Student Success Profile – AnaDi Arispe

AnaDi Arispe is a student at Texas State Technical College, taking the prerequisite courses she needs to apply for TSTC’s Vocational Nursing program this fall.

The 34-year-old has worked as a licensed pharmacy technician for eight years and said that’s where her passion for nursing began. She expects to earn her certificate in vocational nursing in Fall 2020.

When the San Benito native is not in the classroom you can find her working with TSTC’s Leadership Academy and TSTC’s Service Squad. Through her participation in both organizations she has earned a President’s Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 100 hours of community service.  

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan on returning to TSTC to pursue an associate degree in registered nursing.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to work in a hospital setting, ultimately ending up as an emergency room registered nurse. I love the fast-paced environment and the thought of always experiencing something different.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC has been getting involved in on-campus organizations. This has changed my mindset and has helped me become more focused on my plans and goals. I feel it has also helped me grow as a person and find my voice.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is patience, especially being one of the older few in class. I constantly remind myself that education is not a race and it’s never too late to pursue your dream. My education is what’s going to help me become a better version of myself and all I have to do is continue believing that I can achieve what I set my mind to.

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

The person who has had the greatest influence on my success is TSTC Student Life coordinator Belinda Palomino. She is so dedicated to her work and her students. She’s a motivation and inspiration to all. She’s always pushing me to do more and to do better. She’s a great person and I really look up to her.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to be engaged; engaged in everything they do. Take advantage of all the resources TSTC offers; they want to see you succeed. All you have to do is go for it.

TSTC Hosts Students for FFA Tractor Competition

(WACO) –  Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program hosted on Thursday the Texas FFA Association Tractor Technician Career Development Event featuring 10 high schools from North and Central Texas.

In the Texas FFA Association’s Area 5 consisting of North Texas schools, Wolfe City High School placed first while Denton High School finished second and Rayburn High School in Ivanhoe finished third.

“This was really the first time we have ever come to a tractor technician competition and our coach told us what to do in precheck,” said Austin Ferguson, 17, a junior at Wolfe City High School. “We checked the oil, checked the fluids and tire pressure and started looking for bugs.”

In the Texas FFA Association’s Area 8 consisting of Central Texas high schools, , Elkhart High School finished first while Teague High School placed second and Midway High School finished third.

“We did not want to get too cocky,” said Jacob Mims, a junior at Elkhart High School. “It was a learning experience. This is what we want to do the rest of our lives.”

Mims said the team was going to celebrate with Mexican food, and later on, a steak dinner.

The top team from each area will compete in a state FFA tractor technician competition to be held in March at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

In addition, Elkhart High School’s team along with the contest’s three individual overall high scorers all received TSTC scholarships.

Teams of three students took a written test and did a parts identification test. The students performed a troubleshooting exercise on John Deere and Kubota tractors donated for the competition by United Ag & Turf and Tipton International, both in Waco. Students drove the tractors once the teams found and repaired the problems.

TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program instructors and students created the problems the high school students found in the tractors and served as contest judges.

Will Allison, 19, of Teague is a Diesel Equipment Technology major at TSTC. He competed in the tractor competition as a student at Teague High School and served Thursday as a judge.

“It feels kind of cool because I know all the bugs,” Allison said. “It’s fun to watch the students find them.”

Allison said he wanted the high school students to leave with a better understanding of how to use heavy equipment manuals.

For more on the Texas FFA Association, go to texasffa.org.

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


Harlandale ISD and TSTC Partner in Dual Enrollment Classes

(WACO) – Students at Dillard McCollum High School in San Antonio are starting the year learning in new dual enrollment classes through Texas State Technical College in Waco – a first for TSTC and the Alamo City.

Eight juniors and seniors are taking Introduction to Automotive Technology and Automotive Suspension and Steering Systems in the Automotive Technology program enabling them to receive high school credit and technical college hours. TSTC credentialed the high school’s automotive technology teachers, Mark Emmons and Michael Martinez, to teach the dual enrollment classes.

“McCollum High School is our first dual enrollment partner in San Antonio,” said Megan Redmond, a dual enrollment advisor at Texas State Technical College in Williamson County who has worked with the students to get them registered. “Their automotive program is incredible. It is a great area to break into and I am really excited where it could take us.”

Rudy Cervantez, TSTC’s statewide Automotive Technology Department chair, said approving the teachers and high school after a site visit was easy because they already had certification from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation.

“They have a nice shop and I was impressed,” Cervantez said.

Talks between the Harlandale Independent School District and TSTC began in fall 2017, said Tracy Anderson, the school district’s career and technical education coordinator.

TSTC has supported the school district’s college-going culture in other ways.

“During the fall, TSTC attended the Auto Tech Industry Advisory Committee meeting at McCollum High School, participated with a table at both of the district’s college and career fairs as well as District Family Night to provide information and answer questions,” Anderson said. “We look forward to having our dual credit students and both automotive instructors visit TSTC in Waco soon.”

San Antonio is home to Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas Inc. which employs 2,900 employees including TSTC graduates, according to the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation. Toyota’s presence helps make Texas in the top 10 among states for automotive manufacturing employment, according to the Texas Economic Development Division’s “The Texas Automotive Manufacturing Industry” report.

“There is a lot of potential for jobs for the students,” Cervantez said.

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

TSTC Aviation Maintenance Student Receives Local Scholarship

(WACO) – Whit Palmer’s motivation comes from a giving source.

“I’d say it is the love of God in my own life and all of the blessings I’ve had,” the Temple resident said. “I want to share that blessing with others.”

Palmer, 19, is an Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology major at Texas State Technical College. He recently received the Keith Hull Memorial Scholarship for $5,000 from Wings for Christ International in Waco. Hull was a member of the U.S. Air Force and founded the organization in 1961 in Arizona. Hull moved the organization in 1970 to Waco.

This is the first scholarship the organization has awarded. The organization’s mission is to spiritually and professionally develop aviators to gain pilot hours and fly for mission work to remote areas.

Palmer said the scholarship will help him because a lot of mission organizations discourage workers from having debt.

“It means a lot,” he said. “I’ve always liked working with my hands and potentially spreading the good news of the gospel is eye opening for me.”

Darin Pound, senior pastor at Temple First Church of the Nazarene where Palmer and his family are lifelong members, exposed him to aviation while in high school by taking him flying.

“He is well deserving of the award,” Pound said. “He will use it to further his education but also fulfill the calling he senses in his life to use his love for aviation as a tool to minister to people and help people wherever God leads.”

Palmer’s church membership helped him learn about aviation’s role in mission work. He traveled to Belize twice while in high school on missions to help build a church and work with children.

Palmer graduated in 2018 from Providence Preparatory School in Belton.

Cheryl Hull, Wings for Christ International’s secretary and treasurer on the Board of Directors, said the organization’s goal is to award a yearly aviation scholarship built on the generosity of the business community.

Applications for Wings for Christ International’s next Keith Hull Memorial Scholarship are due May 31. For more information, go to wingsforchrist.org.

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


TSTC alum forges a future back in the classroom

From student to instructor, Jerroll Hodge is back at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County and is ready for his new role.

Hodge graduated from TSTC in Waco in 2016 with an associate degree in Welding Technology and said he never imagined he would return to the college in this capacity.

“I’ve had a passion for the art of welding since high school, but it wasn’t until recently when I began to think about teaching,” said Hodge. “I have learned so much out in the field that I want to share with younger welders.”

The 24-year-old worked as a welder with National Oilwell Varco, a leading provider for equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling, before getting hired as a Welding Technology instructor.

“This is new territory for me. This is my first time as an instructor, but everyone has been so helpful and welcoming,” said Hodge.

Hodge has more than five years welding experience under his belt. He began welding barbeque pits and trailers, among other things, his junior year in high school competing against other students and continued on into college working part-time as a welder while he was in school.

“I was undecided about college until I started welding,” he said. “I figured I’m good at it, I love it…why not pursue it as a career. Welding to me isn’t a job, it’s fun.”

When Hodge was researching colleges, he had a family member attending TSTC and it was an invite to the campus in Waco that helped him decide it was the right place for him.

“It was the perfect fit. I knew it was where I was supposed to be,” said Hodge. “The instructors were amazing in how they taught us and shared their real-world experiences with us. They supported us and really pushed us to be our best. I want to be that for my students now.”

The Huntsville native said he hopes to become the instructor that students feel comfortable going to for advice about welding or life.

His goal is to bring all of his knowledge forward to ensure that he can mold and create great welders for the industry.

“I had a job before even graduating and that’s my goal for these students,” said Hodge. “I want them to be as prepared, if not more, than I was when I entered the field.”

TSTC offers Welding Technology at each of its ten campuses located in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas Sweetwater, Waco and Williamson County. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Student Success Profile – Flora Guerrero

Flora Guerrero is majoring in Mathematics at Texas State Technical College and expects to earn her associate degree this semester.

The Los Fresnos native holds a 3.75 grade-point average and is a work-study employee with TSTC’s enrollment management.

When the 20-year-old isn’t busy on campus, she serves as a teacher for second through fifth grade at her church in Olmito and is a member of a Catholic ministry called, “Conquistando Las Naciones Para Cristo,” or translated, “Conquering the nations for Christ.”

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan on working as either a math teacher assistant or substitute teacher and I will pursue a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a teaching certificate online through Texas A&M Kingsville.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become a high school math teacher. This is the age where students get discouraged in the subject and I want to be there to change their outlook on math and encourage them.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC is my Grade Point Average. I’m very proud that I’ve been able to maintain such high grades and that I’m close to earning my degree. I will be the first from my family to graduate college and I hope that I am setting an example for my younger sister.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned throughout life is patience, especially as a teacher. Every child is different; has different learning styles and different needs. This is why patience is so important in my field.

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

My supervisor Rebecca Davila, executive assistant for TSTC Student Development, has had the greatest influence on my success. Her positive attitude is contagious and she’s always making sure I do my homework, study and doing well in my classes. She truly cares. And actually, everyone I work with is great and has influenced me in one way or another.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to focus on a goal and the end product, not so much the work it takes to get there. I’m not saying don’t study, because that’s very important to reach success, but when times get hard, know it’s only a season and it shall pass. It’ll all be worth it in the end.

Minnesota native warms up to new career at TSTC

A Minnesota transplant, Jonathan Eichten is ready for his first South Texas summer at Texas State Technical College doing what he loves best – helping students start and finish college.

The 53-year-old is only a couple of weeks in as TSTC’s newest campus enrollment executive, but brings with him more than two decades of experience to the field.

“I’m so excited to be here at TSTC,” said Eichten. “I first heard of the college after meeting some people at a conference. So, after learning about the college and its commitment to technical education and jobs, and hearing about warmer weather, I was sold.”

Eichten said people always appear surprised that he chose the Rio Grande Valley as his new home, so he came up with a top-10 list to explain his reasoning.

A few items on his list, aside from the weather include – the fishing, the area’s value on family, the fresh fruit at H-E-B, the food, the palm trees and Texas is only two syllables making it easier than Minnesota to pronounce.

“My journey started in Minnesota and it has continued in Texas,” said Eichten. “I can’t wait to see what’s in store.”

Eichten earned his undergraduate degree in 1987 from St. John’s University in Minnesota in business and French; yes, Eichten is fluent in French and is now learning Spanish so he doesn’t feel left out in his new home.

He also earned, from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Business Administration in 1999 and a Ed.D. in 2005 with a dissertation focused on education and the transferring from a two-year college to a university.

“Working in higher education has always been my passion,” said Eichten. “I love working with students and helping them achieve success.”

During his 25 years with the Minnesota State Colleges and University System, or Minnesota State System, Eichten worked for several colleges and universities within the student services division improving and advancing the technology students use to enroll in college.

In his role before moving to TSTC, he was the senior assistant director of student support technology and implemented “Students First,” a project that focused on making it easier for students to navigate enrollment processes and student services available.

Within this project, Eichten played a major role in the improvement of student websites and campus portals and in the development of mobile friendly applications.

“Our goal by improving and developing technology is to give students all of the information they need and want right at their fingertips,” said Eichten. “All technology was adapted to fit the needs of the student and to help them identify college and career paths.”

Eichten added he believes students are better served with technology that gives them immediate solutions and answers.

Which is why his goals as TSTC’s campus enrollment executive is working with TSTC leadership in the near future to advance the technology that students use for enrolling and wait listing for classes that are at capacity.

“There are a lot of good things happening in the area of student services here at TSTC and I’m happy to be a part of it,” said Eichten. “Technology is the central point of how we serve students and it’s something that’s constantly evolving. We must always make sure that it fits our students’ needs and that our students know we’re here to serve them.”

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

TSTC graphic designer, Star Wars collector teaches the power of art

Graphic designer by day and toy photographer by night, Adam McGrath is sharing his skills with younger generations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

The lead graphic designer at Texas State Technical College grew up in Melbourne, Australia, a place he calls art central.

“I grew up enjoying graffiti art and drawing, and putting my creative eye to work to make a few dollars. Art is big in Melbourne and encouraged,” said the 46-year-old. “But I never knew I could turn what I love into a career until my late twenties.”

McGrath was 29-years-old when he earned his associate degree in graphic art from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology after completing a apprenticeship as a desktop publisher.

“This apprenticeship is when I knew art is what I was supposed to be doing,” said McGrath. “So I found my own path, my family wanted me to study computer science, but I pursued my passion.”

And art wasn’t the only thing McGrath was passionate about, he was and still is an avid Star Wars fan collecting action figures by the hundreds. These action figures are what have set up McGrath’s life.

“I wanted to expand my horizons and have new experiences, so I sold my first Star Wars collection for $3,000 and that purchased my ticket to the U.S.A.” he reminisced.

Fortunately for him, Star Wars action figures were less expensive in America and he was able to begin growing his collection again, because now children are reaping the benefits of his career and collectibles.

After working various graphic design jobs for advertising agencies around the Valley, McGrath ended up at TSTC, where he has been the lead graphic designer for nearly six years.

It is here at TSTC, where his curiosity for social media peaked and he knew he had to learn more.

So he began putting his Star Wars action figures to good use and started dabbling into toy photography, gaining inspiration from the hundreds who already saturate social media and never expecting he would grow his Instagram page, “The Chip Monsters,” following from 10 to close to 23,000 people.

“Toy photography happened by accident, but the toy photography is very welcoming. There’s no competition, just learning from one another and helping each other out,” said McGrath. “I have learned so much from the folks I’ve met through Instagram, and that has allowed me to grow as a photographer and a creative.”

McGrath’s photos have been featured at the South Texas Comic Con and have been published in England magazines and high profile, influencer Instagram pages, earning thousands of likes.

And since his hobby has become a second career for him, he decided he wanted to share his skills and knowledge with younger, like-minded, generations.

“I’ve been told that I’m dumb for taking pictures of toys and liking books about font and art, but I love it and I don’t want my kids or other kids to grow up thinking that what they enjoy and love is weird or dumb,” said McGrath. “Every child has the access to art with crayons and coloring books, but it’s society that takes away the love of art.”

So the father of two young boys set out to create photography workshops for children between the ages of four to 18, so they too could pursue their passion. All of the photography is done with smartphones.

What started as small pop-up workshops in McAllen are now a series of one-hour Saturday workshops that have anywhere from 15-40 children in attendance, with workshops also offered in Harlingen on occasion.

McGrath said it is because of the support he has received from friend and McAllen comic book store owner Ramsey Ramirez, that he is able to have a location to host these workshops and classes for the children of the RGV.    

“I’ve had a great response from children and their parents,” said McGrath. “Some parents are so happy that they have found an outlet for their child who enjoys taking photos and making videos, and a place. Where they’re understood and supported.”

McGrath has also hosted art exhibitions in local art galleries showcasing his students’ work and has begun a comic drawing workshop.

“I want my kids and these kids that I’m teaching to embrace their love for art, which can encompassed into so many fields they can grow up to be successful in,” said McGrath. “I don’t want their love to be diminished, I want it to be supported. And if I am that support, then I have done my job and that’s enough for me.”

TSTC Hosts Spring Counselors Update

(RED OAK) – More than 40 educators on Friday learned about Texas State Technical College’s mission to help students earn certificates and associate degrees that could lead to great-paying jobs.

The Spring Counselors Update focused on dual enrollment, in-demand jobs and other components of TSTC. The gathering’s goal was to arm educators with new information to help them be advocates for technical education in their schools.

“We show them the best that TSTC has,” said Trey Pearson, coordinator of student recruitment for TSTC’s North Texas and Waco campuses.

TSTC currently has dual enrollment partnerships with 108 Texas high schools. Some of the programs that high school students can take courses in include Automotive Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, and Welding Technology. The goal of dual enrollment is to save students money and time when they get to college.

“From us, you will get 12 to 14 hours in a one-year period in technical education,” said Rene Ralston, TSTC’s director of dual enrollment.

Some of the top occupations projected to grow through 2026 in Texas with salaries above the Texas median wage of $36,168 tie into some of the technical programs TSTC teaches. They include software developing, construction and extraction work supervising, licensed vocational nursing and agricultural management, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

Scipio Igbeare, a counselor at Advantage Academy Grand Prairie East, visited TSTC for the first time. She was intrigued by the Computer Aided Drafting and Design, Cyber Security and Welding Technology programs.

“This has been really good information to better guide the students,” she said. “We have been pushing the four-year college for so many years. Not all of the students are ready for four years.”

Lisa Menton, career and technical education director for the Red Oak Independent School District, said she looks forward to sharing what she learned with her staff to better help students meet their potential.

“The challenge is to make the connection with what they can do at the high school level and at college and in high-demand occupations so they can have a good life,” Menton said.

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

TSTC Pharmacy Technicians Have Local Job Opportunities

(WACO) – Before Courtney Balzadua, 27, of Waco became a pharmacy technician at the Family Health Center, she balanced working as a waitress and being the mother of a small child.

She knew she needed to make a career change.

“I wanted to be in the medical field in some way,” said Balzadua, a 2015 graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Pharmacy Technician program.

The need for pharmacy technicians is projected to grow nationally to more than 450,000 jobs by 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency credits the job increase to a rising need for prescription medicines. Pharmacy technicians must learn the general uses of medical drugs but cannot legally counsel patients.

TSTC’s three-semester program includes classes in Drug Classification and Pharmaceutical Mathematics and an on-site clinical at a hospital, pharmacy or other medical facility like the Family Health Center.

TSTC caps each semester’s Pharmacy Technician cohort at 25 students, said Colby Walters, a program instructor. She said students who enter the program need strong mathematics and memorization skills.

Program graduates can work under pharmacy training licenses for two years, Walters said. During this time, the graduates get three chances to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s licensing test to continue working in the field. The graduates also undergo a background check by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

A public perception survey conducted by the PTCB in 2016 indicated that 85 percent of people said it was very important for people preparing prescriptions to be certified, and 74 percent of people believed pharmacies should only hire certified pharmacy technicians.

Traci Crain is a staff pharmacist at the Family Health Center’s pharmacy on Providence Drive in Waco. She said she can tell within a month which pharmacy interns can adapt to the job. Some of the qualities she looks for include being able to work with others, handle criticism from customers and exhibit a solid work ethic.

The Family Health Center typically hires two interns each semester. Crain said interns start out sacking prescriptions for customers. She said interacting with the staff enables the students to understand the pharmacy language. Eventually interns can advance to working on registers and helping customers.

“It’s not uncommon to get hired before they graduate,” Walters said.

Jennifer Herrera, 34, of Waco graduated in 2005 from TSTC’s Pharmacy Technician program and has been working at the Family Health Center since she was an intern.

“This is in a low-income area,” she said. “I don’t see myself as different from any of our patients. I fell in love with the environment.”

Herrera often works with clients in both Spanish and English.

“You do have to be careful because certain words can mean different things,” she said.

The Family Health Center has 16 locations in Bell and McLennan counties. There are about 20 employees who work at the pharmacy from Monday to Friday. Overall, the Waco location fills an average of 700 prescriptions per day.

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