Student Success Profile – Yolanda Reyes

(HARLINGEN) – Yolanda ReyesTexas State Technical College Agricultural Technology student Yolanda Reyes expects to graduate with her associate degree next month and boasts a 3.6 grade-point average.

When the Brownsville native is not busy in class or studying, she is organizing fundraisers and showcasing her program at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show as president of the TSTC Agriculture Club. She also volunteers in her community regularly with TSTC Student Life.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan on returning to TSTC to pursue an associate degree in biology and then transferring to Texas A&M-Kingsville for a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become a game warden. This career combines my love for nature, animals and law enforcement. It’ll be the best of both worlds.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishments have been being able to maintain a GPA above 3.5 and having the opportunity of becoming a student leader within my program’s club and Student Life.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is to not give up. I must overcome the obstacles that are thrown my way and reach for my goals. I never thought school was an option, I didn’t have the money, but with hard work, saved money and financial aid, here I am.

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

First there are my two Agricultural Technology Instructors Sam Gavito and Norberto Mendoza. They are great motivators, give great advice and encourage me to keep going. Next, are my mom and sister. I can’t leave them out. They are the reason why I work hard and want to succeed. They are always pushing me to think of my future and support my dreams and goals.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to not limit yourself. Everything you are doing, you are doing for you. So don’t let others discourage you. Keep working toward your goals.

 

TSTC in Waco Hosts Open House

(WACO) – More than 950 visitors from throughout the state attended Open House at Texas State Technical College on Thursday.

Visitors were treated to a taco lunch, tours of several technical programs and one-on-one time with instructors at tables set up in the Murray Watson Jr. Student Recreation Center.

“I think things are going great,” said Darryan Meyers, a TSTC student recruitment representative. “I think everyone is getting what TSTC has to offer. There is good engagement with the staff and visitors.”

Michael Sedillo, 21, is a Connally High School graduate who has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Texas Tech University. He visited Open House because he will start work on a pharmacy technician certificate this fall at TSTC. His goal is to continue his education after graduation and become a pharmacist.

“My sister came to TSTC and when I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do, she told me about the program,” Sedillo said. “She graduated from the Pharmacy Technician program and she said, ‘You could end up being my boss.’ So, I definitely wanted to do it and I’m really excited to get going on pursuing my dream.”

Gabriela Herrera, 18, a senior at Waco High School and member of Prosper Waco’s Project Link initiative, said she is interested in majoring in Architectural and Civil Drafting Technology. She got her first taste of technical education when she attended last fall’s Women in Technology Day held at TSTC.

“Since I was little I had a dream to build my own home,” Herrera said.

Corby Myers, an instructor in the Drafting and Design Technology program, said about 45 students start the program and split to work either toward the associate degree in mechanical and electrical drafting technology or architectural and civil drafting technology at the start of their second semester at TSTC.

“Graduates are support staff for architects and engineers,” Myers said. “They can do mechanical engineering or drafting. Anything that has to be built has to be drawn first.”

TSTC Electrical Power and Controls major Anita Nesler, 45, of Copperas Cove volunteered at the program’s information table and wanted to encourage females to think about the field of study. Electrical Power and Controls graduates maintain and test electrical and nuclear power plants, do electrical design and troubleshoot relays and transformers.

“We are always energy hungry as a society,” Nesler said.

Students in TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program demonstrated the construction of a mini-building and some programs showed off the tools of their trade to show prospective students and their families. The Cloud and Data Center Management program demonstrated small self-driving cars on a taped track on the carpeted first floor of the John B. Connally Technology Center.

The Computer Science program had a table for students to put on virtual reality headgear and feel their presence in the technology center, all without leaving the student recreation center. Event visitors could also use their smartphones or tablets to play an augmented reality game created by TSTC students.

Staff representing financial aid, student outreach, SkillsUSA, the Challenger Learning Center and student recruiting were also on hand to meet prospective students.

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

 

Dashiell Corp. Hires Entire TSTC Lineworker Class

(FORT BEND COUNTY) – The first graduating class of linemen from Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County will walk the stage in April with their certificates and a sigh of relief, knowing they have jobs waiting for them.

All eight graduates have been offered employment with Dashiell Corp. upon completion of the program. Dashiell is a leading national provider of technical services to the electric utility, power generation and energy industries.

Troy Eads, instructor of TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology, said he had been working with a couple of companies to help find his students jobs.

The representative from Dashiell was the first to see the students in action, Eads said. “After he talked to them and saw them climb, he said, ‘Yeah, I’ll take them all.’”

Eads said he wasn’t really surprised that the company wanted all of the students.

“I try to teach them everything they need to know,” Eads said. “I wasn’t surprised that any company that came through would (hire them all) because we have a great program. Most schools have a 15-week certification, and we have 45 weeks. You learn a lot more in 45 weeks. We have a good curriculum and great students.”

Student Darryl Jackson said he feels good about having a job before graduating.

“Just a couple of years ago, I really didn’t understand where I would be at,” Jackson said. “Now I’m a few months away from graduating school, and I already have a job. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, like I actually did something.”

Jackson said he didn’t expect to have a job lined up so soon.

“I was really expecting that we’d graduate and have to go out and find our own jobs,” he said.

Though the students are taught the job skills they need, the program goes a little further than that.

“We go in-depth with what we teach them,” Eads said. “They learn not only about the work, but things like showing up on time also. There’s responsibility involved. We teach them about going through the interview and stuff like that as well — the soft skills.”

Jackson said it was those things that made the program special to him.

“It changed everybody in the program, including me,” he said. “We all had our ways about us, and Troy pointed those things out and showed us what wouldn’t work.”

As for now, the students are counting down the days until they begin their new jobs.

“I can’t wait,” Jackson said. “It’s something we talk about every day now.”

TSTC will begin registering students for the summer and fall semesters on Monday, April 2. For more information on TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC and Presidio ISD Unite to Offer Dual Credit Classes

(SWEETWATER) – Gilberto Madrid of Presidio is lighting the fire for his career each day in a welding booth at Texas State Technical College.

“I liked the thought of being able to control metal and fuse it together to make it something that can support weight,” said Madrid, 20. “That has interested me for a couple of years now.”

Madrid earned dual credit hours while a student at Presidio High School and is scheduled to graduate from TSTC in August with a certificate in Structural Welding and is considering his work options. It is a path Presidio Independent School District education leaders hope other students will follow as they are armed with dual credit hours from TSTC.

This year, there have been 20 Presidio High School students taking dual credit courses from TSTC online in Culinary Arts, Digital Media Design and Medical Office Specialist, and in person with TSTC credentialed high school teachers in Business Management Technology and Welding Technology.

For PISD Superintendent Dennis McEntire, one of the goals is to give Presidio students every opportunity they can to achieve.

“We are open to any dual credit with TSTC,” he said. “The welding is the one we have had the most numbers in. We can work with TSTC on anything they can make available for the kids to work on. This is the future; this is Presidio. We absolutely bought into this. We have managed to build this into our budget and create a financial model to make it successful.”

Some of Presidio High School’s welding students recently visited TSTC to meet Welding Technology program instructors and work with equipment.

“This just gives them a taste to get them motivated and hopefully continue on with us,” said Taylor Elston, a TSTC in Sweetwater welding instructor. “It seems to be paying off with some of them.”

Elston said Sweetwater’s welding program attracts students from throughout West Texas and the Panhandle. He said the goal is for graduates to have a job, or a welding test for a job, waiting for them upon graduation. Elston said he and fellow welding instructor Frank Molini are starting to build relationships with employers in Brady, Early and Roscoe.

“We are looking at the market and what is available and places they would not mind living,” Elston said. “We will see what the companies are testing and we will help them practice for their test to get the job.”

PISD’s early college high school concept containing a technical college component began about seven years ago, McEntire said. The school district also partners with The University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa.

“We were able to put this into place about five years ago,” McEntire said. “It is 300 miles to UTPB  and nearly than 400 miles to TSTC – so everything has to be done online and done at a distance. It took us a couple of years to convince the Texas Education Agency that it is viable. It has become a much more common occurrence.”

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

 

Lorena Resident Designs Her Creative Future at TSTC

(WACO) – Raychel Mynarcik knows what she wants and is not afraid to go for it.

The busy 21-year-old Lorena native is in her second semester in Texas State Technical College’s Visual Communication Technology program. She sees TSTC as an opportunity to earn a degree that will turn her passions for music and design into a living.

“I wanted to be self-sufficient in my (music) career and do my own album covers and my own media for that. So with the Visual Communication program, I am able to learn all of the tools and programs that would allow me to do all my own media and designs so I wouldn’t have to pay anyone — just be the whole package,” Mynarcik said.

TSTC’s reputation for great job placement, coupled with its two-year timeline for associate degrees, sold Mynarcik on the college.

“They know how to prepare students to go into the workforce,” she said.

Mynarcik praised her TSTC instructors as playing key roles in guiding her to success.

“They have provided such a great foundation, at least for me, to really be able to craft and have the tools in order to really let that creativity shine,” she said.

Mynarcik’s VCT instructor, Michael Lewis, said she was a student with great potential.

“She’s energetic, creative and very excited about training for something she is so passionate about,” he said.

In addition to studying VCT, Mynarcik is president of TSTC’s Visual Arts Society, which combines web development with other VCT-related programs.

“Raychel was elected president of VAS her first semester at TSTC. And to have her come in and lead and encourage the participation we have is really impressive,” said Jennifer Piper, a Visual Communication Technology instructor.

The Visual Arts Society allows students to network and attend events where they can enhance their skills and learn more about their fields. In April, Mynarcik and 12 other members of the organization will attend the Dallas Society of Visual Communications conference to compete and showcase their skills.

“Being in that club gives so many experiences for a student that you wouldn’t normally get anywhere else,” Mynarcik said.  

Looking to the future, Mynarcik is excited and confident about the possibilities awaiting her.

“TSTC has been such a growth for me, I never thought I’d get to learn and create so quickly. I get to take something I love and earn a living and that’s amazing to think about, “ Mynarcik said.

Mynarcik is scheduled to graduate in 2019 from TSTC.

Besides being a full-time student, Mynarcik is worship director for Lorena United Methodist Church and a dance fitness instructor at Baylor University. She already has associate degrees from McLennan Community College in vocal performance and songwriting, and has released four songs on Spotify and iTunes under the name Ray Mynarcik.

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

 

Annual TSTC in Williamson County Open House a Success

(HUTTO) – Texas State Technical College in Williamson County held its annual open house Friday, opening its campus for tours and meetings with faculty. The event, designed for prospective students who want to learn more about the college, hosted more than 300 visitors.

TSTC coordinator of student recruitment Melissa Zamora said the event was a success.

“I think it was a great opportunity for us to get TSTC in Williamson County on the map,” Zamora said.

Zamora said the program tours were a popular part of the day.

“The demos and all the information they provided, along with our college fair, really did showcase what we offer,” she said. “I think it actually showed the students why they should commit to this location in particular.”

TSTC Provost Edgar Padilla said the college changed some things up this year to provide a new experience for visitors and for TSTC.

“We tried some new things this year that we felt would be successful in terms of bringing in more students and more applications,” Padilla said. “We had a great mix of both traditional students coming from schools with their teachers as well as individuals coming with parents. We feel it was a very successful day.”

TSTC employees came from the college’s Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses to help make the event a success.

“We had staff from across the state join us to assist our students in serving lunch, submitting applications and answering any questions they had about the college admissions process,” Padilla said. “We’re very proud of the team that pulled together to make it happen.”

Sam McCutchen, college and career readiness counselor with Georgetown High School, said the school brought 29 students to the event.

“They had a blast,” McCutchen said. “It broadened their horizons. They learned about opportunities that they didn’t have a clue about, and they were amazed at how convenient this was to where they live. Now they know this is an option for them.”

TSTC will begin registering students for the summer and fall semesters on Monday, April 2. For more information on the college, visit tstc.edu.

Student Success Profile – Moses Guerrero

(HARLINGEN) – Moses GuerreroBrownsville native Moses Guerrero is an Automotive Technology student at Texas State Technical College. He expects to earn his certificate in Summer 2018.

When the 20-year-old isn’t busy studying or working on cars he volunteers with TSTC’s Student Life Office, Student Government Association and TSTC’s Automotive Car Club.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I hope to work at a ranch as a technician for heavy duty equipment such as tractors. I also plan on continuing my education to pursue certification as a marine technician.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become a marine technician and work on boats. I hope to either work on a cruise ship or open my own shop.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment has been passing all of my classes with A’s and B’s and learning how to operate the machinery and tools I need to have a successful career in my industry.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that if I work hard and maintain focus I can achieve my goals and ace my skills.

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

My automotive instructor Adan Gutierrez has had the most influence on my success. He has so much experience in the field and is full of knowledge that he loves sharing with all of his students. He is an inspiration and I hope someday that I can be as successful as he is.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to use all of the resources available to you, from the Student Center to the library, don’t be afraid to ask questions and get involved.

TSTC takes proactive approach to emergency situations

(HARLINGEN) – With recent school shootings and always a plan on how to be proactive, Texas State Technical College recently hosted a Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (C.R.A.S.E.) training for all students, faculty and staff.

The training was hosted by TSTC’s Police Department and presented by Sargent Eduardo Patiño.

TSTC Police Chief Aurelio Torres opened the training with a message.

“This training is not meant to scare you, but to teach you situational awareness,” said the chief. “By the time you leave today you will know how to create a plan and take action should the need arise.”

Torres added that an active shooter is only one of the many man-made hazards someone can face.

C.R.A.S.E. was developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) program at Texas State University in 2004 and has since grown into a world-wide comprehensive training.Active Shooter Training

In April 2017, TSTC’s Police Department hosted more than 100 law enforcement officials from across the state for the C.R.A.S.E. Train the Trainer course. The first for the Valley.

At TSTC, nine officers in the police department are certified to teach this material.

“You are not helpless. What you do matters,” Patiño told his audience.

He reviewed the defined actions an individual can take in the face of an emergency: Avoid, Deny, Defend.

“If you can leave, leave. If you can’t leave, deny access by locking a door, creating a blockade and turning off lights and if you have to, defend yourself and those around you,” he said. “Our goal is to get you to deliberate an action, fight or flight. Don’t freeze.”

According to Patino’s presentation, there were 179 active shooter cases between 2000 and 2014, with an increase of shooter events at education and commercial entities through the years.

TSTC’s Provost Cledia Hernandez said it is TSTC’s goal to be proactive and equip the TSTC community with the information and training they need to be prepared.

“One well-trained person can make a difference and change the outcome of a situation,” she said. “If one can do this, imagine a whole team.”

TSTC allied health student Candie Cerda said the presentation was an eye opener.

“I never really took the time to think about what I would do in an emergency situation,” said Cerda. “After today I feel more prepared to take action during the unexpected. I’m also going to share this information with my sister who is a teacher. You just never know.”

Cerda went on to say that she feels safe at TSTC, but even though, she is pleased that the college hosts trainings like C.R.A.S.E.

TSTC works year-round to ensure the safety of the entire TSTC community by helping staff and faculty with department walkthroughs and assessments and making sure there is a plan in place.

The TSTC Police Department is also working closely with the college’s Student Government Association to create presentations specifically for students.

“Our job is to serve and protect and equip everyone with the tools they need to make the best decisions during an incident,” said Torres. “Being proactive is important and it begins by encouraging others to report suspicious activity and with training.”

To report suspicious activity on campus, call the TSTC Police Department at 956-364-4220.

TSTC gets international exposure

(FORT BEND) – Texas State Technical College recently hosted a delegation of 21 Chinese educators from Nanjing, China for a tour of the campus and discussions about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) training and career opportunities.

TSTC Provost Randy Wooten said it was a pleasure being able to welcome the delegates on campus from Fort Bend County’s sister city Nanjing.

“It was great being given the opportunity to host these educators on campus,” he said. “The visit was focused on technological training and advancements and aligned well with what we offer at TSTC.”

The teachers were selected as part of a teacher exchange program through the Nanjing Education Bureau.

J.J. Clemence, Fort Bend County Global Initiative public relations director and Congressman Pete Olson’s Asian community outreach director, said each teacher was hand-picked from more than 1,000 schools in Nanjing and required to pass an English exam.

 

“These teachers are the top from each school,” Clemence said. “And the goal of this trip was to further expose them to STEM studies in the United States, which is why TSTC was an important stop for us.”

Clemence further explained that the teachers’ are visiting for 12-days touring local high schools in the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District and Fort Bend Independent School District and sharing resources and ideas with local educators.

“Technical careers are growing in demand in China and this visit has been eye opening to the delegates,” she said. “This has allowed them to see the importance of a technical education and hands-on training.”

Ning Nei, a high school chemistry teacher in Nanjing, said the TSTC campus and the focus on hands-on training was impressive.

“This college combines teaching with the practice of new technologies and that’s amazing to me,” she said. “It’s a perfect method that I hope to take back to my school and implement.”

Nei also said that she was able to exchange teaching resources with the faculty she visited, which will help her take what she learned back to her students.

TSTC’s Robotics Technology was popular among the delegates.

Guxiao Chun, a high school physics teacher, said he is excited to share his experience with his students when he returns home.

“TSTC is thinking innovatively and coming here has encouraged me to push my students into a technical career,” said Chun. “I’m excited to tell them about the robots and the hands-on training I witnessed.”

Chun added that he realized he can do more for his school and students by focusing on STEM.

Wooten said he was pleased with the positive responses received by the delegates and that these types of visit expand the TSTC brand internationally.

“They were impressed with the type of machinery and tools our students get to use in our labs,” said Wooten. “Opportunities like this are rare in China.”

He went on to say, “Positive responses like these make our brand more valuable and sought after. It gives us world-wide exposure.”

Clemence said she hopes to continue growing the relationship between these Chinese educators, Fort Bend County and TSTC.

“This was a great experience for everyone involved,” said Clemence. “And we hope in the near future we’ll be able bring students from China over to visit Fort Bend County and possibly study at TSTC.”

For more information on the programs offered at TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Registration for Summer and Fall 2018 begins April 2.

TSTC Interview Practicum Sees Growth

(HARLINGEN) – For the first time in nearly a decade, Texas State Technical College’s Interview Practicum saw its highest number of participants and had to be extended to three days.

The Interview Practicum is hosted every Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters by TSTC’s Industry Relations and Talent Management Office and usually lasts two days.

At least 260 soon-to-be TSTC graduates from 17 programs attended this year’s event that consisted of mock job interviews, resumè building and interview skills workshops.TSTC Interview Practicum

Each student participated in three rounds of interviews, each 30 minutes long, and is provided constructive feedback on how to improve his/her resumes and interview skills.

“The growth the program has seen is exciting,” said TSTC Industry Relations and Talent Management Director Viviana Espinosa. “This is the highest number of students we’ve ever had participate.”

Espinosa added that she is happy to see an increased amount of faculty gaining awareness of the interview practicum and are taking advantage of it for their students.

“We host these events for our students with the goal of helping them gain the confidence they need for a successful job interview,” said Espinosa. “For some this is their first interview ever and it’s important they practice talking about their skills and themselves. This is the hardest thing to do.”

TSTC Wind Energy Technology student Wade Reynolds said he loves that TSTC holds events like this for its students.

“It’s thoughtful, useful and great all around,” he said. “I’m leaving today’s event more confident and prepared for the future. This was my first interview so now I know what to expect.”

The 21-year-old will be earning his associate degree next month and said he has already begun looking into jobs so the critiques he received were invaluable.

Viviana Aguiniga, TSTC Dental Hygiene student, will also be graduating in April and said the practicum was a great learning experience for her.

“I was so nervous coming in,” she said. “But now I’m leaving with great feedback, advice and more confidence. There’s no doubt that I’m prepared for what’s to come.”

She added that the interview process is no longer unknown territory for her and she is grateful to TSTC for providing this opportunity.

As the number of students who participate in the interview practicum grows, so does the number of volunteers who help coach these students.

More than 120 coaches made up of industry partners and community business leaders conducted 750 interviews during the length of the event, many of which go on to hire TSTC graduates.

Some coaches are seasoned and some are brand new and excited to join TSTC in this effort.

This was the first time Fastenal General Manager Gilbert Garcia.  Participated as a coach Fastenal also hires TSTC students for positions at their locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley and Kingsville.

“For me helping students succeed is a team effort and I’m looking forward to being a part of this process,” said Garcia. “TSTC has helped us a lot by sending us great graduates who are eager to learn and have a great work ethic. This is my way of giving back.”

Espinosa said she is looking forward to working closely with all industry partners and local business leaders for future interview practicums or other events such as the upcoming Industry Job Fair.

“We are so appreciative of everyone who comes out to help our students,” she said. “And we look forward to growing these relationships and getting our students placed.”

TSTC’s Industry Job Fair is April 5.

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