Category Archives: Waco

TSTC in North Texas Welcomes New Career Services Coordinator

(RED OAK) – Texas State Technical College in North Texas welcomed a new Career Services Coordinator at the end of May.

Fagen Jones, an Army veteran from Alabama, has an associate degree in instrumentation. After realizing her passion for helping people, she later went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and Psychology from Troy University in Dothan, Alabama.

Jones worked in Career Services for Goodwill Industries of Arkansas before moving to Desoto, Texas, and continuing her work with Goodwill in Dallas. She was thrilled to come across the Career Services position at TSTC.

“When I read the job description, I was really excited about it because I was familiar with technical colleges,” she said. “I knew how technical school could help others like it helped me. I’m very passionate about things I believe in. Knowing what a technical degree can do for you, it really piqued my interest.”

Jones values TSTC’s degree offerings and teaching style.

“The programs that TSTC has to offer are what I really like,” she said. “You can get a career and grow from that. It’s not just the education, it’s the hands-on experience that you’re getting in the classrooms and can take to your job. Not every organization is set up like that, so it’s something that is very valuable.”

So far, Jones is focusing on connecting with the students.

“The main and most important thing is to make sure students secure employment prior to graduation,” she said. “I’m starting to get engaged with those students, trying to get them into the office to assist them with their resumes. I’m always putting out job leads. I’ve created a job board here for them. They’re coming in, seeing what’s there (on the board) and reaching out to me if they have questions about the job postings. That’s going really well. Next week, I’m starting to do workshops with the students, so I’m really excited about that.”

Jones has been impressed with the atmosphere at TSTC.

“Everybody is really nice,” she said. “I haven’t been in Texas long, but the time I have, I’ve never met so many people where the morale is just happy. That’s really good for me because I’m a happy person.”

She immediately felt welcomed by the Career Services team.

“I was really impressed and blown away by just the Career Services department and how they work as a team,” Jones said. “When I went to the Waco campus, they all walked around with me and introduced me. It wasn’t just one person, it was a team. It spoke volumes when the entire team got together.”

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

TSTC Students Attend Dallas Society of Visual Communications Conference

(WACO) — Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for students in Texas State Technical College’s Visual Arts Society who recently attended the Dallas Society of Visual Communications conference.

The Visual Arts Society are students pursuing Associate of Applied Science degrees in Visual Communication Technology. Thirteen students had their tickets paid by TSTC’s provost office to attend the conference for the first time in two years.

“This was my first time at DSVC, and it surprised me how much variety (there was) and (with) the talent of the speakers during the breakout sessions,” VAS president Raychel Mynarcik said. “Getting to meet the designer that came up with the current Vitaminwater, Smartwater and Powerade labels was awesome.”

The Dallas Society of Visual Communications was founded in 1957 and has grown to become one of the largest independent organizations of its kind. The conference provided networking and job opportunities for attendees.

“Getting to hear the speakers and their process and their journey getting their jobs was so inspiring. I found it to be super motivating,” club treasurer Samantha Westbrook said.

Students were able to meet with industry leaders, participate in group challenges and submit individual works for critique.

“My highlight was winning a box of macaroons during a 360 branding challenge by Neiman Marcus design representatives. It was really cool having my ideas being recognized and chosen,” Mynarcik said.

As the industry evolves, students were exposed to new ways their degree and creativity could be applied in the workforce.

“The biggest thing I learned was that there is a whole market for app design. That’s something I find to be really cool and maybe want to pursue a career in,” VAS public relations officer Christina Pace said.

Although the TSTC provost’s office paid for the students’ admission cost, members of the Visual Arts Society hosted fundraisers for the remaining trip fees and split the cost of gas.

“The provost’s office sponsors student events as often as possible. I know it will be one of the highlights of their time at TSTC, and I can’t wait to see what their futures hold,” TSTC Provost Adam Hutchison said. “I personally know TSTC graduates from the program who attended the conference, and I saw how they were inspired, encouraged and better prepared to find great jobs through their participation with DSVC.”

“These kids are so good,” Stacie Buterbaugh, instructor and the club’s sponsor, said. “They worked so hard and had multiple fundraisers like bakes sales and selling pizza and candy and sodas at events hosted on campus.”

VAS plans to attend the conference next spring and is using the previous trip in April as recruitment for new members.

“I like seeing these students be exposed to what’s outside the classroom and get a glimpse at the long-term opportunities. It’s so easy to get stuck and focus on one project and one assignment, but this allows them to see everything as part of a bigger picture and learn from their experiences,” Buterbaugh said.

TSTC in Waco offers the associate degree in Visual Communication Technology.

Registration for fall classes at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC in North Texas Registration Rallies Begin June 19

(RED OAK) – Texas State Technical College in North Texas will host two Registration Rallies this summer – all part of an effort to make the registration process as easy as possible for students starting classes in the fall semester. The first rally will be held on Tuesday, June 19, with the second following on Tuesday, July 17.

Recruiting and Admissions staff will be on standby to walk students through the registration process. They will also offer tours and help with applications.

The Registration Rallies will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the campus at 119 N. Lowrance in Red Oak. Attendees will be able to meet with faculty, learn more about the different technologies offered at the Marshall campus and tour the facilities.

In addition to Recruiting and Admissions; personnel from Financial Aid, Testing, Student Success and Veteran Services will be available to answer questions and lend a helping hand. Prospective students will be able to learn all about resources available to them.

Students who need help finalizing their registration are encouraged to bring the following: copy of driver’s license, high school transcript or GED, any college transcripts, proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination and TSI scores.

For more information on the Registration Rally, go to tstc.edu/rally.

TSTC Student Finds Passion in Welding

(HUTTO) – After working for a tree-trimming company for three years, Texas State Technical College student David Suarez wasn’t quite sure what he wanted as a career, but he knew that wasn’t it.

He came across welding by chance at work.

“We have a skid-steer at work. The bucket on it broke, and it needed to be welded,” Suarez said. “The boss is the one who usually welds things up, but he wasn’t there that day. His son was there, and he was welding it. He looked at me and asked, ‘You want to give it a shot?’ I said sure. And ever since that moment, I was hooked on it.”

The Hutto native and now Taylor resident looked up welding colleges and found that TSTC was right in his backyard.

“I have a couple of friends, probably five or so, that went there, and they loved it,” he said. “They’re out welding for a living, so I figured I’d sign up and see what it was all about.”

So far, he is enjoying his classes.

“All the people in there are super friendly and always willing to help,” Suarez said. “They do whatever it takes to make sure we are all in this together and no one is falling behind. As far as the teachers, they’re always in a good mood and willing to help you.’”

Suarez has even taken up some welding projects outside of class.

“If I’m not welding at school, I’m at home coming up with something,” he said. “I have a buddy who has a 4Runner, and we go off-roading. When you’re off-roading, you’re bumping into trees and rocks and all sorts of stuff, so he has a bumper that he wants to fit. It has to be welded to the frame of the 4Runner, so I’m going to start that project soon.”

In his free time, Suarez is a firefighter with the Taylor Volunteer Fire Department.

“It started about a year ago,” he said. “One of my co-workers has been doing it for six or seven years, and he’d been trying to get me to join. You get to experience so much — going through the academy and getting certified through the TEEX of Texas A&M. It’s always rewarding to feel like you can give back to the community and feel like you’re putting your part in.”

When he isn’t busy with school, work or volunteering, Suarez likes to spend his time outdoors.

“I’m into fishing and hunting,” he said. “Whether I’m searching for whitetails, doves, turkey — you just sit back and enjoy nature. You never know what’s going to come out, so it’s always a neat experience just having that appreciation for nature and what it has to offer.”

Now in his second semester, Suarez isn’t yet sure what he wants to do when he graduates.

“Welding can take you all sorts of different ways,” he said. “I have a couple of friends doing structural welding; I have a couple of friends doing pipeline welding. There’s TIG stainless steel welding. I have a lot more to learn before I feel like I can make a decision on what exactly I want to do with my welding education.”

Suarez enjoys TSTC’s teaching style and recommends it to those looking for something different.

“In high school I had good grades, but sitting in a classroom wasn’t for me,” he said. “Being here at TSTC, the majority of the time you’re hands-on learning.”

TSTC is registering for the fall semester through Monday, Aug. 20. For more information on TSTC and the Welding program, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC in Waco Auto Collision Students Receive Recognitions

(WACO) – Four students in the Auto Collision and Management Technology program at Texas State Technical College have been nationally honored for their academic work.

Three students — Hector Corujo of Killeen, Anderson Merchant of College Station and Justin Romero of Waco — are military veterans who received 3M Hire Our Heroes tool grants valued at $4,500 each. Romero also received a $2,000 scholarship from the 3M Hire Our Heroes program. A fourth student, Jannifer Stimmel of Marlin, received a PPG Foundation automotive refinishing scholarship.

All of the students will receive the Sears Votech tool grant, which includes an industry-size tool box.

The recognitions are sponsored by the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division and the Collision Repair Education Foundation.

Corujo, 34, is working toward an advanced technical certificate in Auto Collision Refinishing after having graduated in December with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Refinishing Specialization.

After having received a scholarship and tools last year, Corujo said he did not think he had a chance of being recognized this year.

“It takes the financial burden off me to buy tools,” Corujo said. “Last year I was able to buy a paint suit, safety glasses and other items.”

Corujo moved as a teenager from Puerto Rico to Florida, where he graduated from high school. The Killeen resident spent 14 years in the U.S. Army and worked as a light-wheel-vehicle mechanic. His Army stint included three tours of duty in Iraq.

Merchant, 26, is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Refinishing Specialization. He said he has enjoyed working with the instructors and using his hands in the program’s labs.

He said the tool grant will help him progress in his interest to do classic car restoration after graduation.

“It is going to be a huge help,” Merchant said. “When I came here, I was essentially living off the GI Bill. I did not have many tools.”

Merchant said his goal is to use what he has learned to do a complete restoration of a 1952 Chevy dually.

“Right now it’s in the rust stage,” he said. “I’ve always had an affinity for 1960 and earlier cars.”

Merchant graduated in 2010 from Huntsville High School. Two years later, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was an optics technician.

Romero, 25, is working on an advanced technical certificate in Advanced Collision Refinishing and already has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Refinishing Specialization.

He said he was appreciative of the scholarship and the tools he will receive.

“It will help out in the future,” Romero said. “Tools are hard to build up, mainly because they are so expensive.”

Romero grew up in Erie, Colorado and was a petroleum supply specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve for two years.

Stimmel, 33, received a $5,000 scholarship she said will help continue her education. After graduation, she wants to go into restoration and paint her 1973 Volkswagen bus.

“My previous degrees ate up my funding to where I was not sure I would be here in the fall,” she said. “I love it here.”

Stimmel worked in health care  for 12 years before deciding to shift to the auto collision field.

“The human body is not far from a vehicle,” she said. “We are machines like we work on.”

Stimmel graduated in 2003 from Marlin High School and is an alumna of Texas Woman’s University.

“Growing up, I always spent time out in the shop with my father,” she said. “I decided I didn’t want to be cooped up in an office.”

The four students are scheduled to graduate in December.

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

 

TSTC Registration Rallies Begin June 20

(HUTTO) – Texas State Technical College in Williamson County will host two Registration Rallies this summer – all part of an effort to make the registration process as easy as possible for students starting classes in the fall semester. The first rally will be held on Wednesday, June 20, with the second following on Tuesday, July 24.

Recruiting and Admissions staff will be on standby to walk students through the registration process. They will also offer tours and help with applications.

The Registration Rallies will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center. Attendees will be able to meet with faculty, learn more about the different technologies offered at the Williamson County campus and tour the facilities.

In addition to Recruiting and Admissions; personnel from Financial Aid, Testing, Student Success and Veteran Services will be available to answer questions and lend a helping hand. Prospective students will be able to learn all about resources available to them.

Coordinator of recruitment Melissa Zamora says the rallies offer students the convenience of getting everything done at once.

“Registration rallies are a great opportunity for the community and students to get information, tour and register on the spot with every department on hand,” Zamora said.

Students who need help finalizing their registration are encouraged to bring the following: copy of driver’s license, high school transcript or GED, any college transcripts, proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination and TSI scores.

For more information on the Registration Rally, go to tstc.edu/rally.

TSTC in North Texas Welcomes New Recruiter

(RED OAK) – Texas State Technical College has welcomed a new recruiter. Annie Garcia began working at TSTC on April 30.

Garcia, a Palmer resident, most recently worked as a Job Corps admissions and outreach professional in San Antonio. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Public Relations from the University of Texas at Arlington.

When Garcia found the opening at TSTC, she said it was an opportunity for a seamless relocation.

“I had heard all good things about the school before,” Garcia said. “When we were looking into moving back into this area and I saw there was an opening, it kind of seemed like it was meant to be. With the position being so similar to what I was already doing, and it being so close to home, it was kind of perfect.”

Although the job duties are similar, Garcia said she noticed one big change: the teamwork.

“Even though I was doing something similar before, it was very much me on my own, almost like they wanted us to compete,” she said. “Here, we work as a team. Whether it be all of the campuses or all of the recruiters at one campus, I definitely feel like the three girls I work with will be pretty close-knit.”

TSTC Provost Marcus Balch said he is happy to have Garcia on board.

“We’re excited to welcome Annie to our team and once again have a full student recruitment staff,” Balch said. “The team is critical to the continued growth of our campus as we work to meet the needs of our industry partners in the area. Annie has hit the ground running and brings enthusiasm to our campus and to the students she serves.”

Garcia is enjoying her new position.

“I love it,” she said. “I haven’t met one stranger since I’ve been here. I get along with everybody, and I like the job. It makes it easy for sure.”

So far, her favorite thing about TSTC is the enthusiasm she sees from her co-workers.

“Everybody that’s here is very passionate about what they do,” Garcia said. “Whether it be the provost or the instructors or the recruiters, everyone is very passionate about the school and their position. It makes the school worth coming to for the students because if they’re going to spend the next two years here, they need to be around people who believe in what they do.”

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

TSTC Automotive Technology Instructor Connects with Students on Their Level

(WACO) — Texas State Technical College recently welcomed its youngest instructor in the Automotive Technology department.

Matthew Abel, 26, a Waco native and Midway High School alumnus, graduated from TSTC in 2013 with an associate degree in Automotive Technology. He will teach the Automotive Brake Systems and Introduction to Automotive Technology classes starting this fall.  

He is determined to provide guidance and support for his students and lead them to success.

“The biggest thing I learned in the industry was that it’s so important to have someone to look up to,” said Abel. “Out in the industry, if I had something I couldn’t figure out, I couldn’t go to anyone. I had to just sit down and figure it out.”

Abel was fast-tracked to a master certification in less than a year while he was working at Allen Samuels Fiat in Waco. Spending most of his time working on brakes, he gained valuable experience. But he wanted more time with his fiancee and son.

“Getting on with TSTC has been amazing,” said Abel. “I love how everybody wants to progress in a positive manner. Everyone is crazy nice, and if I have an idea, they hear me out even though I’m the new guy.”

Mentoring Abel as he transitions from a teaching assistant to instructor are TSTC Automotive Technology statewide lead Rudy Cervantez and instructor Richard Pickens.

“I found by having him as a lab assistant this past semester in the brakes class, he knows quite a bit about the new technologies that we older generation instructors lack,” Cervantez said. “He brings in new and improved ideas to our department.”

One of the biggest surprises for Abel was how positively his students responded to a younger instructor.

“It was kind of a shock,” Abel said. “They trust me with their questions, and they’ll come in after class for tutorials because I am seen as more of the buddy they can learn from rather than a teacher.”

Abel hopes to encourage students from all backgrounds to explore the automotive industry as a career opportunity.

“There are huge benefits, and (as a student) you don’t have to know anything when you come here. I had never touched a car before I came to TSTC,” Abel said. “By the time you get out of here though, you’ll be more confident and more prepared than most, with people ready to hire you on the spot.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate of automotive service technicians and mechanics is projected to grow 6 percent through 2026, creating a need for qualified technicians.

“If anyone has an interest in the automotive field or if they think that they do, it’s a great field to go into because not everyone can work on their cars, so there will always be work,” Abel said.

In his short time at TSTC, Abel has been affectionately dubbed “The Rookie” and earned praise from his co-workers.

“He’s been a great help to the department and to the instructors,” Pickens said. “He’s a big family man and does everything with his son in mind, so he makes sure it’s done right.”

Looking to the future, Abel sees great opportunities for the department and himself.

“I like the direction we’re going. The instructors have become friends, and my fiancee is happy and loves that I’m out here. I definitely see myself staying here and growing,” Abel said.

Abel started in spring 2018 as a teaching lab assistant for the Automotive Brake Systems class, which he continues to teach this summer. He is also the department’s safety officer.

Registration for fall classes at TSTC is underway.

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

TSTC in Waco Student Restaurant to Open May 30

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College’s Culinary Arts program opens its student-operated restaurant for the summer semester on Wednesday, May 30.

The restaurant is at the Greta W. Watson Culinary Arts Center on Campus Drive. The restaurant is open to the public, who this semester may dine on student-planned menus with themes such as Texas, Japan and France.

Meals are served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays from May 30 to Aug. 17. The serving days and themes, which can be subject to change, are:

May 30 and June 1: Texas

June 6: Chef’s Choice Buffet

June 13 and 15: Japan

June 20 and June 22: Spain

June 27 and June 29: Scotland

July 6: Chef’s Choice Buffet

July 11 and July 13: France

July 18 and July 20: Central Mexico

July 25 and July 27: Cajun

Aug. 1 and Aug. 3: Italy

Aug. 8 and Aug. 10: Chef’s Choice

Aug. 15 and Aug. 17: Live-Action Buffet

Weekly menus will be posted on the Facebook page for the Greta W. Watson Culinary Arts Center at TSTC in Waco.

To make reservations, call 254-867-3123. Visitors must arrive at least 15 minutes before their seating time.

For menus and other information, go to tstc.edu/about/culinarydiningwaco.

TSTC Names Block Campus Director

(HUTTO) – Texas State Technical College in Williamson County has named Darren Block as its new Campus Director and Campus Academic Manager.

Block retired from the Army in 2010 as a sergeant first class

“I was a motor sergeant or a maintenance supervisor,” he said. “I was in charge of the motor pool. I was in charge of machine shops, maintenance shops, welding shops. I retired as an E-7 sergeant first class, but I was doing the job of an E-8 first sergeant. So, a lot of admin stuff, a lot of running a company-sized element in the army. That’s what I did in the last 10 years.”

After retiring, he attended TSTC in Waco and graduated from the college’s Mechanical Engineering Technology (now Precision Machining Technology) program with a 4.0 GPA.

“I wanted to become an engineer, and that was the liaison in between the two,” Block said.

After working in the field for a while, Block paid a visit to TSTC in Waco to update his machining software.

“Well, I went to Waco for software, and while I was there, Mr. Rodriguez (Jose Rodriguez, statewide division director of Production Manufacturing) asked me if I’d ever considered teaching,” Block said. “I said I hadn’t, and he asked, ‘Would you? We’d really like to have you.’ So I applied for it, and they hired me.”

Block began teaching Precision Machining at TSTC in Williamson County in 2014 in the early stages of the program and grew to love the profession.

“I really love technical school,” he said. “You can walk into any program here and ask the guys anything. They’re the product-knowledge experts. So if I have a problem with HVAC, I go talk to those guys. They’ll troubleshoot with me right here, right now. Or welding — I’m taking welding classes. You can learn anything you want to. That’s the best part.”

Though his new position focuses more on the management side of things, Block is glad to lend support to his colleagues.

“It’s broader,” he said. “I’m more involved in streamlining ways to teach or processes, like when we order tools or expendables, I’m making that process easier and more efficient. We’re working on making syllabi easier for instructors so they don’t have to spend time doing that when they could be spending time on teaching. I’m trying to do the background legwork for them.”

TSTC Provost Edgar Padilla said Block is a great asset to the leadership team.

“We are pleased to have a proven leader at the helm of our student learning operations and proud that one of our own, a TSTC graduate, is leading our instructional team on campus,” he said. “Darren has already proven that he has the subject-matter expertise to effectively manage our instructional programs, and as we grow, we will continue developing our leadership team internally.”

Block said he is happy to be in a position where he can effect change.

“I’m glad that I am in a position where I can make a difference, a good one,” he said. “That’s the main reason I took this position.”

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