Meet Mara: TSTC Fort Bend Success Coach

By Naissa Lopez

(Fort Bend County) – What started as a job as an English tutor turned into a career that makes a difference in the lives of students for Texas State Technical College Success Coach Mara Hartsell.

“I started working as an English tutor in the TSTC Marshall library in 2011,” she reminisces. “I taught remedial English courses as an adjunct and went on to a full-time position as a success coach in Marshall. Not too long after, I was transferred to the Fort Bend campus.”

While a job as a success coach entails many different responsibilities, the Shreveport, Louisiana native clarifies that one thing is always for certain; she will make sure that a student’s future is as bright as possible.

“I practice holistic advising techniques and work with students at all stages of their academic careers,” she said. “Essentially, I help them strategize and plan in a way that keeps their educational goals at the forefront, and help them graduate with the award they need.”

Hartsell’s humble beginnings have helped her leave an even greater impact on the students she advises.

“I was a first-generation student who struggled through college while working full-time. Today, I still recall select individuals who encouraged me and told me to keep going. Without their support, I’m not sure if I would have reached the finish line myself,” she stated. “I try to fill this role as best I can with students experiencing hardship, and it’s a great feeling when they take the time to let me know I’ve succeeded in pushing them forward. The best moments are those when a student from a past semester visits you and thanks you for the impact that you had on him or her.”

A college education may seem like a difficult journey for students who struggle financially, but Hartsell emphasizes that money should not be what deters someone from enrolling.

“A lot of people today are concerned about the financial debt they might incur if they enroll in college, and they’re also worried about the job prospects they’ll realistically have after they make that sacrifice,” she said. “TSTC students shouldn’t be preoccupied with either of these things given our extremely competitive tuition rate and high job placement statistics.”

As Hartsell points out, affordability is what sets TSTC apart from other institutions of higher learning.

“I always brag that this school puts the interest of students first, because once they graduate, they’ll still be able to maintain their financial independence. They’ll also have a team well-rooted in the industry advocating for them. You won’t find TSTC alumni complaining that they’re shackled by debt or unable to find a job.”

Hartsell not only enjoys her role at TSTC, but she is also grateful for the people she has met along the way.

“Collaboration, determination and friendship have defined my time here,” she said. “TSTC has given me many opportunities to practice new skill sets, and it has introduced me to a number of great people who are not only my colleagues, but also my friends.”

Students interested in an advisement session with Mara Hartsell may reach her at mara.hartsell@tstc.edu.

Registration for the Fall semester is currently underway. Deadline for registration is August 22 and classes begin on August 29. Apply online or register at www.tstc.edu.

TSTC Employee Highlight: Romana Medina

Romana Medina may have been raised in a small Texas town, but this student recruiter is helping Texas State Technical College students in Fort Bend County achieve their big city dreams.

Being a student recruiter requires a lot of communication with students who need assistance in deciding what it is they want to study. Medina says that this one-on-one communication makes a great difference in a student’s academic career.

“When I’m speaking with a student, I always try to find their interests,” said the El Campo resident. “I give them as much information as I can about the programs and I constantly remind them that where there’s a will, there’s a way. You can always do something that you set your mind to do.”

Medina says that the payoff for what her career entails is always worth the effort and time put into each student.

“I always see students coming in more and more, and students enjoy being heard and listened to. There are even some students that come in on a daily basis. That’s what makes everything worth it.”

Medina’s admirable work ethic stems from her watching her parents work just as hard for her while she was growing up, and she is eager to continue working just as hard for not only her career, but her higher education, as well.

“My parents were always working to provide everything I needed to go to college. I want to get my bachelor’s in Bilingual Education very soon. I have a strong background in my Hispanic culture, so why not put it to work and help other students and families be just as successful, too?”

Her personal experience with TSTC goes beyond her employment, and she looks forward to what her career with the college will bring.

“I have two brothers who graduated from here, so I’ve seen student success firsthand. They are doing very well and love their new careers as business owners,” she said.

“Working and being a part of this brand new campus is so much fun. I plan on staying with TSTC as long as I can. There are so many great support systems out there, and one thing I can say about TSTC is that you will find more than a support system here; you will find a family.”

The new TSTC campus in Fort Bend County is on track to open for classes beginning August 29.

Fall registration is currently underway. To register or apply, visit http://www.tstc.edu/campuses/fort_bend/.

TSTC Alumna Cooking Up Sweet Delights at Baylor

(WACO) – The challenge was broad, but Reannon Ruark was ready for it.

Ruark led 16 people in April to build what was heralded as the World’s Largest Cookie Mosaic measuring 1,681 square feet at Baylor University. The work involved baking 43,000 cookies in three days and using them to create bear paws and a large “BU” in five hours. The event was originally planned for outdoors, but due to the weather, the feat was moved indoors to the university’s Bill Daniel Student Center.

“You have to have a high tolerance for last-minute changes and an attention to detail,” said Ruark, 34, of Waco.

She mastered her culinary skills at Texas State Technical College in Waco, where she received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts in 2012. Ruark said her first days as a culinary student were intimidating, but she was blessed to have Chef Gayle Van Sant as an instructor in the Food Preparation I class.

“Reannon is an example of the kind of student we want to produce,” said Van Sant. “I like to see where our students fly and land.”

Ruark went to work after graduation for Aramark, which has a catering and food service contract with Baylor. She is based at Baylor’s East Village Bakery and involved in the production of pies, cakes, scratch-made glazed donuts, cinnamon rolls, gourmet cupcakes, cannoli and specialty treats.

“What I love about my job is when people appreciate the products,” she said.

Another aspect of Ruark’s work is catering campus events, such as Homecoming, Welcome Week and other activities. Planning for these events can start at least a month ahead of time.

“I put my hands in a lot of the custom stuff,” Ruark said. “I also do a lot of the management.”

Kyle McElroy, food service director of Penland Crossroads dining hall at Baylor, said Ruark has worked hard to define her culinary role at the university. She typically goes from planning the logistics of food demands during summer during two-a-day practices for the Baylor Bears football team to continuing the effort of producing scratch-baked goods for a majority of the university’s dining locations.

“There is an industry shortage of qualified culinarians in general,” McElroy said. “To have a local access to students of the caliber the TSTC Culinary Arts program produces, we would be lost without them.”

Ruark was raised in Keller, Texas, and graduated in 2000 from Coppell High School in Coppell, Texas. She learned how to cook from her mother, Lavona Daily, a co-partner in the Cajun Corner restaurant in North Richland Hills in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“I grew up in a very matriarchal family,” Ruark said. “It was my mother, my grandmother and both great grandmothers. We never ate fast food. We made actual marinara sauce with vegetables. Hot food is my passion, but I’m good at pastry.”

Culinary Arts is Ruark’s third career. She has previously been a medical assistant in invasive cardiology and a 401K business administrator in Waco. She learned about TSTC while helping a friend research colleges.

“I just decided I was done with the paperwork and wanted to do something I like,” she said. “I made it a commitment to read and do homework. I decided as a grown woman I was going to do things right.”

TSTC Voucher Plants Seed for Marshall High Alumnus

(MARSHALL) – Jeremy Ledbetter’s college education actually began when he was a fourth-grade student at J.H. Moore Elementary School in Marshall.

Ledbetter and his class made a field trip to Texas State Technical College in Marshall. While on campus, the young students visited classrooms and saw learning labs for computers and heavy equipment.

“It had been my first time on a college campus, actually,” Ledbetter, 18, said. “I got there and I was getting interested in what they were showing us, probably because it was new and I had not seen it before. I had always been interested in the computer side of things, even when I was little.”

During their visit, Ledbetter and his classmates each were given something that would prove valuable years later — a $500 voucher to attend TSTC in Marshall. His parents put his voucher in a safe box at their house in Jefferson.

Ledbetter recently redeemed the voucher and will now study Cyber Security starting later this month.

The voucher idea originated with Randall Wooten, former president of TSTC in Marshall and now vice chancellor at TSTC in Fort Bend County. He said at the time he wanted to put the ideas into area fourth- and fifth-grade students’ minds that attending TSTC would make differences in their lives.

He was pleased to hear that Ledbetter and two other students attending for fall semester had turned in vouchers.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Wooten said. “Someone plants a tree or a garden and once the harvest or the fruits of labor start coming in, it gives you a sense of satisfaction. This is a new crop of TSTC students and I’m glad it made a difference.”

Ledbetter, a 2016 graduate of Marshall High School, grew up using Apple products.

“I like figuring out the different parts of computers,” he said. “I know how they work and I have been looking into building my own computer but have not been able to get the parts yet.”

He is the person his family and friends go to when they have computer questions.

“It’s nice to know I can actually help them,” he said.

He had an interest growing up of being an animator, but cyber security also lured as a potential career.

“Cyber security just always sounded interesting to me,” Ledbetter said. “I like the idea of making security-type systems for computers.”

Ledbetter is still formulating a plan for when he graduates from TSTC.

“A bachelor’s degree would be nice – just a good four-year degree is always helpful on the resume,” he said. “But at this point, I am just more concerned with graduating from TSTC and getting a good job, and then I can go back after that.”

Registration continues for fall semester. Classes begin at TSTC in Marshall on Monday, Aug. 29.

TSTC Joins Area School Districts for Early College High School Initiatives

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College in Waco will continue to partner with two area school districts and a public independent charter school this fall as part of early college high schools.

“Since the students are part of an early college high school, there is no charge to the student,” said Sheryl Kattner-Allen, a manager in Dual Enrollment Operations at TSTC. “The school districts pick up all the costs. TSTC benefits students by helping them to complete their degrees and get placed in the workforce.”

Texas has more than 150 early college high schools, according to the Texas Education Agency.

The TEA has given approval for the La Vega Independent School District to have an early college high school for the second year at La Vega High School. This partnership also includes McLennan Community College. La Vega students who apply for the program can choose which associate degree track to pursue at either of the colleges.

“We are really blessed at La Vega ISD in where we are and have access to colleges and opportunities for our students,” said Elicia Krumnow, director of the early college high school at La Vega ISD. “The relationship with TSTC goes back a while through our Career and Technology Education programs.”

The La Vega Early College High School had 50 freshmen who this academic year will be sophomores. For the upcoming academic year, it accepted 69 incoming freshmen.

“There is an application process and we have populations that we target based on the standards given by the state,” said Krumnow. “Our district is a Title I district and some of our students are economically disadvantaged. We also target students that are underrepresented at the college level. Black males are underrepresented along with minority students – minority females in particular. We also target students that are English-language learners or first-generation college goers.”

TSTC will start its third year with the Connally Independent School District for Connally Career Tech Early College High School for students to earn associate degrees and high school diplomas concurrently.

Connally Career Tech focuses on TSTC’s technical careers for its students, said Principal Hermann Pereira. This year’s early college high school will begin with 120 Connally students, five teachers, one counselor and one principal.

“We are recruiting students who have a passion for career and technology fields,” Pereira said.

TSTC has its longest early college high school partnership with Rapoport Academy in Waco. Students take the Texas Success Initiative assessment between eighth and ninth grades and begin taking college-level courses at TSTC or MCC. This year, Rapoport Academy will have 160 high school students taking college-level classes at TSTC and MCC, Superintendent Alexis Neumann said.

Neumann credited TSTC with being an innovator in forging early college high school connections.

“The students get what they need and what they are interested in,” Neumann said.

For additional information on Texas’ early college high schools, go to tea.texas.gov/curriculum/echs/.

TSTC Helps Alumnus Build Successful Career, Business

(Fort Bend County) – Ben’s Chuck Wagon is a popular catering company in Wallis, Texas where you can find the owner, Ben Pustejovsky, putting the skills he learned at Texas State Technical College to good use.

The Wallis native graduated from the TSTC campus in Waco in 2002 with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Upon completing, he attended the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant management. However, because Pustejovsky was already working in the field, he decided to pursue his career instead and use the skills he learned at TSTC to open his own business.

“My ultimate dream was to open a restaurant,” said Pustejovsky. “But because I was already cooking, selling barbeque and catering parties and meetings, I was building a strong, loyal clientele for a catering business, so I pursued that instead.”

Ben’s Chuck Wagon has been in business for 12 years and staffs approximately 20 employees. Pustejovsky and his team cater for parties, meetings and conferences ranging from 50 all the way up to 3,500 people. They serve southern comfort food such as chicken fried steak and barbeque with all the sides and fixings, in addition to holiday menus they save for November and December. They also customize menus based on their clients’ wants and needs. TSTC in Fort Bend County is, of course, on his list of customers.

“TSTC really changed my life for the better. They gave me the start at building a successful career,” said Pustejovsky. “They really gave me the foundation I needed.”

The 35-year-old said his time at TSTC really gave him the confidence he needed to continue pursuing a career he has had an interest in since the age of seven. As a young child he cooked with his grandparents following family recipes and perfecting them with practice and patience.

“Cooking at a young age and having that support is definitely something I cherish,” said Pustejovsky. “I took everything I learned from my grandparents and applied it in school and in my business. In fact, a lot of what I prepare and cook today comes from family recipes.”

Pustejovsky added that TSTC was like a family to him. He said a four-year university was never in his path; he knew it was not for him.

“At TSTC you’re definitely not just another number,” said Pustejovsky. “All of the instructors know you by name and are always ready to help. I got all of the hands-on training that is necessary to be successful. I don’t think I would have received that at a university.”

Pustejovsky said he looks forward to his future and the future of his business. He hopes to expand his catering business around the Houston area and to open an additional location.

“I can only go up from here,” said Pustejovsky. “I’m keeping my restaurant dream alive. With the right partner there’s no telling what we could accomplish.”

Certificates and associate degrees in Culinary Arts are offered at four of the 10 TSTC campuses: Waco, Harlingen, Williamson County and Abilene.

Registration is currently in progress for the Fall 2016 semester. You can apply or register anytime online at tstc.edu.

TSTC Holds Big Opportunity for Local Woman

(Fort Bend County) – Sugar Land native Marigold Sagrado finds herself back home as one of Texas State Technical College’s student recruitment representatives after a seven-year stint in California.

The 28-year-old moved to California immediately after high school with only $200 in her pocket to attend California State University in San Bernardino. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2012, but found that her true passion was student affairs.

“My time in California during and after college was spent working in housing, residential life and student affairs,” said Sagrado. “I found this to be my way of helping students, like myself, who come to school alone and with nothing.”

Sagrado gained experience in student affairs at the University of Southern California, San Diego State University and at her alma mater.

Nearly three years ago, an illness in the family pulled Sagrado back to Texas. Within that time she took odd jobs, but finding something in higher education proved to be a challenge. It was not until an Internet job search brought up TSTC’s open positions for the new Fort Bend County campus.

“I knew I wanted a career in higher education, it’s what I love,” said Sagrado. “So I immediately jumped on every job opportunity that was in my realm of expertise and passion.”

Fortunately Sagrado is now part of the TSTC family and loving every moment. She hit the ground running as a recruitment representative in February 2016 and has not looked back.

“I can only go up from here,” she said. “It’s a brand-new campus and I know there will be a lot of room for me to grow and enhance my leadership.”

As a student recruitment representative, Sagrado is active in Fort Bend County and the surrounding communities speaking to high school students about the benefits of a technical education. She said she hopes to help students of all ages realize their dream of a college degree that will lead to a successful career.

“I hope I can turn students’ lives around with my guidance,” said Sagrado. “I know I have succeeded in my job when I begin to see my students graduate. The greatest feeling in the world is when they come back and tell me how I’ve impacted their lives and those of their families.”

Sagrado wants current and incoming TSTC students to stay encouraged, no matter how challenging college and life get. She said she never wants to hear her students say “I can’t.”

“Like people say, where there is a will, there is a way,” said Sagrado. “This career path helps me connect with people. I’m empathetic to those who want to better themselves and they are the reason behind my love for the job.”

In her spare time, Sagrado enjoys practicing photography, traveling, spending time outdoors and hanging out with her family.

Sagrado can be found at Lamar High School or TSTC’s Enrollment Center in Rosenberg. TSTC’s Fort Bend campus is set to open in August 2016. Registration is in progress. To register or apply anytime, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Development Officer Receives Prestigious Recognition

(Harlingen) – Harlingen native Amy Lynch has been part of the Texas State Technical College family since 2012, and just recently has been named a 2016 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipient.

The award given out by Chancellor Mike Reeser, is given to faculty and staff for their service to their college, communities and their state.

Lynch is TSTC’s development officer and was recognized for her dedication to the college at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards Dinner and Celebration in Austin. She said it was a memorable time and something she will never forget.

“I was honored to receive this award. There are so many other deserving people,” said Lynch. “I’m grateful that someone thought enough of me to nominate me. To that person – thank you.”

The Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipient said it was a privilege to be recognized by the organization, TSTC’s chancellor and her peers, but what made her experience really special was the chancellor asking the recipient’s guest to present the award.

“My husband presented me with my medal. I get emotional just thinking about it,” said Lynch. “He said some pretty great things and told me I deserved this and he was proud. It was really touching.”

Lynch brings with her extensive experience in higher education public relations and marketing. Prior to TSTC she served as the Assistant News Director for News and Information at The University of Texas at Brownsville. And prior to that she was a reporter for the Valley Morning Star covering the education beat.

Now as a development officer, Lynch has the opportunity to use her skills to collect resources that help the college give students a first-class technical education and helps students attend college and achieve a degree.

“My job is to keep an open relationship with our donors so they know our needs,” said Lynch. I work with industry, corporation, business and organization leaders to raise funds for things such as scholarships and lab equipment. These are the things that help us graduate more students into successful careers.”

The Vice President of Development Pete Rowe said it is the passion that Lynch displays daily that makes her deserving of the Chancellor’s Excellence Award.

“She has such a passion to work for her students, the college, its faculty and staff,” said Rowe. “She gets things done, is a pleasure to work with, and I know she has a great future ahead.”

Currently, Lynch is working to earn a master’s degree in Strategic Communications from Purdue University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communications from The University of Texas Pan American. Lynch said she hopes graduate school and her work experience will help her push toward her goal of becoming part of an administration team someday.

“TSTC is an advocate for their employees and they try to make you as successful as you can possibly be. Everyone is willing to work for the greater cause and for me it makes all the difference,” said Lynch. “I’m going to continue learning and developing. I love playing a part in graduating more students.”

For more information on donating visit tstc.edu or call The TSTC Foundation at 956-364-4500.

TSTC CDL Course Acquires Numerous Partnerships

(Harlingen) – Texas State Technical College’s continuing education Commercial Driver License (CDL) course is approaching its second year, and has acquired partnerships with companies that are hiring the program graduates.

Coordinator of Special Projects for the Transportation Training Center Adan Treviño said gaining nearly 15 partnerships has been a huge advantage for the program and its students.

“This opportunity opens doors not only for the students being hired, but for our future students as well,” said Treviño. “I keep communication open with our companies to maintain the relationship and make sure our students continue meeting the industry’s demand for truck drivers.”

TSTC’s CDL hiring partners include – UPS Inc., FedEx, Celadon, Labatt Food Service, HEB, Valley Trucking, Home Depot Inc., Coca-Cola, Hygeia, Petro Chem Transport Inc., Heyl Truck Lines, Werner Enterprises, Paschall Truck Lines (PTL), Swift Transportation, Con-Way Freight and 7UP.

PTL Regional Student Development Manager Mike Rojas has hired TSTC CDL students in the past and is looking for new recruits.

“We hire people straight out of school,” said Rojas. “We want to give them the opportunity to get the experience they need. I used to be in their shoes, and I know how hard it can be, but TSTC is doing a good job at preparing them for the field.”

With students having the opportunity to get hired immediately, and laws continually changing, revisions have also been made to the program to continue to meet industry needs so students are more employable and readily trained for the workforce.

All program lessons are tailored to the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) exams that students must pass before receiving their truck driver’s license. Those taking the course will have access to practice tests, study materials and training videos, in addition to hands-on experience.

“We need to make sure our students are well educated in all areas,” said Treviño. “Our goal is have our students pass and create a successful career.”

Students enrolled in the CDL course can now also expect to graduate with endorsements, meaning they can become certified to handle hazardous materials, and in doubles and triples, which means they can pull multiple trailers.

Additionally, the CDL program has acquired a tanker trailer, making it the only CDL course in the Rio Grande Valley to have one, and a dry van trailer. Both trucks came from the TSTC campuses in Sweetwater and Abilene. In total, the program has three trailers in use for students’ training during the four-week course.

Many of the students who enroll in the TSTC commercial driving course are learning the skill for the first time. During this course they learn everything from theory to road rules.

The tuition for the classes is $4,500 and covers everything from books to supplies. Students coming in from the Workforce Solutions in Cameron County and Willacy County, and from the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) receive tuition assistance. There is also a grant available for veterans.

“One thing that differentiates us from everyone else is that our students can choose where they want to work,” said Treviño. “We just give them the options.”

For more information on TSTC’s commercial driving class call Treviño at 956-364-4503.

TSTC Instructor Earns Recognition for His Work

(Harlingen) – David Campos has dedicated 15 years of his career to Texas State Technical College and was recently honored with a 2016 Chancellor’s Award at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards Dinner and Celebration.

The award given out by Chancellor Mike Reeser, is given to faculty and staff for their service to their college, communities and their state.

“I’m the type of guy who does the job because it has to get done and I enjoy it. I never look for a pat on the back or recognition,” said Campos. “So winning this award was an honor and I appreciate people taking notice in my work.”

Campos is Department Chair and Instructor for the Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics program. He began his journey at TSTC as a student in the same program. He earned his associate degree in 1989.

“Architecture and design is something I’ve always been interested in pursuing,” said Campos. “I studied it in high school, so finding a program at TSTC with experienced and knowledgeable faculty was a dream come true.”

Immediately after graduating with his associate degree Campos said faculty within his program helped him land a job in Waco in the aerospace industry. During his 12 years in North Texas, Campos also opened his own architectural business designing and constructing custom homes and commercial buildings.

“My business was short-lived;, it was opened for about six years, because when the opportunity to return to the RGV became available my wife and I jumped at the chance,” said Campos. “TSTC was offering me a position. Not only was this a new stage in my career, but also a chance to move closer to family.”

Taking the job offer at TSTC proved to be a good move for Campos. He said teaching and helping students grow has been rewarding.

“It’s really nice when students graduate and their parents thank you. Then the students come back once they’re working and they thank you also,” said Campos. “It makes me feel like I’m actually making a difference in someone’s life and in the community.”

It is also the very reason that Campos is earned the Chancellor’s Award according to Engineering Division Director Dan Bodnar.

“He is truly a person who deserves this award for all of his hard work and dedication to his program, his students and the college,” said Bodnar. “He brings to this program and his students real-world experiences through many community projects which enrich the students’ knowledge and help in the development of the community the students live.”

Campos hopes to grow and develop professionally with TSTC and that his leadership will continue to help the program expand.

“I’m going to continue working hard and doing my job,” said Campos. “I pray that our program continues to change lives and leads to successful careers.”

For more information on Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics call 956-364-4694. Registration for Fall 2016 is in progress. To apply or register visit tstc.edu.

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