(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After working as a dental hygienist for 14 years, Texas State Technical College alumna Jessica Myers came back to her alma mater a year ago to bring her knowledge and experience to the next generation of dental hygiene professionals.

She is adjusting to the career differences but enjoying every minute of it.

“It was a big change,” she said. “A dental hygiene instructor has many responsibilities. There are so many components that make a great hygienist. Instructors need to be well-versed in a variety of subjects to ensure students are learning at an optimal level.”

Myers knew she wanted a job in health care at an early age and came across dental hygiene after learning from somebody in the profession.

“I love working and interacting with people,” she said. “I researched many programs and became fascinated with dental hygiene after shadowing a dental hygienist for a day. We do much more than clean teeth.”

The dedication she has for her role as an instructor is brought on by the fact that she knows firsthand how well prepared TSTC students are after finishing the program.

“The program at TSTC is approved and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, which ensures that we meet the highest quality standards for dental hygiene education,” she said. “Our curriculum is designed to prepare students with the skills and knowledge they require while out in practice.”

Fellow Dental Hygiene instructor Victoria Martin knows that Myers’ passion to pay it forward is beneficial for students.

“She worked in the profession for so long and now wants to give back,” she said. “She is inspiring students to become part of the profession.”

When asked what advice she would give to those who are considering a career in dental hygiene, Myers said that the benefits are worth the time and effort put into the program.

“This program is very challenging, yet it is also very rewarding,” she said. “Students who are willing to accept the challenge and give 100 percent of their time, effort and ability will succeed.”

To learn more about TSTC’s Dental Hygiene program, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/dentalhygiene.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College instructor Cesar Ibarra has taught cybersecurity at TSTC for 14 years. He appreciates that his current role not only allows him to work in a field that he enjoys, but also enables him to train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

What inspired you to get into teaching?

The opportunity to be able to train future cybersecurity professionals and meet new individuals that will become the future of the field.

What did you do before your time with TSTC?

I was working as a network manager, and I started to notice the vulnerability of the digital world. That is what helped start my career in cybersecurity.

What do you enjoy most about working with students?

I enjoy seeing them grow in the field — their transformation from the beginning of their time in the program to the end when they graduate and have their newfound confidence. It just makes me smile from ear to ear.

Do you have a favorite TSTC memory?

Well, not just one. My many favorite memories are based on students’ success during their time at TSTC and after.

To learn more about TSTC’s Cybersecurty program, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/cybersecurity.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumna Maxene Prado completed the Dental Hygiene program in 2017. Now she is enjoying the perks of her career as a dental hygienist and credits the support system she had at TSTC for helping her succeed.

Why did you decide on a career in this field?

A representative from the Dental Hygiene program spoke to our (high school) class one day about career options, and I was intrigued. After more research, I decided dental hygiene was what I wanted to do.

How would you say that the Dental Hygiene program at TSTC prepared you for your career?

Completing the program is one of my greatest academic achievements, and it shaped me into the dental hygienist that I am today. The program was rigorous and prepared me to be a well-rounded clinician. This is largely attributed to my amazing instructors at TSTC who guided me and provided me with the knowledge and support that I needed to succeed along the way.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

It’s nice getting to wear comfy scrubs to work every day. Jokes aside, I enjoy the flexibility and job security that it provides me. I can choose to have a set schedule at one office or float through different offices. I live in Austin, and many areas have a large demand for dental hygienists.

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start the program?

I cannot emphasize the importance of teamwork throughout the program enough. Collaboration and teamwork with my classmates were a large part of learning and succeeding. Be prepared to work hard and keep focused.

Dental hygienist careers are expected to continue to grow faster than average until 2029.

To learn more about TSTC’s Dental Hygiene program, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/DentalHygiene.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Honks and cheers were heard during a drive-thru ceremony at Texas State Technical College recently in celebration of the Employee Service Awards, which recognize TSTC employees for their years of service.

Employees were given a commemorative plaque and yard sign to thank them for their dedication to TSTC. Celebrated years ranged from five to 35, and 50 employees qualified for recognition.

TSTC Human Resources business partner Julie Gonzalez said that it is essential that employees know they are appreciated for their hard work.

“It is so important to celebrate every milestone we reach in our careers, especially at TSTC,” she said.

During the event, which followed TSTC’s strict coronavirus safety guidelines, employees were required to stay in their vehicles, and all accolades were given without physical contact.

Gonzalez said that those who have dedicated their time to TSTC play an important role in the ultimate purpose of the college: to help students succeed.

“Our employees with many years of service believe in the mission of TSTC,” she said. “It means that they are truly invested.”

Gonzalez, who is a recipient of an award for 15 years of service, thanked her colleagues for making the environment so special.

“Thank you for all you do to make TSTC a great place to work,” she said. “One thing that my co-worker, Melissa Aleman, and I talk about often is how TSTC and the employees we work with on the Harlingen campus are not just co-workers, they are family.”

Provost Cledia Hernandez reiterated that TSTC staff and faculty are pieces of the puzzle that help keep the campus running.

“Our employees are the essence of TSTC,” she said. “They are the driving force of accomplishing why we do what we do. We cannot do what we do without them.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is getting creative with events this semester. Social distancing has brought about a new way for students and staff to get together, and utilizing technology to get students involved in events that would normally happen on campus shows no signs of slowing down.

This month TSTC will recognize Collegiate Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week virtually. Current students and staff will be invited via a link that will guide them to an online hangout where different topics will be discussed. TSTC counselor Angela Dunn talked about the importance of the events, as well as what she hopes students will gain from attending.

“Collegiate Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week is an educational week held in institutions of higher education nationwide,” she said. “Alcohol and drug safety should be a priority throughout the year for colleges and universities, but this week is a helpful reminder to follow best practices and to bring attention to issues posed by excessive drinking or drug use among college students.”

The week will consist of various digital activities, including participants taking part in making graffiti art, an overview of making “mocktails,” and a Netflix watch party. As with any event, there were a few logistics that needed to be figured out to make sure that things run smoothly.

“All event planning comes with its own challenges,” she said. “Engaging students to attend the event is the hardest part of hosting virtual events. Other challenges are technical issues or participants not having supplies if it’s an activity.”

The activities planned for the week involve using household items, which Dunn said will allow for more students and staff to participate.

“We utilize generic items around the house that most people will have,” she said. “In order to avoid technical issues, we practice ahead of time to try to minimize any errors that might occur.”

Ultimately, virtual events such as this are to benefit students.

“Our hope is to open a line of communication within the college community,” she said. “We want to educate students on how to recognize the signs and behaviors of someone who might have issues with alcohol or drug abuse and teach students how to deal with stress in a healthier way.”

TSTC’s Collegiate Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week begins on Monday, Oct. 19.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – This week, Texas State Technical College celebrated a cohort of nursing students who passed the National Council Licensure Examination with a success rate of 96 percent at its traditional nursing pinning ceremony. The milestone is particularly special because the passing percentage with the Board of Nursing is 80 percent, which puts TSTC well above average of most other colleges and universities

This particular group of students was at the forefront of adjustments made by TSTC because of the coronavirus, something that Associate Provost Jean Lashbrook said adds even more meaning to their accomplishment.

“They have definitely stepped up to the plate, and quickly,” she said. “This group started in the fall of 2019 and completed their program at the end of summer 2020. They started the program with face-to-face classes and then had to quickly move to online learning with minimal face-to-face conversations with instructors, and the inability to be at the clinical sites due to the coronavirus.”

Program director Shirley Byrd acknowledged that both faculty and students being able to adjust so rapidly to the new methods of learning is something to be proud of.

“These students need to be recognized for the hardships they endured,” she said. “They came into the program with an excellent attitude and a gung-ho spirit to accomplish their goal of becoming registered nurses. They were already familiar with being able to interact with faculty on a daily basis, and all of a sudden, because of the pandemic, that was gone.”

The pinning ceremony, which became a tradition in the U.S. around 1916, was started by Florence Nightingale on her quest to honor nurses for their dedicated and selfless service.

“The pin identifies them as nurses,” Byrd said. “It bears testimony to their education.”

Lashbrook added that the ceremony is a well-deserved send-off into the field of nursing.

“Pinning is a rite of passage, so to speak,” she said. “It is presented to the new graduate as a symbol that welcomes them to the profession of nursing.”

Byrd said that the instructors of the program are incredibly proud of this cohort, and she even had a few parting words.

“Continue the dedication you showed in the program to your patients,” she said. “Show everybody what excellent nurses you have become. The world is yours.”

To learn more about TSTC’s Nursing program, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/Nursing.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Dental Hygiene program are fortunate that their instructors bring a wealth of experience to the classroom each day. One of these instructors, Victoria Martin, lived in such diverse locales as Alaska and Puerto Rico before calling Texas home.

How long have you been with TSTC?

I began teaching with TSTC in the summer of 2016, but my love for wanting to teach at the Harlingen campus started much earlier, around 2007. I was living and teaching in Anchorage, Alaska, back then. My husband and I would come down to the Rio Grande Valley to vacation — and warm up a little. Going to and from the airport, we would pass by the TSTC campus. The main quad area of the camps is just beautiful, and I would say to myself, I pray I get to teach there someday.

What inspired you to get into teaching?

One of my former instructors, a mentor and friend, approached me to take over one of her classes when she retired. I was deeply honored. Once I started, my love for teaching grew with every class.

What did you do before your time with TSTC?

That is a topic that could make its own book. As I mentioned, I was teaching dental hygiene in Anchorage. During that time, I was also highly active in the American Dental Hygiene Association, along with practicing clinical dental hygiene in a public health setting. Besides providing oral health care in a hospital setting in Anchorage, we would fly to parts of rural Alaska to set up portable dental units and provide oral care to Alaska Natives. It was a fun and exciting time. My husband was a commissioned officer and dentist with the United States Public Health Service. Later, he was transferred to Puerto Rico. While there, I completed my master’s degree in dental hygiene. When my husband retired, we moved to the Rio Grande Valley.

What do you enjoy most about working with students?

Wow, there are so many things that I love about teaching. My favorite is watching the students grow, not only with their dental hygiene and critical-thinking skills, but also as confident professionals. By the time they graduate, they believe in themselves and are willing to take any challenge head-on.

Do you have a favorite TSTC memory?

A year after I had been teaching, my dad, who is a dentist, came down from Chicago to visit. I brought him to the TSTC dental hygiene clinic to meet my co-workers and students. This simple thing turned into a lifelong memory for both me and my dad. Both the faculty and students not only welcomed my dad, but they treated him like a rock star. My dad felt incredibly special and still talks about it to this day. That moment will forever be in my heart.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Dreams of opening her own restaurant led Leilani Lopez on a path to studying Culinary Arts at Texas State Technical College. While her journey at TSTC has not been a cakewalk, she is grateful for the support and guidance that she has received from her dedicated instructors.

The Philippines native is a student worker in the Culinary Arts department and is expected to graduate at the end of this year.

“I have always enjoyed cooking and baking,” she said. “I wanted to make it a career. My journey at TSTC was difficult at first because I did not know there was more to culinary arts than cooking and baking. However, the instructors have been extremely helpful. They encouraged me to keep learning, and every day has brought me something new.”

Culinary Arts instructor Emma Creps said that Lopez has excelled during her three semesters as a student worker.

“Right now she is in her final class before she graduates,” she said. “She has been a terrific student worker. Very dedicated.”

Lopez said she is not a student who likes to observe from the sidelines.

“I enjoy prepping, baking, and conducting inventory,” she said. “I like being helpful. I am not the type of person who likes to stand and watch. I am always willing to learn more.”

Her dedication to go above and beyond extends well into her education.

“My original plan was to just get my certificate,” she said. “It was my husband who encouraged me to go for my associate degree instead. I was nervous at first. I did not think I was going to make it.”

Through her time at TSTC, Lopez has relished competing with her peers.

“My favorite memories are the competitions the department has,” she said. “They helped me realize that I was able to work well under pressure. They helped me become a competitive person and define my strengths and weaknesses.

Lopez said TSTC has helped her prepare for her career beyond her education.

“I have learned how to be more organized and use time management wisely,” she said. “It has made me more confident and comfortable with myself. I was very shy when I started this program, but now I am headstrong, and I look forward to succeeding in the future.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.