Author Archives: Daniel Perry

TSTC Cybersecurity Program Expands in Anticipation of New Learning Initiative

(HUTTO, Texas) – As Texas State Technical College’s students at the East Williamson County campus are enjoying their holiday break, workers are physically expanding the Cybersecurity program’s first-floor learning spaces at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center.

Once completed in early 2020, the Cybersecurity program’s newly enlarged lab will be rearranged to accommodate TSTC’s Performance-Based Education (PBE) initiative set to launch in August.

Joshua Schier, an instructor in TSTC’s Cybersecurity program, said he is thrilled about the work taking place.

“This will be even more hands-on focused, and it’s going to create a lot of room for our programs to grow,” Schier said. “Students can work at their own pace and get through the system faster.”

Schier said the new space means more one-on-one time to engage with students.

“Change is always interesting, and it is exciting for us because I think of where it is going to free us up,” he said.

Starting in the fall semester, TSTC’s Performance-Based Education will give students in the Cybersecurity and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology programs the opportunity to learn course material at their own pace. PBE also will increase student access to programs throughout the year and generate a secondary learning transcript showing the competencies that students have completed.

“Students will have the ability to accelerate through their courses and program,” said Kyle Smith, TSTC’s deputy chief academic officer. “Such acceleration will be rewarded by waiving certain portions of the tuition and fees.”

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

TSTC Holds Fall 2019 Commencement

(RED, OAK, Texas) – More than 20 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement held Monday, Dec. 9, at the Waxahachie Civic Center.

Several graduates already have jobs, while others are making plans for the future. 

Demarcus Evans and Donna Floyd both graduated with the Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems – Electrical Specialization. 

“We decided teamwork makes the dream work,” Floyd said. “Why not help each other? We love each other, and we want each other to succeed.”

Floyd said she and Evans planned to celebrate their achievement with friends and relatives later Monday night.

The couple said they are awaiting word from a company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on when to start their new jobs. They plan next to work on bachelor’s degrees at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

Bronc Stewart of Red Oak graduated with a Diesel Equipment Technology certificate. He began TSTC shortly after serving five years in the U.S. Marine Corps. 

“It feels really good,” he said about graduating. “I didn’t think I would go to college, much less graduate.”

Stewart will continue work as a technician at United Ag and Turf in Ennis.

For more information, log on to tstc.edu.

TSTC Holds Fall 2019 Commencement

(WACO, Texas) – More than 400 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement held Friday, Dec. 6, at the Waco Convention Center.

Many of the graduates already have jobs.

Spencer Brown of Austin came to TSTC after working in automotive and construction jobs. He received the Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Power and Controls. 

“Hands down, this is the best decision I have made to date,” Brown said about coming to TSTC.

Brown said the classes he took were challenging and interesting. And, he feels ready for his next challenge starting his new career at Oncor in Dallas, where he will work in the company’s distribution side.

Arturo Linares of Waco received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Architectural Drafting and Design – Architectural/Civil Specialization. 

Linares will start work Monday, Dec. 9, at Strand Systems Engineering Inc. in Dallas. The company specializes in architecture, civil engineering, design and surveying.

“It feels good,” he said. “I’m not too stressed out.”

He is following the degree up with the Electrical Construction certificate he received in 2016 at TSTC. He worked as an electrician and discovered he enjoyed design, which motivated him to return to TSTC.

Some graduates are making plans to job hunt.

Angela Putty of Waco received the Associate of Applied Science degree in Solar Energy Technology and certificates in Electrical Construction and Energy Efficiency Specialist. She said she will take a break during the holiday season to spend time with family and then look for work in early 2020. 

Putty said she was inspired to go to college after seeing energy efficiency equipment in action on a visit to see relatives in California. 

Putty credited Letha Novosad, a TSTC instructor in the Building Construction Technology program, for being an inspiration in her studies and future career.

“She has a strong personality,” Putty said. “I like seeing a woman in the construction field.”

For more information, log on to tstc.edu.

TSTC Holds Fall 2019 Commencement

(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 40 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement held Friday, Dec. 6, at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto.

Several graduates either already have degree-related jobs or are looking for such work opportunities.

Jonathan Guzman of Hutto received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology. He is looking in the area for fabrication jobs.

Guzman said he enjoyed learning about stick welding in his classes.

“I like the hands-on teaching,” he said. “The instructors are always here to help you.”

Guzman said he plans to go out to eat with his relatives after the ceremony.

“I’m pumped and excited,” he said. 

Ashton Taylor of Hutto received a Cybersecurity certificate. He said he will take a short break because of the holidays and continue job hunting, most likely in the Hutto area. 

“I’m relieved,” he said about graduating.

Elton Stuckly Jr., TSTC’s president emeritus, served as the ceremony’s guest speaker.

“We are proud of our graduates and are very excited that they will leave TSTC ready to put their training skills to work in great paying, high demand jobs,” Stuckly said.

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

 

TSTC Holds Fall 2019 Commencement

(MARSHALL, Texas) – More than 30 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement held Friday, Dec. 6, at the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel at Wiley College in Marshall.

Several graduates already have jobs, while others are making plans for the future. 

Trevor Dammeir grew up in California and came to TSTC to study Precision Machining Technology. He will receive an associate degree at the ceremony. He chose TSTC because it is affordable, and has housing and is close to relatives living in Tyler.

While at TSTC, Dammeir took part in SkillsUSA and competed both statewide and nationally in the CNC Turning competition. 

“I like working with my hands,” he said. “TSTC had what I was looking for.”

Rush Harris, director of business services at the Marshall Economic Development Corp., was the ceremony’s guest speaker. He talked to graduates about knowing who they are, challenging themselves and to never stop learning. 

“TSTC is not an average college and you are not average graduates,” Harris said. “This school and your degrees are different from traditional post-graduate degrees. You have learned, and will continue to learn advanced technical skills. That dedication combined with the demand from employers results in very positive outcome for you graduates to stay committed.”

Harris is a graduate of Marshall High School, Southern Methodist University, the Thunderbird School of Global Management and the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.

For more information, log on to tstc.edu.

TSTC Student Prepares for ‘Safe’ Career Upon Graduation

(WACO, Texas) – Nathan Craig of Hamilton found his footing on Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus, following the path of a few family members. 

Coming from a family of first responders, Craig, 21, has a strong interest in the emergency services field. When he came to TSTC, he was unsure of what route to take. But he found his niche in the Environmental Technology program, which focuses on workplace safety and compliance. 

“The biggest thing that draws me to it is that it does kind of intertwine with the emergency field,” Craig said.

Craig is a candidate for graduation at TSTC’s Fall 2019 Commencement on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Waco Convention Center. He will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Environmental Technology – Compliance. 

Craig said his plan following graduation is to weigh his current job prospects. His goal is to pursue a bachelor’s degree. 

TSTC’s statewide Environmental department chair Lester Bowers said Craig’s work ethic is only one of his many assets.

“He has proven himself to be a gentle and selfless individual when it comes to matters of social justice and is an expert in efficiently managing his time so he can be a part of all of these various communities,” Bowers said. 

Occupational Safety instructor Kimberly Williams said Craig has been in her class multiple times and is a consistently dependable and punctual student. 

“You can just put him on autopilot and give him instructions, and he is going to do a good job,” Williams said. “You don’t have to stay on him.” 

Craig’s interests go beyond environmental safety, including aviation and culinary arts. However, He said that he was drawn to the safety aspect of his degree. 

“It is important, the fact that you are in a situation where you are in control of keeping people safe,” Craig said. 

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

TSTC Auto Collision Program Receives Service King Grant

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Auto Collision and Management Technology program celebrated the end of the fall semester at its traditional barbecue on Thursday.

Representatives of Service King presented program faculty with a $5,000 2019 Service King School Grant through the Collision Repair Education Foundation.

Clint Campbell, TSTC’s statewide Auto Collision and Management Technology chair, said the grant is an opportunity to purchase equipment the program’s budget cannot cover.

Roy Villarreal, Service King’s apprenticeship development director in Richardson, said the company looks forward to partnering with the program on its curriculum and other needs.

“The end goal is to have that easy, smooth transition for the graduates to go into one of our shops,” he said.

Campbell said future work with Service King can enlighten students on how much they are needed in the auto collision and management field.

The program also honored students graduating at TSTC’s Fall 2019 Commencement on Friday, Dec. 6, including those students who had perfect attendance during the semester.

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

TSTC Alumnus Uses Curiosity to Progress in Career

(HUTTO, Texas) – Edreich Torres grew up in Georgetown taking broken items and putting them back together.

“I believe that my love for knowing how things work and wanting to fix them has always driven me to pursue the next big challenge that awaits me,” he said.

Torres graduated in 2016 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Maintenance – Mechanical Specialization from Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus.

“TSTC helped me learn how to create, interpret and read many different types of schematics,” he said. “TSTC taught me how to troubleshoot fluid, mechanical and electrical systems.”

Lance Antilley, an instructor in TSTC’s Industrial Systems (formerly Industrial Maintenance) program, said Torres is a good example of the kind of graduates TSTC produces for employers. Students in the program learn about basic electrical theory, boiler maintenance, hydraulics, pumps and other equipment.

“He is a driven individual and an excellent technician,” Antilley said. “He picked up on everything very quickly.”

Torres has been at ICU Medical in Austin for about a year and is a senior electromechanical technician. The job requires him to have knowledge about electrical distribution panels, fluid systems, mechanical systems and programmable logic controls.

“Here at ICU, I help fix, maintain and troubleshoot many different types of issues with fabrication machines that make IV bags for hospitals,” Torres said.

Torres, who lives in Jarrell, said the company’s teamwork drives him in his work.

“The culture that has been established here at ICU Medical has taught me to work more methodically and diligently when troubleshooting,” he said. “This low-stress environment motivates me to perform at a higher level.”

California-based ICU Medical specializes in the development, manufacturing and sale of critical care products for cardiac monitoring, closed-system transfers and infusion therapy.

Aaron Keat, ICU Medical’s talent acquisition lead in Austin, said the company works with organizations that help place military veterans and is represented at career fairs to find technically skilled job candidates. The company also partners with TSTC.

“Over the last several years, it has been increasingly more challenging to find qualified candidates to fill our maintenance-mechanic openings here in Austin,” Keat said.

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

TSTC Alumnus Takes Career to New Heights

(WACO, Texas) – Michael Mojica has the products you need to go on your next adventure. 

Mojica, a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus now living in Centennial, Colorado, has invented products and owns a company combining his appreciation for the outdoors and design.

“If we have unique, novel ideas that have true utility, there is a real opportunity in America to chase those ideas,” Mojica said. 

Mojica’s evolving inventions began with a fire-starting quick release slide buckle and moved to a survival paracord bracelet that people can use to start fires. His invention, The Firebiner®, was named “Best Gadget” by Backpacker Magazine in their 2019 Gear Guide. It was also given a “Radical by Design” award at the Summer Outdoor Retailer Show, the largest outdoor gear show in the nation.

“I thought most people can roll a wheel, like on a lighter,” Mojica said. “I also thought most people who love the outdoors have a carabiner as a keychain. I put the two together and added a couple of other simple features, and the Firebiner® was born.”

Mojica will soon launch a multi-tool carabiner called the “Fire Escape.”

The items are part of Outdoor Element, the adventure survival gear company Mojica founded in 2012. He said he loves controlling his own path and thinking freely for new ideas to come to life. 

Mojica grew up in Hillsboro and always loved taking things apart and building off of one thing to the next. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies and a minor in Textile Design from The University of Texas at Austin. 

“I knew I was meant for design,” he said.

After graduating, Mojica sought out a skills set to enter the engineering industry. He enrolled in what is now TSTC’s Architectural Drafting and Design Technology program in Waco.

“Drafting on the board gave me the ability to think and understand in 3D, and represent in 2D,” Mojica said. “The CAD (Computer-Aided Design) hours that TSTC provided gave me the perfect base training to deal with the stress of the real word and hard schedules.”

Manny Avila, an instructor in TSTC’s Architectural Drafting and Design Technology program, said Mojica was an intelligent, driven student who always sought to learn more. 

“He worked hard and would investigate various designs that were offered to him, and he produced excellent work,” Avila said.

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

 

TSTC Student Ready for His Future Upon Graduation

(RED OAK, Texas) – Working with large diesel equipment is in Cesar Vazquez’s blood.

“I like the noise,” he said. “I have always been in the diesel world. It pays well. There is a shortage of mechanics, so there is job security.”

Vazquez is a candidate for graduation at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement for the North Texas campus at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, at the Waxahachie Civic Center. He is scheduled to receive a Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck certificate of completion. 

Vazquez said his favorite hands-on activities in class dealt with engines and transmissions.

TSTC student Jared Bourgeois of Fort Worth met Vazquez in their Diesel Equipment Technology classes. He will graduate in December with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology.

“He has a lot of knowledge,” Bourgeois said. “He is definitely a leader. He knows what things to get done first.”

Vazquez was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and moved with his family to Texas when he was young. His family lived in Irving before settling in Red Oak.

“I grew up with it since I was 6 years old,” Vazquez said about diesel equipment. “My father had a construction business in Mexico. He’s a truck driver here now.”

Vazquez used self-motivation to start his own business at 16 doing maintenance work on vehicles. He did this while a student at Red Oak High School, where he graduated in 2018.

TSTC student Omar Juarez met Vazquez when they played middle school football in Red Oak. Juarez will graduate in December with a Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck certificate. Juarez said he admires Vazquez’s work ethic.

“He makes sure things are done correctly,” Juarez said. “He is always pushing other people to get better.”

Next spring, Vazquez will finish an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck Specialization and hopes to have his commercial driver’s license by next summer. He also wants to look for a job in Ellis County that would enable him to get more engine experience.

“I want to be someone and be known for something,” Vazquez said. “I have been working hard since I was little.”

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