Author Archives: Kristina Campos-Davis

TWC awards TSTC Harvey Relief Grant for training

The Texas Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast Board recently awarded Texas State Technical College with a Harvey Relief Grant to assist with the training and certification of men and women in the construction field who are working to rebuild the area after Hurricane Harvey’s devastation.

The grant awarded gives TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education Office more than $82,000 to develop and offer its first National Center for Construction Education and Research Basic Construction course at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus.

“This grants provides us with the infrastructure we need to provide the basic training

TSTC NCCER Training Course

all employers require of their employees,” said Victor Blalack, TSTC’s Continuing Education statewide project manager. “This allows us to work upon our mission of providing the Texas workforce with quality trained individuals.”

The grant provides the funds TSTC needs to train and certify course instructors, certify the lab that will be used and purchase all tools and equipment needed for the class.

The NCCER Core course is open to anyone interested in successfully completing the 73-hour training, whether its employers providing the training for their employees or employees looking to get ahead in the field.

Those who enroll in the course can expect to learn the foundation of construction safety, tool safety and field communication and will become certified by NCCEER.

NCCER credentials are recognized internationally so can be used to work in the United States and abroad.

”Safety is a number one priority everywhere and for everyone,” said Blalack. “So obtaining a certification like this shows employers that a candidate has a high level of skill when it comes to construction safety.”

Blalack also added, “Having a NCCER certification makes a job candidate more marketable and is highly sought. Employers, especially large-scale construction companies require NCCER certifications, so this course is an advantage to many.”

The NCCER course is expected to begin late April or early May and will offered as day and evening courses depending on demand.

Tuition for the class is $1,118 and there are additional grants through the Texas Workforce Solutions for qualifying candidates. Employers also have the option of sponsoring their employees.

The need for NCCER certifications has increased due to the construction the area is undergoing to rebuild the towns and cities hardest hit along the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Harvey.

Blalack said he is glad that TSTC can help the community on this level and hopes that this initial course is a stepping stone for TSTC because his goal is that program will open doors for other NCCER certification courses at the Fort Bend County campus.

For more information or to register call TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education Office at 956-364-4179.

TSTC Logistics Program Sees 100 Percent Placement

(RED OAK) – Since its inception in 2015, the Logistics program at Texas State Technical College in North Texas has graduated 10 students, all of whom are employed in their field.

Logistics instructor William Scott said he thinks the 100 percent placement rate is due to a couple of things.

“First of all, this is a very dynamic, large marketplace for logistics people,” Scott said. “The second thing is we’ve tailored the program to the specific requirements that the employers have asked for.”

Graduates of the program are working for companies such as Walmart, DB Schenker and others. Scott said the areas in which they work vary.

“It ranges across the board,” he said. “We have a couple of people involved with inventory control. We have somebody in shipping and receiving. We have somebody that is a supervisor for a distribution center.”

The program currently has 11 students in various stages of the curriculum.

“One will graduate this spring,” Scott said. “That student already has a job and is working at it. We have another student graduating in the summer, and they’re doing interviews right now.”

Ashley Roper, a 2016 graduate of the program, works as a shipment coordinator at DB Schenker. She manages shipments and handles customer issues.

“I assign trucks and make sure that the correct trailers get assigned to the correct shipment so the correct customers get them,” Roper said. “We have shipments that go to Canada, and we have to make temperature monitors which capture the temperatures to make sure that it’s at the correct temperature, so when it gets there, the product isn’t damaged. We have stuff that goes overseas, and we have processes … to make sure it gets across the border.”

TSTC’s Logistics program teaches students the ins and outs of the industry. The process begins with raw materials, which get made into inventory and then are transported to warehouses for distribution. Students can complete an associate degree in the program in four semesters.

Roper said she learned a lot in the program and it has helped her in her current position.

“Everything they talked about when I got here I already knew, but it’s really cool to be able to actually see it in real life,” she said.

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

TSTC students present to local health information chapter

(HARLINGEN) – The graduating class from Texas State Technical College Health Information Technology recently presented to the Rio Grande Valley Health Information Management Association (RGVHIMA) at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco.

At least 15 students make up the class who will graduate next month and who worked diligently for the past two months to prepare and complete their presentation that focuses on the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management, the organization that accredits TSTC’s program, and the Registered Health Information Technician national exam and certification.

“I’m so proud and honored to call myself these students’ instructor,” said TSTC Health Information Instructor Ana Gonzales. “They have worked so hard to be where they are today and I know they all have bright futures ahead.”

Gonzales said these presentations were first started six years ago as a way to bring the students together, teach them skills important for their future such as communication, research and management and to give the students the opportunity to network with industry professionals.TSTC Health Information Technology students

“The people they are meeting and presenting to are the people who will hire them when they graduate,” said Gonzales. “It’s important that we showcase their skills and capabilities and introduce them to an organization that they will become members of and will be their guidance once out in the field.”

Health Information Technology student and class facilitator Ruth Trevino said their goal as a class is to spread awareness on the various certifications that can be obtained as a professional in the health information and records industry and said they have worked hard at researching and ensuring that they present the best information possible.

“This is a topic that is very important to most, if not all of us,” said Trevino. “In doing our research we found that many graduate from a health information program, but never take their national certifying exam and we’re trying to change that. It can be a career changer.”

Trevino added that becoming a Registered Health Information Technician makes someone more marketable in a competitive market and can lead to higher salaries in the long run.

“It’s never too late to take this exam or go back to school,” she added. “If anything, I hope this is what people took away from our presentation.”

Melissa Perez, also a TSTC Health Information Technology student said they also wanted to spread awareness about TSTC’s program and what it has to offer.

“A degree or certification can take someone’s career to the next level,” she said. “Maybe someone has been thinking of returning to school or has a family member interested in the field, we want them to know that TSTC is here to help them.”

For more information on Health Information Technology at TSTC visit, tstc.edu. The program is also now offered 100 percent online.

Historic first for TSTC students in Fort Bend County

(FORT BEND) – Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus is sending its first SkillsUSA team to state competition at TSTC’s Waco campus next month.

At least nine students will compete in the categories of Diesel Equipment Technology, HVAC, Welding Technology and job skills demonstration.

SkillsUSA is a professional organization teaching technical, academic and employability skills that help high school and college students pursue successful careers. Members build these skills through student-led team meetings, contests, leadership conferences and other activities.

Students in Skills USA participate in hands-on competitions in various fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, building construction and culinary arts.

SkillsUSA TSTC campus advisor and Diesel Equipment Technology instructor Spencer Paige said he is happy he was able to implement this program – the first for the campus.

“Before TSTC I worked for the school district and was the advisor for high school skills,” he said. “I saw so much of the benefits students received from this program, that I wanted our TSTC students to have the same opportunities.”

Paige added that students who compete in SkillsUSA get to practice and improve on the skills they have learned in the classroom, build on their soft skills such as public speaking and interviewing and network with industry professionals who judge the competitions.TSTC Fort Bend County First SkillsUSA Team

“The selling point for our students is getting to meet and speak with industry professionals, many of which are also recruiters,” said Paige. “In SkillsUSA our students get to showcase their skills and some leave with interviews or job offers. This is a big deal for our students and our college.”

TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology student Troy Ketchum expects to earn his certificate in August, but first will compete at the SkillsUSA state competition. This is his first time ever competing.

“I’m excited and nervous all at the same time,” he said. “I can’t wait to visit another TSTC campus, see where we (students) stand among other college students in our field and meet with professionals in our field.”

The 30-year-old said he jumped at the opportunity to participate.

He will be the only one from the campus competing in job skills demonstration and will present on the topic of, “The Importance of Tire Pressure and Tread Depth.”

“I’ve been working hard on preparing for SkillsUSA, we all have,” said Ketchum. “This is our first year and we all want to make a mark.”

The Rosenberg native has been staying after regular school hours preparing his presentation and practicing in front of other students, faculty and staff.

Paige said it has been all hands on deck, helping the students practice, prepare presentations and working with Talent Management and Career Services on updating resumes and interview skill building.

“Our job is to help these students do their very best and make the best impression possible,” said Paige. “We all have a common goal and that is to get to nationals and produce skilled students who are competitive in the job market.”

The nationals SkillsUSA competition will be held in Oklahoma this coming summer. Historically, TSTC is a top competitor at nationals with students bringing home the most medals.

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

Registration for Summer and Fall 2018 begins April 2.

Chancellor’s Excellence Award – Melanie Pruett

(FORT BEND) – When the Texas State Technical College Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipient list came out, Melanie Pruett could not believe she was reading her name.

“I was shocked and surprised. I never thought something like this could happen to me,” said the TSTC enrollment specialist.

TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser selects faculty and staff for their distinguished service and dedication to the college, communities and state for this award and are recognized by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD).Melanie Pruett

“These teammates were nominated by their peers, recommended by their Provosts and Vice Chancellors and chosen as faculty and staff who model excellence in our college every day,” said Reeser. “Their caring and dedicated efforts embolden us all to make a difference in the success of our teams and the lives of our students.”

Pruett has been with TSTC for two years and has extensive experience in the area of higher education.

Before coming to TSTC she worked at the Baylor College of Medicine campus in Houston for 17 years in the Office of Admissions and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

She left higher education to work in the oil and gas industry only to be laid off after 11 years, but her passion and love for students and higher education never diminished.

“I enjoy working with students, getting them into college and seeing them succeed,” said Pruett. “So when I saw TSTC was opening in our area I jumped at the opportunities that were available. I wanted to get back into higher education where I belonged.”

Pruett applied for three different positions before receiving a job offer for her current position. She meets with prospective students daily and assists them with the application process to enroll at TSTC.

Pruett’s supervisor and TSTC’s Executive Director of Admissions Vanessa Vasquez said she was not surprised at all by Pruett’s recognition.

“Melanie brings so much positivity and energy to our team,” she said. “She is always going above and beyond her call of duty and has the best customer service. She treats everyone like they’re her family.”

Vasquez, who has worked with Pruett for two years, added that Pruett’s contributions to the team have not gone unnoticed.

“I knew since I first met Melanie that she would excel in her position and would someday be rewarded for her hard work and dedication to the college, its students and employees,” she said. “You can always count on her.”

Pruett said that the exciting part of her job is meeting new people and building relationships and good rapport with the students she works with.

“Many of the students I meet end up coming back to chit chat or for advice,” she said. “It’s exciting to see them grow.”

The award recipient said she would like to give a big thanks to those who nominated her.

“It’s great to be recognized for your hard work and for who you are,” she said. “I have a great team and I am truly honored to know that they appreciate what I do.”

Pruett said she hopes to continue growing with TSTC and working hard for its prospective and current students.

“I love TSTC. I can honestly say that this was the best choice I ever made,” she said. “I feel like I’m making a difference in the lives of others and to me that is so rewarding.”

Pruett will join the 15 other Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipients in May at the NISOD dinner and celebration in Austin where they will receive their awards.

Two TSTC Employees in Marshall Honored

(MARSHALL) -Texas State Technical College has announced the recipients of this year’s Chancellor’s Excellence Award, and two Marshall employees were honored.

This year’s Marshall award winners are Melissa Maloney, coordinator of instructional support, and Tonya Holloway, executive assistant to the provost.

Maloney, who has been at TSTC for nearly five years, said she was surprised to receive the award.

“I don’t know that anyone is ever thinking that is going to happen to them, so I was a little shocked,” she said. “I hope it’s because people think I do a good job and try to serve the patrons and people that I work for.”

Maloney has a passion for TSTC’s mission.

“I really do believe in what we do: putting people to work,” she said. “I think there’s something special about the drive that we have to change lives, and I think that’s what we do.”

Holloway was also excited to receive the award.

“It was an honor,” she said. “I never thought I would get chosen for anything like that. But yes, I am very excited about it.”

Holloway said she believes she was nominated because she tries to help make work easier for her colleagues.

“I think I was nominated because I’m a very hard worker, dedicated, and I have a good boss,” Holloway said. “All of the people on campus and all the activities — I try to help with everything. I’m not trying to pat myself on the back or anything, but I just help out where I can.”

Holloway believes in the college’s mission as well, and her two daughters have attended TSTC’s Process Operations program.

“Both of them have been helped tremendously as far as what they’re doing in the program and what paths they should take,” she said. “It’s also the instructors helping them to mature into responsible adults.”

Holloway takes pride in knowing she is making a difference in people’s lives.

“I just know that whatever I do in whatever capacity I serve, I’m changing someone’s life,” she said. “Whether it’s a student, a co-worker or someone that just comes in, I have something to do with changing their lives and the paths that they take.”

The Chancellor’s Excellence Award began in 2001, and over the past 15 years nearly 300 TSTC employees have received the honor. Recipients are chosen based on outstanding contributions and achievements, commitment to excellence, and character. Honorees serve as agents of change in the advancement of TSTC initiatives.

TSTC prides itself on being “a great place to work” and is currently hiring for over 100 positions at its 10 campuses statewide. For information on open positions at TSTC, visit tstc.edu/about/employment.

TSTC, Texas Music Café award recording contract to local TSTC student

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College student Christopher Briones has become a local celebrity with his first-place win during the Texas Music Café PBS TV Show and TSTC’s Talent Search, bringing the award home to Harlingen for the third year in row.

Briones, who started singing five years ago in high school and currently sings at a local church, was awarded a $2,500 recording contract with E-Cleff Productions, Inc. after his award-winning performance during Wednesday night’s finals held at TSTC’s Waco campus.

It was there where the 19-year-old belted out the notes to “Resurrecting,” by Elevated Worship.

“My worst fear during this contest was rejection. Rejection because of my choice of songs,” he said. “But my love for the gospel and worship ended up being received well and led me to a new chapter in my music career.”

The San Benito native first auditioned for his spot at finals during Harlingen’s Texas Music Café and Talent Search regional competition event last month, singing “Reckless” by Cory Asbury.Chris Briones

To earn a spot at finals, Briones had to be in the top five among 33 performers from TSTC’s campuses across the state.

Briones earned more than 300 “Likes” on YouTube and qualified to join Brooke Baily from TSTC Abilene, Caroline Herman from TSTC Marshall, Samuel Self from TSTC Waco and Brandon Felts and John Ward from TSTC Fort Bend County at the competition’s finals.

“I never expected to make it this far, much less win first place,” said Briones. “There was so much talent in one room. I was shocked, surprised and excited when I heard the judges call my name. I couldn’t believe it.”

In the coming months, Briones will travel back to Waco for his session in the recording studio with an assigned producer. He will record two original songs, one titled, “The One,” an ode to God for never leaving his side and a second one that is still a work in progress.

“I started working on these songs immediately after arriving from Waco, same night actually,” he said. “I’m excited to share my songs with the world and I hope they can make an impact in someone’s life.”

Briones’ tracks will be featured on the Texas Music Café website, radio program and PBS. He will also have the opportunity to perform as the opening act for a live taping of Texas Music Café.

“This is about to take my music career to a new level,” said Briones. “I hope this opens up other performance and recording opportunities. This is a dream come true.”

Student Life Coordinator Belinda Palomino said she is proud of every contestant who participated this year.

“Every year I am amazed at the amount of talent we have on campus and across the state,” she said. “I would seriously hate to be a judge. It’s a hard decision for them every time.”

She said the partnership between TSTC, Texas Music Café and its executive producer Chris Ermoian is invaluable because of the opportunities it presents to students. They have been working together since 2016.

“As a technical school many think we have no musical talent, but this lets us showcase what we have and get our students’ names out there and expose them to a world they may not get the chance to see in the classroom or outside of these walls.”

Palomino said she is excited to see the partnership continue to flourish and she hopes someday every TSTC campus can host a show and that the number of participants continues to grow.

As for Briones, he said he is thankful to TSTC and Texas Music Café for this opportunity, but even more thankful to his family and friends who pushed him to do it in the first place.

TSTC students spend spring break rebuilding lives

(HARLINGEN) – Trading in flip-flops for hammers and drills, four Texas State Technical College Building Construction Technology students volunteered with Eight Days of Hope over spring break to help rebuild for those displaced by the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Yaquelin Gonzalez, Kristen Perales, Lidia Hernandez and Susana Sierra jumped in a car, packed their tents and bags and headed northeast to Houston for three days to join more than 4,000 other volunteers from across the United States during the organization’s two-week event.

“It’s so sad to see that after seven months there are still people trying to pick up the pieces after such a devastating storm,” said Sierra. “Helping at such a large scale event was something we’ve been wanting to do for a while now and I’m so glad we got this opportunity.”

Eight Days of Hope is a Christian, non-profit organization in Houston that serves communities affected by natural disasters by assisting with rapid response and disaster relief. The organization operates with the help of volunteers and donations.

Volunteers, like TSTC’s building construction students, have restored or rebuilt close to 2,000 homes since 2005. To date, the organization has completed more than $30 million dollars of work for free.TSTC Building Construction Technology students

Gonzalez, Perales, Hernandez and Sierra were assigned to assist with kitchen and bathroom cabinet assembly and worked closely with the homeowners, who were also helping the volunteers.

“The experience was great. On top of getting field experience, we also got to spend time with and speak to the victims of the flooding,” said Sierra. “To see hope and gratitude in their eyes was the best feeling ever.”

The sentiment was shared across the board.

“We had families telling us that we were their sign of hope,” said Gonzalez. “That’s so touching. They’ve been through so much and I’m glad I took the opportunity to help.”

Hernandez added, “The experience was worthwhile. Our contribution was making a difference and that in itself was rewarding.”

TSTC’s Building Construction Technology Instructor Rolando Cuellar said he is proud of his students for taking the initiative to help out a community in need.

“It was spring break and they could have gone anywhere and done anything,” he said. “But instead they made the choice to work and go where their help was needed. They really went above and beyond their call of duty.”

The women’s three-day adventure went beyond assembling cabinets. They bonded as a group while sleeping outside of a church in tents and were rewarded with a live concert featuring gospel singer Ryan Stevenson.

The students all agree that the next time they get a call for help they will be there. They said there is no greater feeling than knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.

To learn more about Building Construction Technology at TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Chancellor’s Excellence Award – Paul Lopez

(HARLINGEN) – Paul Lopez has belonged to the Texas State Technical College family for 13 years, troubleshooting and solving problems as an Application Administrator for the Office of Information Technology (OIT), and this year he is being recognized for the problem solver he is with a 2018 Chancellor’s Excellence Award.

“I thought someone was playing a joke on me. I thought how cruel,” he said with a laugh. “I couldn’t believe I was actually getting one of these (awards). I never expected it.”

The Chancellor’s Excellence Award is given by TSTC’s Chancellor Mike Reeser to select faculty and staff for their distinguished service and dedication to the college, communities and their state.

“These teammates were nominated by their peers, recommended by their Provosts and Vice Chancellor’s and chosen as faculty and staff who model excellence in our college every day,” said TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser. “Their caring and dedicated efforts embolden us all to make a difference in the success of our teams and the lives of our students.”Paul Lopez

The San Benito native graduated from TSTC’s Computer Science program with an associate degree in 1996 and worked with Rio Hondo Independent School District and Region One Education Center in Edinburg as a lead technician/interim technology coordinator and help desk developer, respectively, before returning to TSTC.

“I have to credit the mentors I’ve had along the way,” he said. “Because of them I’ve been able to be successful in my career for so long. Every piece of advice I have taken to heart and have carried with me.”

Lopez has 20 years of experience in the information technology world.

And for at least four years during the Windows XP era in the early 2000’s, Lopez worked as an instructor with TSTC’s Corporate College, which is now Workforce Training and Continuing Education.

He helped train  industry leaders and their employees, ranging from assembly line workers to supervisors.

“This was definitely a learning experience for me,” he said. “I loved teaching and sharing my knowledge and seeing faces light up when they learned something new and understood it.”

In 2005, Lopez made the full transition to TSTC and began his journey at the TSTC Help Desk, moved up to a network technician II and eventually into his current role.

As an applications administrator he has worked on both the support and project side of the house, initiating and maintaining various projects for departments such as TSTC’s Learning Resource Center, Police Department and HVAC program.

Senior Executive Director of Infrastructure for OIT and also Lopez’s supervisor Rick Collatos said this award is long overdue for Lopez.

“Paul is a dedicated employee who goes the extra mile for everyone he works with,” said Collatos. “He demonstrates an excellence in customer service every day and has so for many years. Congratulations Paul.”

Collatos also said that Lopez is an innovator for TSTC, always thinking ahead and dedicating himself to projects that will take the college to the next level.

Those who nominated Lopez for this award have remained anonymous, but he has a special message for them.

“Thank you, thank you,” said Lopez. “I don’t get out of my office, everyone I have contact with is over the phone or video conference, so I appreciate people taking notice of my work and recognizing me for it. It’s a true honor.”

So what is next for Lopez?

Lopez said he hopes to go back to school and finish what he started: a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He also hopes to move back into teaching at TSTC and share his knowledge and skills with others.

Lopez will join the other 16 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipients from across TSTC’s 10 campuses in May for the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards dinner and celebration in Austin where the honorees will receive their award.

TSTC Graduates Help Rebuild Puerto Rico Power Grid

(MARSHALL) – In the wake of last year’s Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico was in shambles. With many residents left without electricity, some of Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker graduates working for Oncor wanted to help restore power to the storm-ravaged island.

TSTC alumni Sawyer Prestridge, a 2015 graduate, and Paul Sheppard, a 2013 graduate, are among many Oncor employees recently sent by the electric service provider to assist in the island’s recovery efforts.

Prestridge left for Arecibo, Puerto Rico, in January to help rebuild the electrical grid. He volunteered to help restore the grid because he wanted to help the residents.

“It felt really good,” he said. “It was definitely a humbling experience working there. It was hard work.”

Sheppard worked in the same city in February.

“I wanted to help out,” he said. “I wanted to use the skills I was given to help the people there get the lights on. It’s a good deed.”

Prestridge said the concrete houses he saw weren’t too badly damaged, but power lines were down and wreckage was far and wide.

“There was debris everywhere,” he said. “Downed trees were stacked up 70 feet high. We mainly picked up wire and changed out electrical poles.”

Sheppard shared the same sentiments.

“It was still pretty bad,” Sheppard said. “We were sent to one of the most mountainous areas there, so not everything is accessible by truck. Trees had to be cut, but the vegetation grows back every day because it rains every day. The humidity is 100 percent. It looked like nobody had been there.”

Sheppard said the change in environment made the work difficult.

“It was definitely the hardest work I’ve done in my life,” he said. “Here in East Texas, I’m not used to all the mountains and stuff like that. It was definitely a different type of work area. The infrastructure is totally different there than it is here. The weather — it rains every single day. It may rain for 45 minutes and stop for an hour or two and then rain again. It was a totally different experience from working here in East Texas.”

TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Statewide Department Chair Eric Carithers said he is very proud of the graduates for volunteering to work on the island.

“The dedication that it takes to not only do line work, but being young in your career and being away from home for weeks to months at a time, is challenging — especially if it’s their first time being away from their families like that,” Carithers said.

Oncor has sent 80 employees to help restore power to the territory.

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