TSTC Gives Graduate Hope of a Better Life

At 14 years-old Carolina Martinez came to the United States for the opportunity to continue her education. As an immigrant, she spent many years facing homelessness and poverty.

Now, a decade later, her “American dream” of a college degree is coming true.

The Veracruz native will be graduating from Texas State Technical College tonight with an associate degree in Surgical Technology. She is the first in her family to graduate from college – a feat accomplished in the face of great hardship.

“I was so scared to leave my home in Veracruz,” said Martinez. “But at that time it was my only hope to continue school. At 14 in Veracruz I had to start paying for school and we couldn’t afford it. So it was either move or drop out and work.”

Martinez’s mom was already working in the United States sending money home to her daughter and her son, who were living with their grandmother. Martinez said her dad was never in the picture.

“I moved in with my mom, my stepdad and my half siblings when I got to the U.S.,” said Martinez. “School was challenging, I was in an ESL class for two years and my teacher began pushing me to do more.”

That teacher at Port Isabel High School was Eric Hanstead. He encouraged and pushed her to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL) academic contests.

“I never thought I could do any of it,” said Martinez. “But he taught me that ‘Where there is a will, there is a way,’ and that has carried me through my hardest days.”

She graduated from high school in 2011 but, because of financial reasons, college was not in the picture for Martinez. She had no choice, but to work to help support her brother and grandmother who had stayed in Mexico.

“We didn’t have money for college,” said Martinez. “In fact, my mom said there was no point in me going to college, so she wouldn’t help me apply for financial aid.”

During this time, Martinez’s stepfather was deported, her half siblings were sent to live in Mexico with him, and after several months, Martinez’s mom decided to leave the states to join the rest of her family. This left Martinez alone without a place to call home.

“I was living in a messed up trailer home, it was broken,” said Martinez. “My life was broken, but the one good thing that came out of everything is that my mom helped me apply for financial aid before she left.”

Soon after Martinez started college at TSTC, she was kicked out of her trailer and found herself homeless.

For nearly a year, Martinez stayed wherever she was welcomed. She was in and out of friends’ homes.

It was not until her Surgical Technology Program Director Robert Sanchez and her Instructor Anna San Pedro led her to TSTC housing, that she finally had a steady roof over her head.

“I’m glad I had saved my income tax return, because that’s what I used to move into the dorms,” said Martinez. The program was stressful, my living situation was stressful, but I can say that I made it. I’m graduating.”

Martinez is graduating with a 3.5 grade-point average and now working at Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance (DHR) as a surgical technology intern. She will find out if she passed her national exam at the end of the month, which will determine if she will be hired full-time at DHR.

“Carolina has really persevered; she did whatever she could to succeed,” said Sanchez. “I’m very proud of her and everything she has accomplished. I admire her determination and I know that if she continues to work hard and embrace the profession she will do excellent and have a better quality of life.”

Martinez said her experiences and the hands-on training she received at TSTC has prepared her for a career that will change her life forever.

“It’s been hard doing all of this on my own. I won’t have family at graduation either,” said Martinez. “But TSTC and my instructors have changed my life for the better. I can’t wait to work full-time doing what I love, helping my family back in Veracruz and finally being able to afford a place I can officially call my home.”

Martinez is one of 358 students graduating from TSTC with either a certificate or associate’s degree tonight at the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium.

TSTC Student Starts New Career Before Graduating

For 15 years a typical day for Jesus Botello Jr. consisted of working in fields along the East Coast with a harvest crew who gathered blueberries, but the father of three wanted a new career close to his family.

Botello has now gone from harvest field to field technician, making his dream a reality. On August 19, he will be one of 11 students graduating from Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County. He will be receiving a certificate in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Botello’s family owns the farming and harvesting business he worked for in the past, but he said when he left to pursue his own interests, he got nothing but support from his family, wife and children.

“My family really encouraged me to go back to school,” said Botello. “I was tired of being away from my wife and kids for long periods of time, so everyone knew I needed the change and I needed to come home.”

The Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning graduate is already working in the field with Comfort Custom Air out of Rosenberg. Botello was offered the position as a HVAC technician three weeks before completing his program.

“TSTC has changed my life,” said Botello. “I’m able to be with my family now and I have a new career that I love. I feel like I’m in the right place.”

The Needville native’s first experience with Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning was when he began his classes at TSTC in August 2015. He said although he had never worked in the industry, it was always something that peaked his interest.

“I’ve always been interested in how these systems work, their design and technicalities,” said Botello. “Plus, everyone in Texas needs central air and heating.”

Botello said he credits his current success on the hands-on training and education he received at TSTC. He described his college experience as the perfect fit for him.

“Coming back to school and being the oldest in the class was not easy,” said Botello. “But the learning approach with hands-on techniques is what I needed to be successful.”

Heather Hogan, owner of Comfort Custom Air said they have been impressed with Botello’s skills and desire to learn. She said she has heard nothing but praises from her other HVAC technicians.

“I’ve been hearing that he is a quick learner and will have no problem being out on his own very soon,” said Hogan. “Part of this is what first attracted us to hire Jesus. He’s doesn’t mind working hard and he’s determined to learn all he can about the industry. He’s been the most prepared recent graduate we have hired, and a lot of it has to do with the training he received at TSTC.”

Botello said he has high hopes for his future. He said he has really admired and looked up to his instructor Keith Klix for his experience and positivity in every situation.

“Mr. Klix has really been so helpful and I hope to be like him someday,” said Botello. “It’s because of him and the training I received that I’m able to dream about owning an HVAC business someday.”

At the end of the day, Botello said he hopes he can excel enough in his field to someday teach at TSTC.

All Fort Bend graduates will be the last to graduate from the TSTC location at Wharton County Junior College. Commencement will be August 19 in Waco at the Waco Convention Center at 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning program at TSTC call 832-595-8734. The new TSTC campus in Fort Bend County will open August 29.

TSTC Gives Magnolia Graduate a Bright Future

With a couple of job offers in hand, Macay Bahner will walk the commencement stage on August 19 and receive his certificate from Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County.

The Magnolia native studied Diesel Equipment Technology, a field that was new to him when he started at TSTC one year ago.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school,” said Bahner. “All I knew was I needed to work with my hands, a four-year university and learning from books was not for me.”

The 19 year-old said he researched technical colleges in his area after graduating from Magnolia West High School. Bahner added that when he found TSTC and saw the Diesel Equipment Technology program it caught his attention.

“After looking into the program and seeing first-hand what it consisted of, I knew it was the career I should follow,” said Bahner. “I get to learn, see and do something different every day.”

Bahner said he never imagined he would have job offers before graduating from college, especially with countless graduates around the country struggling to find work.

“Many of my classmates and I are either working or deciding which job offer to take,” said Bahner. “Finding a job is not something I had to worry about.”

While Bahner is still deciding where he will work, he also seriously considering going back to TSTC for his associate degree to become more competitive in his field.

“I hope to open a business someday dealing with diesel mechanics,” said Bahner. “TSTC and my instructor Gary Voelkel really prepared me for that.”

The diesel mechanic graduate appreciates the dedication and commitment Voelkel has for his students.

“He was always there to keep us on the straight path,” said Bahner. “He was always there to help us and make sure we understood everything. His goal is to make sure we succeed.”

Overall, Bahner said he enjoyed his college experience and the hands-on training he received at TSTC. So much so, that Bahner has begun recommending the college to high school graduates in his hometown.

“I hope others take advantage of what TSTC in Fort Bend County has to offer,” said Bahner. “This college changes lives, I know it’s changed mine.”

Bahner is one of the 11 graduates receiving certificates or associate degrees during TSTC’s commencement ceremony on August 19 at the Waco Convention Center at 6:30 p.m. They are the last class to graduate from the TSTC location at Wharton County Junior College.

For more information on the Diesel Technology program call 832-595-8734. The new TSTC campus in Fort Bend County will open August 29 in time for the first day of class.

TSTC Students Gain Work Experience in China

(MARSHALL) – Two Software Development Technology students at Texas State Technical College in Marshall graduate Friday having gained international work experience at SEVEN Networks.

Dustin Morgan, 22, and Sophia Glazova,19, both of Jefferson, spent part of July at SEVEN Networks’ facility in Hangzhou, China. The two visited for mobile software development meetings while based at the company’s Marshall location.

Phyllis Hollingshead, an instructor in the Software Development Technology program at TSTC, said Morgan had a keen ability to work well with other students and Glazova wrote clear and concise software coding.

“The two are very exemplary students,” Hollingshead said. “They are above average and it has been a pleasure to have them in class. They absorb everything so quickly and take off with it. I was excited that they got to go to China. They are the first students I have had to go overseas for internship work.”

Morgan has done an internship at SEVEN Networks since November and Glazova joined the company for an internship in December. The students have since been hired full time at the company.

“They are both very sharp and enthusiastic about their jobs and anxious to learn,” said Ross Bott, president and chief executive officer of SEVEN Networks. “We are happy with their performance and looking forward to them continuing to be part of the Seven engineering team.”

SEVEN distributes its engineering between Marshall and Hangzhou, which have a 13-hour time difference. Work is accomplished through conference calls, email, instant messaging, the company’s internal website and occasional engineering visits between the sites. According to its website, the company develops innovative software solutions that deliver device-centric mobile traffic management and analytics for wireless carriers.

“I like to solve the problems that come up,” Morgan said. “It’s never boring.”

While in China, Morgan and Glazova took some time off to sightsee. Among the locations they visited were the West Lake Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, and Leifeng Pagoda, the oldest bronze pagoda in China.

“It was my first time being in China,” Glazova said. “It was quite interesting.”

The students also observed Chinese people in their daily lives.

“The ones at SEVEN were pretty curious,” Morgan said. “A lot of the Chinese we ran across did not speak English. They try to communicate with gestures. Most of the signs are in English, but the people don’t regularly speak it. Usually they want to take pictures with you.”

Bott said SEVEN is fortunate to have TSTC in Marshall as a neighbor.

“We will continue to look for the best and brightest students at TSTC to bring on as interns and later as full-time employees,” Bott said. “It’s a chance for someone to learn a lot about mobile software while working with a global engineering team.”

Morgan and Glazova will graduate with 54 other TSTC students at 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 19, at the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel at Wiley College in Marshall. Morgan is a 2012 graduate of Iowa Park High School in Iowa Park and Glazova graduated in 2014 from Jefferson High School in Jefferson.

The two are preparing to start the fall semester at Louisiana State University in Shreveport to study computer science and software development. The students will continue to work at SEVEN after graduation.

TSTC in Marshall offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Software Development, with classes focusing on programming design and logic, scripting languages and software coding and testing.

Registration continues for the fall semester. More information is available at tstc.edu.

Hendrick Health System Donates to TSTC Digital Media Design Program

(ABILENE) – Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene is bringing the dream of a college education a little bit closer for students of the Digital Media Design program at Texas State Technical College.

Hendrick has donated $2,500 to TSTC’s Make a Texas-Sized Difference Campaign, helping to offer the Texan Success Scholarship to new students in the program. The funds allow TSTC to give students $500 scholarships to be used toward equipment they will need in the program. The TSTC Foundation matches donated funds for this campaign, so the Digital Media Design department will have $5,000 in scholarships to award.

Christina Hollis, division director of Computer Information Systems and Design at TSTC, said the scholarships will help students get a head start.

“Not all students have the funds to purchase a laptop at the beginning of our program,” Hollis said. “These funds will help those students hit the ground running the first day of class with the technology they need to be successful.”

A longstanding partnership, TSTC’s Digital Media Design and Culinary Arts departments helped with Hendrick’s annual Cancer Survivorship Program event, the Survivorship Culinary Showdown.

“The Digital Media students created the event’s intro video,” Hollis said. “We also created the postcard sent for the event and the program, did photography and hosted a live feed of the event.”

Norm Archibald, vice president of development at the Hendrick Medical Center Foundation, said Hendrick was proud to partner with TSTC and the Digital Media Design department.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with the young talent in our community, and we’re excited to have a hand in helping students reach their educational goals,” Archibald said.

TSTC is registering through Aug. 22 for the fall semester. Visit www.tstc.edu for more information.

Mount Pleasant Student Uses Tools to Earn Degree at TSTC

(WACO) – Juan Buitron will have good thoughts in his mind as he walks across the stage at Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2016 Commencement on Friday.

Buitron, 21, of Mount Pleasant said he will miss playing pool and racquetball at TSTC’s Murray Watson Jr. Student Recreation Center. He will also think about playing on his guitar and jamming with friends.

Buitron is among more than 500 graduates from TSTC’s Waco, Fort Bend County, North Texas and Williamson County campuses who will graduate on Friday in Waco. He will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology – Off-Highway Specialization.

Buitron represents the first generation in his family to graduate from college. He has three siblings – one who has graduated from college and two in the military.

“Whenever we get together as a family, we talk about our parents and appreciate what they do – working hard and wanting us to have a better future,” he said. “Whatever you work for will make you successful.”

Buitron said he learned along the way about taking care of oneself.

“Have yourself a small, basic tool kit,” he said. “Get ready to study. Sleep early and wake up early and get to class. Eat right and healthy. Have that ambition to learn something.”

His favorite class was Power Train II, which teaches students how to inspect and repair drive shifts and clutches. He credited Diesel Equipment Technology program faculty members Julian Alfred, John Goebel and Kent Kahler with graciously giving their knowledge to him.

Kahler said Buitron asked good questions and was punctual – qualities that make it a joy to teach students like him and see the opportunities they have in their career fields.

“It makes your job more fulfilling when you have students like him; they just need some guidance,” Kahler said.

Buitron is currently job searching in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

He was born in Stephenville and moved with his family to Mount Pleasant when he was 4.

“There are a lot of country roads,” he said. “It’s fun living there. You can go mud riding, hunting, you name it.”

When he was young, he would watch his father work on trucks. During these times, Buitron learned about screwdrivers, hacksaws and pliers. He started assembling his first tool box when he was 15.

Buitron is a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School, where he was a kicker and outside linebacker on the football team.

He first heard about TSTC from one of his sisters. Buitron visited the campus before enrolling, and while visiting other technical programs, kept thinking that Diesel Equipment Technology was what he wanted to study. He liked the hands-on work and even improved his tool box through his classes.

“I didn’t want to go to a four-year college,” he said. “I like school, but I wanted to get a two-year degree.”

Buitron used financial aid and worked at a Waco retail store as a loss-prevention specialist.

“We closed at 10 p.m. on Fridays and on Saturdays at 11 p.m,” he said. “All my classes were Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 in the afternoon. At that time, I would do homework and study and go to work.”

He wants to go back to college and study architecture, a subject he studied for two years in high school.

“I want to learn to make ideas into my own houses,” he said.

Longview Native Begins New Career at TSTC

(MARSHALL) – Aaron Perry is glad to be back home in East Texas.

Perry, 22, of Longview, began a new career earlier this month as a student recruitment representative at Texas State Technical College in Marshall.

Perry recently graduated from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas and said he missed family, friends and Longview High School football games while he was away.

“We are so excited for Aaron to be part of the student recruitment here in Marshall,” said TSTC Recruitment Coordinator III Patty Lopez. “Although he has been with TSTC for two weeks, he has seamlessly transitioned into his role as a recruiter and I am sure that he will do great things once school is back in session. He is a true go-getter and we are lucky to have him.”

Perry took part in the technical college’s recent Registration Rally and is working with prospective students to give tours and aid in the registration process.

“We are working right now and trying to contact all the counselors that are in our region and set up dates where we could come and present to classes and attend a college fair or set up a booth,” Perry said.

He likes the technical college’s mix of students who have recently graduated from high school and those who have worked and are going back to earn a certificate or associate degree. He said the older students can mentor the younger ones in their fields of study.

“It feels awesome because I have been in the students’ shoes,” he said. “It feels great being able to help the students and guide them.”

And, he is eager to talk to prospective students about the cost effectiveness and affordability of a two-year technical education. According to the Brookings Institution and U.S. Department of Education data, TSTC has one of the highest degree values among two-year colleges in the nation.

Perry is a 2012 graduate of Longview High School, where he played baseball.

He graduated in May 2016 from the University of the Ozarks, where he played baseball, was a student ambassador and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

“I don’t think it’s too different from marketing,” he said. “We are trying to sell the school to the student.”

He heard about the TSTC job through Ashley Moore, a former TSTC in Marshall recruiter who is now attending graduate school at Syracuse University to study sports broadcasting.

“At Longview High School the sports people stuck together,” Moore said. “I played basketball and he played baseball. I thought he would be a good fit for TSTC job. He’s talkative and outgoing.”

Registration continues for fall semester. For more information, log on to tstc.edu.

Decking the Halls at Sunny Glen Children’s Home

Christmas came early this year for the children of Sunny Glen Children’s Home in San Benito. The Veteran Students Alliance Club, Skills USA and the Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Club from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen helped them celebrate Christmas in July for the second year.

Veterans Program Officer Jose Villegas spoke of the importance of a holiday celebration for children at Sunny Glen.

“Christmas in July is important because it lets kids know that Santa is not only thinking of them around Christmas time, but also throughout the year.”

Members of the club distributed various gifts that were donated by TSTC students and members of the community, and provided pizza and beverages for the jolly festivities.

TSTC Student Recruitment Representative Melissa Zamora stated that being involved in activities such as this helps build the leaders of tomorrow.

“We are building leaders by the exposure and experience that comes with participation in events like these. Our students can build relationships, gain real-world experience and create customer service confidence that will directly lead to their intrinsic and extrinsic success. TSTC has proven time and time again that our services are meant to ‘hold hands’ with our state and members of our community,” she said.

Sergeant of Arms for the Veterans Students Alliance Club Rene Rodriguez described the most memorable moment for him throughout the day.

“When I broke the ice with the children and staff, that was special. I asked the kids to say their names one by one and asked them what their favorite things to do are. They all had a blast standing in front of their peers and discussing everything,” he said. “It’s important for organizations to have events like Christmas in July because it gives back to the community, and especially to children.”

Sunny Glen Community Relations Coordinator Sandra Rodriguez expressed gratitude towards the students who put this together.

“We at Sunny Glen feel so blessed to have had the members of these clubs put together such a wonderful event,” said Rodriguez. “It brought happiness to our children before the holidays.”

The Veteran Students Alliance Club collects toys year round for this summer event. Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can call the Veterans Center at 956-364-4386.

The Veterans Center helps transition military veterans and family members into civilian life as a student.

Any veterans interested in registering for Fall 2016 can apply now at http://www.tstc.edu/. Deadline to register is August 22.

Student Success Profile – Estephanie Dorado

(HARLINGEN) Estephanie Dorado is currently attending Texas State Technical College pursuing an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. The Harlingen native has an impressive 3.5 grade-point average and is expected to graduate Spring 2018.

Dorado said she first discovered her love for teaching in elementary; she was intrigued. It then peaked in high school when she took her first course in Education. She said she believes teachers have the power to make a difference in a child’s life, and she is excited to begin her career, doing just that.

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation I plan to do what I love: teach. I hope to get my bachelor’s degree in Education from The University of Texas at San Antonio. No matter what happens, I know that I will learn new things each and every day.

What is your dream job? My dream job is to teach. I really want to make a positive difference in the lives of my prospective students. I believe that as teachers, our responsibility is to mold and shape the minds of our students, and greatly impact their lives. Even if I only impact the life of one student, I’ll know that all the hard work I have done is worth it.

What has been our greatest accomplishment while at TSTC? My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC is being on the dean’s list. I have spent countless hours doing homework, studying and attending tutoring to make sure I succeeded in my courses. I’ve done what is necessary to get where I need and want to be. I worked really hard to achieve this, and in the end, my hard work paid off.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life? The greatest lesson I have learned is that it takes a lot of self-determination and dedication to achieve a goal. I have learned that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to as long as I believe in myself and take action.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success? The person who has most influenced my success is Teresa Cuellar, an adjunct instructor in the Education and Training program. She has been an excellent role model in my life and has inspired me to be the best teacher I can be in and out of the classroom.

What is your advice for future TSTC students? I want to advise future TSTC students to make their education a priority and to manage their time accordingly. I also encourage them to communicate with their professors and take advantage of the great resources the campus offers to help them succeed.

TSTC Director Gets Honored for Her Leadership

(HARLINGEN) Adele Clinton started her career with Texas State Technical College nearly nine years ago. She is known around campus for her work and dedication to students as the Executive Director for Student Life, and now as one of the 2016 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipients.

Clinton was recently presented her award at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards Dinner and Celebration in Austin. She said this was an extra special day for her because she got to experience it with her husband and two children.

“Not only did my family get to join me, but my husband had the opportunity to present me with my award,” said Clinton. “I think it’s really important that our sons and daughters see working mothers doing really well, not just as a mom, but also at work.”

This award was a great honor for Clinton especially because her peers were the ones who nominated her.

“To know that I was recognized for my work, at a job I love, by colleagues that are like family, it’s a great feeling,” said Clinton. “I’m honored to now be a part of an elite group who have received this award.”

Clinton’s experience in student life dates back to her time at South Texas College, where she also earned the Jaguar Excellence Award for her efforts and commitment. She first became interested in student life while attending The University of Texas Pan American where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sociology.

“Working with student affairs personnel as a student leader was so much fun for me,” said Clinton. “It was easy and made sense. I know how much it affected my life and my college experience, and how much I learned outside of the classroom, that I knew I wanted to do this for others.”

Clinton’s supervisor and Vice President of Student Development Sarah Patterson said students’ lives, and those of her staff, have definitely been touched by Adele’s work.

“Adele is one of the most dedicated and service-oriented employees I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with at TSTC. Her work ethic, enthusiasm, leadership and attitude is contagious which makes her team and all of Student Development want to be associated with the great momentum for student leadership and civic duty she has implemented statewide for our students,” said Patterson. “Adele’s strong desire to serve our students selflessly reflects in her daily actions.”

Clinton said that in student development she and her staff aim to give students the best college experience possible.

“We’re very student-centered,” said Clinton. “We all have one goal and that’s to help develop the best possible students. That’s what’s so rewarding about this job, we get to see students really grow into leaders and broaden their horizons.”

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