(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A love for baking and creating recipes she learned from cookbooks guided chef Emma Creps to her career as a Culinary Arts instructor at Texas State Technical College. The five years she has spent at TSTC have brought her many unforgettable memories and experiences that she gladly shares with the future culinary artists she is inspired by every day in the classroom.

“My first job was at a bakery in a grocery store,” Creps said. “I remember the first time I was allowed to make the doughnuts and the bread. When I saw the transformation of the dough to a loaf of bread in the oven, I knew right then and there, this is what I wanted to do.”

Her journey to teaching began after she was selected to go to culinary school while enlisted in the Army. At the time, she assumed teaching would only be temporary.

“The more courses I taught, the more I truly started to enjoy training students,” she said. “I love being in the kitchen. No matter how many times I have taught a class that teaches how to julienne an onion, or how to make a stock, I feel excitement for my students because they are learning something new.”

The Culinary Arts program offered at TSTC is one that Creps says prepares students very diligently for their careers.

She credits the instructors in the program for bringing top-notch insight to the classroom.

“Our program has well-trained instructors with a lot of experience,” she said. “Our students get excellent training, whether it is in baking or cooking techniques, food and meat preparation, dining room and customer service, or international and American cuisine.”

One of her TSTC colleagues, chef Ayla Cabarubio, said Creps’ work ethic is something that rubs off on her students.

“Chef Emma leads our team with her relentless work ethic and continuous focus on growing and refining the program,” she said. “In the classroom, she expects students to perform with integrity and professionalism. She not only teaches them the cuisine, or how to cook and bake, she teaches them how to be leaders.”

The lessons that Creps teaches go beyond culinary arts.

“She provides a learning environment where students are challenged to refine not only their culinary skills, but also their professional, interpersonal skills,” Cabarubio said. “In the classroom, she takes on the role of both instructor and mentor to her students. Her leadership helps our team stay on track with our goals, which are providing our students with the best training possible and shaping them to get hired in the industry.”

Becoming a mentor to her students is a responsibility that Creps holds very dear.

“I get a great feeling of accomplishment when I see my students develop their culinary skills and go on to hold jobs in leadership positions,” she said. “As their mentor, it makes me proud that they share with me what they are doing in their careers. They know that the TSTC Culinary Arts program is their support system.”

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Whether to be on the forefront of construction projects or supervising during the making of the next great skyscraper, Building Construction Technology at Texas State Technical College prepares students for careers in the constantly evolving field of construction.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in this field will continue to grow by 11 percent through 2028, much faster than average. TSTC gives students the essential tools they need to head into this occupation with confidence.

“We teach the skills that encompass nearly every aspect of construction included in residential and commercial construction and management,” said lead Building Construction Technology instructor Rick Vargas. “Our curriculum provides a look into the construction industry that will help our students to find a job in a field they love.”

While Building Construction Technology does include construction management, there are also many additional career paths that students will be prepared for.

“After studying at TSTC, a student can become an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector, project manager, estimator, and any type of subcontractor,” Vargas said. “Several of our graduates even opened their own construction companies right after graduation and have been very successful.”

TSTC maintains high standards to ensure that students receive the training that will give them an edge in the job market, which is one aspect that makes studying the program at TSTC different than at any other college.

“Our program prides itself on having the best hands-on curriculum in the Rio Grande Valley,” Vargas said. “We have a multitude of projects going up in different classes that students love doing. It is hard work, but it is definitely a payoff to build something from start to finish throughout their time in our program.”

Statewide department chair Tony Chaffin reiterated that at TSTC, hands-on learning for Building Construction Technology is vital.

“While we do teach the textbook knowledge that all such trade programs teach, 80 percent of our technical classes have four hours per week of hands-on labs,” he said. “Students are able to touch and use the tools, materials and methods that we are teaching them about in the classroom or online. Putting on that tool belt is why our students come to TSTC.”

Building Construction Technology is an area that Vargas said is not slowing down anytime soon.

“Civilization will always need construction workers to build new buildings, repair broken or damaged buildings, or rebuild when natural disasters occur,” he said. “Construction is an essential part of human civilization.”

Chaffin added that the expanding Texas population only means a greater outlook for jobs in the industry.

“Construction is vital to our society and economy,” he said. “Texas’ population is exploding as people and companies are flocking to our state. With growth expected to continue, we are very optimistic about the many rewarding career opportunities out there in construction.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After completing the Surgical Technology program at Texas State Technical College in 2002, Yolanda Ramirez worked as a surgical technologist for seven years. Then, in 2009, she decided to bring her knowledge and refined skills back to TSTC to help educate future generations of surgical technologists.

She discussed her time working in the field, as well as how her experience is now helping students in the classroom.

“I decided to become an instructor because I enjoy teaching,” she said. “I wanted to share my passion for surgical technology with others.”

Ramirez’s skills in the classroom are beneficial for her students, but her work experience is something that allows students to receive genuine insight from someone who has already had a career outside the program.

“I was able to get experience in various specialties,” she said. “I started my career in obstetrics and gynecology, and then transitioned to the main operating room, where I specialized in neuro and cardiothoracic surgery. I believe my operating room experience has helped shape me into a better instructor. I am not only able to teach students about surgical procedures they can find in their books, but I can also share my personal experiences with them.”

Ramirez said that getting to utilize both of her passions, surgical technology and teaching, has made her career that much more meaningful.

“I enjoy being able to get the best of both worlds,” she said. “I still get to go into the operating room and watch my students be part of surgical procedures. Watching my students grow while they are in the program, seeing them learn and absorb all the new skills and techniques, and watching them set up and perform a surgical case with minimal assistance, are all steps I get to see. It is so rewarding to watch them grow throughout the program and become successful surgical technologists in the operating room.”

The joy she receives from her career is evident.

“I love that we are a vital part of the operating room team,” she said. “We are able to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful surgery.”

To learn more about TSTC’s Surgical Technology program, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/SurgicalTechnology.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some enthusiastic Texas State Technical College summer 2020 graduates recently made their way back to campus to celebrate their achievement with a Grad Swag Pickup. They drove up to a designated area to receive a diploma cover, as well as a TSTC-branded face mask and yard sign.

“We are proud of our students and wanted to recognize this accomplishment beyond our virtual graduation,” said Larissa Moreno, a coordinator of new student orientation and activities. “We gifted them with a yard sign that says, ‘I’m a Proud TSTC Grad!’ and a ‘TSTC Strong’ face mask because that is what they are — strong.”

The event exemplified how TSTC cares about its students’ success even after they receive their diplomas or certificates.

“Our students should be proud of their accomplishments,” Moreno said. “For some, graduation was the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. We were there to encourage them and cheer them on.”

Enrollment management senior staff assistant Lisa Garza reiterated that students appreciated the effort from TSTC staff.

“I truly believe our students appreciated that we put the time and effort into making this experience memorable for them,” she said. “I honestly was not sure what the attendance would look like, but I was amazed with the 100-student turnout.”

Moreno said that it was not just students who showed up at the event to celebrate.

“We saw mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and best friends in the cars that came through with their phones ready to capture this moment,” she said. “(Some had) tears in their eyes, excited conversations with our provost about their new jobs, and just genuine appreciation for TSTC.”

Garza echoed the statement.

“It was such a fun and rewarding experience to see graduates come by with their loved ones,” she said. “Families were even recording their graduates receiving their goodies. It was two hours of cheering, laughing, clapping and happy tears.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.