said Ramirez. “I’m enjoying all aspects of the program and I’m looking forward to my future and to seeing more women in this field. I’m excited that TSTC is taking the initiative to recruit more of us.”

Ramirez said when she graduates she hopes to work with her father at their family-owned business, PI Mechanical.

Peñuelas said the committee is working hard to create best practices that will help recruit and keep women like Ramirez in HVAC Technology, which in turn will work toward TSTC’s mission of placing more Texans is good paying jobs.

“We want to set up our students to have a diverse skill set,” said Cabrera. “And this allows us to give both male and females in HVAC the potential of obtaining the marketable skills they need to get a job and for us as a college to meet the technician demand throughout the state.”

Students who pursue a certificate or associate degree track in HVAC Technology can go on to work as technicians in hospitals, schools, supermarkets, industrial plants, or with residential and commercial air conditioning and heating companies.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Texas employs the most HVAC technicians, with job opportunities increasing 29 percent nationally by 2024.

For more information on HVAC Technology call 956-364-4672. To apply or register anytime visit tstc.edu.

Houston Student Aims to Fly from TSTC into Avionics Industry

(WACO) – Savannah Little is looking forward to seeing how far her interests take off.

Little, 20, of Houston is the only student graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Avionics Technology from Texas State Technical College at Fall Commencement at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, at the Waco Convention Center.

“Savannah is a remarkable student,” said Martin Segraves, lead instructor in the Avionics Technology program at TSTC. “Her ability to complete the degree program a whole semester faster than most students directly reflects her ability to master a subject quickly and to multitask effectively. She regularly hosts a study group for her peers, who tend to score better on their exams after they meet.”

Little grew up in Houston and in third grade started Irish dancing in an after-school program. She continued dancing for 10 years and hopes to perform again in the future.

“It takes a lot of money for the dress, the hard and soft shoes, the socks,” Little said. “My lucky outfit color was blue. I think this made me ritualistic – I am particular in sitting in front of the white boards as close as possible in class.”

In the summer between her junior and senior years at Northbrook High School in Houston, she studied electronics at a physics camp at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

“That’s where I really fell in love with electronics,” Little said. “Everything was super cool and I got to use the equipment.”

The trip spurred thoughts about attending a four-year university, but she chose not to go due to affordability. Her parents suggested TSTC – Little’s mother had studied computer science and met her best friend while in Waco, and her father noticed there were programs that interested their daughter. Little eventually settled on Avionics Technology.

Little graduated in 2014 from Northbrook, where she was on the Bandoleras dance team, in the theater group and in the Math League. She took two years of physics, which she said helped her in her technical college studies.

Little said she applied to TSTC before seeing the campus and quickly adjusted to her classes in electrical principles, avionics electronics system installation and contemporary mathematics. She also learned she had a knack for determining wiring lengths for aviation radio components.

“I took all Advanced Placement classes in high school, so I was used to information being thrown at me all the time,” Little said. “I was hoping for hands-on work and I was pleasantly surprised.”

Little said she had no regrets switching plans to attend a two-year technical college.

“I see my friends on social media pages working late,” she said. “I’m glad my workload was not as stressful. I liked receiving individual attention from instructors.”

After graduation, Little wants to work on a startup business idea for what she called a “repair station” for airlines. More than half of Texas’ estimated 1,630 avionics technicians in Texas work in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and Houston-Sugar Land-The Woodlands areas, according to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2015.

Graduates from TSTC’s Fort Bend County, North Texas and Williamson County campuses will also receive certificates and associate degrees at the Waco graduation ceremony at the convention center at 1100 Washington Ave.

Waco Company Looking to TSTC for HVAC Graduates

(WACO) – The staff at Capstone Mechanical on Imperial Drive in Waco does not have to look far to find heating, ventilation and air conditioning workers.

Most of Capstone’s 27-member service department are Texas State Technical College graduates. Capstone specializes in plumbing, piping, commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning work. The company’s service area extends about 100 miles from Waco.

“Having a technical college close to us provides us the ability to work closely with the various programs to help develop graduates that will have the skills to be productive in our industry,” said Jimmy Webster, Capstone’s human resources manager. “This not only helps Capstone, but our industry as a whole.”

The HVAC service technicians’ roles are to install new equipment, conduct preventive maintenance and handle on-demand calls. They work in most weather conditions, but lightning and strong wind typically prevent workers from being on roofs. Teamwork and communication are emphasized. The technicians keep up with their work assignments, invoices, equipment orders and other tasks on iPads.

“A lot of people don’t realize how sophisticated our field is,” said David Lynch, 41, of Valley Mills and a Capstone service technician who graduated with an associate degree in HVAC in 2015.

The technicians are seeing heating and air conditioning systems being connected more to Wi-Fi.

“We are still constantly learning,” said senior service technician Edgar Marquez, 38. “You are never going to know everything.”

Marquez graduated with an associate degree in HVAC in 2011. He began work at Capstone Mechanical as a part-time employee while in college and was hired full-time at graduation.

“I am more seasoned,” Marquez said. “I have seen a little bit more. We push them all to be the same as they gain work experience.”

Hiley Briggs, 34, of Waco and a 2000 graduate of Riesel High School, started work at Capstone two years ago as an apprentice and graduated with an associate degree in HVAC from TSTC in spring 2016.

He said he feels work satisfaction fixing air handlers, condensers and other equipment to make people comfortable in overheated surroundings. A lot of the work involves high-voltage live circuits, so safety is priority.

The TSTC alumni entered the HVAC field in various ways.

Lynch had friends who did HVAC work.

“I’ve always done some kind of repair work,” the 1993 Robinson High School graduate said. “I can’t sit in an office. I had to do something to be outside.”

Marquez watched his stepfather work in refrigeration.

“You will always need air conditioning in Texas,” he said.

Stevan Panici, 20, a May HVAC associate degree graduate from Waco and a 2014 graduate of Connally High School, had finances on his mind when he chose to study the field.

“It is a good choice, and you are always busy in Texas,” he said. “I figured it would be good money.”

Panici said students interested in working in HVAC need to experience what work days are like.

“Get to know someone in the field,” he said. “They can tell you honestly how it is.”

The alumni were familiar with TSTC, having all grown up in the area.

“TSTC caters more to hands-on education,” Marquez said. “You do something different every day. You aren’t in the same place over and over.”

TSTC has about 70 students studying in the fall semester for the certificate and associate degree in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology.

Capstone began business in 2005 and has more than 160 employees.

For more information on Capstone Mechanical, go to capstonemechanical.com.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

Student Success Profile – Caitlin Sanchez

(HARLINGEN) – Caitlin Sanchez from Harlingen is a student at Texas State Technical College. She is currently completing her General Academic Core and plans on pursuing an associate degree in Education and Training beginning Fall 2017.

The 18-year-old has been able to maintain a 3.7 grade-point average while serving her community through TSTC’s Service Squad and being an active volunteer with Student Government Association.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating from TSTC I plan on transferring to the University of Texas at San Antonio to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

What’s your dream job?

I haven’t decided on a dream job yet. I either want to teach math and eventually work my way up to a professor or dean of a college or university. Or, I can take my love of math into the banking industry.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment has been making my parents proud. I’ve always worked hard to do right by them and keep my grades up.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I have learned to always stay humble and not lose sight of who I am, where I come from and where I’m trying to go.

Who at TSTC has most influenced your success?

The person at TSTC who has influenced my success is my algebra instructor Amanda Tamez. She is the most dedicated person I know. She makes me believe I can really do what she does (teaching) one day.