Employee Spotlight: Robert Foshie

(HARLINGEN) – Described as a man with a strong passion for his work and a positive infectious attitude, Robert Foshie is Texas State Technical College’s first Employee Spotlight honoree.

The Employee Spotlight was created by TSTC’s Staff Senate to recognize employees who are excelling in their positions and making a difference in their department and around campus.

“I’m blown away by this award. I’m honored,” said Foshie, interim coordinator for TSTC Assessment and Advisement. “This is one of those awards that means a lot because the nominations came from my colleagues. I guess this means that I’m making an impact.”

The Tennessee native has been employed with the college for nearly nine years, but before that, he could be found walking the halls and corridors of TSTC as a student.

Foshie graduated in 2009 with an associate degree in Business Office Technology, now known as Business Management Technology. He said this was an unexpected achievement after never finishing high school, adding that it was his move to Texas that changed his life.

It was during this time Foshie finished his GED certificate, graduated from TSTC, earned his bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Grand Canyon University, and his master’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.

“I owe TSTC everything for who I am,” Foshie said. “I went on to other degrees and I couldn’t have done it without the values that TSTC instilled in me. That is why I wanted to remain here to help other students also achieve their dreams.”

Foshie began working at TSTC as an intern in the Business Office Technology department and was immediately hired after graduating as the department secretary. He has also worked in admissions and as an advisor.

It is this dedication to the institution that inspired Foshie’s award nominations. Although the nominations remain anonymous, comments submitted are printed on his certificate.

“He is very knowledgeable and has a strong passion on everything he does throughout the campus,” reads one such comment.

Yet another states, “Robert is always reliable and very understanding. He is always willing to work with his staff and always puts the students first. He is always looking for ways to make our department better and more efficient.”

And a final comment, “He is always helpful to students and conducting trainings. He is a wonderful asset to TSTC.”

TSTC prides itself in being a great place to work and Foshie could not agree more.

“Being an employee of TSTC means gaining a family,” he said. “We’re all one team and always willing to lend a helping hand. And it is awards like this that reassure employees that they matter. It’s a great reminder that what we do is important and making a difference.”

Foshie said he will continue to work at TSTC as long as he can and he hopes that someday he can use his English degrees to write a novel and teach at the college.

TSTC and Industry Partner Host AT&T Showcase

(HARLINGEN) – A Samsung virtual lab and a car with wireless capabilities are only a couple of the exhibits that more than 100 high school students had the opportunity of experiencing during the AT&T Showcase hosted by Texas State Technical College and AT&T.

“We’re excited that AT&T chose our campus as the host site for this event,” said David Sanchez, lead instructor for Telecommunications Technology. “This gives us an opportunity to show students what we offer here at TSTC.”

The showcase is the first of its type for TSTC and the Rio Grande Valley. It is an initiative set forth by HACEMOS, an employee relations group within AT&T that works to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers and provides scholarships for minority students.

AT&T Director of External and Legislative Affairs J.D. Salinas said the goal with this event is to increase awareness nationwide on the importance of STEM careers and show students first-hand what types of career opportunities they can pursue.

“It’s important to continuously keep parents and students exposed to STEM fields,” he said. “And a lot of the employees that work for AT&T are graduates from TSTC and so partnering for this event was a great opportunity to get students familiar with a college that provides the hands-on training needed for our industry.”

La Feria and San Benito high school students got the chance to explore STEM careers at the AT&T Showcase, which was also being held in nearly 35 cities across the country, including Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Mostly juniors and seniors, students invited to the showcase already show an interest in telecommunications or networking and are currently enrolled in related classes at their high school.

San Benito High School senior Robert Anderson said he is interested in pursuing a career in computer networking or maintenance after graduating this year. Anderson said TSTC is among his college choices.

“I’ve learned so much today from cutting fiber optic wires to being introduced to new tools and technologies,” he said. “The hands-on activities make a difference.”

In addition to being exposed to virtual reality labs and vehicles of the future, students also had hands-on activities such as learning how a DIRECTV dish works and how to work with and cut fiber optic wire. Students also heard from Louisiana’s AT&T President Sonia Perez.

In her presentation, Perez mentioned that by 2020 there will be a shortage of 40 million high skilled workers in their industry, making trained employees a high demand.

That is why TSTC and AT&T are long-time partners in industry. AT&T representatives sit on the Telecommunications Technology advisory board at the college, guiding faculty and students in the changes and updates in technologies and industry policies.

“It’s important that we partner with industry because our goal is to train students and get them looked at and hired by companies such as AT&T,” said Sanchez. “And introducing high school students to these types of opportunities early is the key.”

Telecommunications Technology is also offered at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus, and those who pursue either a certificate or associate degree can expect to learn how to design and configure voice and data communications systems, test and evaluate hardware and software and provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems.

For more information on Telecommunications Technology call 956-364-4843 or visit tstc.edu.

TSTC’s Brazos Center on Track to Open in Fall 2017

(ROSENBERG) – Texas State Technical College and Bartlett Cocke General Contractors celebrated a project milestone for the college’s second building on TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus with a “topping out” ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 22.

A long-standing tradition in the construction industry, a topping out ceremony marks the placement of the last structural beam and celebrates the progress and timely construction of a major project.

“A topping out ceremony is very important in the construction process, because it gives us a point in the progression to pause and celebrate that a lot of people have come together to make a complex thing happen,” said TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser.

TSTC’s 57,000-square-foot Brazos Center is anticipated to be completed in July, and classes are on track to begin in the new building starting Fall 2017.

The Brazos Center will bring four new programs: Robotics Technology, Electrical Power & Controls, Environmental Technology – Compliance specialization and Electrical Lineworker Technology. The building will also provide space for various student support services, including recruiting, student accounting, veterans programs, financial aid, admissions, a bookstore and a learning resource center.

TSTC Vice Chancellor and Chief Execution Officer Randy Wooten said he expects the new offerings will increase the economic vitality of the region.

“These programs were specifically selected because of the regional employers’ needs, as well as high salaries for the graduates,” Wooten said. “TSTC is an integral part of making ‘the American Dream’ attainable to those who don’t attend a four-year university, and we’re proud of that.”

TSTC’s Fort Bend campus came with encouragement and financial support from the city of Rosenberg, city of Richmond, city of Sugarland, Fort Bend County, Sprint Waste Services, the George Foundation and the Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation. The municipalities and foundations made more than $40 million in contributions to help TSTC expand its educational opportunities in the region.

TSTC Regent Joe M. Gurecky, himself a product of technical education, said the college will help make technical education attainable for area residents.

“It’s very dear to me to see technical training brought to Fort Bend County,” Gurecky said. “Many parents feel that a four-year college is something their children must go to, but it isn’t for everybody. TSTC has no problem placing students into employment when there are a lot of people with bachelor’s degrees who are looking for work anywhere just to pay off their student debt. Here, students can attend school and be able to live at home with their parents, making it a lot more affordable for the family. Our students don’t have to get out of college with a huge debt on their shoulders.”

Mary Garza, Bartlett Cocke’s vice president of operations for East Texas Region 4, said the company couldn’t be more proud to work with TSTC to bring the vision to light.

“The completion of this building structure is a major milestone for the TSTC Fort Bend campus and a celebration of yet another success story for a bright future for the students who will emerge as successful skilled technical partners,” Garza said.

Reeser agreed and urged the importance of partnerships.

“I can’t say enough good things about the architect and the builder in this project,” he said. “They’ve done simply an outstanding job on this building and the one that preceded it. Regarding partnerships, there’s no worthy endeavor that happens when someone works alone. Partnerships are the key to making really important things happen. You can search all over Texas and you won’t find a better community to make things happen than the communities in Fort Bend County.”

Ultimately, the TSTC campus will boast six to eight buildings and be able to serve a projected enrollment of 5,000 students.

TSTC serves Texas through 10 campuses in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwater, Waco and Williamson County. TSTC has graduated more than 100,000 students into the state workforce in its 50-year history.

For more information on TSTC in Fort Bend, visit tstc.edu.

Midway, C.H. Yoe Students Win Top Prizes at Science and Engineering Fair at TSTC

(WACO) – Area middle school and high school students were awarded Wednesday morning for their creative efforts at the Central Texas Science and Engineering Fair at Texas State Technical College in Waco.

Students from schools in Brown, McLennan, Milam and Navarro counties received awards in junior and senior divisions at the event’s recognition ceremony. Students from 13 Central Texas counties entered more than 150 projects ranging from engineering to animal science for the 61st annual event.

“I felt we had a successful fair this year,” said Linda Morris, an adjunct instructor in TSTC’s Environmental Health and Safety and Radiation Protection Technology program and science fair co-chair. “This is where a student is able to take a personal interest and turn it into a project.”

Edward Kim, 17, a senior at Midway High School in Waco, and Neeraj Bhakta, 17, a junior at C.H. Yoe High School in Cameron, will represent the region at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in May in Los Angeles.

Kim is a repeat winner at the regional event and last year won in biochemistry at the international contest. Kim, a valedictorian of his senior class who plans to attend Harvard University this fall, said the contest’s research projects all start with the scientific method, then work down to students’ curiosity and actions.

“Every time it is very different and it is a new journey,” Kim said.

Bhakta, who wants to attend Texas A&M University, said his project, “The Reaction of Vegetation to Cultivation after Remaining Undisturbed for 15 Years,” was tied to his longtime appreciation for nature.

“I can name 315 species of plants,” he said.

Rebecca Kostroun, 14, a freshman at C.H. Yoe High School, was named an alternate to the international event.

The top three winners in the junior and senior division categories move on to the Texas Science and Engineering Fair in March in San Antonio.

Brooklyn Barrett, 15, a freshman at Live Oak Classical School in Waco, placed first in the microbiology contest in the senior division for high school students. Her project was on natural versus pharmaceutical antibiotics. She said she will work to improve her project before traveling to San Antonio.

“At the science fair, you get to talk to other people,” Barrett said. “There are not mean spirits here. Everyone worked hard on their projects.”

Dawson Bates, a senior at McGregor High School, received a $1,000 TSTC scholarship. Bates, a member of the high school’s tennis and robotics teams, wants to study computer programming. He said he was surprised to receive the recognition.

His science fair project was on how font sizes and types affect the size of text documents.

Bates’ science fair advisor, Debbie Singer, said participation for McGregor students was voluntary.

“McGregor is a small school,” she said. “The kids that are here are involved in everything. They did these projects independently. They chose the topics, but I wanted to drive them to something that interested them.”

TSTC Student Veteran Gets Chance of a Lifetime

(FORT BEND) – Learning to live again, Dillon Cannon, a United States Army veteran and now a student at Texas State Technical College, just had the experience of a lifetime.

The Cyber Security Technology student recently attended the 2017 Presidential Inauguration. The invitation came from Helping Heroes, an organization that provides military and veteran support programs and donated a house to Cannon several years ago.

The Sugar Land native had the opportunity to sit nearly 30 feet from the podium where the newly elected president took his oath.

“This experience left me speechless,” said Cannon. “There is so much history in Washington, D.C., and to be a part of it was amazing. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There’s no other way to describe it.”

The 30-year-old and the group he was with were scheduled to have lunch with Vice President Mike Pence and attend a military ball, but because of protests they were unable to attend those events.

“I was disappointed that we had to alter our schedule,” he said. “We were really looking forward to it, but in the end I still got to experience Washington, and for that I’m fortunate.”

It was not too long ago that Cannon thought he would never get to experience anything again. His life changed forever in December 2006 during his tour of duty in Iraq. He was serving as a military police officer when a sniper shot him in the neck, shattering a portion of his spinal cord.

“In a split second everything changed,” said Cannon. “You live the first 20 years of your life being able to do everything, and suddenly you’re wheelchair-bound.”

Cannon said he had to relearn how to do simple, everyday things such as writing, driving and cooking.

“Basically, I had to learn how to live again,” he said.

This is Cannon’s second semester at TSTC, making it his first time back in school in 11 years. He said that at this point in his life he is ready to pursue a college education and a new career.

As a Cyber Security Technology student, he gets to explore his love of computers and technology while working toward his goal of finding employment with the FBI or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“I’ve always loved computers, and I’m hoping to use that skill to stop hackers and reduce identity theft,” Cannon said.

Cannon is also an active volunteer with TSTC’s Veterans Center and other military and veteran organizations in Fort Bend County. He works closely with disabled veterans and children, showing them that they can live a normal life and do whatever they set their minds to.

“I see Dillon achieving anything that he focuses on in his future. He always has an infectious attitude whenever he’s around,” said Reginald Dunn, TSTC Veteran Services representative. “Dillon has honorably served our great nation, and it is a pleasure to ensure that we provide a great service to him by way of his educational benefits in return.”

TSTC’s Veterans Center is a centralized resource department that assists veterans and their dependents with admissions, financial aid, GI Bill and Hazlewood benefits and provides support with internal and external referrals.

Cannon said if he has learned anything at all from his experiences it is that life is short and meant to be lived to its fullest.

“We all just have to get through life the best way we can,” he said. “We can’t let anything stop us. We have to go out and do it.”

He said he tries every day to follow his own advice and does everything he can to remain active because he is working toward one big goal.

“Whether on my own or with the help of technology, I will walk again,” he said.

For more on the services offered at TSTC’s Veterans Center, call 346-239-3425.

For more information on TSTC’s Cyber Security Technology, call 346-239-3449 or visit tstc.edu.

Student Success Profile – Pablo Perez

(HARLINGEN) – Pablo Perez is a Digital Media Design student at Texas State Technical College. The Brownsville native anticipates earning his associate degree in Fall 2019.

The 19-year-old is a full-time student who is working full time to pay for college. He said that although it is not easy, he knows it will all be worth it in the end.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan on transferring to Texas State University or the University of Texas at San Antonio to pursue a double major in graphic design and music.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to become a freelance graphic design artist for advertising companies and to become a private music teacher on the side. My love for the arts stems back to middle school when I discovered my talent. I haven’t looked back since.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment so far was completing my first semester, because it has encouraged me to move forward with my education by showing me that I can complete and surpass my goals here at TSTC.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I’ve learned a couple lessons. First, I have learned that by doing what makes me happy I will be led to many new things in life. Second, I have volunteered with soup kitchens and food pantries and it has opened my eyes to those less fortunate and how we have to show and spread love.

Who has influenced your success the most?

My parents are the two people who continuously influence me to be successful. They are my support and have always encouraged me to go for what I want in life. Finishing college and getting a good career will be my way of thanking them for all they have done for me.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

Find something that gives you the motivation to keep moving forward, and do not listen to the people who try to bring you down.

TSTC Students Join Habitat for Humanity to Create Homes

(HARLINGEN) – At least 35 Building Construction Technology and Skills USA students from Texas State Technical College are building a house to help give someone a home.

The Green Building and Construction Technology 2 classes, and Skills USA community service team gain real-world experience as they work closely with Habitat for Humanity to help make families’ dreams come true.

TSTC Building Construction Technology Instructor Rolando Cuellar said when the opportunity to partner with Habitat for Humanity was introduced one year ago, he knew it was a perfect match.

“We’ve been working with Habitat and building homes across Harlingen, while reinforcing what we teach in the classroom with hands-on experience every semester,” Cuellar said.

This is the program’s fourth house and counting. Cuellar said Habitat for Humanity has assigned them three more houses, with the next one in Primera. He added that it generally takes the students about one month to finish a house.

“This partnership has allowed our students not only to work toward their career goals, but also to help the community,” he said. “We’re excited for the future of this partnership because it is definitely worthwhile.”

Building Construction Technology student Denisse Godinez agrees that this opportunity has been a great experience and an eye opener for her.

“Being given this type of hands-on experience is invaluable to me,” she said. “Everything I’m learning I’ll be able to apply when I graduate and join my dad in the construction business.”

The mother of two said it also gives her a sense of satisfaction knowing she is helping to provide a home for a family.

“We’re not only building houses, we’re creating a place that a family can call home,” Godinez said.

Habitat for Humanity Program Director Eriberto Orta said he appreciates all the hard work and dedication TSTC has put into this partnership and helping families.

“TSTC has really become a huge support for us in Harlingen,” he said. “They have been with us literally every step of the way since our initial home in the community. They are an outlet we can count on.”

Orta said TSTC has been able to fill the volunteer gaps he faces during the week.

“During the week they’re there, no questions asked,” Orta said. “Our construction site is their learning site, and they are doing a remarkable job. They are really making a difference for our organization and the families we serve.”

Orta said he can only see this partnership growing and getting better.

To learn more about Building Construction Technology at TSTC, call 956-364-4468 or visit tstc.edu.

TSTC’s Professional Driving Academy Hosts Hiring Fair

(HARLINGEN) – Francisco Vega just graduated from the Texas State Technical College Professional Driving Academy and is waiting to take his certifying exam, but he decided to get a head start on his job search during a trucking information session and job fair recently hosted by TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department.

“It’s not just about driving a truck,” he said. “There is so much more to being a truck driver than most people realize, but TSTC has prepared us for that, and by hosting this event it shows that they really do care about our success.”

This is the second year that TSTC has hosted the job fair, but it is the first year that government agencies have made presentations to academy Commercial Driver’s License students and alumni.

Those in attendance heard from representatives of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation (DOT). The representatives spoke about the increase in drug trafficking and human smuggling, as well as the rules and regulations that need to be followed while on the road.

TSTC Continuing Education Special Projects Coordinator Adan Trevino said there have been changes and updates to Department of Motor Vehicles rules and regulations that students and alumni need to be aware of.

“It’s important that our students become well-rounded drivers,” he said. “And by providing this type of outreach, we can keep them updated on changes and increase awareness on the issues drivers come across.”

Steve Rodriguez, DOT motor carrier safety inspector, said many of the challenges and accidents truck drivers face on the road are preventable.

“Our mission is to save lives by teaching safety,” he said. “And by TSTC giving us the opportunity to have these one-on-one discussions with future drivers, we get to spread our message — because it all starts with them.”

Recruiters from trucking companies Heyl, Paschall Truck Lines, Trailboss, Unimex Logistics and Werner Enterprises also took the stage to talk about their companies and the qualifications they look for in new hires.

Trevino, like Vega, said academy students and alumni want to begin their careers in the industry, and the opportunity to meet recruiters from some of the leaders in the trucking industry is an advantage many do not get.

“Looking around at today’s event, I see how engaged our students and alumni are,” he said. “It’s safe to say we’ve made an impact, and this is something we’ll continue doing for them.”

As for Vega, he was glad many of the recruiters he met were local. He hopes to stay in the Rio Grande Valley and already has a list of possible employers.

For more information on TSTC’s Professional Driving Academy, call 956-364-4503 or visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Filling Nursing Needs in Stephens County

(BRECKENRIDGE) – Texas State Technical College is helping to keep quality medical care available in Stephens County.

“The local Vocational Nursing program has been a tremendous asset to our field physicians in our hospitals, nursing homes and clinics,” said Virgil Moore, executive director of the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation and a member of The TSTC Foundation Board of Directors. “It definitely helps fill a gap, and we are fortunate in Breckenridge that we have something like that available. Most rural communities do not.”

TSTC’s Breckenridge campus offers a certificate in Vocational Nursing and currently has 12 students in the program. Students take classes in basic nursing, pharmacology, medical terminology, medication administration and applied nursing skills. Some of the training is done on medical simulation dummies that can be programmed to mimic a range of health situations.

“The program covers a wide variety of skills,” said Trisha Otts, interim director of the Vocational Nursing program in West Texas, but who will become permanent director at the end of February. “We get a lot of the students straight out of high school. The main hurdle is getting clear background checks from the Texas Board of Nursing.”

There were more than 70 full-time licensed vocational nurses in Stephens County as of September 2016, according to the most recent information from the Texas Board of Nursing. Most of the county’s licensed vocational nurses worked in general practices, geriatrics, surgical areas and home health.

Chris Curtis, practice administrator at Breckenridge Medical Center, which is owned by Stephens Memorial Hospital, said a majority of the nurses are TSTC graduates.

“Without the nursing program, we would really struggle to find nurses,” Curtis said. “TSTC is where they all come from. They do their clinical sessions at the clinic and the hospital, and this gives them an idea of what they want to do in their careers.”

The technical college is a tool Moore uses to attract new companies to the county.

“Finding skilled labor is a big challenge,” Moore said. “The smaller the area you are talking about, the more of a challenge it is. A lot of times we rely on basically a promise that we are going to supply you with a skilled workforce, and you tell us the skills you need and we can train the people locally to fill those jobs. It’s worked out really well for us.”

Otts, a graduate of TSTC, said she envisions working with area school districts in the future to try to provide dual enrollment opportunities for high school students interested in nursing.

Open House will be held at TSTC in Breckenridge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24. For more information, go to tstc.edu/openhouse.

Student Success Profile – Alyssa Cantu

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College student Alyssa Cantu is pursuing her General Academic Core and expects to complete it in 2018. She currently boasts a 3.6 grade-point average.

When the 18-year-old is not busy studying, she volunteers with her church, Lifeline Heart of Worship, as an usher and greeter.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating from TSTC I plan on transferring to Sam Houston State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminology.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become a Forensic Psychologist. After completing my first psychology class I was interested in learning more. I did some research and came across forensics and noticed I could combine both, and since then I’ve been hooked.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment has been maintaining my grades, my GPA and making my mom proud.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

My mom has always taught me that it is important to be resilient in life, and I have always carried that with me.

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

The person at TSTC who has influenced my success the most is my Government Instructor Elizabeth Bryant. She is a very independent woman and is very dedicated to her job, teaching me and other students that dedication is important no matter what we decide to do in life.