(HARLINGEN) – Courtney Vasquez, a dental hygiene student at Texas State Technical College recently received the Most Active Club Member award during the college’s Student Leadership Banquet for her active participation as treasurer in the Student American Dental Hygienist Association on campus.

As treasurer and an active member of the club, the Lyford native does volunteer work throughout her community and leads fundraisers.

The 23-year-old is expected to graduate with an associate degree May 2018.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I want to find a job as a hygienist at a local dental clinic and start saving money to purchase land, farm animals and my dream house. I eventually want to move to San Antonio and pursue a bachelor’s degree.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to work as a hygienist and help patients learn the importance of oral health care and give them a beautiful smile.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishments while at TSTC are making the Vice President’s List for my good grades and knowing that I have made a patient happy at our TSTC Dental Hygiene Clinic that is open to all TSTC personnel, students and the community.  

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that sometimes life is discouraging and knocks you down, but you should never give up. You always wake up the next morning and do what you have to do to make your dreams come true.

Who at TSTC has had the great influence on your success?

All of my instructors have had a huge influence on my success. They are my role models and the dental hygienists I aspire to be. They all have unique qualities that I look up to and a knowledge and know-how that help us all succeed.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future students is to continue your education no matter how hard it gets. Education is an important part of life. It leads to good careers and a better understanding of the world around us. Never give up.

(HARLINGEN) – Dr. Christine Carruthers has been at Texas State Technical College for nearly five years and has already made her mark, earning the 2017 Chancellor’s Excellence Award.

“This was such a great surprise,” said Carruthers. “It feels great knowing my colleagues think enough of my work to nominate me. It makes this award that much more special.”

The TSTC Vice President of Enrollment Services said her career in student services started as what she thought would only be a six-month stint while she waited for her dream job.

“I was holding out for an outside sales position with Marlboro,” she said. “That was my dream job. Of course now I see it wasn’t a good personality fit and it would not have worked out.”

The 36-year-old’s career began at the University of Texas Pan American, which is now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She was there for 13 years working in student activities and conduct before finally being promoted to Assistant Dean of Students.

“My path didn’t go as I had planned, but I ended up finding my true passion,” said Carruthers.

The McAllen native began college as a student of architect before changing majors and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from UTPA in 2001. She continued her education receiving a master’s degree in adult education from Penn State in 2005 and a PhD from the University of Nebraska in 2014.

“I haven’t figured out how to leave college. And I don’t want to,” she said with a laugh. “My job is so rewarding and I love seeing students succeed.”

Carruthers said that in her years in student services her favorite parts are being able to implement an idea and see the immediate impact it has on her students and commencement.  

“Being able to make a difference is what this work is all about,” she said. “And that difference is evident when you watch students walk across a stage in a cap and gown to receive their degrees. That final step is the reminder of why you do what you do.”

TSTC Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Carruthers’ supervisor Rob Wolaver said he nominated her for her leadership and brilliance.

“Christine is one of the most dedicated and brilliant persons I have ever worked with,” he said. “She is so passionate about the students and truly excels as a leader. She is a jewel.”

Wolaver credits her leadership in their team as one of the significant parts of what helped them achieve their enrollment goals.

“Her leadership in our team is invaluable,” said Wolaver. “She deserves this recognition. She has been vital to the growth and transformation of this department and is always a team player.”

Carruthers will join the other 13 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipients from across TSTC’s 10 campuses later this month in Austin at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards dinner and celebration to receive her award.

Her family will be present to witness this honor.

“Things like this help me show my daughter examples of great work ethic. I hope this models what a good education and working hard can accomplish. I want her to always know that her possibilities and opportunities are endless.”

Carruthers said after returning from Austin she is excited to embark on new initiatives that are tailored to continue to help students learn.

“Not many places push the envelope when it comes to new and innovative initiatives like TSTC does,” she said. “But that’s what makes this a great place for students and an exciting place to work.”  

(HARLINGEN) – Santa Rosa High School senior David Lee Garza recently walked into his school’s library after his morning classes ready to register for his first semester at Texas State Technical College.

Garza is one of nearly 40 students that chose to attend TSTC during National Decision Day, the deadline for high school seniors to pick their college. High schools across the country dedicate an event for their students to celebrate their final decisions.

This was Santa Rosa High School’s first National Decision Day event and nearly half of the senior class decided to attend TSTC.

“We have 91 students graduating and we’re proud that they’re looking toward college,” said Santa Rosa High School principal Rebecca Corpus. “And it’s wonderful that many are staying close to home at TSTC because this college has opened doors of opportunity for so many of our students.”

TSTC representatives from recruitment, admissions and financial aid recently set up a registration station at the Santa Rosa High School library to help students finalize all paperwork and register for classes.

TSTC Director of Recruitment Dora Colvin said they are excited that students like Garza have chosen to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) programs at TSTC.

“STEM careers are growing and are in demand,” she said. “At TSTC these students will be provided with the skills needed to fill STEM-related jobs.”

“This is truly a collaborative effort between TSTC and Santa Rosa High School,” she added. Our staff is committed to helping our students have a smooth transition from high school to college. We are here to help our students succeed.”

Garza, who has chosen to attend TSTC in the fall, has decided to major in vocational nursing, a field he has known he has always wanted to pursue.

“My sister, who also studied vocational nursing at TSTC, is the one who encouraged my decision,” Garza said.

The 18-year-old also mentioned that a huge deciding factor for him also was affordability.

“TSTC is affordable and will allow my family and I to save money,” he said. “Because I plan on pursuing registered nursing there also.”

Garza’s mother Lori Ann Garza said she is excited that Garza has decided to stay close to home.

“I always tell him, you’re going to get a good education wherever you go because it’s what you make of it,” she said. “But for the field he wants to pursue I know TSTC is the best place for him.”

Lori said she is very proud of her son and said she will always support his decisions.

“I have so many hopes and dreams for him. I want him to accomplish everything he can,” she said. “I want him to do well and help people.”

Her dream is the same dream that her son’s principal and TSTC has for all of their students.

“Our students are extraordinary and have great talent and TSTC is instrumental in preparing them for work and the real world,” said Corpus. “TSTC makes college accessible for many and gives students the vision they need to make their dreams come true.”

Registration for Fall 2017 is in progress. For more information on the technologies offered at TSTC visit tstc.edu.