TSTC Vice Chancellor Takes on Provost Role

(HARLINGEN) – Rick Herrera first stepped foot on Texas State Technical College grounds when he was a student in the 1980’s and he never imagined the success and the family he would find at the college nearly 20 years later.

The San Benito native earned his associate degree from Texas State Technical Institute in 1987, before it became TSTC, in Industrial Data Processing, now known as computer science.

For the next two decades, Herrera had a rewarding career in the manufacturing industry as a programmer, engineering manager, production manager and site director for a maquiladora plant in Northern Mexico.

“At this point it was time to come back home and be closer to my children, so when the opportunity at TSTC presented itself I took it,” said Herrera.

The jump from manufacturing to higher education in 2009 was a change for Herrera, but his knowledge and skill quickly moved him up the ranks.

“Coming from industry it was about working effectively and efficiently to meet stakeholder profit,” said Herrera. “At TSTC, it’s about working for the benefit of our students. It’s important to me that we help them fulfil their version of the ‘American Dream.’”

Herrera is now TSTC Vice Chancellor and Chief Integration Officer and Interim Provost for the Harlingen campus – the highest local position.Rick Herrera

During his time at TSTC, Herrera has served as Director of Administrative Technology, Project Manager in charge of implementing TSTC’s statewide online learning management system and Associate Vice President of Technology Management.

In 2010, former TSTC Chancellor Bill Segura appointed Herrera as Chief Technology Officer before being promoted to his current positions of Vice Chancellor and Chief Integration Officer by TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser in 2011 and 2017 respectively.

“Through the years and in my new positions I’ve had to reevaluate my leadership styles,” said Herrera. “All of my experiences have really opened my eyes to coaching, mentoring and guiding, communicating effectively and applying change.”

Herrera said as provost, internal and external communication is an integral part of his role.

“It is my duty and goal to always ensure that communication is effective to all parts of our organization so that we all work toward the same mission and goals,” said Herrera. “We’ve experienced a lot of change recently and have been fortunate to have employee support and voices to shed light on new or missed opportunities.”

In addition, Herrera said he will also continue to work hard to remain connected to the community and its industries.

“This type of connection is important to keep our programs relevant and ensure we offer those that are in high demand,” he added. “It’s important that we continue to meet the needs of our community and industry while remaining true to our mission.”

In his role as provost, Herrera will conduct outreach and meet with elected officials, economic development representatives, community and industry leaders and TSTC alumni to find out where TSTC can help and to build partnerships that will help the community grow.

For the past eight years, Herrera said being part of the TSTC family has been a great experience like none other.

“TSTC a different kind of place,” he said. “The family-type atmosphere permeates all around whether you’re an employee or a student.”

Herrera said, by working together, TSTC will continue to support student success and make sure that everyone who steps through the college’s door will be trained and prepared to leave with a new or better-paying job in their field of study.

TSTC in Waco Auto Collision Students Receive Recognition

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College students Hector Corujo and Jose M. Rodriguez have a lot in common.

Corujo, 34, and Rodriguez, 45, are natives of Puerto Rico and U.S. Army veterans. They are both studying in TSTC’s Auto Collision and Management Technology program and have received a national scholarship for members of the military and veterans.

The students received the 2017 3M Hire Our Heroes scholarship sponsored by the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division and the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Corujo and Rodriguez were among 12 veterans receiving $2,000 scholarships. The students also were among 40 veterans who received tool grants.

“It helped me a lot,” Corujo said. “It took a burden off my shoulders. I feel like when I go out in the industry, I will be a more complete technician.”

The students were encouraged to apply for the scholarship by Clint Campbell, department chair of Auto Collision and Management Technology at TSTC.

“Any of the ex-military students tend to be mature coming to class and doing their work,” Campbell said. “They are prompt in being on time. They become leaders in the class.”

Corujo moved as a teenager from Puerto Rico to Florida, where he graduated from high school. The Killeen resident spent 14 years in the U.S. Army and worked as a light wheel vehicle mechanic. His Army stint included three tours of duty in Iraq.

Corujo is studying for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Refinishing Specialization with future plans to pursue the Advanced Technical Certificate in Auto Collision Refinishing.

He is scheduled to graduate in December 2018. His goal after graduation is to open his own auto collision and refinishing shop and own a home in the Hill Country with horses.

“I just like working on cars,” he said. “It keeps me at ease in dealing with PTSD for me.”

Rodriguez, of Kempner, grew up in Puerto Rico and studied criminal justice but could not find a quality job. His sister convinced him to join the military at 32 and he spent 11 years working in military intelligence. Rodriguez did one tour of duty in Afghanistan and two tours of duty in Iraq.

Rodriguez is working on a certificate in Auto Body Refinishing and is scheduled to graduate in December. He wants to work in an auto body shop after graduation.

He hesitated to apply for the scholarship at first because he felt others needed it more than he did. But in the end, Rodriguez said he was happy he received the recognition.

Rodriguez said he has enjoyed meeting other veteran-students while at TSTC.

“You exchange experiences and advice and opinions,” he said. “You get to help the younger students to be more proactive. We tell them to look ahead of the situation and think two steps ahead.”

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

Student Success Profile

(HARLINGEN) – Ana EscamillaAna Escamilla is completing her Academic Core at Texas State Technical College. The Rio Hondo native expects to complete her courses Summer 2018.

When the 18-year-old is not busy studying, she is volunteering around campus and her community with the TSTC Service Squad.

Escamilla is also a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), a certification she earned as a junior at Harlingen High School, and has worked in her field as a CNA at Windsor Atrium in Harlingen.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I want to work toward getting into a registered nursing program, and eventually transfer to a local university to get my bachelor’s degree in nursing.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become a neonatal nurse practitioner. My passion in life is helping others and there is nothing better than helping to nurse a person or baby back to good health.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment so far has been having the motivation to enroll in college. I really wanted to take time off to keep working partly because I was afraid of failure. Coming back has been the best decision I could have ever made.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I have learned the lesson of hard work from my parents. My parents and I have struggled a lot financially, and seeing them work so hard to support me and help my dreams come true means the world to me. Their hard work is my motivation to be successful. It’s going to be my way of paying them back for everything they have done.

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

Steve Guevara, TSTC Veteran Center director, and Jose Villegas, Veteran Center program officer, have had the most influence on my success. My dad is a veteran and I’m using his Hazlewood Act to get an education, and these two men have guided me through the entire paperwork and registration processes.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

The best advice I have for students in general is do not procrastinate. Someone once told me this and from experience procrastination makes life harder. Get things done ahead of time and semesters will not seem as stressful.

 

TSTC Micronauts Program Explores STEM Education

(HARLINGEN) – Three, two one… lift off. Texas State Technical College’s Micronaut Program at the Challenger Learning Center is launching for its second year in October and is already booking missions.

Yvette Mendoza, TSTC’s coordinator for the Center for Science and Math Education, said this program is about helping elementary-age students increase their understanding and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) fields.

“We want to plant the STEM seed at an early age,” said Mendoza. “This will open their eyes to the many opportunities that are out there for them.”

The Challenger Learning Center hosts flight missions for junior and high school students while the Micronauts Program is open to kindergarten through fourth grade students from across the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

“We’ve had schools as far as Falfurrias bring their students to our center,” said Mendoza. TSTC Micronauts Program“Teachers believe in the program and how it benefits their students.”

The Micronauts program offers students the opportunity to learn science with hands-on projects such as building circuit boards, experimenting with kinetic sand, magnets and microscopes, and learning about computer coding and the solar system.

Students also get to experience the Challenger space shuttle and TSTC’s planetarium.

“The best part of this program is seeing how excited the children get walking through our building, riding our space shuttle and doing their projects,” said Mendoza. “The enthusiasm in their voices lets us know this program is a success.”

What makes the program popular among teachers and parents is that each lesson is aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) required curriculum and testing.

“Eventually, everything the students learn during Micronauts will be taught by their teachers in class,” said Mendoza.

The program runs on a school-year calendar, beginning in October and ending in May, giving teachers and schools a chance to book their missions at their convenience.

“This is the first step in STEM education,” said Mendoza. “In the past year more than 5,300 students have visited our center and our goal is to enhance the way each of these students thinks about science and related fields.”

To enroll in Micronauts or for more information on how to book a mission call the Challenger Learning Center at 956-364-4125.

 

TSTC Nursing Program Welcomes New Class

(HARLINGEN) – The Fall 2017 semester marked a new beginning for the Registered Nursing program at Texas State Technical College and the 30 students who make up its newly formed class.

The students are part of TSTC’s licensed vocational nurse to registered nurse transition program. It’s a one-of-a-kind in Cameron County and has already proved to be a highly-competitive and an in-demand program.

TSTC Vocational Registered Nursing Program Director Shirley Byrd said it was always the college’s number one priority to reopen the program after a two-year hiatus to revamp curriculum and improve passing rates.

“We’re back and ready to produce highly-skilled, compassionate nurses,” said Byrd. “We have a lot of support from TSTC administration and the excitement surrounding this program is immense.”

TSTC’s Vocational Registered Nursing program accepts 30 students per year and the program runs from August to August.

And for many students like Daniel Avila, who had to compete with 60 other applicants to be accepted into the program’s inaugural class, this means a chance at a new career and life for him and his family.TSTC Registered Nursing

Avila, husband and father of two, is already a licensed vocational nurse. He graduated from Rio Grande Valley College in 2013 and works in the home health care sector.

The 25-year-old said TSTC’s nursing program puts him one step closer to his long-term goal of becoming a nurse practitioner and being able to better support his family.

He added he was first inspired to pursue a nursing career after his son spent two weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“I love what I do right now, but I know being a registered nurse will open doors of opportunity for me,” he said. “I want to be an advocate for patients the way my son’s nurses were for him.”

Avila said he could have chosen to do nursing anywhere, but he chose TSTC because Byrd and other nursing program staff believed in him immediately and were great at communicating what was needed to apply unlike other programs he had looked into.

“TSTC really helps us strive to be our best,” added Avila. “Everyone wants us to succeed, probably more than we want to. This is the setting that will help me be a leader in my field.”

Students enrolled in TSTC’s Registered Nursing program will learn advanced nursing skills such as intravenous (IV) therapy, patient assessment and care planning, in addition to managerial skills.

TSTC nursing students will have access to a new state-of-the-art nursing center on campus with classrooms and simulation labs filled with the latest technologies used in the nursing and medical fields.

“Our goal for this program is to not only teach to have a 100 percent national exam pass rate, but also produce dedicated and compassionate nurses,” said Byrd.

Students who successfully complete the nursing program, must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination, a standardized exam required by the state board of nursing.

Careers in nursing are available at places such as hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities.

As for Avila, he said he is keeping an open mind about what he will do when he graduates in August 2018, but for now added that he is thankful for the opportunity of being accepted into this program.

“So far the program has exceeded all of my expectations,” he said. “This is something I have wanted for a long time.”

Applications for the Fall 2018 class open in March 2018.

For more information on the RN program, call the TSTC Nursing Center at 956-364-4983 or visit tstc.edu.

 

TSTC Welcomes Two New Recruiters

(HUTTO) – Texas State Technical College welcomed two new student recruiters this month at its Williamson County campus.
Stephanie Guillory, of Round Rock, and Melissa Zamora, of Hutto, joined the recruitment team at the beginning of September.
Guillory made the move to TSTC after working for Round Rock ISD for 15 years, beginning as a teacher and later working in administration. She and her husband, who is also a teacher, share a passion for education.
“I want to help students reach their highest potential. My husband and I were raised in two different households. My husband is one of 19, and I’m an only child. For myself, being raised by a single mom, it was a big deal to get an education and have a successful career. It was ingrained in me early, but my husband didn’t have that. He was encouraged more by his teachers.”
Guillory became interested in joining higher education by listening to recruiters at college nights with her students.
“I wanted a career change, but I still wanted to be in higher education,” she said. “The recruiters piqued my interest.”
So far, Guillory is enjoying the position and is eager to tell students about TSTC.
“I’m excited about being able to go to schools and tell them about TSTC and what we have to offer. I’ve been in the classroom for so long and all they’ve promoted are the four-year colleges, not a trade or another option for post-high school. I’m excited to get the word out.”
Zamora is a four-year TSTC veteran who moved to Hutto from TSTC’s Harlingen campus. She is excited to see the campus grow.
“I know what TSTC has to offer, so I’m excited about spreading that across the state,” she said. “I love the transparency of the Williamson County campus. We can view so much — our labs and facilities — while we’re giving our tours.”
Zamora has also enjoyed the campus faculty and staff.
“Everybody has been so welcoming,” she said. “It feels like a very strong TSTC community.”
As a TSTC graduate herself, Zamora wanted to help students navigate their college years.
“I was kind of clueless as a student, and I think that’s what made me want to help others,” she said. “I’m a first-generation college student and I’m the youngest in my family. For me it’s like, ‘how can I help someone that was me?'”
Her favorite thing about TSTC is its job placement record.
“We put our money where our mouth is,” she said. “I feel like we’re on the cusp of changing education. We’re about change and we’re about results.”
TSTC Provost Edgar Padilla was happy to welcome the two to the team.
“It’s exciting to see great talent joining our Williamson County team,” he said. “Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and institutional experience from her previous role in Harlingen and will immediately contribute to our success. Stephanie is a longtime educator with Round Rock ISD and understands the evolving nature of secondary education. Her expertise will go a long way in bolstering our recruitment efforts. We are very pleased to welcome them both to our phenomenal team!”
TSTC touts itself as being “a great place to work” and is currently hiring for positions at its 10 campuses statewide. For information on open positions at TSTC, visit tstc.edu/about/employment.

 

TSTC Expands Technology Certification Opportunities

(MARSHALL) – Students in three programs at Texas State Technical College are getting an opportunity to earn technology certifications as part of final exams starting this fall.

The Business Management Technology program in Abilene, Brownwood, Harlingen and Marshall is offering students opportunities to earn Microsoft Office certifications.

Students in the Computer Networking and Systems Administration program at the in Abilene, Brownwood, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses, along with Cyber Security majors at the Fort Bend, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses, can earn Cisco and CompTIA information technology and networking certifications.

“If the industry values a certification or series of complementary certifications, and finds them necessary for our graduates in the workforce, we will implement the appropriate material in our courses,” said Bryan Bowling, director of instructional support at the Fort Bend County campus.

Expanding the concept evolved from an initiative TSTC in Marshall already had students doing.

“When I got here four years ago, the students took the class and then it was optional for them to take the certification exam,” said Randy Haley, associate vice president for student learning at the Marshall campus and statewide lead for the Computer Science division. “What I was seeing was a lot of students were not taking advantage of trying to test to see if they could get certified.”

Marshall faculty members began using certification tests as final examinations three years ago.

“There is nothing like seeing a student pass the Microsoft certification exam,” said Carolyn O’Neill, a Business Management Technology instructor at the Marshall campus. “Their excitement is hard to describe. The tears and little dances say it all. Many students study hard for their certification exam and when they see the pass score, it is so exciting. Their confidence goes through the roof.”

Expanding the use of certification tests to other TSTC campuses involved adding voucher codes to class section numbers, Haley said.

“When they registered for the first time, they paid for their test with their financial aid voucher,” he said. “Not only do they get the degree, but they get the industry certification as well.”

Students are not scheduled to have more than one class with a certification test during a semester, Haley said.

“The certifications are supposed to be hard,” Haley said. “We don’t like to double up on the students. We like them to be doing one certification per semester rather than be loading up at the end.”

Students who enter TSTC with certifications can get class credit, Haley said.

The Harlingen, Marshall and Waco campuses are certified Pearson VUE centers. Haley said Pearson VUE centers will be at the Fort Bend County, North Texas and Williamson County campuses in early 2018.

TSTC has statewide at least 340 students in the Business Management Technology program, more than 350 students in the Computer Systems and Network Administration program and more than 400 students in the Cyber Security program.

“TSTC is very market-driven and we are one, statewide,” said Bowling. “Our purpose is to ensure the success of our students in the workforce through the statewide lens. Therefore, we work very closely with industry leaders to determine what is most relevant for our students from an instructional standpoint.”

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

TSTC Student Q&A with Jordan Harris of Tyler

(WACO) – Jordan Harris, 26, of Tyler is working toward associate degrees in cyber security and digital forensic specialist at Texas State Technical College in Waco.

Beginning this fall the digital forensic specialist degree was changed to a two-semester advanced technical certificate, but Harris is still able to finish the associate degree program. He is scheduled to graduate in December from TSTC.

Harris is a 2010 graduate of Whitehouse High School in Whitehouse in Smith County.

What got you interested in studying technology? “I have always had an interest in computers. Digital forensics is the main degree I want to get a career in. The act of searching for something that may or may not be there is interesting to me.”

How did you learn about TSTC? “I learned about it through family members that know people who graduated from here and have had success.”

What do you like to do when you are not in classes or studying? “I’m normally playing fantasy-based, role-playing video games or riding my mountain bike at Cameron Park.”

What advice would you give to high school students? “I would tell them to start college early, as soon as graduating from high school. You should have a basic idea of your major and go with something that makes you happy.”

What are your plans after graduating from TSTC? “I would like to go into the U.S. Air Force and get certifications and do things in the Department of Defense.”

Some of the cyber security fields that are expected to grow through 2024 include networks and systems administration and information security analysis. People studying digital forensics can pursue jobs in the forensic science technology field, which is expected to grow by at least 3,500 jobs through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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

 

Student Success Profile

(HARLINGEN) – Erika GonzalezTexas State Technical College student Erika Gonzalez is a 31-year-old mother of two who is determined to show her children that it is never too late to pursue your dreams.

The Weslaco native is pursuing an associate degree in Biology and hopes to graduate Spring 2019.

In addition to studying, Gonzalez keeps herself busy by volunteering with the TSTC Service Squad and with the TSTC Cafeteria.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I will apply for the Dental Hygiene program. I’m a dental assistant and I’m ready to take my career to the next level.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to work as a dental hygienist. It’s my passion. I want to help promote the importance of oral health care and help boost people’s confidence by helping them maintain a healthy mouth and smile.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment has been getting involved and becoming active on campus and in my community. Doing this has helped me break out of my comfort zone and realize new opportunities.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

Going to school, working and being a mom has not been easy, but it has taught me to keep pushing forward and never stop learning. I want to be a good example for my children so I must keep going and make my dreams come true so that they see everything is possible.

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

Everyone at TSTC has had an influence on my success, from the people who helped me register and my instructors to the folks at Student Life and the cafeteria. They have all given me so much motivation and encouragement. They are always there to help.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

It’s the same advice I give my children: take advantage of your educational opportunities, never give up, find your passion and make your dreams come true. TSTC is here to help. Faculty and staff truly care about their students.

Bon Appetite: TSTC Culinary Institute Hosts First Cooking Demos

(HARLINGEN) – Get cooking with Texas State Technical College’s Culinary Institute during their first-ever Saturday cooking demonstrations.

There will be four, three-hour sessions available in the fall and scheduled for, September 16, 30, October 28 and November 11 and they are open to the community.

“This is new and exciting for us. It’s going to take our program to the next level,” said Chef Emma Creps, TSTC Culinary Institute lead instructor.

Saturday cooking demonstrations are hosted by TSTC’s Meat Preparations class at the culinary kitchen and dining room where students will prepare dishes using the meat of the day and fresh vegetables while explaining step-by-step preparation procedures and recipes.

For $30, participants will be able to ask questions, learn professional trade secrets and get to taste some great meals.Culinary Arts

Dishes to be featured in the sessions range from chicken cordon bleu, braised short ribs, beef wellington and stuffed pork chops to baby back ribs, grilled salmon and crab cakes.

In addition to enjoying the day’s dish after the demonstration, the paying attendees will receive an apron with the TSTC logo and copies of the recipes they can use at home.

“This is a great opportunity not only for our community, but also for our class,” said Creps.

Creps said she always stresses to her students the importance of not only being great cooks, but also leaders in their profession. So, hosting events like Saturday cooking demonstrations is one way she gives her students real-world, hands-on experience.

“Our students are going to learn to interact with people, take care of their guests and gain confidence through this experience,” said Creps. “Leadership is important and this will help prepare them.”

TSTC Culinary Institute student Antonio Anguiano will be one of sixteen students hosting the cooking events and said he is excited for this chance.

“Something like this gives us great experience and prepares us even more for life after college,” said Anguiano. “We also get to showcase our program to the community and share cooking tips and recipes they can use at home.”

Creps said each session is limited to 20 people, and she encourages the community to come

out and support the Rio Grande Valley’s up-and-coming chefs.

To make reservations for the cooking demonstrations, call 956-364-4754 or for more information on TSTC’s Culinary Institute visit tstc.edu.