It is safe to say that Enrique Carrillo is thought of highly by his peers after recently being awarded the 2016 Chancellor’s Excellence Award at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards Dinner and Celebration.

Carrillo is the Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Officer at Texas State Technical College and said he could not believe he had been selected as one of the recipients for this award.

“I was very humbled because I work with a lot of talented personnel who also deserve this award,” said Carrillo. “It’s an honor and makes me feel special. I never thought this was a possibility, but it makes me believe I must be doing something right.”

Carrillo’s wife accompanied him to the awards celebration, and he said he could not think of a better person to have by his side.

“My wife is a huge contributor to my success. She’s been there with me through thick and thin,” said Carrillo. “She’s been so patient and has allowed me to accomplish my goals. She’s my rock, my support, and she deserves this award more than I do.”

It was back in 2007 when Carrillo first set foot at TSTC as a student. He had lost his job in the power plant industry after 30 years and this was his time to pursue a college degree.

“I started working in power plants at 19, I didn’t know anything else,” said Carrillo. “This was my chance to come back to school, but I loved TSTC so much, I never left.”

Carrillo earned his associate degree in Wind Energy Technology in 2013, and graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. He is also currently working toward becoming a certified safety and health officer with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“The people, the atmosphere make TSTC what it is. As a student I wanted to work here, and here I am,” said Carrillo. “Nobody is perfect, but as a campus we do a real good job at working together to achieve our goals.”

Carrillo’s career at TSTC has ranged from teaching to safety officer. His supervisor and Executive Director for Governance, Risk and Compliance Tom Hooker praised him for his commitment to safety.

“Enrique provides exceptional oversight and enforcement of the safety programs for both Harlingen and Fort Bend as an invaluable professional as a Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs (SHEA) Officer,” Hooker said.

Carrillo said he will continue working hard in implementing safety programs that will keep everyone safe.

“My goal is zero accidents,” said Carrillo. “I want to plant a seed of safety so everyone will continue what I started, make us all accountable and look out for each other. Safety never ends. It starts with you and ends with you.”

Last night Marcela Mireles and her family celebrated not only a graduation, but also life.

The Brownsville native graduated with honors earning a 3.7 grade-point average and receiving an associate degree in Surgical Technology from Texas State Technical College.

During her time at TSTC, Mireles was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and was president of the Surgical Technology Club.

“Tonight is definitely a blessing,” said Mireles. “This was a tough year for me. I never thought this day would come.”

Within a span of two years, the 34-year-old single mom had lost her job and learned that her mother had cancer.

Prior to attending TSTC, Mireles worked for Convergys as an operations manager, but unfortunately, the company closed laying off hundreds of people. Because of the shutdown, Mireles received a grant through the Texas Workforce Solutions that would pay her program’s tuition, while allowing her to keep her unemployment benefits.

“During this time I learned that God will not hand us anything we cannot handle,” said Mireles. “Did I lose my job? Yes, but I was able to pursue a field I have always been interested in, while still putting food on the table, supporting my family and achieving my goals.”

On top of losing her job, Mireles’ mother was also diagnosed with cancer. This spread Mireles thin. With raising her daughter, staying at the hospital with her mother and the non-stop studying, Mireles could have given up, but she did not want to face defeat.

“At the time I asked myself every day, ‘Why her,’ ‘Why us,’ ‘Why now,’” said Mireles. “But had my mom been diagnosed any earlier or later, the medical care guidance I received from my instructor at TSTC would not have been there. Some things are just meant to be.”

That TSTC instructor was Anna San Pedro.  Mireles said San Pedro helped her understand the medical treatments her mother needed, and had it not been for this information her mother may not be here today.

“Mrs. San Pedro was really a lifesaver,” said Mireles. “She told me everything to expect when it came to my mom’s surgeries and treatment. She even encouraged us to always get a second opinion, and that’s why I get to share my success tonight with my mom.”

Today Mireles’ mother is cancer-free and Mireles has a new career.

Mireles has already been offered a certified surgical technologist position with Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville. The offer is pending based on her national exam scores, which she should receive at the end of the month.

“If I’ve learned anything at all during this experience is that I’m a lot stronger than I thought I was,” said Mireles. “TSTC has made a huge difference in my life and I hope with my career I can make a difference in someone else’s life also.”

For more information on the Surgical Technology program call 956-364-4805. The last day to register for Fall 2016 is August 22. To apply or register anytime visit tstc.edu.

At 14 years-old Carolina Martinez came to the United States for the opportunity to continue her education. As an immigrant, she spent many years facing homelessness and poverty.

Now, a decade later, her “American dream” of a college degree is coming true.

The Veracruz native will be graduating from Texas State Technical College tonight with an associate degree in Surgical Technology. She is the first in her family to graduate from college – a feat accomplished in the face of great hardship.

“I was so scared to leave my home in Veracruz,” said Martinez. “But at that time it was my only hope to continue school. At 14 in Veracruz I had to start paying for school and we couldn’t afford it. So it was either move or drop out and work.”

Martinez’s mom was already working in the United States sending money home to her daughter and her son, who were living with their grandmother. Martinez said her dad was never in the picture.

“I moved in with my mom, my stepdad and my half siblings when I got to the U.S.,” said Martinez. “School was challenging, I was in an ESL class for two years and my teacher began pushing me to do more.”

That teacher at Port Isabel High School was Eric Hanstead. He encouraged and pushed her to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) classes and participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL) academic contests.

“I never thought I could do any of it,” said Martinez. “But he taught me that ‘Where there is a will, there is a way,’ and that has carried me through my hardest days.”

She graduated from high school in 2011 but, because of financial reasons, college was not in the picture for Martinez. She had no choice, but to work to help support her brother and grandmother who had stayed in Mexico.

“We didn’t have money for college,” said Martinez. “In fact, my mom said there was no point in me going to college, so she wouldn’t help me apply for financial aid.”

During this time, Martinez’s stepfather was deported, her half siblings were sent to live in Mexico with him, and after several months, Martinez’s mom decided to leave the states to join the rest of her family. This left Martinez alone without a place to call home.

“I was living in a messed up trailer home, it was broken,” said Martinez. “My life was broken, but the one good thing that came out of everything is that my mom helped me apply for financial aid before she left.”

Soon after Martinez started college at TSTC, she was kicked out of her trailer and found herself homeless.

For nearly a year, Martinez stayed wherever she was welcomed. She was in and out of friends’ homes.

It was not until her Surgical Technology Program Director Robert Sanchez and her Instructor Anna San Pedro led her to TSTC housing, that she finally had a steady roof over her head.

“I’m glad I had saved my income tax return, because that’s what I used to move into the dorms,” said Martinez. The program was stressful, my living situation was stressful, but I can say that I made it. I’m graduating.”

Martinez is graduating with a 3.5 grade-point average and now working at Doctor’s Hospital at Renaissance (DHR) as a surgical technology intern. She will find out if she passed her national exam at the end of the month, which will determine if she will be hired full-time at DHR.

“Carolina has really persevered; she did whatever she could to succeed,” said Sanchez. “I’m very proud of her and everything she has accomplished. I admire her determination and I know that if she continues to work hard and embrace the profession she will do excellent and have a better quality of life.”

Martinez said her experiences and the hands-on training she received at TSTC has prepared her for a career that will change her life forever.

“It’s been hard doing all of this on my own. I won’t have family at graduation either,” said Martinez. “But TSTC and my instructors have changed my life for the better. I can’t wait to work full-time doing what I love, helping my family back in Veracruz and finally being able to afford a place I can officially call my home.”

Martinez is one of 358 students graduating from TSTC with either a certificate or associate’s degree tonight at the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium.

Christmas came early this year for the children of Sunny Glen Children’s Home in San Benito.  The Veteran Students Alliance Club, Skills USA and the Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Club from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen helped them celebrate Christmas in July for the second year.

Veterans Program Officer Jose Villegas spoke of the importance of a holiday celebration for children at Sunny Glen.

“Christmas in July is important because it lets kids know that Santa is not only thinking of them around Christmas time, but also throughout the year.”

Members of the club distributed various gifts that were donated by TSTC students and members of the community, and provided pizza and beverages for the jolly festivities.

TSTC Student Recruitment Representative Melissa Zamora stated that being involved in activities such as this helps build the leaders of tomorrow.

“We are building leaders by the exposure and experience that comes with participation in events like these.  Our students can build relationships, gain real-world experience and create customer service confidence that will directly lead to their intrinsic and extrinsic success.  TSTC has proven time and time again that our services are meant to ‘hold hands’ with our state and members of our community,” she said.

Sergeant of Arms for the Veterans Students Alliance Club Rene Rodriguez described the most memorable moment for him throughout the day.

“When I broke the ice with the children and staff, that was special.  I asked the kids to say their names one by one and asked them what their favorite things to do are.  They all had a blast standing in front of their peers and discussing everything,” he said.  “It’s important for organizations to have events like Christmas in July because it gives back to the community, and especially to children.”

Sunny Glen Community Relations Coordinator Sandra Rodriguez expressed gratitude towards the students who put this together.

“We at Sunny Glen feel so blessed to have had the members of these clubs put together such a wonderful event,” said Rodriguez.  “It brought happiness to our children before the holidays.”

The Veteran Students Alliance Club collects toys year round for this summer event.  Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can call the Veterans Center at 956-364-4386.

The Veterans Center helps transition military veterans and family members into civilian life as a student.

Any veterans interested in registering for Fall 2016 can apply now at http://www.tstc.edu/.  Deadline to register is August 22.

(HARLINGEN) Estephanie Dorado is currently attending Texas State Technical College pursuing an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. The Harlingen native has an impressive 3.5 grade-point average and is expected to graduate Spring 2018.

Dorado said she first discovered her love for teaching in elementary; she was intrigued. It then peaked in high school when she took her first course in Education. She said she believes teachers have the power to make a difference in a child’s life, and she is excited to begin her career, doing just that.

What are your plans after graduation? After graduation I plan to do what I love: teach. I hope to get my bachelor’s degree in Education from The University of Texas at San Antonio. No matter what happens, I know that I will learn new things each and every day.

What is your dream job?  My dream job is to teach. I really want to make a positive difference in the lives of my prospective students. I believe that as teachers, our responsibility is to mold and shape the minds of our students, and greatly impact their lives. Even if I only impact the life of one student, I’ll know that all the hard work I have done is worth it.

What has been our greatest accomplishment while at TSTC? My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC is being on the dean’s list. I have spent countless hours doing homework, studying and attending tutoring to make sure I succeeded in my courses. I’ve done what is necessary to get where I need and want to be. I worked really hard to achieve this, and in the end, my hard work paid off.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life? The greatest lesson I have learned is that it takes a lot of self-determination and dedication to achieve a goal. I have learned that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to as long as I believe in myself and take action.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success? The person who has most influenced my success is Teresa Cuellar, an adjunct instructor in the Education and Training program. She has been an excellent role model in my life and has inspired me to be the best teacher I can be in and out of the classroom.

What is your advice for future TSTC students? I want to advise future TSTC students to make their education a priority and to manage their time accordingly. I also encourage them to communicate with their professors and take advantage of the great resources the campus offers to help them succeed.

(HARLINGEN) Adele Clinton started her career with Texas State Technical College nearly nine years ago. She is known around campus for her work and dedication to students as the Executive Director for Student Life, and now as one of the 2016 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipients.

Clinton was recently presented her award at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards Dinner and Celebration in Austin. She said this was an extra special day for her because she got to experience it with her husband and two children.

“Not only did my family get to join me, but my husband had the opportunity to present me with my award,” said Clinton. “I think it’s really important that our sons and daughters see working mothers doing really well, not just as a mom, but also at work.”

This award was a great honor for Clinton especially because her peers were the ones who nominated her.

“To know that I was recognized for my work, at a job I love, by colleagues that are like family, it’s a great feeling,” said Clinton. “I’m honored to now be a part of an elite group who have received this award.”

Clinton’s experience in student life dates back to her time at South Texas College, where she also earned the Jaguar Excellence Award for her efforts and commitment. She first became interested in student life while attending The University of Texas Pan American where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sociology.

“Working with student affairs personnel as a student leader was so much fun for me,” said Clinton. “It was easy and made sense. I know how much it affected my life and my college experience, and how much I learned outside of the classroom, that I knew I wanted to do this for others.”

Clinton’s supervisor and Vice President of Student Development Sarah Patterson said students’ lives, and those of her staff, have definitely been touched by Adele’s work.

“Adele is one of the most dedicated and service-oriented employees I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with at TSTC. Her work ethic, enthusiasm, leadership and attitude is contagious which makes her team and all of Student Development want to be associated with the great momentum for student leadership and civic duty she has implemented statewide for our students,” said Patterson. “Adele’s strong desire to serve our students selflessly reflects in her daily actions.”

Clinton said that in student development she and her staff aim to give students the best college experience possible.

“We’re very student-centered,” said Clinton. “We all have one goal and that’s to help develop the best possible students. That’s what’s so rewarding about this job, we get to see students really grow into leaders and broaden their horizons.”