TSTC alumnus puts skills to use at SpaceX

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After serving in the U.S. Army for seven years, Luis Garcia wanted to expand his aviation maintenance knowledge.

Garcia earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in aviation maintenance from Texas State Technical College in 2018. The Brownsville native wanted to remain in the Valley, and Leo Guajardo, an aviation maintenance instructor in Harlingen, saw an opportunity for him.

SpaceX held a job fair in Brownsville, and one of the first calls Guajardo made was to Garcia.

“I told him that he needed to be one of the first people in line,” Guajardo said, adding that he learned of the fair through his contacts at SpaceX.

Garcia said he received the call just one day before the fair.

“He (Guajardo) told me to go for it,” Garcia said of the opportunity.

Calling the interview process overwhelming, Garcia said his time at TSTC prepared him for it.

“If it wasn’t for my instructors and other people at TSTC, I would not have known about the job and what to expect,” Garcia said.

Today, Garcia is a technician for the company that designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.

“It is pretty surreal,” Garcia said of working for SpaceX. “I am amazed at what we do throughout the day. It is fun and exciting to go to work.”

In the Army, Garcia worked in helicopter maintenance. He knew fundamentals, but his time at TSTC helped advance his knowledge of aviation maintenance.

“The instructors are great guys and very knowledgeable,” Garcia said.

Although Garcia graduated from TSTC’s Waco campus, Guajardo said he met him through his students.

“I found it interesting to see how the instructors in Waco teach the program compared to me,” Guajardo said.

One thing the instructors have in common is placing graduates in the workforce.

“When our students graduate, they get picked up all around the country and even the world, if they want to do that,” Guajardo said. “To see his excitement, that is just golden to me.”

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

TSTC Alumnus Designs Career in Central Texas

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Luiz Ramirez of Boerne is motivated by providing for his family and seeing what he has helped create come to life.

Ramirez, a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, is a computer-aided design (CAD) technician at Matkin Hoover Engineering in Boerne. He said his job is fast-paced and involves a majority of work being done at his office, with occasional site visits led by the firm’s engineers.

“The company specializes in many aspects of civil engineering,” he said. “We touch on residential and commercial development, federal work, and we work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with municipal, oil and gas, and transportation projects. I work on several projects at a time.”

Ramirez’s advice for pursuing a degree like his is simple: Go for it.

“The field is in need of CAD technicians and designers,” he said. “Not only is this something you can do as a career, but it is a stepping stone if you want to go into engineering.”

Ramirez grew up in Harlingen and is a graduate of Harlingen High School South. 

“I went to work after graduation,” he said. “I didn’t have much of a plan right out of high school. I started working and ended up having a family. A couple of years after raising a child, I realized I had to go back to school.”

Ramirez enrolled in 2015 at TSTC and began as an engineering major before switching to Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology, in which he earned an associate degree.

“I knew it was something I would enjoy and something easy to excel in,” he said.

Ramirez said Mark Rosas, an instructor in the program, was a mentor who guided him in every step of college.

“I am very happy to see how far Luiz has come, given the short time period he has been in the industry,” Rosas said. “It proves how hard he has worked, and his ability to progress and strive for his goals. Luiz had to overcome many roadblocks throughout his time here with us. However, he was still able to overcome and surpass expectations as he made his way through the program.”

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

TSTC Student Builds on Work Ethic in Welding

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Dakota Smith of Gladewater learned early on the importance of a good work ethic, especially in a welding booth.

“Once I have something to do, that’s all I focus on until it is completed, and I do it to the best of my abilities,” she said.

Smith is scheduled to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology this spring from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. She already has a structural welding certificate from TSTC’s Marshall campus.

“I was the only girl in my Certificate 1 class for welding,” she said. “I went above and beyond in a class of guys.”

Smith said TSTC Welding Technology instructors Rusty Hutcherson, Philip Miller and Patrick Reed, all of whom teach at the Marshall campus, are the best at what they do.

“She was probably the best student I have had, as far as the bookwork  goes, and one of the best welders too,” Miller said. “She once got every online objective — quizzes and tests — done for every class during the first week of classes.”

At first, Smith’s father did not like the idea of her becoming a welder. 

“I loved working outside with my dad growing up, and that (welding) was the one thing he never wanted me to do,” she said. “I am great at it, and he is very proud of me.”

Smith is a graduate of Gladewater High School. After graduation, she started as a nursing major at another college before changing her career path and making the switch to TSTC. 

“I picked TSTC because it is the best of the best in technical schools,” Smith said.

After finishing her associate degree, Smith wants to do welding or underwater welding as a member of the U.S. Navy.

“After being in at least four years, my plan is to go back to TSTC’s Marshall campus and get my structural and pipe welding certificate and work for Eastman Chemical Co. in Longview,” she said.

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

TSTC Program Loans Ventilators to Waco Hospital

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program has loaned ventilators to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest in Waco to use, if needed, during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Terry Whitworth, a program instructor, said the Puritan Bennett 840 ventilators that students use in classes are the same kind used by hospital staff. Whitworth facilitated the loan, having worked at the hospital for several years before coming to TSTC.

The ventilators are being adapted for patient use with preventive maintenance kits, Whitworth said. He said ventilators typically require this after every 10,000 hours of use.

Mark Plough, TSTC’s statewide chair of the Biomedical Equipment Technology department, said this is the first time he remembers the program loaning equipment for medical use.

“It was just natural for us to say, ‘Sure, we are willing to help out,’” he said. “That is what biomedical equipment technicians do. When confronted with a problem, they jump in to solve it.”

Plough said the equipment loan signifies the willingness of TSTC and the hospital to work together for the greater good. He said other TSTC faculty have formerly worked at the Waco hospital, and some of the program’s alumni are employed at the health care provider’s facilities in central Texas.

Students taking Physiological Instruments II during the program’s fourth semester use ventilators, along with other respiratory and anesthesia equipment, as part of their training.  

“It shows the students the type of equipment they will see in a hospital environment,” Whitworth said.

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

Salinas receives TSTC Chancellor’s Excellence Award

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Omar Salinas enjoys his job at Texas State Technical College.

Salinas, the production chef at the Sweetwater campus, received the 2020 Chancellor’s Excellence Award for his outstanding job performance and willingness to lead by example.

“The teammates who win this award model excellence for us all and are recognized for both their sound character and for advancing TSTC’s mission,” said TSTC Chancellor & CEO Mike Reeser. “Due to their caring and dedicated efforts, TSTC continues to make a difference in the employment success of our students.”

Salinas said he was surprised to receive the award.

“All I am really doing is enjoying my job and in a way helping my co-workers or any other TSTC teammate as much as I can,” he said.

“Each year TSTC employees have an opportunity to nominate fellow employees who display our core values on an ongoing and consistent basis. Regardless of their daily demands, these nominees have risen to the top through their dedication to TSTC customers, both internal and external,” said Rick Denbow, provost of TSTC’s West Texas campuses. “With multiple levels of vetting, only a small percentage of those nominated are awarded the Chancellor’s Excellence Award.”

Rick Nelson, supervisor of Food Services in Sweetwater, said Salinas is a “blessing for TSTC.”

“He has the skills to go to work wherever he wants, but he loves TSTC,” Nelson said. “He takes ownership of everything that goes on in the kitchen. He is willing to put in long hours to ensure the work is done correctly.”

After graduating from Menard ISD, Salinas graduated from TSTC’s Culinary Arts program. He has spent the past 12 years working for TSTC and does not see that coming to an end.

“Working for TSTC is a great opportunity. There is much to learn and do. We have many opportunities to grow within TSTC,” he said. “I want to learn more about the business side of running the kitchen.”

Salinas knows the importance of TSTC throughout the state and is happy he has a career helping others.

“TSTC offers hands-on training in many essential jobs that make this great state function,” he said.

Nelson said students appreciate Salinas’ efforts.

“Omar strives to be a good example to students through his words and actions,” Nelson said.

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

TSTC Culinary Arts students meet the challenge of virtual cooking classes

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Culinary Arts students continue to prep and cook on a daily basis.

Only the surroundings have changed over the past few weeks, in response to the calls for social distancing in communities around the state. Instructor Emma Creps said the students are using their own kitchens during lab work.

“We had to come up with a different idea for our labs,” Creps said. “We decided to have them do video labs for us.”

One lab for students focused on making homemade pasta. Creps said students had to show themselves making the dough, rolling it out and making pasta.

Instructor Omar Duran said doing the video class format was challenging at first.

“They realized this is different. Over time, it started to become easier for them,” he said. “I noticed they were becoming more confident with their working skills.”

Duran said he noticed students were talking through the steps of making pasta instead of referring to notes.

“There is definitely a benefit to this. The students are learning to talk in front of a camera,” he said.

One thing students realized during lab sessions was they had to rely on what was in their own kitchen. Duran said a ravioli recipe called for two different types of cheese. However, students were encouraged to explore their options.

“This allows them to be creative when they are at home,” he said.

One drawback to the video lab is that Duran and other instructors do not get to taste the final product. However, a critic is usually close by.

“They usually get a family member to taste it for us. If they have children in the house, they will try it,” he said.

The video sessions do not stop with making dishes. During a recent dining room video session, students had to set a table and pour a glass of wine while their classmates watched online.

“The students were able to interact with each other, which was really good to see,” Creps said.

Students also had to work in virtual pairs to create a PowerPoint presentation on their selected cuisine.

“In addition to the research, students had to do voiceover work for the PowerPoint. They had to figure out ways to work with their partners,” Creps said. “This assignment is not due yet, so I am excited to see how that comes out.”

Instructors are no strangers to online learning. Two years ago, the department began utilizing technology for class lectures and tests.

“We wanted to make sure, especially in the culinary field, that we kept up with technology,” Creps said.

The biggest challenge, according to Creps, was keeping students’ attention.

“Everyone knows that you can lose a student’s interest in the classroom. We had to be creative and find ways to keep that attention,” she said.

For Duran, he likes the video lab sessions but is ready for a return to the kitchen.

“There is nothing better than that face-to-face connection with the students,” he said. “This could be a way for the students to talk through what they are doing more.”

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

Instructor pleased with the first year of its newest program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Computer Programming instructor Shelby Coffman said he is encouraged about the future of this new program.

TSTC introduced the Associate of Applied Science degree program at the Harlingen campus in the fall of 2019 to help meet the needs of the state’s workforce.

“The first year of our program is going great. As far as retention, we have not seen much of a drop-off,” Coffman said of the 25 students enrolled in the class.

Coffman said he will gauge the success of this program in 2021 when the first class graduates and enters their first jobs.

“That is in line with our mission at TSTC,” he said. “We want to get people into the workforce.”

Most of the current students, as well as prospective students, are drawn to the program because they have an interest in computers. Coffman uses job placement as another recruitment tool.

“I ask the students if they would like to work after two years of school or after earning a four-year degree,” he said. “Most would like to get to work.”

Students will learn different programming languages and various technical skills during the five-semester program. Among those are software writing and coding, software design and planning, data storage and retrieval, and database programming.

“The students seem very engaged in the class and labs,” Coffman said.

One of the highlights of the program will happen in 2021. Students will choose a cooperative education class toward the last semester of the program to gain real-world experience with an internship for class credit.

After earning a degree, Coffman said students will be able to assess a company’s needs and tailor its software programs. He said he expects students might find employment in hospitals, education, airline companies and government agencies.

“We want students who get a degree to be ready to work on day one,” he said. “We want them to work in a field that they are interested in.”

Computer Programming Technology is also offered at the Abilene, Brownwood, Marshall and Waco campuses. For more information, go to tstc.edu.

Virtual events keep TSTC students engaged

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students are facing a new challenge with online learning.

Michael LeRoux, coordinator of Retention Services for the West Texas campuses, said the staff wanted students to have a sense of normalcy. Through a brainstorming session with team members, LeRoux said the idea of a daily virtual experience was the way to go.

These experiences include Trivia Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, and discussions about what students face working at home.

“We are talking a lot about time management in what is our new normal,” LeRoux said. “We are doing things online that we did during our leadership luncheons. We had to adjust the approach by doing them online.”

Belinda Palomino, Harlingen’s Student Life and Engagement coordinator for TSTC, said students are wanting something positive to do with their time.

“We are there for the student experience on campus and wanted to keep that going in these times of uncertainty,” she said.

Eight students participated in the first Wellness Wednesday event, LeRoux said. However, as word spreads, he expects the numbers to grow.

There is an incentive for students, LeRoux said. Each student who signs in will have a chance to win prizes and shout-outs in future events.

There is also the chance to be the top campus. LeRoux said each of the 10 TSTC campuses is conducting virtual activities. But Wellness Wednesday is a statewide challenge. With the theme “Commit 2 B Fit,” students will have a chance to win prizes throughout the month.

“All students have to do is log 30 minutes of activity in order for it to count toward the challenge,” he said.

LeRoux and other staff members will send wellness tips and links to workout videos to help keep students active. One of the wellness tips was for students to do school work outside because, as LeRoux said, it can “break up the day.”

The experiences will vary by campus, and Palomino said Harlingen students can expect online hangouts with counselors, receiving positive messages. She said that a virtual movie night is in the works.

“With the different demographics, we are setting up each experience specific to where we are at,” Palomino said.

Fridays have been set aside as a virtual hangout for students just to talk about the week, LeRoux said.

“The students participating so far have really liked the activities,” he said. “We are getting some very positive feedback.”

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

TSTC Employees in Marshall Recognized With Statewide Award

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Three employees at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus have been honored for their work and skills.

Angela Bross, Carol O’Reilly and Josh Stampley have received TSTC’s Chancellor’s Excellence Award.

“Josh is not just a top-notch instructor, but the backbone of Marshall’s SkillsUSA efforts,” said Bart Day, provost of TSTC’s Marshall campus. “Carol does so much of the behind-the-scenes heavy lifting. She possesses an absolute wealth of knowledge and epitomizes our core values every day. Angela’s approachability and genuine nature make such a difference for our students.”

The Chancellor’s Excellence Award began in 2001 and has been given to more than 300 TSTC employees statewide. Recipients are nominated by their peers for their work toward advancing the technical college’s mission.

“The teammates who win this award model excellence for us all and are recognized for both their sound character and for advancing TSTC’s mission,” said TSTC Chancellor & CEO Mike Reeser. “Due to their caring and dedicated efforts, TSTC continues to make a difference in the employment success of our students.” 

Bross lives in Avinger and began working at TSTC in April 2019 as the campus counselor.

“My motivation for my work is the students,” she said. “For me, it’s all about the students. I am also fortunate to have a wonderful team of people that I work with that continue to motivate me daily.”

Bross said she was surprised by her recognition.

“I feel so honored and privileged to be working with the staff and faculty not only on the Marshall campus, but with those I have the good fortune to work with.”

O’Reilly lives in Linden and is a campus senior administrative assistant. She has worked at TSTC for more than six years.

“I support up to 13 programs within Student Learning, as well as many faculty and staff on the Marshall campus, including a statewide department chair and associate provost,” O’Reilly said.

O’Reilly said she was happy to be nominated for the award by her co-workers.

Stampley lives in Marshall and has taught in the Computer Aided Drafting and Design Technology program for more than three years. He said he enjoys teaching because he gets to experience students craving the knowledge their instructors have.

He said he is thankful and appreciative for the recognition.

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

TSTC Alumnus Builds Career in Brownsville

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Joshua Robles enjoys challenging himself as much as possible in his career and life.

“When it comes to work, I am highly motivated in construction because it allows me to be part of something that I can always look back on,” he said. “I feel as if I am leaving a mark by being part of its growth.”

Robles was raised in Brownsville and still calls the city home. He graduated in 2019 from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology.

Robles worked part-time at Origoworks in Brownsville before graduation and then worked his way up to become a project superintendent.

“A typical day usually consists of arriving at the job site about 7 a.m.,” he said. “I begin the walk-around of my site to make sure everything is in order to begin the day.”

Robles consults with subcontractors to make sure they have their materials for the day. He also reviews construction drawings to ensure the project is being built as it should and deals with site issues as they come up.

Construction superintendents are classified as first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers by www.onetonline.org, which predicts 79,400 new jobs will be created nationwide by 2028.

Texas had more than 75,000 first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction earning an annual mean wage of $68,900 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“The Valley is constantly growing, so with that being said, there is always room for more workers,” he said. “I have had the privilege of working with many workers, and I have learned that the Valley is home to some of the hardest workers.”

Robles is a graduate of Homer Hanna High School in Brownsville.

He chose to attend TSTC because he has worked in the past in the construction industry.

“Due to this experience, it made me want to pursue an education in construction to learn about the career in a more formal and technical way,” he said.

Rick Vargas, an instructor in TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program in Harlingen, said Robles was always dedicated and focused in his classes.

“He understood the importance of the skills he was learning and how much it would help him in the future,” Vargas said. “I knew he was management material from the start. It was great seeing him coming into the program and learning so much for two years, and using his own experience to earn a job and come back saying that it was worth every sacrifice to be where he is now.”

Robles said people who choose to major in TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program will have made a great decision.

“It is an excellent program that allowed me to take things I was taught right into the field,” he said. “It is a hands-on program that allowed me to feel as if I was in the actual work setting, so you know what type of career is ahead of you. The instructors became amazing mentors for me and never failed me in guiding me throughout my education process.”

Robles’ goals are to learn as much as he can about the construction industry and go back to college to further his education.

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