TSTC Medical Assistant Graduates Earn 100 Percent Passing Rate

By Debra Gonzalez

(HARLINGEN) – Graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Medical Assistant program achieved a 100 percent passing rate on their credentialing exams last semester.

The 13 students who took the test had the option to become Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) through the American Association of Medical Assistants or Registered Medical Assistants (RMAs) through American Medical Technologists. All 13 students passed.

“Some of them decided to be certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants and some of them decided to go through American Medical Technologists,” said instructor Cinthya Valdez. “These are the two best nationally recognized credentials for medical assistants. To take those tests, candidates must be graduates of accredited programs.”

Members of the department worked together to help students prepare for their credentialing exam.

“We offered a review course. We met for three hours once a week and went over everything they learned throughout the program,” Valdez said. “We also utilized Northstar learning, a web-based review program, where they prepared with practice test questions.”

Valdez said the passing rate speaks to the quality of education the students received.

“These two are the most challenging tests out there,” she said. “Knowing that our students are fully prepared for the workforce is an advantage to our program and our students.”

Starting in the fall, the program, which currently takes 16 months to complete, will become a 12-month program.

“They can become a credentialed medical assistant in less than 12 months,” Valdez said. “The 16-month program is very draining for the students. With the new program, we’re going to prepare students at a faster pace to get them ready for the workforce in less time.”

TSTC’s Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and is the only accredited program in the Rio Grande Valley.

For those interested in the Medical Assistant program, information sessions will be held starting on Monday, Feb. 20. Sessions are from 4 to 5 p.m. in room 112 and are held every two weeks on Mondays. Participants are asked to bring their immunization records, an ID and their TSI scores.

For more information on the Medical Assistant program, stop by an information session or visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Board of Regent Leaves Lasting Legacy

(STATEWIDE) – Texas State Technical College Regent Joe M. Gurecky is a product of technical education and along with his wife, Doris, knows what a difference it has made in his life. In an effort to help students reach their career goals, he now finds it his personal responsibility to help fund the Texan Success Scholarship.

The Fort Bend natives’ donation totals $100,000, with $75,000 going toward scholarships and $25,000 going to the Chancellor’s discretionary fund, which is used to facilitate the institution’s needs.

TSTC matched the scholarship donation dollar for dollar, helping nearly 150 students pursue their dream of a college education. The Texan Success Scholarship goes to new students who enroll full time to provide assistance for tuition, books and other supplies.

“I am a product of a technical school, and as a result I know firsthand what an impact it has made on my life and the successes I have enjoyed throughout 60 years in the manufacturing business,” said Gurecky, owner of Gurecky Manufacturing Service, Inc. “Therefore, it is our privilege to provide this same opportunity to the youth of our community.”

Gurecky attended Taylor Vocational Technical College to learn machine shop work and spent 27 years working for Baroid Corporation, a Houston-based oil and gas industry production company.

However, when a recession in the oil and gas industry hit Houston in the 1980s, the middle school sweethearts and business partners used their life savings in 1983 to open Gurecky Manufacturing, which operated out of their garage with only three machines.

Despite the significant growth Gurecky Manufacturing has seen over the years, Gurecky hopes to maintain a mom-and-pop-shop image, although the company is now housed in a 40,000-square-foot facility filled with state-of-the-art precision manufacturing machines.

In addition to Gurecky’s successful business and career, he has also served on Rosenberg’s City Council and is the former mayor of Rosenberg. It was during this time that he worked diligently to establish TSTC in the county.

“About 15 years ago I was involved in bringing TSTC to Rosenberg, and it has been awesome to see how TSTC has grown. It brings us great joy and satisfaction to leave a lasting legacy on TSTC and the students we serve,” said Gurecky.

Gurecky has also served the college by sitting on the TSTC Board of Regents for 12 years.

TSTC Field Development Officer John Kennedy said that Gurecky and his wife personify the generosity of the Fort Bend County community.

“The generous donation from Doris and Joe Gurecky will help many of our students achieve the American dream, and TSTC’s match of their gift will help spread those dollars even more,” said Kennedy. “We are privileged to have Regent Gurecky in our community and even more fortunate for his many years of service on TSTC’s Board of Regents.”

For more information on the Texan Success Scholarship and how you can do your part to help a deserving student, call 346-239-3417.

New student registration for Summer and Fall 2017 begins April 3. You can apply or register online anytime at tstc.edu.

Midlothian Economic Staff Visits TSTC

(RED OAK) – Members of Midlothian Economic Development recently toured Texas State Technical College in North Texas to learn about technical education.

“The short drive to the facility is a value to our existing industry and new businesses looking to expand to Midlothian,” said Larry S. Barnett, president and chief executive officer of Midlothian Economic Development, the city’s growth and economic arm. “Having the hands-on equipment in the machine shops and qualified program leaders brings credibility for economic development as we demonstrate the ongoing efforts to educate the workforce and provide a trained workforce to industry.”

Some of Midlothian’s industries focus on steel manufacturing, retail distribution, cement production and auto processing.

“Midlothian Economic Development relies on training through the Skills Development Fund to benefit both existing and new companies,” Barnett said. “Our goal is to expand the use of these funds to more industry, and TSTC will play an important role in this effort.”

Midlothian and TSTC have forged a valuable alliance in Ellis County.

Gerdau Ameristeel on Ward Road is one of the city’s largest employers. The company sends workers to study industrial maintenance at the Red Oak campus. And, Midlothian High School students have visited the campus in the past for Program Highlight Day.

“Our ultimate goal is to place more Texans, and working closely with organizations like Midlothian Economic Development helps us accomplish that,” said Jessica Ford, a field development officer for The TSTC Foundation. “A strong, skilled and highly trained workforce is a key component to economic growth, so we are hoping to be able to work closely with all the economic development councils to build the workforce they need for their local economies.”

Midlothian had at least 22,000 residents in 2015, with more than 90 percent of them having at least a high school diploma, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 70 percent of the civilian labor force is 16 and older, according to the census bureau. The city’s median household income was $74,881 as of 2015, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Home Grow ‘Em: Area Company Offers Apprenticeships for TSTC Students

(ABILENE) – A local company is offering students in the Aviation Maintenance programs at Texas State Technical College a chance for hands-on experience and, after graduation, a job.

TSTC has partnered with Eagle Aviation to form a job pipeline, Aviation Maintenance instructor Brian Hahn explained. While in school students participate in Eagle Aviation’s apprenticeship program and, after graduating and earning their Airframe and Powerplant license, are hired on full time as mechanics.

“The company has a number of slots dedicated for full-time employees,” Hahn said. “And some of those slots are to hire specifically from TSTC. The track gets them in while they’re still in school so they can become familiar with the aircraft.”

The program began about 3 1/2 years ago, and the students complete the apprenticeship on their own time.

“There is no class requirement,” Hahn said. “They work 25 to 30 hours a week depending on their schedule, getting paid at a non-licensed mechanic rate. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to get that real-life, hands-on experience on aircraft that are actually flying passengers.”

Rania Rollin, who graduated from the Aviation Maintenance program in the summer of 2015, completed her apprenticeship and was hired as an aircraft technician. She said the apprenticeship was a great opportunity for her.

“It’s so hard to get into the aviation industry without having somewhere to put your foot,” Rollin said. “We worked with a certified mechanic and we would basically learn everything we needed to do. If we had to change fluids, we would change fluids. If we had to fix sheet metal, we would take it out and shoot rivets. Pretty much anything a normal mechanic would do, we got the opportunity to do it.”

Rollin spent a year in the program and was relieved to have a post-graduation plan.

“It felt secure,” she said. “It’s a small area out here in Abilene, so not having to move to a bigger city was nice. I have my husband and we have a kid, so it was nice knowing that I could help support them.”

Harley Hall, managing director at Eagle Aviation, said the company usually has five to seven TSTC apprentices going through the program at one time. The program helps Eagle Aviation with employee turnover.

“We’ve had a large attrition rate over the years,” Hall said. “People coming from out of state want to move to be closer to their families; we can’t keep them. This kind of ‘Home Grow ‘Em’ program helps because most of the TSTC students are from the Abilene area. Plus it gives them an avenue to know they have a job waiting for them at graduation.”

Hall said the rates of students becoming licensed and getting hired have been very high.

“Ninety to 100 percent of the students now are getting their A&P license and coming to work for us,” he said. “They’re definitely turning out to be some of our better workers.”

Rollin is grateful for her experience at Eagle Aviation.

“It’s a great learning experience,” she said. “The planes aren’t incredibly small, but not incredibly large either, so you have an opportunity to learn every part of the aircraft. I’ve learned a lot of different things.”

Eagle Aviation currently employs about 15 TSTC graduates as mechanics.

For more information on TSTC’s Aviation Maintenance programs, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC in Waco Hosts Students for FFA Tractor Competition

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program hosted on Wednesday a Texas FFA Association Tractor Technician Career Development Event involving seven high school teams from North and Central Texas.

In the Texas FFA Association’s Area 5, Weatherford High School placed first, Denton High School came in second and Aledo High School placed third. Weatherford and Aledo high schools are in Parker County.

Academy High School in Bell County won first place for the association’s Area 8. Frost High School in Navarro County placed second, Teague High School in Freestone County came in third and Ferris High School in Ellis County placed fourth.

The top three teams from each area will compete in a state FFA tractor competition in March at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Teams of three students took a written test, did a parts identification test and troubleshot John Deere and Kubota tractors donated for the competition by Brazos Valley Equipment and Tipton International, both in Waco. Students drove the tractors once the teams found and fixed the problems.

TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program instructors and students created the problems the high school students found in the tractors and served as contest judges.

John Bufford, 21, a TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology – Off-Highway Specialization major from Cleburne scheduled to graduate in May, said he enjoyed working with the high school students.

“It’s a pretty fun event,” Bufford said. “I was surprised the students came in and started the tractors up.”

John Goebel, a TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology instructor and event organizer, said he wanted the high school students to learn about tractor models and consider the technical college in their academic future. He said several current DET students were in FFA in high school.

TSTC offers Diesel Equipment Technology at the Waco, Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas and Sweetwater campuses.

HVAC Instructor Hopes to Inspire New Generations

(FORT BEND) – Dien Nguyen graduated from Texas State Technical College in 2012, and is back at the college in his new role as the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) instructor at TSTC’s Fort Bend County Campus.

“I have the passion to teach and help students,” said Nguyen. “I want to be their guide to a successful career and help grow TSTC’s HVAC program.”

However, HVAC was not the Richmond native’s first career choice. Nguyen spent 22 years working as a Senior Systems Analyst in the computer systems field after earning an associate degree in Computer Science from a college in Nebraska.

The 55-year-old said with a changing economy and the outsourcing of software, he eventually got laid off, forcing him to change paths.

Nguyen said it was his brother-in-law, who owns an HVAC company in Houston, who introduced him to the HVAC field and all of the career opportunities available.

“My brother-in-law opened my eyes to the HVAC field and all of its possibilities,” said Nguyen. “If you go into HVAC you can have a good-paying career that you know will not be outsourced. There’s job security.”

It was after this revelation that Nguyen enrolled at TSTC first earning a certificate, then an associate degree in HVAC Technology. Immediately after graduating as a Board of Regent graduate with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, he got hired at a Houston area college as an HVAC Technician.

“The education and hand-on experience I got at TSTC prepared me for my new career,” said Nguyen. “I received the foundation I needed to feel confident and prepared to join the HVAC workforce and be successful. TSTC changed my life.”

Now, Nguyen said he hopes to change the lives of the newest HVAC generation.

“When I saw the job opening at TSTC I knew I had to apply,” he said. “This is such a good program and I want to be a part of its future, helping students get a good-paying career in the HVAC field.”

Nguyen said HVAC professionals are in high demand and his goal is to provide the market with knowledgeable and qualified employees, while placing his students in good-paying jobs, and keeping the program’s placement rate over 90 percent.

He said students who graduate from HVAC Technology can also work toward additional certifications that will allow them to someday own their own business.

When Nguyen is not busy teaching or learning more about the HVAC field, he is spending time with his wife and four children. He also practices photography as a hobby.

“It’s been a long road, but with commitment and dedication I was able to learn all about my field and its equipment,” said Nguyen. “I want students to know that if I did it, they can too. It just take time, patience and practice to grow in this field.”

HVAC Technology is also offered at the TSTC Harlingen, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses.

For more information on HVAC Technology in Fort Bend County call 346-239-3435.

Student Success Profile – Maribel Tovar

(HARLINGEN) – Maribel Tovar is in her last semester at Texas State Technical College. The La Feria native will be graduating Spring 2017 with her associate degree in Health Information Technology.

The 25-year-old said she became interested in Health Information Technology when she realized her dream of working in the medical field could come true without the needles or blood. She said she has a knack for helping others and she feels that through this career she will still be able to help patients.

When Maribel is not studying for class, she is attending meetings and staying active with the American Health Information Management Association chapter in the Rio Grande Valley, learning more about policies and procedures in her field.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I hope to get my Registered Health Information Technician Certification, a national certification that will prepare me for more job opportunities and allow me to work anywhere in the United States.

What’s your dream job?

My dream is to find a good job in my field here in the Valley where I live. However, if I have to, I am willing to move to San Antonio or Austin. I would also love to do humanitarian work in my free time.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

I’ve always been an introvert, really quiet and shy, but during my time here at TSTC I have really grown as a person and have become more social. This is a huge accomplishment for me.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I’ve learned to not give up so quickly when things don’t work out. Eventually, everything comes together because if there is something I really want then I have to try hard to get it.

Who at TSTC has influenced your success the most?

My instructor Ana Gonzalez has been my greatest influence at TSTC. She is always pushing us to do better and motivating us to do the best we can.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want to tell future TSTC students to find a field they really enjoy, something they can see themselves doing for a long time and to move forward with their goals until they realize their dreams.

First Generation College Grad Finds His Calling at TSTC

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Jose Rangel did not always know what he wanted to be when he grew up, but thanks to TSTC he has found his passion and a new career he loves.

The San Benito native graduated from high school in 2007 and immediately enrolled at what was the University of Texas at Brownsville and at TSTC.

“I tried college right after high school, but I couldn’t find my calling,” said Rangel. “I felt lost. I didn’t know what to do.”

So, the 28-year-old decided to work odd jobs. Every part-time and full-time job was temporary, and Rangel knew the answer to his problems was going back to school.

“There was never a doubt I wanted a college education,” said Rangel. “My parents came from Mexico and wanted me to have a better life and I wanted to do this for them.”

Rangel said he not only wanted a college degree, but he was a first-generation college student and he wanted to be the first in his family to graduate.

“My parents only completed up to the fifth grade and neither of my three older sisters went to college,” he said.

One of Rangel’s motivating factors was being a good example for his nieces and nephews. He said he wanted to show them that anything is possible; even going back to school.

In the fall of 2013 Rangel enrolled again at TSTC to pursue an associate degree in Wind Energy Technology.

Rangel said he made his program choice based on his research. He found Wind Energy to be one of the top 10 jobs to have a high rate of employment. In fact, according to the American Wind Energy Association and the U.S. Department of Labor, Wind Energy technician is the fastest growing profession in the United States.

“I wanted a stable job and I was ready to take the next step,” said Rangel. “It may have taken me awhile to get here, but I made it.”

Rangel took the untraditional route of leaving in the middle of his program to work in his field as a traveling Wind Turbine Technician with Cooke Electric.

“It wasn’t my dream job, but it gave me the experience I needed,” said Rangel. “I learned a lot about myself, what I wanted and how we all start at the bottom, but if I wanted to move up in my field I needed to finish college.”

After one year at Cooke, Rangel returned to TSTC to earn his associate degree in Spring 2016.

“I don’t know who was prouder, my parents or me,” said Rangel.

The alumnus credits a lot of his success to Wind Energy Technology Lead Instructor David Gomez.

“There were many times throughout this journey that I second guessed myself and my path,” said Rangel. “But he kept pushing me and telling me I could do it and that he believed in me.”

Gomez said Rangel was one of his best students.

“Despite his difficult background, he worked hard and it paid off,” he said. “And I have to give him kudos for returning. Most students who leave to work, never come back. He has a bright future.”

Ultimately, Rangel realized his dream of staying in the Valley and working with Duke Energy in Lyford, where he is now a Wind Turbine Technician.

“Coming back to school and earning my degree was definitely a challenge, but it was worth it,” he said. “The hands-on training, the lessons in the classroom and the instructors prepared me and gave me the confidence I needed to pursue a career at Duke Energy.”

Rangel said finding a career and getting hired at Duke Energy is his perfect love story.

Wind Energy Technology is offered at TSTC’s Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses.

For more information on Wind Energy Technology call 956-364-4729.

Super Saturday 2017 Coming to TSTC

(HARLINGEN) – If you need one-on-one help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) join Texas State Technical College for its Fourth Annual Super Saturday on February 11.

The event will be held at the TSTC Student Support Service building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is open to any new or current college student needing assistance completing his/her FAFSA or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) no matter what local institution of higher education a student attends or decides to attend: TSTC, Texas Southmost College, South Texas College or the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

“When it comes to financial aid, the earlier a student applies the better,” said Fred Peña, financial aid director at TSTC. “We can award aid earlier and be sure that students are prepared when it comes to paying tuition and other expenses for the upcoming Fall 2017 semester.”

Prior to Super Saturday students and at least one parent need to apply for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and bring it with them to complete their FAFSA. The FSA is a number used to access personal financial aid information and is used as an electronic signature for Department of Education websites.

Students and parents are also encouraged to come prepared with their completed 2015 tax return with W-2 statements, or if a tax return was not completed, a W-2 with any other income forms such as a 1099.

Peña said Super Saturday also serves undocumented students who are looking to receive financial help for college by providing them and their families with information on TASFA and help completing the forms.

“There is help available for everyone, we don’t want anyone to feel discouraged,” said Peña.

Super Saturday will also include financial literacy workshops, campus tours and a college information fair with instructors and students from TSTC’s programs on hand to provide course information and answer any questions. Veteran Services will also be readily available to help veterans with benefit questions.

Students at the event will also have the opportunity to register to win one of two $250 scholarships being raffled that day. The scholarship can only be used if the student is or will be attending TSTC.

“We are looking to promote change in the time frame students apply for financial aid,” said Peña. “We’re aiming to bring awareness on the benefits of applying early.”

Super Saturday is the combined effort of RGV Focus, an organization committed to uniting communities for education success, and a creating a partnership created between the institutions of higher education in the Rio Grande Valley.

For more information on Super Saturday contact the TSTC Financial Aid office at 956-364-4330.

TSTC Leads Excel Training at Norbord

(MARSHALL) – Norbord employees in Jefferson are taking advantage of a component of Texas State Technical College: workforce development.

Twelve employees attended two trainings in late January and early February to learn basic Excel at the company’s training center. Future trainings are planned for the computer spreadsheet program developed by Microsoft.

“We wanted to use Excel more efficiently to give us better understanding of data to support the business,” said David Golden, human resources manager at the Norbord Jefferson plant.

The course was taught by Carolyn O’Neill, an instructor in the Professional Office Technology program at TSTC. She taught company employees how to create spreadsheets, enter text and numbers, format cells, spell check, print and create charts.

“Excel is used in every business I have ever had contact with, from large to small,” O’Neill said. “It is a software application that many people do not know, so having knowledge of how to use it can be a big plus when applying for a job. Excel has the ability to do many mathematical functions. With the ability to add charts, it is also a very good visual aid when trying to show complex data.”

This is the first time the company and the technical college have partnered on training. The training came about after company leaders did a skills assessment of workers.

Norbord is based in Toronto, Canada, and is a global manufacturer of wood-based panels, particleboard, oriented strand board and medium-density fiberboard. The company has 2,600 employees at 17 plants in Canada, Europe and the United States. The Jefferson plant has 110 employees, some of whom are TSTC graduates working as millwrights and electricians.

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