TSTC Diversity in STEM Introduces High School Girls to a New World

(HARLINGEN) – Proudly carrying her TSTC pendant, Leann Lopez walked the halls of Texas State Technical College and toured technical programs during the college’s Diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) event.

The 19-year-old said she is ready to begin her college career at TSTC after taking nearly a year off after high school and the birth of her first baby. Lopez hopes to pursue an associate degree in Digital Media Design beginning in August.

“Every minute spent with my baby instead of focused on school was worth it,” she said. “But I’m ready to start working toward a career and a better life for my child.”

Lopez was one of more than 40 prospective TSTC students participating in Diversity in STEM, an event hosted by the TSTC Advisement Center, to expose girls and women to careers in non-traditional fields.

TSTC Gender Equity Advocate Anna Cortez said this is TSTC’s second Diversity in STEM event, which focuses on encouraging girls and women to pursue male-dominated professions.

“Many times girls or women are interested in pursuing a career in say Chemical Environmental Technology, but they have no one to turn to,” said Cortez. “Today gives them the chance to experience the program hands-on and ask questions.”

San Benito High School students, High School Equivalency Program students and community members participating in the event had the opportunity to tour three programs offered at TSTC – Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics; Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning; and Chemical Environmental Technology.

Each tour was approximately one hour and included a hands-on activity such as experimenting with design and engineering software or conducting a forensic analysis in the chemical environmental labs.

San Benito High School sophomore Jasmine Bautista said she had no idea TSTC offered opportunities in so many areas of study.

“It was fun learning how different technology fits into our everyday lives and how many programs TSTC offers,” said Bautista. “I’m now seriously considering TSTC as a college choice. I can see myself here.”

Bautista said her favorite part of the tour was the forensic analysis program which she is now considering as a career option.

Additionally, other programs such as Welding Technology, Building Construction Technology and Biomedical Technology were showcased in a mini expo where instructors spent time talking with students and answering questions.

Event keynote speaker Meg Jorn, chief executive officer and architect at Megamorphosis Architecture and Interior Design shared her experiences of working in a male-dominated field with the girls and provided some advice.

“Try hard, work hard, study hard and be better than the boys,” she said.

Cortez said she hopes Jorn acts as a role model for the girls in attendance and as an example of what can be done with hard work no matter the field.

“We introduced the girls with the tools they need to be successful in a non-traditional career,” said Cortez. “Now it’s up to them to follow the path.”

For more information on the technologies offered at TSTC call 956-364-4524 or visit tstc.edu

Registration for Summer and Fall 2017 begins April 3.

TSTC Graduate Soaring as Flight Instructor for Helicopters

(WACO) – Several of Texas State Technical College’s flight instructors are graduates of the college’s Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program.

Hiring graduates to teach and earn flight hours shows students that they can make it through the rigorous program, which includes technical tracks for airplane and helicopter piloting.

“We try to hire our own after they graduate,” said Angel Newhart, TSTC’s statewide Aerospace Division chair. “We tell them to treat their academic work like a two-year job interview.”

Ryan Schneider, 25, of Leander was hired in October as a flight instructor. He is also making technical college history in Waco. He was among the first graduates who received the Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Pilot Training Technology – Helicopter Specialization in 2016. The helicopter component of the degree began in 2014.

Schneider instructs students in the classroom and in the sky about piloting a helicopter while earning flight hours to advance in the industry. Since October, he has logged about 200 hours of flying time.

Teaching, he said, has been a new challenge.

“It’s definitely something I have to practice a lot,” Schneider said. “There are multiple ways of explaining things and everyone learns differently.”

Eventually he wants to fly workers to and from offshore platforms for the oil and gas industry and later fly for emergency medical services.

“Whenever I see a bigger and more advanced ‘bird,’ it motivates me to want to do more and do my best,” he said.

Schneider said that at a young age he was amazed at how helicopters could soar across the sky.

He graduated in 2010 from Leander High School. He studied to be a firefighter and an emergency medical technician but did not feel those careers were right for him.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do,” he said. “I didn’t figure out what I wanted to do until I was 20.”

Schneider decided he wanted to be a helicopter pilot and searched online for the program right for him. He said he did not visit TSTC until the semester before he was going to enroll for classes.

TSTC’s helicopter program currently has 30 students renting and using four leased helicopters parked at the TSTC Waco Airport. Students earn at least 200 flight hours and pilot ratings by the time they graduate.

Students who can be successful in the aircraft program should have a strong desire to be a pilot, mental strength and good physical training, said Newhart.

TSTC Student Q&A with Logan Moore

(WACO) – Logan Moore, 20, of Boyd is a Culinary Arts major at Texas State Technical College and president of Texas SkillsUSA’s postsecondary division. Moore is scheduled to graduate with an associate degree in May. The Wise County resident was home-schooled.

What got you interested in Culinary Arts? “My family raised goats and we had a garden. I knew I wanted to go into culinary arts when I was in 4-H and did food and nutrition for 10 years. Both my parents like to cook. I started baking goods at the county fair when I was 8. I was going to show pigs, but they were 100 pounds overweight. I didn’t know they had a weight limit.”

Who are some of the people who inspire you? “I learned my work ethic from my dad. I can say my dad is my hero. I also look to Alton Brown on the Food Network’s “Good Eats.” I have my faith in Christ and it’s His plan for me to go into this field.”

How did you learn about TSTC? “I planned to go to college in San Antonio, but someone told me about TSTC and I started doing research. I found it was closer to home. I toured the campus in summer 2015. Chef (Mark) Schneider (statewide lead in TSTC’s Culinary Arts Division) did the tour and explained why everything is the way it was in the Culinary Arts facility. I have absolutely loved it here.”

What were some of your favorite classes? “The classes I learned the most in were American Regional Cuisine and International Cuisine. This is when we started production cooking for the first time. You go from making two servings to 20 servings. There is a lot of mathematics involved and learning quickly.”

What are your plans after graduation? “I want to try to get a job in Waco. I also want to go to McLennan Community College in Waco to study business management. Most of the chefs here recommend getting a business degree and culinary arts degree so you can know accounting and keeping books.”

Texas had more than 8,100 chefs and head cooks as of 2015, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest concentration of chefs and lead cooks in Texas was in The Woodlands-Houston-Sugar Land area with about 2,650 workers. The Beaumont-Port Arthur area had some of the highest salaries in the nation in 2015, according to the labor bureau.

Culinary Arts is offered at TSTC’s campuses in Abilene, Harlingen, Waco and Williamson County.

TSTC Cyber Security Students Form Campus’ First Student Club

(FORT BEND) – Inspired by the most common computer error, the 404 Computer Club was formed making it the first official student club at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County.

The 404 Computer Club was founded by four Cyber Security Technology students placing it under the program’s umbrella.

“We wanted a creative name but something (computer code) everyone is familiar with,” said Isaias Martinez, club president. “And the 404 error is the most common and recognized.”

The 404 Error Page is the page displayed when someone is browsing a website and a page cannot be found.

Martinez and the club’s executive board; Vice President Brett McFee, Treasurer Westin Chauvin and Historian Michael Leung said they have big plans for the club.

With some community service under their belts, the club leaders hope to continue doing projects that will enhance Rosenberg and the surrounding communities in addition to combining technology with their activities and projects.

“One of our primary goals as a club is to reinforce the skills we learn in the classroom,” said McFee. “Currently we’re looking into our options and into what we can and cannot do.”

A few of the ideas the club’s officers hope to begin soon are; a computer repair program, a replica arcade game cabinet for the college in which they will perform all computer programming, and guest speakers series featuring industry leaders.

“We’re going to work hard to achieve these things,” said McFee. “And once our membership really grows, we’ll be able to reach our goals.”

McFee said this is only the club’s first active semester so they are encouraging students in Cyber Security Technology to join and get involved.

“This year we’re going to establish ourselves as an organization among our peers,” said Martinez. “Our goal is to grow membership and make it a great experience.”

Cyber Security Technology is also offered at TSTC’s Marshall, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses offering certificate and associate degree tracks.

Registration for Summer and Fall 2017 begins April 3. Register or apply anytime at tstc.edu or call 364-239-3409.

Student Success Profile – Brandy Garza

(HARLINGEN) – Brandy Garza is a Dental Hygiene student at Texas State Technical College. This is the 46-year-old’s first time back at the college since pursuing her academic courses in 1995.

Garza already holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. She worked in the hospitality industry for 17 years. An immune deficiency diagnosis forced her to take a leave and make her health a priority, but she is now getting a second chance at a new career.

The Harlingen native holds a 3.4 grade-point average and is active with Student Government Association and the Veteran Students Alliance Club paying homage to her father who is a retired Marine and her brother and sister-in-law who are active Marines.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I will focus all of my efforts on gaining more experience as a registered dental hygienist in a dental office or community clinic.

What’s your dream job?

I chose a career in dental hygiene because it allows me to provide a valuable service to my community, especially children, elderly and the disabled. I will also have the flexibility to better balance my career and personal life.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment has been being able to use my life experience to motivate my classmates, especially the younger students just starting out. However, I’ve learned a lot from them as well.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I have learned that kindness matters. I have found that even the smallest expression of kindness can have an enormous impact on others. It does not take much to be kind. So I practice every day to be kinder and to make a difference in someone’s life.

Who at TSTC has influenced your success the most?

My dad, who is a Building Construction Technology student at TSTC, has definitely been the biggest influence. Since graduating from the University of Houston in 1997, I have not been back in a classroom. I was apprehensive about going back to school but seeing how much my 65-year-old father enjoyed it and how well he was doing in his classes, I saw I had nothing to fear. He and my mother continue to encourage me and it is their never ending support that gets me through my toughest challenges.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want to advice students to find the thing they love to do with all of their hearts because then every day will be a gift. And, if they have not found their passion then make it a mission to find it. The joy it brings will spill over into all aspects of their lives.

TSTC Allied Health Students Advance to SkillsUSA State Competition

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College recently hosted its second Allied Health SkillsUSA competition for nursing assistant and medical assistant students.

SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives serving middle school, high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health professions.

At TSTC, a total of eight students competed in areas such as phlebotomy, electrocardiogram (EKG) and vital sign readings, perineal care, patient transfers, CPR, first aid and medical terminology.

“SkillsUSA has been a great way for students to reinforce what they’re learning in the classroom,” said Cinthya Valdez, TSTC medical assistant instructor. “It also gives them a notable confidence in their skills.”

Valdez said the students spent a couple of months leading up to the competition preparing outside of class spending every Tuesday and Friday afternoon studying and getting ready.

“Students are motivated to do well and advance to the state and national levels,” she said. “Once they compete nationally they also become eligible for scholarships, equipment necessary for their field and internships.”

The eight students who competed at the Allied Health SkillsUSA competition all advanced to the state competition at TSTC in Waco at the end of the month earning first, second and third place awards in their categories.

For Medical Assistant student Melissa Serrato, who is only in her second semester in the program, this was her first SkillsUSA competition and she said she was shocked to learn she had received first place and second place in two categories – Medical Assisting and Medical Terminology, respectively.

“I participated not thinking I was going to win, but on the thought that I would get ahead on my skills and be ready when they came up in class,” said Serrato. “But now I’m going to state and I’m so excited.”

Serrato she has her eye on national competition and a scholarship that would help with tuition and books.

“I’m already studying and preparing for state competition, especially because I added a new competition category,” she said. “This has been a great experience and I hope to get far.”

Nursing Assistant student Maria Gonzalez also placed in two categories. She got first place in Nurse Assisting and second place in CPR.

“All of the extra studying and preparation was worth it,” said Gonzalez. “I was so nervous, but relieved when I learned I was going to state. I can’t wait to see our Waco campus and compete for a spot at nationals. Kentucky here I come!”

The SkillsUSA national competition will be in Louisville, Kentucky in June.

Valdez said she is happy with the results and is excited to see her students advance.

“I’m so proud of our students. They all showed the judges what they are made of and how skilled they are,” said Valdez.

Judges for SkillsUSA are industry professionals who have worked in the field and understand the demands and skills needed to be successful.

“We had judges from as far as Houston,” she said. “I just want to give a special thanks to them (judges) and to everyone who has supported us. This has a huge impact on our students.”

According to Valdez, SkillsUSA also prepares students with resume building and mock interviewing, which gives participating students an advantage when searching for a job.

“Thanks to SkillsUSA and the training they receive in class, our students are prepared and many get hired before they even graduate,” she said.

TSTC Students Gain Confidence, Skills at Interview Practicum

(HARLINGEN) – Faculty and staff at Texas State Technical College do more than provide technical training for students, they also help prepare them for the interviews that get them jobs in industry.

The Interview Practicum started back in 2009 and is hosted three times a year by TSTC’s Industry Relations and Talent Management Office. The two-day event consists of mock job interviews and resume building. To prepare, students attend resume and interview skills workshops.

Director of TSTC’s Industry Relations and Talent Management Office Viviana Espinoza said that in the month leading up to practicum she and her colleague conducted 22 classrooms workshops to prepare students for the mock interviews.

“Our goal is to help every student who participates gain the confidence needed to have a successful interview,” said Espinoza.

More than 120 volunteers from the local business community and TSTC gathered to coach and lead mock interviews for more than 150 students from nine different programs who will soon be graduating.

The students participate in three rounds of interviews, each 30 minutes long, and are provided constructive feedback from their coach on how to improve their resumes and interview skills.

“For some of our students this will be their very first interview,” said Espinoza. “It’s important they practice talking about themselves and their skills because that is one of the hardest things to do.”

Long-time volunteer and retired Harlingen educator Diane Dizayee said she loves what the program stands for and enjoys helping students gain the skills they need to receive the jobs they deserve.

“I love the program. It is such a blessing for students to have this teachable moment,” she said. “These students are going to be great employees and I’m glad to have a little part in that.”

Telecommunications Technology student Monica Palomo said the experience she received at practicum has given her an insight on what she needs to improve to have an effective job interview.

“I got a lot of positive feedback,” she said. “The two big things I’m taking with me today are that first impressions are made immediately and I have to get better at talking about my skills.”

Palomo said she is going to keep practicing so she can get better and she is happy that TSTC holds events like this to give her the opportunity to improve and prepare.

For more information on Interview Practicum or to become a volunteer coach call the Talent Management Office at 956-364-4940.

TSTC Honor Society Chapter Recognized for Membership Efforts

(MARSHALL) – The Beta Beta Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society at Texas State Technical College was recently named a Recognizing Excellence in Acceptance and Completion with Honors, or REACH, Rewards chapter.

The REACH status is given by Phi Theta Kappa to those chapters that exhibit excellence in accepting new members. TSTC’s designation was for its 2016 membership efforts. The Marshall chapter has at least 30 members and five advisors, said Robbie Anderson, a mathematics instructor and chapter advisor.

Zachary Garner, 21, campus chapter president and a Cyber Security and Computer Networking and Systems Administration double major from Forney scheduled to graduate in May, said members learned that planning and advertising make a difference in generating interest among students. He said there was a noticeable increase in turnout for the group’s Fall Festival held late last year, compared with a barbecue fundraising event held earlier this year.

Garner added that the chapter had a total of more than $600 in revenue from the event.

The technical college’s chapter students stay visible by working with Carter BloodCare on campus blood drives and participating in citywide and campus cleanup events. Members also support the efforts of Habitat for Humanity in Marshall.

The TSTC chapter was one of more than 400 Phi Theta Kappa-affiliated chapters to attain REACH status this year, with more than 30 of them being in Texas. Some of the benefits of the designation include scholarship opportunities for members and chapters receiving free Phi Theta Kappa graduation stoles.

“Students who are involved in Phi Theta Kappa have many opportunities that can affect their lives in different ways,” said Garner. “Students have the chance to build their leadership skills through taking the lead in club committees and stepping into an officer position.”

Phi Theta Kappa members must have at least a 3.5 GPA and have taken at least 12 semester credit hours.

TSTC Student Q&A with Devin Klar

(SWEETWATER) – Devin Klar, 20, of San Antonio is a Wind Energy Technology student at Texas State Technical College. Klar, a 2015 alumnus of Judson High School in Converse, is scheduled to graduate in May with an associate degree.

How did you pick your major? “I grew up going back and forth to the coast and saw the turbines. I jumped on the computer and started looking at schools to go to that offered classes. I started doing some digging around. My father was in Abilene for work, and he talked to some guys who worked for a wind company and they mentioned Texas State Technical College.”

How have you enjoyed attending TSTC? “It’s more than what I expected. It’s a lot of hands-on work with great information that I have learned. It’s been a great time going to school here.”

Have you worked through college? “I started working at the Nolan County Coliseum Complex in Sweetwater in the fall. I wait for people to come in and open up stalls for their animals. I make sure the stalls have the amount of shavings they ordered and make sure the visitors are happy with what they got. I have a pretty good work schedule. I have a son back in San Antonio and go back and forth every other weekend. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I’ve been very blessed to have what has been given to me here.”

What are you looking forward to in working in the wind energy field? “The future that it has, the large growth that it is capable of producing with renewable energy. It is the ability to travel, too, and lots of hands-on work.”

Texas had the most wind turbine service technicians in the nation in 2015 with more than 1,200 workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. West Texas and The Woodlands-Sugar Land-Houston area have the largest concentrations of wind energy workers in the state.

Wind Energy Technology is offered at TSTC’s campuses in Harlingen and Sweetwater. For more information, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC Students Look to Sweetwater Events Center as Source for Jobs

(SWEETWATER) – The Nolan County Coliseum Complex is giving Texas State Technical College students the opportunity to attend classes and learn about work quality and responsibility.

The multi-structure events venue on Coliseum Drive in Sweetwater has at least 12 TSTC students working varying hours depending on scheduled events. Some of March’s activities include a 4-H Club quilting show, a quinceanera, team roping competitions and a 4-H horse contest.

“They want gas money, they want food money, they want money for their education,” said Terry Locklar, the coliseum’s general manager, about his student workers. “These are the guys and females that have a goal in mind and know what it takes to achieve that goal. It’s been a great asset for us as far as having people you can count on and have that customer relations experience and that mindset of the harder work you do, the more you achieve.”

The students and more than 10 full-time and permanent part-time staff have been transforming the coliseum area this week from hosting junior high school and high school rodeos to getting ready for rattlesnakes. The Sweetwater Jaycees’ annual World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup will host more than 25,000 visitors from across Texas and the nation from Friday, March 10, to Sunday, March 12. The event, which has at least an $8 million annual economic impact on Nolan County, includes the Miss Snake Charmer Pageant, a flea market, a gun and knife show, roping contests and a carnival.

Saul Biscaino, 20, of Pleasanton and a fall 2016 Welding Technology graduate taking an extra welding class to learn more techniques this semester at TSTC, is looking forward to his first rattlesnake event. He works at least 30 hours a week and has been employed at the complex since last summer.

“It’s been a real good experience,” Biscaino said about his work. “When they have the rodeos, I am responsible for the financial paperwork and making sure everything that needs to be paid for is, and everything put out in the stalls gets put out.”

Biscaino has also done welded panels on livestock stalls and built countertops for sinks in new restrooms in the complex’s annex.

“I’m very fortunate,” he said. “I’m very grateful to the coliseum staff that gave me the opportunity to continue my classes and work here and get as many hours as I can.”

One of Biscaino’s co-workers, 20-year-old Devin Klar of San Antonio, has been working at the complex since the fall. Klar is a Wind Energy Technology major and is scheduled to graduate in May from TSTC.

This weekend, Klar will make sure trash is picked up and help out where needed on the grounds during the rattlesnake event.

“Working at the coliseum has taught me a lot,” he said. “It’s given me a lot of integrity, and we are given a lot of responsibility here. It is given to us with trust, and we get that trust very quickly. I am able to follow through and make decisions.”

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