TSTC Honors Campus Police Officers at Ceremony

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored three campus police officers at a promotional swearing-in ceremony Tuesday morning in Waco.

Sgt. Craig Lampe, Sgt. Roy Luna and Lt. Roman Proctor were given a ceremonial oath of office by Judge Matt Johnson of the 54th State District Court. The officers, who have more than 30 years of combined service at TTSC, were pinned with new badges by members of their families. 

“They are the embodiment of TSTC’s core values of excellence, accountability, service and integrity,” said Brian Davis, TSTC’s police chief at the Waco campus.

Lampe joined TSTC in 2001 and is a certified master peace officer, mental health officer, sexual assault and family violence investigator, and an aircraft rescue firefighter and instructor. Before coming to TSTC, he was a patrol officer at the Groesbeck Police Department.

“I am glad to be part of TSTC,” he said. “I’m blessed I have the support of family and friends. This is a great achievement for me, and I look forward to future promotions.”

Luna has worked at TSTC since 2011. He is a certified master peace officer and crime prevention inspector. Before coming to TSTC, Luna worked for 23 years at the Waco Police Department.

“I am proud to be here at TSTC,” he said. “I plan to stay hopefully until I retire again.”

Proctor started his law enforcement career in 2005 at TSTC. He is a certified master peace officer, and a mental health officer and instructor. Proctor is a graduate of McLennan Community College and is working on a bachelor’s degree at Tarleton State University.

“I’m blessed with everything,” he said.

TSTC Provost Adam Hutchison said the campus police officers exemplify the meaning of service. Besides keeping the campus safe, the police department works with area law enforcement agencies when needed on service calls.

“It is not uncommon for the men and women who serve as TSTC police officers to see us at our worst moments,” Hutchison said. “They are a vital link for the college. They see more of it than probably anyone else on campus. They serve holistically and completely.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC Holds Summer 2019 Commencement

(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 40 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2019 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 9, at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto.

Celina Estrada-Thomas, superintendent of the Hutto Independent School District, gave the commencement address. She told graduates to celebrate their accomplishments and surround themselves with positive and encouraging people.

Estrada-Thomas also said grit goes a long way in building success.

“The fact you are here tonight tells me you have grit,” she said.

Estrada-Thomas told graduates they will be called upon in their workplaces to find new solutions to old problems. And, she said graduates should learn from their mistakes and challenges. 

The Provost’s Achievement Award was given to Dominick Gonzales Jr. of Hutto, who received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts.

“I am going to miss the camaraderie and the staff that have motivated me to keep going,” he said.

Gonzales is a line cook, butcher and baker at the Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden in Austin. 

Another graduate, Roman Sustaita of Granger, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology. He said he will miss the instructors.

He is working at AiRCO Mechanical in Round Rock, welding exhaust ducts and grease ducts.

“Growing up in an agricultural town, I did a ton of welding,” Sustaita said. 

TSTC has more than 1,000 students graduating this summer across the state.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

 

TSTC Hosts League City Student for WorldSkills Practices

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Culinary Arts program in Waco hosted practice sessions this week for the WorldSkills USA’s Restaurant Service contestant, and he happens to be a Texan.

Colt Schultz of League City spent his time practicing his cooking, barista, beverage service, and casual and fine dining table presentation skills ahead of WorldSkills Kazan 2019, which takes place Aug. 22-27 in Russia.

One of the highlights of the contest is making two different dishes using the flambe method.

“I had to get comfortable with that,” Schultz said. “They (the judges) will look at the height of the flame.”

Sheila Hyde, a SkillsUSA national co-chair and WorldSkills expert in Restaurant Service, is also a professor at the Food and Hospitality Institute at El Centro College in Dallas. She said it is convenient that she and Schultz live in the same state, which has made practices easier.

Hyde said TSTC’s Waco campus was chosen for training because of the Culinary Arts program’s equipment. Hyde has also worked at district and state SkillsUSA events on campus and professionally knows some of the Culinary Arts faculty.

Chef Michele Brown, TSTC’s lead instructor in the Culinary Arts program in Waco, said the campus designation as a WorldSkills USA training facility is tremendous.

“It means we have the equipment and staffing to see this excel,” she said. “Having Colt on campus really inspired our students.”

The WorldSkills USA team will have 22 members competing in 20 events, Hyde said.

Schultz appreciates the cultural outreach opportunity that WorldSkills provides while helping him perfect his culinary abilities. 

“It’s just really making that passion stronger, and making connections and friends, and being open to other cultures,” Schultz said.

Schultz is a 2019 graduate of Clear Springs High School in League City. This fall, he will attend the Culinary Institute of America’s campus in Hyde Park, New York, and major in Food Business Management.

After graduation, Schultz wants to work in fine dining and hopefully open his own restaurant focused on European-style dining.

“This is my career and something I love,” he said. “I’ve kept this mentality and the connections I have made in SkillsUSA and WorldSkills. My motivation is to keep expanding these skills that I can apply later in life.”

WorldSkills is made up of 78 nations with a goal of developing vocational skills in young adults. It is a level above SkillsUSA, which is a professional organization teaching employability, leadership and technical skills that help middle school, high school and college students pursue successful careers.

For more information on WorldSkills, go to worldskills.org.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu. 

TSTC Welding Student Lands New Job Before Graduation

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Nicholas Delaurelle of Longview is relieved that he has been hired for a job before he graduates from Texas State Technical College.

“It is reassuring making some money, because I have bills to pay,” he said. “I’ll be moving into an apartment the day after graduation.”

Delaurelle is one of more than 30 candidates for graduation at TSTC’s Summer 2019 Commencement at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, at the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel at 711 Wiley Ave. in Marshall. Delaurelle is scheduled to receive a structural welding certificate from the Welding Technology program.

“It’s been a pretty good amount of learning,” he said. “I really enjoyed TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding and the torch itself, watching the metal melt into the joint. I enjoyed learning how all the torch stuff works and how the processes differ so much.”

Delaurelle will begin work this month at Smith Tank & Equipment Co. in Tyler, a supplier of horizontal and vertical steel tanks used for liquid food handling systems.

Philip Miller, an instructor in TSTC’s Welding Technology program, said Delaurelle could have gotten a job anywhere with his skills and work ethic.

“He was probably one of the best (students) we have had,” Miller said. “He could make a 98 on a test and ask to retake it. He hit over the mark every time.”

Miller said the faculty encourages students to search for jobs while still taking classes. He said the faculty can help students practice their welding tests before job interviews.

“We hope they get hired before they graduate,” Miller said.

Delaurelle is a 2018 graduate of Pine Tree High School in Longview. He originally wanted to be an auto mechanic, but he changed his mind once he took a welding class during his senior year and found he enjoyed the work.

“Some people think (welding is) hard, but they don’t know how to deal with the conditions,” Delaurelle said. “If you have a strong will, you can deal with it.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

Women Set Example in TSTC Electrical Construction Program

(WACO, Texas) – It is an achievement that Letha Novosad, lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Construction program, is happy to see happen.

For the first time since she began teaching at TSTC in 2010, Novosad will see three women complete the Electrical Construction certificate program this summer.

Chrystal Robinson of Killeen is a candidate for graduation at TSTC’s Summer 2019 Commencement at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 at the Waco Convention Center, while Keely Brown of Bertram and Amber Voss of Axtell are scheduled to finish the certificate program and continue their studies at TSTC.

“Chrystal, Keely and Amber work very hard to be at the top of their class,” Novosad said. “They study between breaks and at lunch. They even book a private room in the library to study when they have breaks. It has been very rewarding as an instructor to watch them grow closer together. I have seen them support each other and get through not only classes, but also whatever life decides to throw at them.”

Although Robinson’s work in the U.S. Air Force as a medical lab technician is a career opposite from electrical construction, she said the challenges she encountered in the military prepared her for her studies at TSTC.

“I was so happy to see other females in the class,” Robinson said. “We want other women to know because we are in a male-dominated field, but we are still women.”

Robinson and her classmates learned how to use power tools, how to wire for commercial and residential buildings, and electrical theory.

“I am about diversity and learning a little bit of everything,” she said.

Robinson plans to find an electrical apprenticeship in the Killeen area after graduation.

“Never quit,” she said. “You start and finish the race. You don’t know what you can accomplish.”

Robinson will join a growing career field. The number of electricians that will be needed in the United States is projected to be more than 726,000 by 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Brown and Voss are scheduled to earn Electrical Construction certificates this semester, but have more work to do. They are also working toward the Energy Efficiency Specialist certificate and the Associate of Applied Science degree in Solar Energy Technology. 

Voss is also pursuing the Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Power and Controls.

“I grew up around it,” she said. “It’s my path.”

Brown said she became interested in her fields of study after taking a woodshop class in high school and learning how to use tools. She said she realized she could do hands-on work as a career.

“My mother told me when I was younger to go to college, get a job, take care of yourself, and that I do not need a man taking care of me,” Brown said.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC Hosts Mock Interview Sessions for Students

(MARSHALL, Texas) – More than 40 Texas State Technical College students became better prepared for job hunting after practicing their interview skills on Wednesday.

TSTC’s Career Services office hosted an interview practicum at the South Building on the Marshall campus for students to sit down with TSTC staff for mock interview sessions.

“I want the students to get used to talking to people they aren’t used to,” said Hannah Luce, TSTC’s Career Services coordinator. “I hope they are more confident going into a real-world interview.”

Natasha Davis, a Computer Networking and Systems Administration major from Longview, said she found the practicum valuable because she had not received feedback after doing professional interviews before.

“I worked really hard at hiding my nervousness,” she said. “I learned not to question myself so much in interviews.”

Devon Edwards, an Electrical Lineworker Technology major from Palestine, said he was confident during his mock interviews. Edwards said it was good to be prepared for unexpected interview questions.

“It is good practice,” he said. “It helps you when you get in the real situations because you can answer the questions.”

Students received insight from the interviewers during and after each of their three 10-minute sessions. 

“That last round, they (the students) seemed more relaxed and were taking some pointers from other interviewees,” said John Balensia, an instructor in TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program. “But, they need to work on their verbal skills and work on their job experience.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC HVAC Technology Program Aims to Provide Workers for Growing Region

(HUTTO, Texas) – As the Austin area continues to grow with residential housing and high-rise buildings, so does the need for qualified heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians.

“This is a really high-tech area, but just because you live in a town for high-tech, not everybody is,” said Curtis Christian, an HVAC Technology instructor at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus in Hutto. “The problem I have noticed is a huge percentage of them have never worked on anything.”

Texas has more than 25,200 HVAC mechanics and installers earning an annual mean wage of more than $46,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Austin-Round Rock area has more than 1,800 HVAC mechanics and installers. The Arlington-Dallas-Fort Worth area has the most workers in the state with more than 7,100.

Even with economic growth and more people moving to Central Texas, some area businessmen said they still have a hard time finding qualified workers.

“This time of year we are working until midnight because we are short-staffed,” said Roland Arrisola, vice president of operations at Stan’s Heating and Air Conditioning in Austin and secretary on the Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association’s executive board. “We don’t have enough workers to serve our customers.”

Joe Strazza, owner of Precision Heating and Air in Austin, said he has noticed HVAC technicians tend to jump from business to business, chasing money and benefits. But, he said some of those same employees tend to return to work where they started.

“HVAC is a tough business,” Strazza said. “It is very hot in the attic, but it is rewarding if you are a dedicated worker and dedicated to succeed.”

Christian said students who have experience working on vehicles tend to adapt well to TSTC’s HVAC Technology program.

“Part-time work would be great for the students,” Christian said. “It is a good thing to do.”

Christian said students graduating from TSTC’s HVAC Technology program get jobs as service workers on the residential side or as helpers on the commercial side of HVAC.  Some graduates have even gone to work in the refrigeration field.

The number of HVAC mechanics and installers is projected to grow nationwide to more than 381,000 by 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency indicates those with computer and electronics skills have better chances at jobs.

Strazza said the conversation needs to change in homes and high schools about how students should approach choosing whether to attend a four-year college or a two-year technical college.

“I have employees making more than $100,000 a year, and they are not in any student loan debt,” he said. “Parents, I believe, are not educated at how much money can be made in this industry. This is a career, not a job. A lot of people don’t realize that.”

TSTC offers the Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate in HVAC Technology at the East Williamson County campus.

“The HVAC industry presents tremendous opportunities for students seeking a high-paying career with upward mobility,” said Edgar Padilla, provost of TSTC’s East Williamson County campus and statewide chief of Strategic Partnerships and Production. “We work diligently with area employers to create employment for our graduates, and TSTC is proud to be a leader in the delivery of HVAC training across the state.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC Welding Program Meets Industry Need

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The welding program at Texas State Technical College is training and educating highly skilled welders quickly to continue to meet industry demand. 

Texas has the highest employment level for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And demand is expected to keep growing.

“The students come in and earn a Certification Level 1 – Structural Welding in three semesters and are trained in various welds like MIG, TIG, flux-core, stick, oxy-fuel, brazing and more,” Taylor Elston, welding instructor at the Sweetwater campus, said.

As students near graduation, Elston spends time with each one figuring out their career plans and caters to their education with that in mind.

“About the third semester, we’ll start asking the students which type of welding they enjoy most and where they want to live and what kind of job they want. Because in welding there are so many specializations, they can have a choice of where they end up,” Elston said. “So, once we learn what they really want to do, we’ll help them start preparing for that weld test so they can get the job they want.”  

One of the biggest appeals to the welding program for student Kelton Grigsby was TSTC’s proximity to industry and dedication to job placement.

“I want to work in Lubbock, and TSTC is close to those industry leaders. There is a big need for welders. I have family in welding, so I know how lucrative welding can be,” Grigsby said. 

Grigsby began welding in high school. After graduating from Godley High School in 2018, he decided to attend TSTC. 

Clint Faulkner also chose the welding program for career growth opportunities.

“My dad and I have been building metal buildings, carports and other structures for the past four years, and it was important that I get a refresher on my welding and get the technical skills here,” Faulkner said. 

After a nine-year career in truck driving, Faulkner, a Big Spring native, decided he needed a career that was more physically active. 

Grigsby and Faulkner are expected to earn their certificates and graduate in August.

TSTC students spend a majority of their time in the lab with hands-on practice to ensure the technical skills, but Elston says the college is also dedicated to ensuring that students are job-ready.

“With the TSTC Career Services team helping us, we really make sure the students have not only the quality education, but also the soft skills like resumes and job etiquette,”  Elston said. “We make them treat school like their job; they have to show up and show up on time. So when they graduate they won’t just be good welders, but also good employees.” 

Elston encourages anyone interested in the program to come to the campus and schedule a tour.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information about TSTC, go online at tstc.edu.

Texas State Technical College students at the Sweetwater campus practice their welding skills to prepare for high demand careers.

TSTC Alumna Finds Dream Career at Local News Station

(ABILENE, Texas) –  If you asked Prissa Delostrico three years ago if she thought she would be working at a television news station today, she never would have considered it an option. Now, she doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

Delostrico is a Texas State Technical College Computer Networking and Systems Administration alumna. She graduated in December 2017 and now works as an information technology engineer for KTXS-TV News. 

“I never imagined I would be working for a news station when I started my degree at TSTC, and I was nervous at first. But, I’ve been at KTXS just over a year, and I love it because it’s exciting and really fulfilling,” Delostrico said. 

Delostrico was always interested in computers and recognized the importance technology plays in everyday life. 

“Technology is the future, and I knew I could find a job in that field if I could get a degree in it,” she said. “Any business or organization that uses technology needs IT, and at KTXS I maintain the broadcast equipment, service our machines, care for our computers, laptops — anything I can do to help.” 

As important as it was for Delostrico to get a degree in a lucrative career field, it was also important to find a college that was flexible with her schedule and could accommodate her needs.

“I was a stay-at-home mom, so I needed help with child care. TSTC helped me figure that out, as well as offering counseling services for me when I went through some hard times,” Delostrico said. 

One person who truly stood out to Delostrico was her instructor Renee Blackshear. 

“It was awesome to have a female instructor because it is a male-dominated industry, but she was a great mentor and role model,” Delostrico said. 

For Blackshear, Delostrico was a model student.

“Prissa Delostrico is a wonderful woman and a student any instructor would be honored to work with. She is insightful, works hard, accepting of any challenge, and determined to overcome any obstacles that may come her way,” Blackshear said. “I look forward to many things to come for her.”

One of Delostrico’s greatest motivators to succeed was her goal to be a role model for her daughter. 

“I wanted to show my daughter that she can do anything she puts her mind to. It doesn’t matter if she chooses a career that is male-dominated or not — she can do it,” Delostrico said. 

As a nontraditional student, Delostrico knows how difficult it can be to take the step to go back to school, but she encourages everyone to give it a chance.

“Go on campus at TSTC and talk with the instructors, counselors and career people because you’ll be surprised by how much they want to help you and see you succeed,” she said.

Delostrico, an Abilene native, graduated from Cooper High School in 2005. 

Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information about TSTC and the many programs offered, go online at tstc.edu.

Prissa Delostrico is a Texas State Technical College Computer Programming and Systems Administration alumna working as an IT Engineer for KTXS Television News.

TSTC Students to Pursue New Program

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will offer Occupational Safety Compliance (OSC) Technology at its Breckenridge campus starting this fall, and two current TSTC students can hardly wait to take advantage of it. 

 Ivan Chavez and Brittoni Thornhill are both students in the Environmental Technology program and are expected to graduate in spring 2020 with their Associate of Applied Science degrees. When they found out that TSTC will offer the OSC program in Breckenridge, they chose to stay an extra semester to earn the second degree.

“It just fit really well with what we learned in the Environmental Technology program, but it goes even further and opens up even more job opportunities,” Chaves said. “I’m excited to learn CPR and go more into emergency-response safety.”

The Environmental Technology program has courses similar to what they will study in the new OSC program. This crossover allows the students to add on only one extra semester of college but graduate with two degrees. 

“I was always fascinated with science and knew I wanted to pursue something in that field. TSTC allowed me to explore the various job opportunities in the field and learn the skills that will make me competitive as I look for jobs or continue my education,” Thornhill said. 

The program will educate students about Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations within the workplace to keep employees from harm.

“The demand for workers with a safety degree is rising. Employers need safety personnel to manage the workplace so no one gets hurt,” TSTC Environmental Health and Safety instructor Teresa Purcell said. 

Purcell encourages anyone who wants to ensure safer work environments to apply.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, log on to tstc.edu.

Pictured left to right, Ivan Chavez and Brittoni Thornhill are students enrolled in the Occupational Safety Compliance program.