Getting Ahead: RGV Migrant Students Attend TSTC MAARS Program

(HARLINGEN) – Rudy Tijerina is a rising junior at Raymondville Early College High School. Instead of working the fields this summer, he is attending the Migrant Academic Achievement Residential Summer (MAARS) program at Texas State Technical College.

Since elementary school, the 17-year-old has been traveling to Michigan with his mother and eight brothers and sisters to work in the fields.Rudy Tijerina

“This is the first summer I’m not working, so I can get ahead in my classes,” said Tijerina. “I’ll probably leave after I’m done, though. I have to work so I can help my mom.”

Tijerina is one of 76 students from across Rio Grande Valley high schools who were selected by their migrant counselors and are enrolled in the six-week program and living at the TSTC dorms this summer.

In its fifth year, MAARS is designed to meet the needs of high school migrant and seasonal farm workers in pursuing higher education and to provide community service opportunities.

Students in the program receive two academic high school credits in an attempt to prevent them from falling behind, since most migrants leave before the school year ends and return after school starts, oftentimes affecting the number of credits they earn.

“Our goal with this program is to help high school students graduate on time with their class,” said Neri Balli, TSTC state director for pre-college programs. “At the same time, they get college exposure. Many of these students need to know that college is a possibility.”

Tijerina said he already feels better prepared to tackle his junior and senior years and that TSTC has opened his eyes to the world of engineering.

 MAARS Students in Building Construction Technology build birdhouses

“I’m really improving in my writing. I needed this extra help, especially if I’m going to pursue engineering in college,” he said. “I’ve learned that writing well is important no matter what field I decide to study.”

In addition to accruing high school credits, MAARS students get to choose two technical courses to explore such fields as building construction, computer networking and business management with three-week rotations.

“This type of college exposure and experience is what opens doors of opportunities for these students,” said Yvette Mendoza, program director for the Center for Science and Math Education.

Mendoza added that MAARS students like Tijerina also receive a $1,200 stipend when they successfully complete the program.

“These students have sacrificed time working and have lost income,” she said. “So these stipends help them.”

For Tijerina, like many of the others, the stipend helps him purchase back-to-school supplies and clothes for him and his brothers and sisters.

“In every way this program has been beneficial and has helped me grow, which will be beneficial to my family in the long run,” said Tijerina. “I hope to come back next year.”

TSTC Alumni Help Design Waco’s Future

(WACO) – Bobby Horner, Craig Johnson and Edward Hernandez attended Texas State Technical College in different decades but are united through their majors and work helping Waco grow responsibly.

The men all graduated from TSTC with what were then Associate of Applied Science degrees in Architectural Drafting and Design. Horner received his degree in 1978, Johnson graduated in 1981 and Hernandez walked across the stage for his degree in 1998.

Today, Horner is an inspection supervisor, Johnson is a plans examiner and Hernandez is a building inspector – all for the city of Waco.

“All of us have either had our own business with design and drafting or worked with architects and smaller projects,” Horner said. “We have the training of design and drafting to pull from.”

The three have roles, along with their co-workers, in the planning and construction of structures in the city. And Waco is seeing a lot of development, from the eight-story Marriott Springhill Suites planned for South Jack Kultgen Expressway to apartment development on Bagby Avenue near the Central Texas Marketplace.

“I don’t see a lot of letup, personally,” Horner said. “It’s exciting to me.”

Johnson sits in on weekly municipal predevelopment meetings to discuss several facets of proposed projects, from easements to fire, health and safety matters. The meetings are times to ask questions and develop solutions to make the permit process and construction flow.

Hernandez said the use of modern business materials, such as cardboard siding, has kept himself and his co-workers learning about new construction techniques.

“My background in drafting and design helped me transition into being a plans examiner,” Hernandez said. “Because I knew how plans were put together, I know what to look for.”

Horner said people interested in pursuing drafting and design should have an understanding of construction materials and terminology.

Hernandez said drafting and design graduates can work for companies who will teach them the specific software being used.

The men are members of the Bluebonnet Chapter of the International Code Council encompassing Central Texas. They can earn continuing education credits to keep organization certifications updated.

Horner, 59, grew up in Hamilton and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1976. He said TSTC was his top option because he enjoyed drawing and worked with a builder when he was in high school. Both his grandfathers worked in construction and he also had friends who worked in roofing.

Horner fondly remembers technical college life.

“My dorm room was one of the officers’ barracks,” he said.

Johnson, 56, graduated in 1979 from Midway High School in Woodway. Johnson said he went while growing up to the Lake Air Drive-In where Richland Mall is now located.

Johnson’s interest in drafting and design was piqued as a child while riding his bicycle and exploring Woodway.

“There were a lot of homes being built,” he said. “It fascinated me how the homes were put together. When we moved to Woodway, the western part from Poage Drive was not built.”

Hernandez, 54, grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Antonian College Preparatory High School. He served in the U.S. Navy for six years as a firefighting instructor. He worked in the construction industry before starting classes at TSTC when he was 35. He also taught for nine years at TSTC.

TSTC offers associate degrees in Architectural/Civil Drafting Technology and Mechanical/Electrical Drafting Technology.

TSTC is having summer Registration Rally events for prospective students to finalize plans to attend the fall semester. For more information, go to tstc.edu/rally.

For information on the TSTC Alumni Network, go to tstc.edu/tstcfoundation/alumni.

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

_DSC0559 waco drafting alumni june 12, 2017

 

TSTC Building Construction Students Work With Area SkillsUSA Participants

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College’s Building Construction Technology program hosted students from Belton and Mansfield this week for a SkillsUSA construction boot camp.

Four students from Belton High School and one student from the Mansfield Independent School District worked on carpentry and building skills to prepare for SkillsUSA’s 53rd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference taking place June 19-23 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Students from TSTC who will compete in the conference’s collegiate division also perfected their skills and bonded with the high school students.

Michael Carrillo, a TSTC Building Construction Technology program instructor, used past SkillsUSA exercises to simulate timed competitions the students will encounter.

“Sure, we compete under the same roof as the college team, but our kids can communicate with one another,” said Craig Sullivan, a construction technology teacher at Belton High School. “We want Texas represented well. We are rooting for TSTC just like they are rooting for us.”

Sullivan said this was his fourth building construction squad to have won the Texas SkillsUSA high school construction contest in the spring, enabling them to go to the nationwide competition.

Andres Zapata, 19, a 2017 graduate of Belton High School and future TSTC Building Construction Technology major, said framing was his strength on the building team.

“It’s an honor to work with these technical college students,” Zapata said. “It prepares us as well to see teams compete against us. This will make us better.”

Matt Peeler, 27, a TSTC Building Construction Technology major from Belton, did not have the opportunity to take construction technology when he attended Belton High School. But he said if he had the chance to go back to high school to do it, he would.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to work alongside the students,” Peeler said. “It’s a great experience and lets us know where we stand and where they stand.”

Carrillo said the program has hosted SkillsUSA high school students for three years to allow them to work with TSTC students.

“So far it’s going well because it’s pretty much them against a different team,” he said. “They can gauge efficiency, time and coordinating with team members.”

The Belton High School SkillsUSA construction contest group is made up of Chloe Bush, 18; Allan Harlow, 19; Joseph Hermann, 19; and Zapata.

Jacob Dawson, 17, a senior at Mansfield’s Legacy High School who also attended the Ben Barber Innovation Academy, will compete for Texas in the individual carpentry competition. He spent three days on the Waco campus working on blueprint reading, wood framing and other skills, along with meeting program faculty.

“Practicing has made it easier to get a feel for what I am doing,” said Dawson.

Besides Peeler, TSTC’s Teamworks group for SkillsUSA is made up of Building Construction Technology majors Jack Chance, 19, of Waxahachie and Edgar Cuellar, 26, and Jose Perez, 19, both of Waco.

TSTC Building Construction Technology major Larry Johnson of Mount Pleasant will compete in the individual carpentry contest at SkillsUSA. He and Dawson did their own simulation competition to practice for the Louisville contest.

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

_DSC0571 Belton High SkillsUSA June 9, 2017

_DSC0586 Waco SkillsUSA BCT resized June 9, 2017

Father, Son Make TSTC a Family Affair

Graduation(HUTTO) – When Texas State Technical College welding graduate James Gnuschke walked the stage on May 1, he made one TSTC instructor a little more proud than the rest of them. James’ father, Industrial Maintenance instructor Allen Gnuschke, beamed with delight as his son accepted his diploma.

Lifelong interests and a job loss in Colorado led the Gnuschkes to TSTC, where James wanted to pursue a certificate in welding.

“I did some pipeline work and stuff like that a few years before I came down here. The welding side of it always really piqued my interest,” James said. “It was always something I wanted to try. I ended up getting laid off from the heavy equipment job I had in Colorado, and we came down here to pursue new careers.”

James said a love of working with his hands and watching his dad work made him want to learn a trade of his own.

“My dad has always had jobs where he works with his hands, building and repairing,” he said. “I’ve always looked up to my dad and enjoyed working with him on projects when I was younger. It kind of inspired me to follow the same kind of work.”

James, who has been hired as a structural rig welder for a private contractor, will begin his new job this week. James was hired on at a pay rate of $40 an hour and will also earn an additional $15 per hour for use of his truck.

“After TSTC, I feel like I’m pretty well prepared to work,” James said. “I like working outside and having a trade that not everybody can just pick up and do.”

Though James chose to study welding instead of his father’s program of Industrial Maintenance, Allen said the two programs go hand in hand and work well together.

“Welders are handy people to have around,” Allen said. “It’s kind of a complementary thing. We’ve worked together on some projects here. We’ve actually built several rigs for students here. It’s a good match.”

The duo teamed up as part of a Hutto Has Heart project to continue the legacy of a Hutto resident whose dream was to raise a cross at the Hutto Lutheran Church. TSTC Provost Edgar Padilla said students and staff from TSTC worked on the project for a couple of days.

“There was a gentleman in Hutto who passed away and his dream was to build a cross at the Hutto Lutheran Cemetery from metal that had been scrapped from The Gin here in town. His family was looking for somebody to finish his dream,” Padilla said. “We decided that, to be consistent with our community efforts, we could help with that in some way. So we wrangled up a few of the guys and went out there. They went out to the site and built the cross, ground it, welded it together and erected it. Now the Hutto Lutheran Church has a beautiful cross that’s going to be there for a long time.”

Padilla said it was inspiring to see the Gnuschkes work together.

“This project was a glaring example of not only TSTC’s commitment to the community, but also the power of two generations, a father and a son, working together side by side and doing something that requires so much skill,” he said. “It was really nice to see that.”

As for Allen, he said he has nothing but pride for his son.

“At graduation, the population in the room went to two,” Allen said. “They could have been throwing tomatoes for all I know. Have you ever seen the movie ‘The Patriot’? When they’re going on about who’s the better man, and Mel Gibson says, ‘No, my sons were the better men,’ that’s how I feel.”

James urges those who are thinking about a technical career to “just do it.”

“There are a lot of people that spend too much time overthinking things and making bigger problems than there should be,” he said. “I had a gut feeling and just went for it, and I’ve loved it ever since.”

TSTC is registering for the fall semester through Monday, Aug. 21. Interested in registering, but aren’t sure how? TSTC will host three Registration Rallies to help students through the registration process beginning Wednesday, June 21. For more information on the rallies, TSTC’s welding program or the college, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Precision Machining Technology Program Receives New Machines

(WACO) – Students in the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College are working with four new Haas Mini Mill machines installed in May.

Third-semester students studying Advanced Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Machining are some of the first using the machines to create such things as small cannons and tape dispensers as class projects. The students use written plans and theories to personalize their own creations, said George Love, an instructor in the Precision Machining Technology program.

The new machines contain robotic components, industrial computers and the ability to connect to smartphones and the Internet. The machines can cut aluminum, brass and steel.

“The first thing to know is how to set the lathe manually before letting the computer do the work,” said Fernando Ortiz, 38, a Precision Machining Technology major from Temple scheduled to graduate in December from TSTC.

Nick Huffman, 18, a Machining certificate student from Houston who is scheduled to graduate in August, said he has noticed that manual machines make deeper cuts than automated mills.

He said knowing how the Mini Mills work could help him in his job search after he graduates.

“I want to stay in the Houston area,” Huffman said. “Machinists are needed everywhere, but definitely in Houston.”

The Precision Machining Technology program already had two larger milling machines that students had to take turns to work on.

“The students, hands-on time has now quadrupled (with the new machines),” Love said.

The machines are worth a total of $90,000 and were made possible with a grant from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

“That (recommended purchase) comes from the Precision Machining Technology program’s advisory board,” Love said. “The advisory board wants the students to have more CNC time.”

TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program in Waco is accredited by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills Inc.

TSTC in Waco will host summer Registration Rally events from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 23, July 14 and Aug. 11. For more information, go to tstc.edu/rally.

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

_DSC0553 precision machining mini mills resized

 

Chancellor’s Excellence Award: Juan Alferez

(HARLINGEN) – Juan Alferez recently traveled to Austin with his family to receive his 2017 Chancellor’s Excellence Award at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development awards and dinner celebration.

The Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology instructor joined 13 other TSTC employees at the banquet who also received this honor.

“I’m speechless about this award. I don’t know what to say,” said Alferez. “I’ve only been here for one year so I never expected an award like this so soon.”

Although he was surprised, Alferez said he is very thankful and appreciative to his colleagues who nominated him.

“I want to thank the person or people who nominated me,” he said. “This is a great honor. I’m very pleased. It goes to show that hard work pays off.”

Juan Alferez

Alferez, who is also a United States Navy veteran having served  from 1998 to 2004, first came to TSTC as student in 2002 earning associate degrees in Electrical Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Technology.

While in the Navy the Edinburg native studied Engineering Common Core, Electrical Core and Auxiliary Equipment Technology. At the time he was stationed in the Mediterranean assisting in the Kosovo War and with operations in South America and patrolling the New York harbors after September 11.

“Coming to TSTC opened so many new doors of opportunity for me and my family,” said Alferez. “It brought me into a new life and new career that I would not have had otherwise.”

Before coming back to TSTC as an instructor in 2016, Alferez completed a bachelor’s degree in 2004 in Applied Technology and spent a decade with Toshiba International as an application engineer associate, production application engineer and sales engineer traveling across the U.S. and Mexico.

“After some thought and being away a lot from my daughter and wife I decided it was time for another career change,” said Alferez. “That’s where TSTC came in.”

Wind Energy Technology Lead Instructor David Gomez said it is Alferez’s dedication that earned him this prestigious award.

“Juan is a dedicated employee that develops good relationships with his students,” said Gomez. “We congratulate him on his achievement.”

Alferez is once again a student pursuing a master’s in business administration saying that for him part of being a good instructor is continuously learning new subjects he can incorporate into his curriculum.

“I love my job and having the power to change lives,” he said.

“My goal as an instructor is to always be helpful and share my knowledge,” Alferez added. “And somewhere in the middle of everything, my students end up teaching me a thing or two also.”

Student Success Profile

(HARLINGEN) – Cecilia Pena is completing her General Academic Core at Texas State Technical College and is expected to finish Fall 2017.

The Harlingen native boasts a 3.5 grade-point average and when she is not studying she is serving her community by participating in events such as NationCecilia Pena Student Success Profile al Make a Difference Day.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I complete my academic core I am considering enrolling in the Education and Training program to get my associate degree before transferring to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in teaching.

What’s your dream job?

Aside from becoming an algebra teacher for middle school students I hope to one day be a principal. I want to be a role model and spread positivity to children and teachers.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC has been learning to be more independent. When I came to TSTC I knew no one and I had to rely on myself. Now I have good friends and I’ve learned so much about myself.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

A long time ago, after transitioning from high school to college, I felt alone and this is when I realized the importance of family and how to keep going through ups and downs.

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

The person who has had the most influence is my best friend and TSTC student Debbie Bearden. She has given me countless rides to school and is always there for me. When I felt the most alone, she was there reminding me that I wasn’t. She is my support system.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want to tell future students to always stay motivated. Sometimes a person will fail, but it’s what you do after that that matters. Don’t give up, keep going and reach your goals.

Local Family Makes TSTC their College Choice

(HARLINGEN) – For one Rio Hondo family, Texas State Technical College became a family affair when their daughter Logan Cleary enrolled after high school.

Cleary, her mother Sylvia Cleary, her brother John Cleary III and Sylvia’s husband Arturo Marroquin have either graduated or are attending TSTC.

First, there’s 24-year-old Logan, she recently received her associate degree in Biology and is now working toward a bachelor’s degree at a local university as a pre-med student.

The mother of two boys credits TSTC with her recent success and acceptance into the Atlantis Project, a  study abroad pre-med fellowship.

“Studying biology at TSTC first was my best decision,” she said. “The instructors have very high expectations of their students. They know each of us personally, we’re not just a number, and they always assure us we can do better. It gave me confidence.”

Cleary will spend three weeks this summer in Athens, Greece shadowing doctors and exploring the healthcare industry.

“I never thought that a girl from the small town of Rio Hondo could get an opportunity like this,” said Cleary. “But this just goes to show it doesn’t matter where you’re from or where you study, if you want something you should go for it. I’m so excited.”Logan, John, Sylvia Cleary

While Cleary made her pre-med dreams come true, her brother John is also working toward his.

John is considered legally blind and is unable to drive. He said he chose TSTC because of its proximity to home and his sister’s good experience at the college.

“My instructors know about my situation, but I love that they treat me like everyone else,” said John. “I know there’s help I can receive, but I want to prove that I can do it by myself and my instructors encourage me to. That’s why I’ve done so well.”

The 21-year-old is working toward an associate degree in Education and Training and currently boasts a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. John said his true passion is poetry and writing and he hopes to someday become a professor in English and creative writing.

John has already proven his talent by becoming a published author with his poem “Memories,” which won a poetry movement contest.

John’s family said it has been TSTC and its instructors that have showed him he has no limits and that he can achieve his career goals.

With two of her children at TSTC and being witness to their success, Sylvia realized she was ready to return to college as well.

Sylvia has worked in the medical field as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for nearly 19 years and said she is ready to move up.

“I’m patiently waiting for the registered nursing program at TSTC to start,” she said. “I don’t want to go anywhere else.”

Like her son, Sylvia has a perfect 4.0 GPA. The 49-year-old is taking academic core and biology classes, but said at her age she never expected to do so well in college.

“I was scared coming back. A lot of the students are so much younger, so I figured so much smarter,” she said. “But like I tell my children, college is what you put into it and I’ve really challenged myself and succeeded.”

As for Sylvia’s husband, Marroquin, he recently graduated as well from Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology.

He is a decorated army veteran who earned a purple heart for his service and tour of duty in Iraq. Although he was shot and now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, Sylvia said she is proud of his determination.

“He’s always there encouraging me and striving for the best,” she said. “It was he who encouraged me to come back to school. He told me this was my time.”

The family agrees that TSTC has provided them a great education and the college experience has helped them all grow. . And as for Cleary she said she truly misses the college.

“I wish TSTC offered bachelor degrees,” she said. “I would come back in a heartbeat.”

For more information on the technologies offered at TSTC or apply visit tstc.edu.

Registration for Fall 2017 is in progress.

TSTC Student Q&A with Riley Cauthen of Benbrook

(WACO) – Riley Cauthen, 19, of Benbrook is a Precision Machining Technology major at Texas State Technical College in Waco and is scheduled to graduate in December.

Cauthen, a 2016 graduate of Western Hills High School in Benbrook, was involved in robotics and earned his Eagle rank when he was 17 in the Boy Scouts of America’s Longhorn Council.

What did you do in Boy Scouts? “I started when I was a Tiger scout. I went to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for two weeks one summer. Being in the Boy Scouts was great. I earned about 25 merit badges, including the metalworking badge. I think being in Boy Scouts helped build character and much-needed life skills. I would not be who I am today without it.”

What did you do with robotics in high school? “I was mostly on the fabrication side. There was a size and height limit for the robots. I would drive (the robots) sometimes at competitions, depending on our team’s schedule.”

Did you take dual credit classes in high school? “I took dual credit classes in Tarrant County and had about 18 hours when I came to TSTC. The opportunity was there and I figured I would get some classes out of the way.”

What got you interested in TSTC? “When I was in high school I was always interested in engineering, but on the manufacturing side. My uncle actually went here. He was the one who recommended TSTC to me.”

Were you busy before the summer semester started? “I did an internship at Martin Sprocket & Gear Inc. in Arlington the week after TSTC’s spring semester ended and before summer semester began. They mostly passed me through departments. During my last day, I followed one of our TSTC graduates who is working there. It was pretty educational and was my first experience in a professional manufacturing environment.”

What are your plans right now after graduation? “I would like to end up in the Dallas-Fort Worth or Austin areas.”

Students studying Precision Machining Technology learn to develop programs that control machining or processing of metal or plastic parts by automatic machine tools, equipment or systems. This prepares them for jobs in manufacturing areas such as metalworking machinery, aerospace products, and architectural and structural metals.

TSTC will host Registration Rally events for prospective students interested in taking classes for the fall semester on June 23, July 14 and Aug. 11.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

Riley Cauthen Precision Machining June 5, 017

TSTC Building Construction Technology Students Honored for Learning

(WACO) – Area building and construction representatives emphasized Thursday the importance of the work some Texas State Technical College Building Construction Technology students recently completed.

About 30 students were the first in the state to earn certification from the International Code Council (ICC) Training Program using the 2015 International Residential Code. The students took the program’s Building Codes and Inspections course in the spring to work toward the certification. They were honored during a ceremony on campus.

“General contractors and subcontractors are doing a happy dance,” said Bobby Horner, a city of Waco inspection supervisor and 1978 graduate of TSTC in Architectural Drafting and Design Technology. “They are asking where qualified people are.”

There were more than 94,000 construction and building inspectors, with a majority working in municipal governments, as of spring 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Texas had at least 7,440 construction and building inspectors earning an average median wage of $55,550. The Woodlands-Houston-Sugar Land area and the Dallas-Plano-Irving area had some of the highest concentrations of the workers in the state.

Matthew Peeler, 27, a Building Construction Technology major from Belton, is scheduled to graduate in December. He already has his eye on working in the Austin or Temple areas.

“The certification is necessary to make sure you are following the best practices,” Peeler said. “I love building things with my hands. When you build something, you say ‘I made it.’”

The Building Codes and Inspections course has been in the curriculum for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology – Project Management Inspection Specialization, but the spring semester was the first time students took it with revamped lessons backed by the ICC, said Michael Carrillo, a program instructor. Students gained an understanding of mathematics calculations, vocabulary, geography, flooding, topographical effects and other topics.

“You are starting a trend to put Waco on the map that will spread,” Horner told the honorees. “Keep learning – that will make you that much more marketable.”

TSTC will host Registration Rally events for prospective students to register for the fall. The events will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 23, July 14 and Aug. 11.

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

_DSC0549 BCT resized