Texas Mutual Insurance Co. awards grant to TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – The Texas Mutual Insurance Co.’s $150,000 grant awarded in late 2020 through The TSTC Foundation to Texas State Technical College means that students can continue to learn technical skills quickly and receive assistance to ease life’s burdens.

The college’s Rapid Industry Skills and Employability (RISE) program will receive $100,000 of the grant. The program began last fall in select technical programs to give an opportunity for people to learn skills in 15 weeks or less so they can enter a new career field.

“Because of the seriousness of the COVID-19 unemployment crisis and the overall economic crisis in Texas, we put into place these RISE awards in about 45 days from concept to delivery,” said Hector Yanez, TSTC’s senior vice president of Student Learning. “Something of this caliber would normally take over a year to develop and put into the market. However, with teamwork and support, we made this happen and are very proud of the accomplishment.”

The money will be used to provide partial tuition, books and supplies that may be needed for students who are interested in pursuing an occupational skills award in the RISE program.

Yanez said there was limited startup for the program, which began last fall, but additional support was needed to continue to help more Texans in need and expand occupational skills awards to more programs.

“TSTC is very fortunate to receive this grant, but most importantly it is the students that will benefit the most,” Yanez said. “The RISE program is truly an opportunity for everyone. Whether you are unemployed, lost your job due to COVID-19, or just looking for an opportunity to upskill your talents, there is an opportunity for all.”

During the spring semester, occupational skills awards will be offered in:

  • Basic Automotive, Basic Industrial Systems and Basic Plumbing: Waco;
  • Basic Industrial Systems: Marshall;
  • Basic Welding – Multiple Processes: Abilene, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas and Waco;
  • Basic Electromechanical Automation: Harlingen;                       
  • Basic Machining: Waco, Fort Bend County and Marshall;
  • Basic Accounting and Bookkeeping, Basic Cybersecurity, Basic Mechanical, Architecture Drafting and Design, and Basic Web Design: Statewide.

The remaining $50,000 of the grant will go to the Helping Hands scholarship.

“A profound number of TSTC students lack the financial resources to keep them afloat while pursuing their education,” said Beth Wooten, chief executive officer of The TSTC Foundation. “Some students will drop out because they have to choose between keeping a roof over their heads or going to school. This grant ensures that there will be emergency funds available to those in dire need.”

The grant is part of $2.875 million awarded statewide by the Austin-based Texas Mutual Insurance Co. to aid workforce development initiatives and help communities during the pandemic.

“We have a deep commitment to building a stronger, safer Texas, and through our partnerships with organizations across the state, we’re able to deliver on that commitment,” said Jeremiah Bentley, vice president of marketing and community affairs at Texas Mutual. “These partnerships help us keep our finger on the pulse when needs arise in our communities.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC ready to welcome back students for spring semester

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is ready to welcome students back to campus for the spring 2021 semester.

Students, faculty and some staff will return to campus on Monday, January 11, on a limited basis and continue to follow TSTC’s coronavirus safety guidelines.

Most courses will be taught with a combination of online classes and in-person labs.

The safety protocols include mandatory face masks while on campus, social distancing, and designated entrance and exit locations.

Provost Cledia Hernandez is eager to welcome students back.

“As the new year gets started, a very common tradition is setting new resolutions,” she said. “TSTC is dedicated to helping students reach their goals. We have dedicated tools and resources that are available to students in order to make these resolutions happen.”

Associate Provost Jean Lashbrook added that 2020 may have changed our attitudes, but students should not be deterred from pursuing their educational goals.

“Last year changed us all,” she said. “It changed some of us more than others, but students should not let that change them in a negative way. Think positive, dream positive, and go after the great things in your life that you want to achieve.”

Hernandez said that there are resources at TSTC to help students through their college journey.

“We will help our students finish strong,”  she said. “Tutoring services, dedicated faculty, and career coaches are ready to refine our students’ skills to get them the job they have been waiting for.”

TSTC is dedicated to helping enhance the Texas workforce by equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in some of the most in-demand careers.

To learn more about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

To read more about TSTC’s coronavirus precautions, visit https://tstc.edu/coronavirus.

 

Mechatronics Technology at TSTC teaches skills needed for growing industry

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Mechatronics Technology program equips students with the essential skills needed to succeed in a career that is expected to grow through 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Mechatronics, whose name derives from combining the words mechanical and electronics, is the study and use of multiple disciplines to help maintain the integrity of products. The program at TSTC utilizes industrial maintenance, robotics technology and process controls to give students a hands-on look at what it takes to thrive in the industry.

Program instructor Juan Alferez said the program teaches students how to fix machinery and equipment, as well as about production processes and communications protocols.

“With the increase in demand for automation and communications, companies are looking for technicians that have the ‘industry 4.0’ skills,” he said. “Every year, the demand for technicians that possess these skills increases.”

Instructor Eldwin Leija added that the hands-on experience only adds to the benefits that the courses can give students.

“We have a solid curriculum, supplemented with industry-relevant equipment,” he said.

He added that the demand for everyday necessities is one of the reasons that mechatronics will remain a stable career choice.

“As long as the world needs gasoline, oil, natural gas, and manufactured goods such as food packaging, clothes, makeup and bottled water, mechatronics technicians will always be in demand.”

While the program itself includes a detailed curriculum, TSTC also helps mechatronics graduates with job placement when they are close to completing the program.

“We keep close communication with industry partners and help students meet with companies,” Alferez said. “In many cases, students have job offers before graduation.”

To learn more about Mechatronics Technology at TSTC, visit https://tstc.edu/programs/MechatronicsTechnology.

 

 

 

TSTC Food Pantry ensures students have needed dietary resources

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is committed to ensuring that students have everything they need to make the most of their education, including food. One of the ways this is done is via the TSTC Food Pantry, which provides students with meal assistance should they ever need it.

TSTC Advocacy and Resource coordinator Patty Flores discussed the logistics of the food pantry, as well as what students should do if they need dietary assistance.

When is the TSTC Food Pantry open?

The Food Pantry is open on Mondays and Tuesdays or by appointment. It is located at the Advocacy and Resource Center in the Student Center, room 132. Many students are facing additional stressors during this pandemic, so we have transitioned our snack pantry to a food pantry for students facing food insecurities.

What is the process for students if they need assistance?

TSTC students can stop by, sign in, and fill two bags with items from the shelves. If it is determined that the student may need additional resources, I can provide them with community resources that offer assistance with food. Students can also apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using one of our computers.

What is the turnaround time for students who need food?

 Students are able to get items usually the same day, based on availability. They can stop by when we are open or schedule an appointment.

Who would students contact if they need help?

Students can contact me at 956-364-4525 or patty.flores@tstc.edu, or stop by the Advocacy and Resource Center.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

 

TSTC Listens to Industry Partners to Make Students Work-Ready

(RED OAK, Texas) – While people pursuing the heating and air conditioning industry need to know how electricity and refrigeration flows work and how a meter functions, interpersonal skills are just as important to have.

Texas State Technical College’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program has a statewide advisory board made of industry professionals to help it keep up with the skills that students need to stay ahead.

“The advisory board told us last month that the industry is still rolling and COVID-19 has not slowed them down at all,” said Lance Lucas, TSTC’s statewide Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program chair. “HVAC technicians are still needed throughout the state.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that there will be 391,900 jobs for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers by 2029. The agency attributes the growth to commercial and residential building construction and the development of climate-control systems.

Texas had more than 26,600 heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers in May 2019 making an annual mean wage of $46,840.

Roy Boyd, service manager at Airmasters Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. in Cleburne, said work ethic and personality play major roles in considering which people to hire. Company employees have to communicate well with customers, dispatchers, technicians and others.

“We are always looking for good help,” Boyd said. “We can bring them in when they are green and build them up to our standards. Or if they come in with the skills, we can hone those in and do it the way we want. We have a high standard of quality.”

Members of the Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association seek employees with basic technical knowledge and installation skills and who have a desire to serve and learn. Integrity and good character are also needed, according to the association.

Devorah Jakubowsky, the TACCA’s executive director, said the organization’s members will look forward in 2021 to touting the importance of indoor air quality, refrigeration and new technologies. She said people will continue being needed to fill jobs as workers retire.

“We have to do a better job of convincing people that HVAC is a good career option,” Jakubowsky said. “You get to work with your hands and not behind a desk. You get to troubleshoot and figure things out. You earn a good living, and you don’t rack up mounds of student debt obtaining a four-year degree.”

Registration continues for the spring semester at TSTC, which starts Jan. 11.  For more information, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC Nursing graduate sets sights on RN degree

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Jesse Mendez is not taking any time off.

After graduating from Texas State Technical College’s Vocational Nursing program this fall, Mendez will begin studying for his Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing (ADN) at the Sweetwater campus next semester.

“My goal is to work in a metro area,” he said of the reason to obtain his nursing degree.

Mendez has always wanted to help others and has a passion for studying human physiology. His sister inspired him to go into the nursing profession.

“The beauty is I have always liked to help people,” he said. “I have always tried to be a Christian, and the best thing about being a Christian is you want to serve others.”

TSTC Nursing instructor Marchelle Taylor said Mendez remained focused during class.

“His dedication and focus has set a perfect example for classmates and future students to follow,” she said. “I look forward to seeing his accomplishments in the nursing field as he moves forward to the ADN program and beyond. He sets his standards high and will be a great addition to the nursing field.”

In nursing, Mendez said his Christian attitude will pay off on a daily basis.

“I know I will have to put others above myself. That is what we have to do to help others,” he said. “I know I have a long way to go because I have only scratched the surface of helping others.”

It took Mendez some time to get started on his nursing path, but he is not looking back.

“I had a few hiccups in my life. I did not like the job I was at and decided to pursue nursing,” he said. “I knew I needed to have a job that was meaningful to me.”

He was led to TSTC because he lived near the Abilene campus and saw it on a daily basis. He also knew the nursing program was only an hour away in Breckenridge.

“One of the guys who took classes at TSTC told me about the program. He said I should give it a shot,” Mendez said. “I took his advice and have not regretted that decision.”

He has been able to experience different areas of hospitals for clinical sessions.

“Working clinicals in the ICU was my favorite part,” he said. “To see doctors and nurses working to save people was inspirational.”

Mendez said he has also seen a change in himself over the past year.

“One of the highlights for me is to see where I was as a person in January to now,” he said. “I have seen how much I have grown not only as a student, but as a person.”

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Graduate Eager to Use Newly Learned Skills

(WACO, Texas) – Joseph Leavelle Jr., of Lorena, is eager to use his love of technology to find just the right job.

He took a step toward that during the recently completed fall semester at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. He was one of three students to complete the Basic Computer Networking and Systems Administration Occupational Skills Award (OSA).

The students learned how to break down the components of networking and identify the function of each layer, then how to connect, configure and program end devices, routers and switches to create a network, said Jim Hogue, lead instructor in TSTC’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration program.

“Subjects that are normally covered in a week were given in a day in the OSA,” Hogue said. “Each lesson builds on the last, so there is actually an acceleration of knowledge as the OSA progresses.”

Leavelle, a graduate of Robinson High School, was able to work part time at a tractor supply business and devote time to his studies. He said he is grateful to his parents, who live less than two miles from him, for letting him use their internet for the online work. He estimates he devoted at least 30 hours a week to the OSA classes.

“Most of the material was pretty new,” Leavelle said. “I have experience working with computers at different jobs, but I have not done computer networking and worked on them, formatted them and worked on networks.”

He said the time spent studying was worth it. He said his favorite lessons involved using the Cisco Packet Tracer, a network simulation tool.

“I am definitely more of a hands-on learner,” Leavelle said. “I would rather see things and how they are supposed to work.”

His next step is looking for a new job.

“I am primarily looking for jobs in the information technology field,” Leavelle said. “It seems like experience is valued more in the field, but the OSA can help me get in the door.”

The OSA is a three-class, fast-paced way to meet employment needs in Texas. The OSA classes are conducted through the Cisco Networking Academy, enabling students to receive a discount to take the Cisco Certified Network Associate test. 

Leavelle said he plans to take the test before May.

Classes take a semester to complete and can motivate students to pursue an associate degree or go into the job market.

Registration continues for the spring semester. For more information, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC Welding Technology alum shares love of welding with students

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor Mark Casares has a passion for welding, and he is grateful that he gets to bring his knowledge into the classroom with each passing semester.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, welding occupations are expected to grow continuously through 2029. TSTC’s Welding Technology program will prepare students for this rising career and teach them skills that will allow them to start the job with confidence on day one.

Why is Welding Technology important?

Welding Technology is important because it provides a body of knowledge to understand the basic principles of producing a quality weld.

What inspired you to become an instructor?

Going through the program myself and seeing the level of success it helped me with early on in my career gave me the inspiration to give back and pass on that knowledge.

What do you think makes the Welding Technology program at TSTC different?

What sets TSTC’s program apart is the fact that students have access to top-of-the-line equipment currently leading the welding industry, as well as well-qualified instructors with real-world experience.

What are some of the careers this program prepares students for?

This program will prepare students for careers such as pipe welding, pipe fitting, and structural welding.

What are a few traits a student should have to be a successful welding technology student?

Successful welding students are diligent and dedicated. They are also hands on, detail oriented, and have great hand-eye coordination.

What do you enjoy most about welding?

The thing I enjoy most about welding is being creative. Imagining a product, then creating it with your hands, gives you a sense of pride.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC Nursing student ready to join front-line workers

(HARLINGEN, Texas) –  Marissa Ledesma chose to attend Texas State Technical College because it is close to home and offered her flexibility. Recently she earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing, and now she is ready to get started as a front-line worker.

Why did you decide to study nursing?

I have always had a passion for helping others in need, and being a nurse means taking care of somebody. I also find the human body to be very interesting, and learning everything about it is just an amazing thing.

Did you face any adversities through your studies?

None that I faced alone. I came into this program while I was three months pregnant. The pandemic also took a toll on everyone attending school. It was definitely a struggle and an accomplishment that we got through it.

Who was your biggest support system during your time in college?

Definitely my family. I had my two older kids while I was in high school, so I think it was expected by many people that I would not be successful. My parents made sure that was not the case. They helped me financially so that I wouldn’t stress with work and school, they watched my kids so that I could study, and they gave me all the support I needed. My brother and sister also helped me out tremendously with my kids. It definitely took a village to reach my goal, and I am grateful for them.

Did you learn anything new about yourself while you were in college?

I learned that I am capable of way more than I ever thought. I attended my classes and kept my grades up while being six months pregnant. I attended appointments while teaching a first-grade and kindergarten student at home. I felt like a supermom.

What advice would you give to somebody who is about to start their first semester in college?

Plan your time out. Make a planner; write down all of your assignments. Manage your time well, and complete your assignments ahead of time. Study hard.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Photo courtesy of Marissa Ledesma. 

 

After 20 years in the workforce, TSTC graduate decides to return to school

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Luis Landeros made the decision to go back to school after 20 years in the workforce. He chose to attend Texas State Technical College because the Mechatronics Technology program offered him what he was looking for in an academic curriculum.

Despite the challenges that came from adjusting to life as a college student, he finished his Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics Technology this December and is ready to jump into a career that he loves.

“Part of me did not believe I could do the college thing,” he said. “Coming from humble beginnings, it was not a feasible opportunity for me. But during my time at TSTC, not only did I meet great instructors, but I also joined several clubs.”

Spending two decades with a regular routine and having to get back into the classroom was something that Landeros learned to adjust to. The addition of the current pandemic did not make the situation easy, but fortunately he had a support system he knew he could count on.

“My cheerleader during my time at TSTC was my wife, Nelda,” he said. “She comes from a family of educators that know the importance of a college education. That is why my wife motivated me to go back to school. She instilled in me its importance.”

His wife offered him guidance on his most frustrating days.

“When I felt like giving up, she was there to push me not to quit,” he said. “If I needed help with a class project, she was there to help and give me ideas on how to complete them.”

Landeros’ mechatronics instructor, Eldwin Leija, saw the dedication that he put into the program.

“Luis was a very dedicated student in all of his classes,” he said. “He was always looking to better himself and is a great example of how all students should persevere when the solutions to problems are not easy to come by.”

Ultimately, Landeros is happy with the decision that he made to go back to school.

“All of this made me realize that with effort and motivation, anything is possible. All you must do is apply yourself to your studies, and everything will be OK.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.