(HARLINGEN) – Back in 2002, Daniel Cortez was a senior at Rio Hondo High School with a spark of interest in automobiles and mechanics.

The Los Fresnos native knew a four-year university was not in his future, in fact he was not even sure if college was for him.

“I had no plans to go to college,” said Cortez. “I planned on working in the automotive industry, I didn’t think I needed college for that.”

At the time, Cortez was already working on hot rods and engine swaps.

It was not until Cortez’s high school counselor told him about TSTC that he began thinking about taking classes and enrolling as a dual enrollment student in Automotive Technology.

As a dual enrollment student like Cortez, the serving school district invests in a student’s future by paying for the college courses, saving a student a year’s tuition.

“I figured it doesn’t hurt to learn more about my field while saving money,” he said. “Dual enrollment allowed me to explore my career options before having to pay for college myself.”

After graduating from high school Cortez continued with the program, working his way through college and completing every automotive course offered.

“The program was great,” said Cortez. “I got to work with my hands and get exposed to new areas in the industry.”

He said the training he received made all of the difference in his career and he credits the instructors.

“Every instructor has real-world experience,” he said. “Everything we cover they have done it themselves and they are able to share with us their experiences and know-how.”

Cortez now works as the General Manager at Bayside Marine Inc. in Port Isabel, a boat manufacturer, dealership and maintenance shop. He started there 12 years ago in the service department and has worked his way up to his current position.

“When the opportunity presented itself I knew nothing about boats,” he said. “But I figured mechanics is mechanics and TSTC prepared me enough to go for it.”

Cortez said there was still a lot to learn in marine mechanics and specialized trainings he needed to complete, but the lessons in critical thinking he learned at TSTC helped him along the way.

“TSTC enabled me to follow a path,” he said. “It opened doors of opportunity. For me, a technical college was definitely the way to go.”

For more information on Automotive Technology call 956-364-4576.

Registration for Summer and Fall 2017 is underway. Apply or register anytime at tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – For nearly 13 years, Roberto Chapa has dedicated his career to Texas State Technical College and has recently been named a 2017 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipient.

This award is given by TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser to select faculty and staff for their service and dedication to the college, communities and their state.

“When I first got my nomination letter I was happy to just be nominated. I thought what an honor,” said Chapa. “There were 75 other people up for the award, I never thought I would get it.”

Chapa is a Building Maintenance Supervisor II for TSTC and oversees a team of 11 people. He started his journey with the college in 2002 as a student in the Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics program and graduated as a Board of Regent graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA in 2004.

“Life before TSTC was difficult,” said Chapa. “TSTC gave my wife and me stability, good paying jobs, benefits and an ability to provide for our children. It changed our lives for the better.”

Chapa, who was born and raised in Matamoros, Mexico, came to the states at the age of 18 with a certification as an electronic technician and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico de Matamoros. He was eager to learn English and work.

He ended up finding employment with the federal government in Mexico while living in Brownsville for a few years before moving to Oklahoma where he spent a decade doing farm-related work.

But Chapa chose to return South Texas.

“My wife and I wanted our children to be bilingual and they could get that exposure in the Valley, so we moved back,” he said.

They both found jobs at Fruit of the Loom and Cutters, clothes manufacturing companies, but when the plants closed down the Chapas both decided to attend TSTC.

“My wife enrolled in Surgical Technology and me in drafting, and well the rest is history,” said Chapa. “Even my oldest graduated from TSTC and I have son who will be attending next fall.”

Chapa got his first job at TSTC as a drafting tutor before becoming an engineer assistant and finally moving into the building maintenance department.

Executive Director for Physical Plant – Facilities and Chapa’s supervisor Juan Lopez said he knew immediately after reading Lopez’s application that he was the best candidate for the job. He has now worked with Chapa for 10 years.

“Roberto is such a hard worker, so meticulous and organized. I never have to worry about him not doing his job,” said Lopez. “He has really grown into this position and I can’t imagine anyone else more deserving of the Chancellor’s Award. He truly goes above and beyond his call of duty.”

Chapa will join the other 13 Chancellor’s Award recipients from across TSTC’s 10 campuses at the end of May in Austin at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards dinner and celebration to receive his award.

After that, Chapa said he will return to TSTC and continue working hard and doing his best for the college and his family.

For more information on TSTC and the programs offered, go online at tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Eric Osorio was recently named Student of the Year at Texas State Technical College’s Student Leadership Banquet. His involvement in creating the Anime Manga Gamer Club and holding the secretary and librarian officer positions earned him this recognition from his peers.

Anime is a style of Japanese film and television, usually the animated version of manga, or Japanese comics.

The Harlingen native is pursuing an associate degree in Mechatronics Technology and expects to graduate Spring 2018.

The 20-year-old also takes time from his busy schedule to volunteer with Student Government Association and within his community.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I want to get a job in my field, marry my girlfriend of five years and begin my life. I also hope to go back to school for a bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

What’s your dream job?

Besides growing and being successful in my engineering career, I want to be a professional video game player with League of Legends. I want to actually get paid for playing.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC has been helping our club president Natasha Swinney start up and maintain the Anime Manga Gamers Club. We’ve kept it alive for four semesters and we’re planning on many more.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that life has so many paths a person can choose from and it’s up to us to open doors of opportunity by working hard.

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

My girlfriend Elizabeth Smith, she is completing her academic core, has been my greatest influence. She helps me keep going and always encourages me when I need it the most. She keeps my life fun.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want students to know that it is okay to do college at your own pace. Take everything step by step and day by day and in the end everything will pay off.

(HARLINGEN) – Marco Salinas from the Brownsville Public Utilities Board hung from a harness and was hoisted down a makeshift manhole during confined space training at the Infrastructure and Safety Summit recently hosted at Texas State Technical College.

“I told them not to drop me,” said Salinas jokingly. “In all seriousness though, I’m glad TSTC is hosting this. Safety is important and can’t be taken lightly. These trainings have the power to save lives.”

The summit organized by Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), the second largest Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training center in the nation, partnered with TSTC’s Continuing Education department to offer low-cost training tracks for employers.

More than 400 people from TSTC, municipalities and construction companies from across South and East Texas took advantage of the week-long summit and the 24 courses offered.

Classes ranged from basic code enforcement and health hazard awareness to confined space entry and excavation, trenching and soil mechanics.

For Salinas and his team, attending the confined space training was a no brainer. The class which regularly costs $700 was reduced to $95.  OSHA safety trainings generally range from $395 to $900.

“As a supervisor it is my responsibility to train my employees properly and get them home to their families at night,” said Salinas. “And this summit gave us the convenience of learning close to home, and getting more people trained.”

The Infrastructure and Safety Summit makes it down to the Valley every two years and this is the first time TSTC has been asked to host.

Donna Zatopek, TEEX administrative coordinator, said they were excited to create this partnership with TSTC, which will last long after the summit finishes.

“TSTC has helped us so much and has gone out of its way to make sure this event is successful,” said Zatopek. “Working with them is a great opportunity for all of us involved. This is only the beginning.”

Starting in Fall 2017, TSTC’s Continuing Education department will be the only facility in South Texas to offer OSHA safety Certification trainings year-round through TEEX.

Myra Deleon said the discussion to assist TEEX with these trainings began while organizing the summit. The agreement is in place and will offer companies and its employers the opportunity for localized training, which will range from eight hours to one week depending on the certification.

Deleon also added that the instructors, many of whom are already TSTC employees, completed their required training by earning certifications and co-teaching hours during the summit.

“The vision of becoming an OSHA training facility has been in works for a while. And hosting this summit has opened that door,” said Deleon. “Not only is this a great opportunity for employers but it’s also a great way to increase awareness on TSTC and our programs.”

For more information on TEEX and the upcoming OSHA certification trainings at TSTC, call Continuing Education at 956-364-4567.

(HARLINGEN) – Jimmy Carter was president, KC and the Sunshine Band was our Boogie Man, bell bottoms were in fashion and gas was only 65 cents a gallon. The year was 1977.

That’s when Jose Vargas began his career at Texas State Technical College as an Auto Collision Technology instructor and now many are calling his retirement the end of an era.

The 78-year-old served TSTC for 40 years and four months and said there was never a day he did not wake up happy to go to work.

“I love my work so much, that it doesn’t feel like work,” said Vargas. “My efforts here at TSTC have allowed me to educate students while being able to support and provide a college education for my own children.”

Vargas said he wakes up every day ready to influence his students and prepare them to be successful in the workforce.

“I know I’m going to accidentally wake up and drive to work on my first day of retirement,” Vargas said while laughing. “TSTC has become my second home and family. The people are what I’m going to miss the most.”

Over the years Vargas has taught more than 1,600 students and has hired a number of his past students as faculty for Automotive Technology.

Among them, Vargas’ former student and Auto Collision Technology Instructor Joseph Cantu who said he is going to miss the knowledge and guidance that Vargas brought to the classroom and life.  They have worked together for 19 years.

“I’ve gotten to where I am today because of Jose’s guidance,” said Cantu. “He’s guided me as a student, an instructor and as a friend. I really don’t know what the program is going to be like without him. It’s hard to imagine.”

In fact, Cantu said Vargas got him his first job at a Ford dealership in San Benito when he graduated in 1984.

“His shoes are pretty big shoes to fill,” said Cantu. “But we’ll continue doing what he taught us to do and continue his work for the program.”

One of Vargas’ big accomplishments during his time at TSTC was bringing the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) to the Rio Grande Valley in 1986 to an ever changing industry.

I-CAR is a not-for-profit focused on providing everyone involved in collision repair with access to high-quality, industry-recognized training solutions.

Vargas’ involvement in I-CAR as a national bilingual instructor and board of trustee deemed beneficial for TSTC students in the Auto Collision Technology. Monetary and in-kind donations have since rolled in along with scholarships for tuition and tools for deserving students.

Lead Instructor for Auto Collision and Automotive Technology Adan Gutierrez has worked with Vargas for 15 years and said what inspires him most is his dedication to his students.

“He started working at TSTC when I was 10 years old, who knew that life or time would put us together at some point,” said Gutierrez. “It’s been great seeing him put his experience and knowledge to work to make students’ lives better.”

Gutierrez said he has a deep respect for Vargas and the vast knowledge he brought to the college.

“When someone of his caliber leaves, you feel the emptiness,” said Gutierrez. “He’s always brought leadership to the table and we’ll miss him, but I also hope he gets to enjoy time with his family and gets to do the things he couldn’t while working.”

Although Vargas plans on continuing to work with I-CAR on a local level, he also plans on spending most of his free time with his wife of 60 years, six children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, deep-sea fishing and working on his yard.

“I know I’m leaving the program in good hands, it won’t falter,” said Vargas. “All I can say is I’m honored to have been part of an organization that has changed so many lives, including mine.”