EWCHEC Hosts College Preview and Open House

(HUTTO) – Myles Wright, 18, a senior at Hutto High School,has his mind on social sciences for a career possibility when he graduates in the spring.

But his mind opened up Thursday morning after seeing college students working in electrical and plumbing and pipefitting labs. Wright was among more than 400 students and counselors from high schools in central Texas who attended the College Preview and Open House hosted by Texas State Technical College, Temple College and Texas A&M University Central Texas at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center on Innovation Boulevard.

“I was surprised at the machinery that is here,” Wright said. “It’s hands-on and being a hands-on learner, I enjoyed seeing that.”

“We want our visitors to learn about the unique partnership we have,” said Edgar Padilla, provost of TSTC in Williamson County “We want them to learn about programs and services here and the opportunities that are here.”

The high schools were divided into four groups that rotated between laboratory tours and information sessions on admissions and financial aid. Information tables were set up for Career Services and Student Life.. Culinary Arts students from TSTC grilled hot dogs for students and made pasta, chicken and green beans for counselors.

Barbara Spelman, principal at New Hope High School in Leander, brought eight students to the event. She said students need to know their options when choosing careers, specifically those in critical-need areas like science and technology.

“I want them to be exposed to as many post-secondary options as possible,” Spelman said. “I think it is super important for our students to understand what types of programs are available at Texas State Technical College.”

Alex Patlan, a counselor at Hutto High School, said a college-going culture is emphasized as early as ninth grade with parental involvement and dual enrollment courses. Counselors regularly promote completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and the online ApplyTexas form.

“I hope they are motivated to come up with a plan for their postsecondary work,” Patlan said. “We want them to have a good future.”

Asomo Ramadan, 18, a senior at Hutto High School, said he lives five minutes away from EWCHEC but was not familiar with what was inside the building. He said he was pleasantly surprised at the preview event.

“I want to study business management,” Ramadan said. “I want to go for the two years here and then transfer. I want to be close to home after high school.”

Phoibe Usabimana, a freshman at Eastside Memorial High School in Austin, said she was familiar with TSTC in Waco and enjoyed seeing what EWCHEC had to offer. She said TSTC had a good engineering program which said could help her prepare for the biotechnology field.

TSTC in Williamson County offers certificates and associate degrees in Computer Technical Support, Culinary Arts, Cyber Security, Database Administration Programming, Global Communications System Installer, HVAC Technician, Industrial Electrical Systems, Industrial Maintenance, Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology, Precision Manufacturing Technology and Welding Technology.

Registration is ongoing for Summer and Fall semesters at TSTC. Log on to apply.tstc.edu and tstc.edu/admissions for more information.

Future TSTC Students to Decorate Sweetwater HS Ceiling Tiles

(Sweetwater)- Sweetwater High School students who have been accepted to TSTC will decorate ceiling tiles in the name of their future college Friday at 9:30 a.m. TSTC will provide paint, pennants and other materials the students can use in decorating their tiles. A recruiting representative and TSTC in West Texas Provost Eliska Smith will be present at the gathering.

This will be the first year that students attending TSTC will decorate tiles. Provost Smith said she wanted to help the students take part in the high school’s long-time tradition, partially, to send a message.

“Their choice of attending Texas State Technical College should be just as celebrated as any other college choice,” said Smith. “We may be the ‘hometown college,’ but students should proudly celebrate the fact that they will be getting a great college education for jobs that are highly technical and in-demand. Their choice will lead them to great-paying careers, and with far less debt, creating a stronger foundation for their future.”

TSTC hopes to bring more opportunities to the Sweetwater area.

“With our dual credit partnership with Sweetwater High School and their upcoming expansion of career and technical education facilities pending approval of the bond, we look forward to having more and more students from SISD entering TSTC career programs having already earned college credit,” added Smith.

TSTC’s newly enrolled students will pursue degrees in Automotive Technology, Nursing, Welding and Emergency Medical Services.
WHAT: Sweetwater High School seniors decorating ceiling tiles in the name of TSTC, where they have been accepted for the fall semester.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 15, 2016

WHERE: Sweetwater High School, near the picnic tables (weather permitting). Please check into the office for more information (ask for counselor’s office).

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TSTC Holds Annual Spring Team Challenge Cook-off

(SWEETWATER) – Texas State Technical College held their annual Spring Team Challenge Cook-off Tuesday, bringing together faculty, staff and students aspiring to show off their grilling talents during a fun-filled day of camaraderie.

Competing teams were challenged to come up with dishes based on chicken, steak, potatoes, beans and a mystery item. This year’s mystery items were squash and zucchini. There was also an award for “best camp,” given to the teams who put the most effort into creating a theme for their cooking area.

Team “Los Chivos” was the Overall Champion, bringing home second place awards in steak, chicken, beans, mystery item and the best camp categories.

“Brown Chicken Brown Cow” out of Abilene took second Overall Champion, with first place in chicken and best camp, second place in potatoes, and third in steak and mystery item.

“Brown Sugar” took home third Overall Champion, and first place awards in steak and mystery item.

Veronica Maldonado, an Electromechanical Technology student, was part of the Los Chivos team.

“I wanted to compete in the cook-off because it seemed like a really fun idea, and I also love grilling,” Maldonado said. “The best part for me was that, of the Sweetwater campus, I was the only female student in the competition. I wish we would have more events like this; more friendly competitions.”

Justin Price, department chair of Computer-Aided Drafting & Design, competed for the first time this year. Price was part of the Brown Chicken Brown Cow team, along with the Computer Networking & Systems Administration department chair, and students from both programs.

“I thought it was a good opportunity,” Price said. “It was a fun time to get out and interact with the students and faculty outside of the classroom. It went good for our team; we had fun and I enjoyed it.”

TSTC’s Team Challenge Cook-Off has been held every year in the fall and spring since 2012.

TSTC Hosts RGV Space Summit

(HARLINGEN) – The RGV Space Summit was recently hosted at Texas State Technical College to introduce the Harlingen Aerotropolis project and inform students of the educational opportunities the project will bring to skilled graduates from Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs.

“We have a gold mine with Harlingen Aerotropolis,” said Frank Espinoza, manager of community affairs for American Electric Power Texas, during his summit speech. “Events like this show that we, as a group, see full potential in this project and are ready to cater to the aerospace industry.”

Harlingen Aerotropolis is a 450-acre AEP quality site that was created to increase the number of project-ready industrial sites. The Aerotropolis will be home to four development districts: aeronautical, light industry, business complex and general retail, all centered around the Valley International Airport.

“This is going to transform our region,” said Espinoza. “But a young, trainable workforce is critical to the aerotropolis’ success.”

Marv Esterly, director of aviation for Valley International Airport, said the overall goal of the summit was to speak to students about the importance of pursuing STEM careers.

“Many of the programs at TSTC, from welding to mechatronics and engineering, have a place in the aerospace industry,” said Esterly. “Today we need to show TSTC students what possibilities there are and how they can take advantage of these high-tech, high-paying jobs coming to our area soon.”

United Launch Alliance, NASA and Agile Aero led informational sessions for high school and TSTC students enrolled in STEM programs. Each session was 40 minutes long and highlighted each company’s profile, introduced students to instruments and equipment they will be using in the field and explained the importance of STEM skills to the aerospace industry.

“Today’s event is opening a lot of opportunities for us,” said Genesis Martinez, TSTC Aviation Maintenance Technology student. “This is really helping me decide what I want to do after TSTC. It’s giving me more insight into companies and what to expect in the field.”

Beyond the classroom, TSTC students in the Architectural Design and Engineering Graphic program are working closely with the Harlingen Aerotropolis project drawing, rendering and completing 3D images of the testing facilities and buildings that will one day make up the aerotropolis.

“These students have not disappointed. Every task we give them, they complete successfully,” said Esterly. “We’ll be able to use their 3D models to market to the companies we want to attract to Harlingen Aerotropolis. We’re excited about our future and our close relationship with TSTC.”

The students working on the aerotropolis project will be traveling to NASA to tour actual testing facilities to help with their designs for the Harlingen Aerotropolis.

“Our faculty and staff are the heartbeat of TSTC,” said TSTC Provost Dr. Stella Garcia. “Our students are prepared for the workforce because of projects like this and when they graduate they get high-paying jobs.”

For more information on any of the technology programs listed, please visit tstc.edu. Registration for Summer 2016 and Fall 2016 is now in progress.

Student Success Profile

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College student Ashley Salinas,, is studying Business Management Technology. Salinas expects to graduate with her associate degree in May 2017.

The 20- year-old Los Fresnos native first became interested in her chosen career path when she took a job as a student worker at the TSTC Career Services Department.

AshleySalinasStudentProfile

“Working there was my first time working in an office environment,” said Salinas. “I really like it, plus I’m good at it. So, I decided to make it a career.”

In her free time, Salinas enjoys photography and graphic design.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating from TSTC, I plan on transferring to UTRGV so I can pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to work in a friendly office environment in which I can utilize my business management skills.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment at TSTC so far is knowing that by the end of this semester I will finish all of my Academic Core classes with TSTC.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The great lesson I have learned is that failure is the key to success. Failing shows that you have at least tried. It gives me the opportunity to fix my mistakes and keep trying until I achieve success.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success?

The TSTC person who has most influenced my success is Viviana Espinosa, interim director for Career Services. She is my confidant, I can talk to her about anything and she always has great advice. She has shared her career path with me and has taken the time to teach me everything I know about business management. She truly believes in me and believes I can succeed.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want future TSTC students to know that it is important to understand the significance of perseverance. No matter how hard a class is, or how difficult anything in general can be, it is important to try your best and never give up.

TSTC Steering Committee Kicks Off Scholarship Campaign

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College supporters have partnered with the TSTC Foundation in a statewide campaign called “Make a Texas-Sized Difference,” encouraging TSTC alumni and supporters to donate to the Texan Success Scholarship.

Steering committee members are: Frank Espinoza, committee chair, TSTC Foundation Board member and AEP manager of Community Affairs; community and business leaders including Ruthie Ewers, Ricky Leal, Debe Wright and Board of Regent Linda McKenna; TSTC alumni Edna Posada and Lucia Regalado; and TSTC retirees Dr. J. Gilbert Leal, Al Guillen, Mike Buck and Charlie Perez. TSTC Provost Dr. Stella Garcia; and South Texas Director for the TSTC Foundation Amy Lynch are also on the committee.

“We have come together as business people, TSTC alumni and members of this community because we believe in TSTC and in our students,” said Espinoza. “It’s our responsibility to make sure this generation of students succeeds at education.”

Garcia said the committee is working on strategies to ensure the Harlingen campus is successful during this new scholarship campaign. The committee is reaching out to prospective donors and identifying events where individuals such as TSTC retirees and TSTC alumni can come together and re-engage with the college.

“The committee is raising TSTC brand awareness and helping us create a culture of giving beyond the annual Noche de Gala fundraiser held in December,” said Garcia. “We still intend to hold the gala, but this scholarship campaign keeps the dialogue going with local and regional community and business leaders to ensure that our students are top of mind of current and prospective donors.”

This scholarship is “non-need based” $1,000 award for new, full-time students to provide cost assistance for the first two consecutive semesters of enrollment at TSTC.

To be considered for the scholarship a student must be nominated as an excellent candidate for one of TSTC’s technical programs by a high school academic or career counselor, a TSTC recruiter or TSTC faculty member.

Students are then evaluated and can be awarded if they are eligible for high school graduation, have a minimum of a 2.0 grade-point average, completed the conditional admission status for TSTC and demonstrated the potential to succeed in their desired technical program.

“We have such a need in the Rio Grande Valley and United States for an educated workforce trained in technical trades and TSTC graduates students perfectly ready for a job,” said Ewers. “I know that some students are unable to afford this type of education. That’s why I’m working hard to collect money, so we can send these young people to TSTC for an education like none other.”

TSTC offers more than 60 technical programs statewide. Harlingen offers approximately 40 programs with awards that include Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Science degrees, technical Certificates of Completion and workforce certificates. Additionally, TSTC in Harlingen offers an Academic Core with transferable credits to all four-year universities in Texas, and provides opportunities for immediate employment.

To make a donation to the Make a Texas-Sized Difference Campaign, learn more about TSTC or giving opportunities to the college, go online at http://www.tstc.edu/tstcfoundation/annualscholarship/ or call 254-867-3900.

TSTC Secretary Finds Opportunity to Guide Others

(FORT BEND) – Damacia “Dee” Maldonado from Wharton retired from the only profession she had ever known to pursue an education and a new career. She now finds herself at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County, where she has been the Department Secretary since August 2015.

Before coming to TSTC, Maldonado worked for grocery retailer Kroger. She worked every department and held positions including assistant manager. After 22 years with the company, she made the decision to retire in 2012.

“I had three kids and one baby at home, so 60 to70-hour weeks were no longer feasible,” said Maldonado.

Immediately after retirement, Maldonado found herself enrolling at Wharton County Junior College to pursue an associate degree in Psychology.

“I’m a firm believer in junior and technical colleges, especially going back after two decades, I was intimidated,” said Maldonado. “But I don’t think there’s any age that’s too old to go back to school.”

Unfortunately, only two semesters away from graduating, Maldonado found herself in a single- mother role, solely living off of her retirement. So in the spring of 2015, she had to make the difficult decision of putting her education on hold.

“It’s my faith that has really guided me in how I should live life and handle situations,” said Maldonado. “I really prayed for this job at TSTC and for the opportunity to go back to college. My prayers were answered.”

Now in her second semester, the single-mother is a full-time student at the College of Biblical Studies in Houston studying counseling in hopes of helping others through faith-based counseling.

As for her position at TSTC, Maldonado is glad it still allows her to work in an educational setting as a guide for students.

“With a lot of these students there’s a lot of fear of the unknown and uncertainty about making big career decisions,” said Maldonado. “My position has allowed me to build relationships with these students and really learn TSTC’s mission and foundation so I can guide these students in the right direction.”

In addition to being able to do what she loves, Maldonado said TSTC gives her the opportunity of being a mom and a volunteer. In her free time, she volunteers with a children’s ministry and a life pathway program for adolescents. She also works closely with women struggling with divorce, addiction and sobriety.

Ultimately, Maldonado said she hopes there will be counseling opportunities with TSTC in the near future because she wants to be a part of TSTC’s new chapter in Fort Bend County.

“TSTC is moving in the right direction with its new campus and it’s going to be a big help for our community,” said Maldonado. “We’re definitely going to leave footprints.”

TSTC’s new campus in Fort Bend County opens August 2016. Registration for summer and fall 2016 is in progress. For more information call 281-239-1548.

TSTC Arts and Humanities Receives Grant, Hosts Humanities Symposium

(HARLINGEN) – The Education and Humanities Division at Texas State Technical College received a $3,000 Latino Americans: 500 Years of History Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association, which will be used to promote Mexican-American culture during the first week of April (4-7) with a series of events that are open to students, faculty, staff and the public.

TSTC was one of 203 grant recipients from across the country and the only institution of higher learning in South Texas to get the award. TSTC will host a public film screening from the Latino American series, discussion groups, oral history initiatives, local history exhibitions and performances that promote Latino history and culture.

“Latino Americans are the country’s largest minority group, with more than 50 million people, and still many people are unaware of their rich and varied history and culture,” said Sociology and Psychology professor Dr. Richard Kirk. “The awarding of this grant provides TSTC the opportunity to explore this topic in our community.”

For more information on the Latino American screening or accompanying events, call Monica Villarreal at 364-4967 or Richard Kirk at 364-4758.

Calendar of Events:

Monday:

Documentary Screening: The Chicano Collection La Colleccion Chicana by Melissa Richardson Banks 10:10 a.m. – 11:05 p.m. Learning Resource Center Orientation Room

Guest Speaker Lecture on Chicano Civil Rights Music 11:15 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. Learning Resource Center Orientation Room

Tuesday:

Artist’s Forum – Chicano Themes in Writing/Art/Music 9:35 – 11 a.m. Learning Resource Center Orientation Room

Exclusive Screening of Latino Episode 5: Prejudice and Pride 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Representative Irma Rangel Science and Technology Building (W-135)

Wednesday: (Evening Movie is for TSTC students, staff & faculty only)

Manuel Medrano Presentation on Americo Paredes (Two Presentations) 9:05 – 10 a.m. &

10:10 – 11:05 a.m. Representative Irma Rangel Science and Technology Building (W-135A)

Insight Poetry Reading 12 – 1 p.m. Learning Resource Center Orientation Room

Evening Movie: Cesar Chavez 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Learning Resource Center Orientation Room

Thursday:

TSTC Talks – Students/Faculty presentations on Chicano Influences Learning Resource Center Orientation Room

8 – 9:25 a.m. Digital Stories on Religion and Culture

9:35 – 11 a.m. Chicano Leaders

11:10 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. Stencil Workshop

TSTC Trains Gerdau Employees for Potential Advancement

(RED OAK) – It’s important to have a trained, well-versed workforce, and Texas State Technical College in North Texas knows that. That’s why Gerdau Ameristeel in Midlothian sent 13 of their employees to further their training at the campus in Red Oak.

The students are working towards completing an Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Maintenance.

“The Industrial Maintenance curriculum at TSTC is aligned with the knowledge and skills Gerdau requires for an employee who is interested in pursuing a maintenance role at the mill,” said Kaley Infield, a Communications & Public Affairs Specialist at Gerdau.

The program helps provide employees with opportunities to advance within the company.

“The program helps them gain the qualifications necessary to be considered for future maintenance positions at the Midlothian Mill,” Infield said. “Gerdau encourages employees to improve their performance and strives to provide employees with a various career progression opportunities.”

Infield said Gerdau sees the training as an investment.

“The program allows employees to invest in their own development and career growth which enhances employee engagement and develops a pipeline of maintenance talent for future openings,” Infield said.

Scotty Caughron, a lead millwright who has worked at Gerdau for nearly 17 years, said he jumped at the opportunity to participate in the program because this was his best chance to go to college.

“Gerdau is working with our schedules to allow us to go to college,” Caughron said. “Education is power. I actually joined the military to go to college; it just took me 20 years to get here. I have a daughter that’s a freshman and a son in sixth grade. I tell them ‘Always go to school.’ Well, here I have the chance to go to school. If I don’t take it, how can I preach to them, if I’m not going?”

Kevin Liptak, an Industrial Maintenance instructor, said the students have varying degrees of knowledge.

“One of the students is actually their lead electrician, but there’s a couple who are entry-level techs,” Liptak said.

The employees who may have less know-how in the field benefit from having experienced instructors partnered with co-workers who know the company.

“Those with previous knowledge are almost helping teach the class,” Liptak laughed. “Some, like Jeremy Crowder, one of Gerdau’s lead electricians, have taken initiative. After we teach something, he’ll elaborate on the Gerdau-specific processes and parts.”

Crowder, who celebrates 20 years at Gerdau this year, said he helps elaborate because it makes things easier to understand for the other students.

“As good as the instructors are, they don’t know all that we deal with every day at Gerdau,” Crowder said. “I’ve had the benefit of working in all the different areas over 20 years, so I can relate to the others a little differently than a teacher can. And it makes my job easier if they’re better at their jobs, too.”

Manuel Herrera, the youngest of the group at 22, has been at Gerdau for a year and a half. Herrera looks forward to getting his degree.

“I want to keep progressing,” Herrera said. “Hopefully my next step is to be an electrician or millwright, and then continue going to school for a Bachelor’s.”

Caughron said the training gives them a glimpse into the work others do at the plant.

“At Gerdau, you’re either an electrician or a millwright,” Caughron said. “We took an electrical class last semester. It benefitted me, because I’m all mechanical. It helped me to see how to troubleshoot and how they do things versus how we do them.”

Gerdau chose to train their employees at TSTC for their reputation, and so far, are happy with the outcome.

“By having employees attend TSTC, we’re ensuring they are receiving top-notch training,” Infield said. “We value our partnership with TSTC, and we’re proud of our employees who are taking this important next step in securing their future with Gerdau.”

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TSTC Student Discovers the Joy of Welding

(HUTTO) – Mike Angerstein’s career as an infantryman in the U.S. Army took him from Kentucky to Alaska and two deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

But he would not trade the experiences for anything.

Angerstein, 27, of Hutto enjoyed the brotherhood of being involved in the military. And, being in the Army has enabled him to use veterans benefits and transition into becoming a Welding Technology major at Texas State Technical College attending the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto.

“The hardest part is getting the paperwork together for the VA (Veterans Administration) and back to school,” he said. “It’s a lot of leg work but well worth it. Research your potential degree program and career opportunities.”

Brooke Williams, an instructor in the Welding Technology program, said she admired Angerstein’s interest in wanting to learn more about welding.

“The military experience lends itself to the welding industry,” she said. “They are similar in work ethic and leadership. Welding is very independent.”

Angerstein has had a long time fascination with welding.

“It’s one of those fields you can study for 60 years and still not learn everything,” he said.

He discovered TSTC’s Welding Technology program by searching online. Once he began taking classes, he joined the student chapter of the American Welding Society.

He has enjoyed seeing the science of how metals react to each other in his welding classes.

Angerstein has learned about stick welding, a method using a short circuited rod that is melted at one end and creates molten droplets. He has also used a CNC plasma cutting machine for making metal cut outs.

Angerstein’s plans for graduation in December are wide open. He is saving money to work on a certification for non-destructive testing, an analysis method used to determine properties without causing damage.

“I’ll go where the money is,” he said. “Pipeline work would be good.”

The College Preview at TSTC will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 14. For more information go to tstc.edu/openhouse.

Apply today at tstc.edu. Registration for summer and fall semesters begins Monday, April 4.

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