(HARLINGEN) – It is an honor being invited to NASA, but getting a second invite is even better. This is what Texas State Technical College student Saul Pizano recently found out.

The Harlingen native has just returned from Johnson Space Center in Houston where he served as a student assistant for NASA’s Community College Aerospace Scholars project (NCAS).

“I never expected to be presented with this teaching opportunity,” said Pizano. “When I got the call I couldn’t contain my excitement. There was a lot of jumping and screaming.”

It was just last year that Pizano had been selected as a scholar for the program, joining nearly 304 students from across the United States to be part of the five-week program that culminated with a week at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Pizano was the only student from TSTC.

“My dream is to work at NASA. When I’m there it feels like home,” he said. “I’ve had a fascination with the (space science) field since I was a little boy and the paths I am choosing seem to be leading me there.”

Only two NASA scholar alumni get chosen to return for a second year as student assistants. The 22-year-old’s offer letter points out that Pizano’s leadership, communication and teamwork skills demonstrated during last year’s on-site experience impressed the selection committee.

As a student assistant, Pizano led close to 50 students in this year’s NCAS project in engineering and robotics competitions, activities and events.

“I had such a different experience this time around,” he said. “I already knew what to expect so I was able to focus on the details to make this an unforgettable experience for these students. Seeing everyone work together and bond was incredible.”

Pizano added that his goal as a student assistant was to inspire the dream of NASA in others.

“Sometimes when you go to a ‘college’ not a ‘university’ you think something like NASA isn’t possible, but this experience has shown me that it can be a reality if you work hard and really want it,” he said. “I hope my story resonated with some.”

Pizano is already a TSTC graduate with an associate degree in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics and will get three more associate degrees in Engineering, Math and Physics this year.

He has also begun applying for NASA engineering summer internships at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“I finally feel like my life is reaching its potential,” he said. “I won’t stop working until I make my dream come true.”

For more information on the programs offered at TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Juanita Gonzalez is pursuing an associate degree in Education and Training at Texas State Technical College and expects to earn her degree in Spring 2019.

Although only in her second semester, Gonzalez first stepped foot on the TSTC campus as a Dual Enrollment student through San Benito High School.

The 18-year-old holds a 3.6 grade-point-average and is also an active volunteer with her church in San Benito.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate from TSTC I plan on continuing my education at Texas A&M-Kingsville through TSTC’s University Center and earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Early Childhood and Bilingual Education.

What’s your dream job?

I love working with small children, so my dream job is to become a bilingual teacher for students in kindergarten through third grade. I also would not mind teaching math. It is one of my favorite subjects as well.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

I have had two accomplishment that I consider my greatest so far. One is my GPA. I’m thankful for the great tutors I have had who have helped me maintain good grades. Second is finding myself at TSTC and being able to escape my comfort zone. I’ve met great people, made new friends and have had great experiences.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is to not depend on the approval of others. It’s important to have confidence in yourself and always believe that you can achieve your goal.

Who has had the most influence on your success?

My high school education teacher Brenda Aguilar from San Benito High School has made the greatest influence. It is because of her that I am at TSTC. She always believed and had faith in me. She instilled in me that no matter what, I could achieve anything.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to not let anyone discourage them from their dreams. Believe in yourself always and put yourself and your goal first.

TSTC 1993 Farming Ranch Management alum.

(HARLINGEN) – David Ramirez spoke with local high school and Texas State Technical College Agricultural Technology students recently during the college’s eighth annual Agriculture Expo hosted by TSTC’s Office of Talent Management and Career Services.

This is Ramirez’s sixth year attending the event.

He is a 1993 graduate from TSTC’s Farming Ranch Management program, which is now Agricultural Technology and works with the Customs and Border Protection as a technician at the Brownsville Port of Entry.

“Coming to TSTC was one of my best decisions,” said Ramirez. “It feels great coming back and helping young minds find their way.”

Remembering that he was once in their shoes, Ramirez said he is thankful he is able to give back to a college that gave him so much.

“My goal is to make students aware of the career opportunities that are there for them once they graduate from TSTC,” he said. “And I cannot stress enough the importance of an education. I can’t wait to work with some of these students someday.”

Ramirez, in addition to other agencies such as six branches of the United State Department of Agriculture, Texas Department of Agriculture and the United States Border Control, presented information on career opportunities and their departments.

Guadalupe Gracia, Mexican fruit fly coordinator with the USDA Animal and Plant health Inspection Service facility in Harlingen, said she enjoys attending this event because highly-skilled and trained students in agriculture are in demand.

“This event is a great opportunity to recruit for our internships and temporary positions,” said Gracia. “We get great people from TSTC who don’t need to be retrained and have a great work ethic.”

Gracia said thanks to the USDA-Step2 Grant – a program designed to provide mentored research experiences in biological and agricultural sciences –  shared through TSTC and other Texas colleges and universities, at least 25 agriculture students from TSTC’s program have already been awarded summer internships and scholarships.

“Most of the time our internships lead to temporary and permanent jobs with the USDA, which is a great advantage for those students,” she said. “It’s a win-win-win; for us, the college and its students.”

According to Gracia, the USDA will open a new facility in Edinburg in 2020 and will need to hire approximately 150 people.

TSTC’s Talent Management and Career Services Director Viviana Espinosa said this event is hosted annually to give TSTC students the opportunity of speaking first-hand with recruiters regarding volunteer, internship and job opportunities.

“We host this event to create an awareness of career possibilities in the Agriculture industry,” said Espinosa. “And it’s also a motivation and inspiration when they see TSTC alumni working with these agencies.”

Espinoza also added that many of these agencies, in addition to other industry partners, support TSTC’s career placement efforts by attending interview practicums, career fairs and Employee Spotlights.

“We work closely with the agriculture faculty here at TSTC,” said Gracia. “This college produces great students and we love to see them flourish and grow.”

To schedule a visit on campus for Employee Spotlights or for more information on the services offered by TSTC’s Talent Management and Career Services, call 956-364-4940 or visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – From a first-generation college student and first-generation Mexican immigrant rising from poverty to now Texas State Technical College’s recently announced Interim Provost, Cledia Hernandez feels blessed to be in a leadership position that will impact generations, one life at a time.

“I’m excited to follow in the footsteps of leaders that came before me,” said Hernandez. “I always hoped one day I’d be in their shoes and become the leader of an institution that impacts so many and so much.”

The Brownsville native, who is also TSTC’s Associate Vice President of Workforce Development, has worked in higher education for nearly two decades, five of those years have been at TSTC.

Her stint in workforce development and higher education began at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College (UTB/TSC), now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, when she accepted a work study position with the university’s Department of Continuing Education.

“It all started with a work study job,” she said. “I can personally relate to the students I serve and although the road is never easy, perseverance can make dreams happen.”

Hernandez earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from UTB/TSC in 2005 and a master’s degree in Leadership in Higher Education in 2014 from Northcentral University, all while working 40-plus hours a week to pay for her education.

Before arriving as the associate vice president for Workforce Development at TSTC in 2013, Hernandez had already served as a secretary, coordinator, program director and director for continuing education at UTB/TSC.

“I worked closely with TSTC while at UTB and immediately saw the value a technical education has for families and the industry,” said Hernandez. “So I decided to take the leap and accept my new position at TSTC to create new opportunities for students and help fill the skills gap in the state.”

As the new interim provost, Hernandez will provide regional leadership to South Texas and continue to build relationships with community and industry partners.

“As interim provost, my goal is to continue building stronger connections between TSTC and industry so that as a technical institution we can advance our programs, technologies and training to ensure that our students are knowledgeable in the latest, trending technologies,” she stated.

Vice Chancellor and Chief Integration Officer Rick Herrera, who has served as Interim Provost for the last six months, will be handing over the reins to Hernandez and said that a provost’s most notable role is how he/she  represents and addresses the needs of the communities they serve, and he has no doubt she will be successful.

“Mrs. Hernandez brings nearly 20 years of experience in higher education in the area of workforce development,” he said. “She has an impressive amount of community and volunteer service through numerous local boards and organizations.”

Herrera went on to add, “Mrs. Hernandez is well respected by the campus community and has wasted no time in taking charge. Under her leadership, I know the campus will not only continue to prosper, but also grow.”

Hernandez, in response, has a message for TSTC faculty and staff and students, respectively.

“We all have a vital role in transforming lives and launching careers,” she said. “Every TSTC employee on this campus is shaping individual lives and everything done at this college is one step toward impacting families, our community and the state.  And to our students, I’ve walked in your shoes. I understand the sacrifice that is necessary to make dreams a reality,” said Hernandez. “There is light at the end of the tunnel and TSTC is here to help you reach your goals in any way possible.”

Hernandez added that TSTC is truly a great place to work because of the teamwork that happens every day to make things possible.

In the coming months, Hernandez will be out in the community meeting with local leaders and elected officials as she takes on her new role.