(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It has been nearly 40 years since Robert Sanchez stepped foot on a Texas State Technical College campus for the first time, and now he is moving onward with a new chapter in his life: retirement.

The 70-year-old and his dedication to the college and its Surgical Technology students were recently celebrated with a surprise party at the TSTC Cultural Arts Center and with a scholarship in his name.  The Robert Sanchez Scholarship Fund will now award scholarships to Surgical Technology students annually.

TSTC faculty, staff, students, alumni and some area hospital representatives were in attendance.

“All of this was definitely a surprise, even though someone spilled the beans,” said Sanchez. “I’m not big on surprises or parties, but I’m honored that my team felt that I deserved this type of recognition.”

In September 1981 Sanchez became a Surgical Technology instructor at TSTC. He put pen to paper to plan out curriculums and lesson plans since personal computers were a thing of the future.

“We were still using encyclopedias when I joined the TSTC team,” Sanchez remembered. “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come.”

In 1969 Sanchez was part of one of the first surgical technologist programs in the Rio Grande Valley at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen.

He was one of three who graduated from the program and one of only a handful who worked as certified surgical technologists in the area.

After not being accepted into TSTC’s Surgical Technology program in 1976, Sanchez joined the U.S. Army Reserve and went on to earn an associate degree in nursing in 1978 and a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1989.

“Little did I know I would still dedicate my career to TSTC and to training new generations of surgical technologists,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez served as a Surgical Technology instructor from 1981 to 1996, when he took over as department chair.

Sanchez was always known as a strict instructor — he said some might even have called him mean, but he said it was all to better prepare them for the job.

“Working in any medical profession is stressful, but imagine being in the operating room,” he said. “Stressors come from everywhere, and a great surgical technologist will be able to work through these stressors. That’s what I strived to instill in (my students).”

In fact, many of the faculty and staff working in the TSTC Surgical Technology department today are alumni of the program and had Sanchez as an instructor.

One of them is Anna San Pedro, a current Surgical Technology senior instructor who worked with Sanchez for more than two decades and will replace him as program director.

“I was 18 years old when I first met Robert. I was his student and, yes, he was very demanding of his students,” she remembers. “But I later realized he did everything for a reason. He was shaping us and preparing us for the rigors of the operating room. And everyone can agree that he influenced our careers and the leaders we turned out to be.”  

San Pedro added that it has been difficult for her to accept Sanchez’s retirement because he has been her most treasured mentor and confidant for so many years.

“It’s sad to see him go, but it’s also exciting when I think about this new opportunity,” said San Pedro. “I wonder what it will be like without him. But I’m also confident that we can continue making this program the best it can be because of everything he has taught us.”

Sanchez said his retirement is a bittersweet moment. He will miss his students and watching them grow into the best surgical technologists they can be.

“I’m leaving this program and my students in great hands. I’m not worried about it,” he said. “But I will miss teaching and advising, and most of all the camaraderie of my staff. This career has been so rewarding.”

But Sanchez knows that time goes by fast and the future is unknown, so he’s ready to enjoy retirement, his family and traveling.

“This is my time. I’m at a perfect spot to retire,” said Sanchez. “I’m ready to live my life and spend it with my family, especially my grandkids and great-grandkids.”

Sanchez said he will also keep busy by working two days a week at Valley Baptist Medical Center, where he has also worked for the last 52 years, in a nursing circulating role preparing patients for surgery. He will also volunteer at the Harlingen VA Clinic.

“TSTC gave me the ability to teach, to share my passion, and to build such a great program for future surgical technologists,” said Sanchez. “I want to thank everyone who has worked with me and supported my endeavors — especially my students, who have gone on to be successful but always remember where they started.”

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Engineering department at Texas State Technical College will prepare a student for advancement in the workplace with a mathematics- and physics-based curriculum that will improve and increase problem-solving skills.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of engineering is expected to grow as much as 10% in the coming decade as government and industry work to meet the challenges of a growing global population and dwindling resources.

With Texas being among the largest employers of engineers in the nation, the Rio Grande Valley is also seeing an increase in demand for highly skilled engineers.

TSTC Engineering department chair Hermes Chirino said as the Valley grows, the need for engineers, especially civil engineers, will increase in the region. And with the newly constructed SpaceX site in Brownsville, he expects aerospace engineers also to be in demand in coming years.

Chirino went on to explain how TSTC’s Engineering department is helping to fill a large demand.

What is the length of the program?

The Engineering program takes five semesters to complete. Upon successful completion, a student will earn an Associate of Science degree in Engineering.

What skills do students learn in Engineering?

In Engineering, students will learn the concept and theory foundations of mathematics and physics, programming for engineers and engineering mechanics — static and dynamic, all of which will allow a student to become problem solvers in the field.  

What types of technologies are used to learn these skills?

To learn these skills, Engineering students will use a wide array of industry-standard software such as MATLAB, which is a type of engineering software used worldwide.

How do these skills prepare a student for the workforce?

Many of the students pursuing an associate degree in Engineering will transfer to obtain a higher degree, with every course in this program being transferrable, or will come from one of the many popular technical programs at TSTC such as Wind Energy Technology, Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics, or Mechatronics Technology.

Nearly 40% of the program is made up of Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics students who find an interest and want to pursue a career in civil engineering. Students who graduate with an associate degree from a technical program in engineering become more marketable among employers.

What types of positions can a graduate obtain?

As a graduate from TSTC’s Engineering program, a student can go on to work as a technician in civil engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, environmental engineering, industrial engineering and mechanical engineering.     

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The road to commencement was no easy journey for recent Texas State Technical College Mechatronics Technology graduate Hugo Gamboa, but he overcame the hurdles and received his associate degree on Friday night.

The 20-year-old was one of nearly 300 students who received a certificate or associate degree during TSTC’s Commencement at the Harlingen Convention Center.

“I really never thought this day would come,” said the Los Fresnos native. “There were so many times I felt like quitting, but I kept moving forward, and now I can’t believe that I can call myself a college graduate at only 20.”

Gamboa was actually supposed to graduate a couple of semesters ago, but he fell behind and had to decrease his class load, which he said taught him a valuable lesson.

“I was working two jobs, partially because I needed to save money for college and wanted to challenge (myself) if I could do it,” said Gamboa. “But it didn’t work out as planned, and it made me reprioritize and work even harder. It was hard watching everyone else graduate.”

Pursuing an education and a career in a field like Mechatronics Technology was something Gamboa was interested in at an early age.

“I’ve always liked to look at how things work,” he said. “And it continued to fascinate me through middle and high school. I was fortunate enough to have a high school teacher who took note of my skills and encouraged me to look into TSTC.”

Gamboa said it was during a TSTC recruitment fair that he discovered Mechatronics Technology and knew that it was the perfect match.

“There was never any doubt that this was the program for me,” said Gamboa. “It has been a definite eye-opener into the world of automation, engineering and robotics. Mechatronics is a little bit of everything, and now I have a solid foundation.”

Gamboa went on to excel in the program after overcoming a couple of rough semesters.

He even designed and created a working vending machine that dispenses small bags of chips and candy.

“It took me three months to design, build and program my vending machine, but it was well worth it,” he said.

The machine is now displayed at TSTC recruiting events, making it a staple at the Mechatronics Technology table and an area of fascination for younger students.

“I’m proud of the work I’ve done and all of the lessons I have learned,” said Gamboa. “I’m leaving with experience and skills that I know will help me begin my career because the training I’ve received has prepared me for the next chapter.”

Gamboa has already had numerous interviews with local companies and is waiting to hear back. There is one company in particular that is near and dear to his heart because his father works there and Gamboa previously worked there too.

“I’m excited to see where these interviews may lead,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed the mechanical and electrical areas of mechatronics. But I have an open mind, and I’m ready to try anything.”

Gamboa hopes to grow within the industry, become a leader in his field and live life to the fullest.

“Graduating at such a young age is a huge accomplishment for me,” he said. “And it’s exciting to think I have my whole future ahead of me and a chance to make my dreams come true. I hope that others that feel discouraged the way I did see that it’s possible and nothing can stop us.”

Statewide this month, more than 1,000 TSTC students will join an alumni network that is 100,000 strong.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For Esthela Hernandez, becoming a college graduate seemed like a dream that would never come true. But on Friday night, the Texas State Technical College Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics student earned her associate degree.

“This point in time seemed like it would never be possible,” said the 23-year-old. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do, or what I wanted to be. But I did know I felt like I was doing nothing with my life and that college would be my answer.”

Yet she wondered how she could do it as a single mother of two and a first-generation college student.

“I’m the first from my family to venture down this path, so I really didn’t have anyone to turn to for advice or the know-how,” said the Harlingen native. “But I had the support of my family, especially my parents, and that was more than enough to get me through.”

Although it was difficult juggling a full-time class schedule with a full-time job and being a full-time mother, Hernandez still managed to excel with a 3.9 grade-point average.

She graduated as a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

“I told myself when I first enrolled in college that I would graduate as an honor student,” said Hernandez. “So this is a real accomplishment for me. I did it.”

Hernandez had to make a few changes along the way, even leaving her job, to make sure she continued passing her classes.

She landed a paid internship as a drafter in her chosen field of study with CASA Engineering in Harlingen.

“It was risky leaving my job, especially with children, but I feel that everything I have done is worth it,” she said. “I’m doing this to give my children and my family a better life — to break a cycle.”

She said she has already been able to apply what she has learned in the classroom in the real world and that the best is yet to come.

“All of my instructors are part of my success and the reason I want to continue my education and strive for more,” said Hernandez.

She plans to return to TSTC in January to pursue a second associate degree in Engineering.

“I have the foundation I need to enter the industry already and work toward a successful career. But I want to learn more so I can aim for even better-paying jobs,” she said. “And I have found my way at TSTC.”

Now, as a college graduate, Hernandez hopes she has set a good example for her younger siblings and children.

“I’m happy that they now have footsteps to follow and that I can help them with the college process. They are not alone,” she said. “It’ll be a different journey for them, and although I didn’t have this type of guidance, I did have parents who showed me what hard work was and how not to give up.”

More than 300 students earned their certificates or degrees Friday night during TSTC’s Commencement at the Harlingen Convention Center.

Registration for Spring 2020 is underway.

For more information, visit https://tstc.edu.

For Jasmine Munoz, there has been a lot of pressure to succeed as a first-generation college student, but Friday night all of her hard work will pay off when she graduates with an Associate of Science degree in Biology from Texas State Technical College.

Not only has she earned her degree, but she is also the only student for Fall 2019 to graduate as a Board of Regents honor graduate with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

“It’s all still so surreal. I can’t believe I’m a college graduate and that I’m the only one,” said the 20-year-old. “And it feels really good knowing I have made my parents proud.”

The Los Fresnos native grew up in a humble home, with hard working parents and her three younger siblings, and although times were not always easy, college was never not an option.

“There were times I didn’t know how my family could afford to send me to college,” said Munoz. “But I knew this was what I wanted so I wasn’t going to give up easily. Money has never been a reason to stop my family.”

Fortunately, Munoz received financial aid and scholarships, including the TSTC Texan Success Scholarship, which helped her pay for tuition, books and supplies.

“I am so thankful for the financial assistance I received. It made all of the difference,” she said. “Without it, it would have been a lot harder to get through school. This encouraged me to keep going and keep up my grades.”

Munoz added that her Biology instructors and staff also played a big part in her success.

“I remember I was so nervous on my first day that my hands were shaking and I spilled coffee all over myself,” she said. “I was a mess, but everyone was so welcoming and comforting. And they continued to be that for me throughout my time in the program. They genuinely cared about my success; everyone’s success.”

So what’s next for Munoz?

“I’ve finished most, if not all, of my pre requisite classes for nursing,” said Munoz. “Nursing is my next journey and I’m going to push myself to reach that goal.”

As a frequent volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club and local nursing homes, Munoz said she’s developed a passion for helping others that inspires her to be a nurse.

“Everything I have learned at TSTC has prepared me for this next step in life,” she said. “And although it’s going to be filled with new challenges, I know I thrive with a challenge and I’m ready to create a different life for me and my family.”

Munoz hopes everything she is doing is setting a positive example for her younger siblings.

“There are have been times I have doubted myself and have been ready to quit, but I remember I have an example to set,” she said. “And I want them to see that everything is possible if you believe in yourself.”

Munoz is one of nearly 300 students graduating with a certificate or associate degree during TSTC’s commencement ceremonies on Friday at the Harlingen Convention Center.

Statewide, this month, more than 1,000 TSTC students have joined an alumni network that is 100,000 strong.

For more information, visit https://tstc.edu.