Category Archives: Waco

TSTC Receives Equipment Donation From VanTran

(WACO) – Students in the Electrical Power and Controls program at Texas State Technical College will benefit from an equipment donation from a local company.

Staff from VanTran Industries Inc. on Imperial Drive in Waco delivered three new pole mounted 5 kilovolt-amperes transformers earlier this week to program faculty and staff in the Electronics Center. The donation valued at $1,000 marks the first time the company has donated equipment to the program.

“The students can get real-world knowledge and experience as opposed to working with a simulated model,” said Robbie Morehead, VanTran’s sales engineer and project coordinator.

The Electrical Power and Controls program has 190 students.

Dylan Hammick, 23, of Lorena and an Electrical Power and Controls major said he looked forward to labs using the new transformers.

“It will give you better field experience,” he said. “The training here at TSTC is good. This is real life.”

Hammick attended Industry Career Day in March at TSTC and met with several employers, one which has already interviewed him for a job.

“Electricity is a steady job market,” he said. “Power is power and everybody has to have it.”

Another Electrical Power and Controls major, 26-year-old Tino Alvarado of Waco, wants to work with the new transformers as soon as he can. Alvarado said using the transformers will be good experience for when he starts as a substation technician on Aug. 29 at Oncor Electric Delivery Co. in Fort Worth.

“I like everything about electricity,” he said. “It’s not easy to learn but it gets me interested in learning what is going on.”

VanTran has had a representative on the program’s advisory committee the past few years to offer suggestions on how the program curriculum could continually be tailored to the needs of industries.

The company was founded in 1963 and makes liquid filled transformers shipped throughout Canada and the United States.

For more information on how to make cash or equipment donations to TSTC, contact The TSTC Foundation at 254-867-3900.

Registration continues for Fall Semester. For more information log on to tstc.edu.

 

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TSTC Hosts Local High Schools for Program Highlight Day

NTX Program Highlight Day

Texas State Technical College in North Texas hosted 30 students from the Midlothian and Red Oak High Schools for their second Program Highlight Day last week.

Director of Student Recruitment at TSTC in North Texas, Cory Gropp, said he came up with the idea to hold Program Highlight days because prospective students have a hard time understanding some programs, like Industrial Maintenance.

“Students get caught up on the ‘maintenance’ part and often we hear ‘why do I need to go to college to push a mop?’” Gropp said. “These students do not realize the salary that comes with Industrial Maintenance positions. So, originally, we wanted to get a day for students to get hands-on experience and see what the program is really about.”

Gropp said these highlight days are important to make sure students know about the programs available and give them some hands-on experience with them.

“We do fun activities to pique their interest. Some of the comments I heard last Friday were ‘I never knew TSTC had a program like this,’ and ‘I am definitely coming here when I graduate,’” Gropp said. “We want the students who are thinking about becoming engineers. We want students who excel in math and science. TSTC not only provides the training to help students become engineers, but also to earn high paying jobs after graduation.”

Industrial Maintenance Instructor Kevin Liptak said the high school students toured the building and then instructors spoke to them about the Industrial Maintenance program.

In the afternoon, students competed in a tournament to see who could build a tower with a pneumatic crane fastest. Each school had two groups competing. The Midlothian groups won first and fourth place, and Red Oak won second and third.

“I think everybody had a lot of fun,” Liptak said. “They got pretty competitive on the crane.”

Bryan Rogers, an Engineering and Robotics teacher at Red Oak High School, said the school believes that students should see the opportunities that exist for their future education.

“The crane lab was engaging,” Rogers said. “The school system sees the benefits of exposing the students to the option of a technical education, so we’ll continue to bring groups over.”

TSTC’s first Program Highlight Day was held Dec. 11, with students from Red Oak, Waxahachie, Palmer and Ferris High Schools learning about Precision Machining and Computer-Aided Drafting. The students designed their school’s logo in Computer-Aided Drafting programs and etched the logo onto a plastic plaque in the machining lab.

TSTC is enrolling now for the fall semester. For more information on the college, or to apply, visit www.tstc.edu.

 

TSTC Provost Named to Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce

(HUTTO) – Edgar Padilla, provost of Texas State Technical College in Williamson County, was recently appointed a member of the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.

He was selected by Board Chairman Seth Simmons and will work with other board members in guiding policy direction, budgeting and other facets of the chamber made of more than 300 members.

“TSTC represents how much our Hutto values education and working together,” Simmons said. “By educating and preparing people to realize their potential, we are creating an appealing business environment in which families and businesses can thrive together for many years to come.”

Padilla said his appointment signified the college’s mission to contribute to the economic development of Texas.

“By working closely with the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce, it’s my hope that our scope and mission will continue to grow in Williamson County resulting in enrollment growth for the campus and the attraction of more industry partners for our graduates,” he said. “We know working closely with community partners is an integral part of our success at TSTC, and our responsibility to our local communities extends beyond student outreach.”

Padilla has been provost since November 2015. Before moving into his current position he served as senior executive director for TSTC’s statewide Industry Relations and Talent Management and TSTC in Waco’s director of career services and coordinator of career services. He also worked with Campus Living hiring and training resident advisors, coordinating staff development initiatives and tracking student satisfaction, parent relations and residence life.

He also has had involvement in the Lacy-Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, the Waco Collegiate Forum, the Work in Waco Committee, the Greater Waco Education Alliance and the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Padilla has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a minor in Information Systems from Schreiner University in Kerrville.  He is currently working on a Master of Business Administration degree in Global Marketing and Entrepreneurship from St. Thomas University.

Registration continues for Fall Semester at TSTC. For more information go to tstc.edu.

 

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TSTC Student Awarded Houston-Based Scholarship

(WACO) – Hillary Taber is not one to shy away from creativity and hard work.

Taber, 23, of Wichita Falls and a student at Texas State Technical College, recently received the Baxter + Korge Education Fund Scholarship from the Advertising Education Foundation of Houston and the American Advertising Federation – Houston. She will use the scholarship to pay for two classes she is taking this summer. And, she is the first student from TSTC to win the scholarship.

The scholarship was presented at a luncheon the organizations hosted in April at the Junior League of Houston. The organizations announced $60,000 in scholarships being awarded to recipients in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and a portion of Louisiana.

“I met the other winners and it was really amazing to get that kind of recognition,” said Taber.

Taber credited Michael Lewis, department chair in Visual Communication Technology, for encouraging her to apply. He wrote her letter of recommendation for the scholarship application.

“She has a strong sense of deadlines and works well under pressure and is highly organized,” Lewis said. “She is able to interpret instructions and return a design that accomplishes the stated objectives. She is flexible enough to re-evaluate a design and change it in the middle of the process if the client’s needs change or the creative team decides to approach the project from a different direction.”

Taber is scheduled to receive an Associate in Visual Communication Technology – Technology Design Specialization in August and will be eligible to participate in Fall Commencement in December.

She said her passion for graphic design grew in classes like Basic Graphic Design, Digital Publishing and Publication Design. Her classes involve a heavy use of the Adobe Creative Cloud. And, her appreciation for fashion and bright colors inspires her work.

Taber graduated in 2009 from Wichita Falls High School. The next year she accompanied her father to a photography workshop in San Antonio which she credited for growing an interest in photography. Her first camera was a Canon Rebel XTI.

Taber and her husband David moved from Wichita Falls to Waco so he could study automobile body repair. The couple learned about TSTC in Waco through mutual friends.

“The greatest thing is Waco is bigger but it does not have tons of traffic,” she said. “But we are on our own.”

She noticed on TSTC’s website an Associate in Visual Communication Technology – Photography Specialization was offered and eventually received the degree in 2014. She liked how project-based the classes for both her degrees were.

Taber said she was glad to take advantage of on-campus housing for her husband and two young children.

Her plans after graduation are to continue studying graphic design in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“Eventually I want to work for a cool design team where I can be a good fit,” Taber said. “I want to be part of a big team for a major company.”

For more information about the Visual Communication Technology program contact 254-867-3310 or michael.lewis@tstc.edu.

Registration for Fall Semester continues at TSTC. For more information log on to tstc.edu.

 

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Scholarship Campaign Kicks Off at TSTC

(HUTTO) – Texas State Technical College in Williamson County is raising money for a new scholarship by having its first Welding Pro-Am and Show & Shine from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 11 at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto.

The event includes a welding pro-am judged competition and tours of TSTC’s welding labs.

“We will be hosting welding professionals, industry partners and vendors from all over the state who will team up with our students and show off some of the coolest welding equipment the industry has to offer,” said Edgar Padilla, provost of TSTC in Williamson County.

Proceeds will go toward the Make a Texas-Sized Difference campaign developed by The TSTC Foundation to raise money for the Texan Success Scholarship. TSTC will match each donation made – dollar per dollar.

The community has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of TSTC students  throughout the campaign.

“The goal is to grow TSTC, get our students in school and on track to complete a program and eventually enter the Texas workforce,” Vice President of Institutional Advancement Beth Wooten said. “This is bigger than just TSTC. This is about filling the skills gap in Texas and providing industry with the skilled workers desperately needed.”

Technical degrees and certificates will be critical to have in the next decade. Wind turbine service technology and health care jobs in physical therapy, home health and ambulance driving are predicted to be some of the fastest growing occupations by 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“A large number of well-paying jobs go unfilled in Texas because employers cannot find workers with the right blend of technical skills,” TSTC Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Mike Reeser said. “At TSTC we teach those skills needed for these great jobs. We hope more students will be encouraged to consider the benefits of a technical education and the great jobs that result from them.”

New, incoming students can receive the non-need referral based $1,000 scholarship at TSTC’s 10 campuses. TSTC recruiters, faculty members and high school counselors can make recommendations for students to receive the money.

“I’ve had the privilege to speak to most of our community and many area employers about the Texan Success Scholarship,” said Padilla. “We are very excited about a scholarship campaign that will specifically benefit TSTC students at our EWCHEC location.”

TSTC in Williamson County has 11 technical programs offering certificates and associate degrees in technical areas from computer tech support to welding technology.

For more information on the welding contest, contact instructors Brooke Williams or Keith Armentrout at 512-759-5632.

For more information on the Make a Texas-Sized Difference Campaign and other ways to contribute to TSTC, log on to tstc.edu/tstcfoundation or call 254-867-3900.

 

 

TSTC Student Powers Through Learning

(WACO) – The fall semester of 2014 is one that Alexander Gonzalez may not forget.

The 29-year-old was finishing his first semester at Texas State Technical College as Michelle Gonzalez, his wife and a TSTC employee, had their daughter Natalia. He juggled taking finals, visiting his wife and newborn daughter at the hospital and working on their home in Bellmead to get it move-in ready.

“She has always been big on education and motivating people to get an education,” he said about his wife. “I saw her study and earn a psychology degree at Baylor University and I wanted to have something as well.”

Gonzalez and more than 460 other students will graduate at Texas State Technical College’s Spring Commencement at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Waco Convention Center. He will receive an associate degree in Electrical Power and Controls.

Gonzalez got hands-on experience with low and high voltage systems, power line design and other aspects of electricity in his courses.

“They have the labs that really start you right off with good experiences,” he said.

Dan Bateman, program chair of Electrical Power and Controls, said his job would be easy if he had more students like Gonzalez.

“I don’t think he missed a class,” Bateman said. “He turned the assignments in on time. I think any company would be lucky to have him.”

Graduates with Electrical Power and Controls degrees can work for utility companies, government entities and computer and electronic manufacturing companies. The career field is expected to grow in Texas through 2022 by more than 2,500 workers, according to projectionscentral.com. The average median wage nationwide was $61,130 in 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gonzalez is currently interviewing for jobs and hopes to work in the Waco area.

He and his wife want to be good examples for their daughter. He hopes that one day his daughter, and future TSTC students, will get assignments and studying done on time and listen to the advice of instructors.

“I think we are definitely going to encourage her and have her see the payoff in going to school,” he said.

Gonzalez likes to work on his house and play guitar when he is not studying.

Gonzalez is a 2004 graduate of La Vega High School in Waco. Shortly after high school he met his future wife, who is a college outreach representative in New Student Outreach/Admissions at TSTC.

He worked in the insurance field and at other jobs to support her as she studied at Baylor.

“He has supported every aspiration and goal I have had both educationally and professionally,” Michelle Gonzalez said. “It has been my absolute joy to return that support and love as he has worked so hard to obtain this degree. I have no doubt that he will do great in his field and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for him professionally.”

Registration is going on now for Summer and Fall semesters. Go to tstc.edu for more information.

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TSTC Welcomes New Instructor, New Program

(FORT BEND COUNTY) – The August 2016 opening of Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus is around the corner and Alfonso Medrano is the newest addition to the faculty team.

The Houston native has been named the Telecommunications Technology instructor and he comes to the college classroom with extensive field experience.

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“I’ve only been with TSTC a short time, but I’m so impressed already,” said Medrano. “I’ve met great people with such positive attitudes. They are what make every day a great day to come to work.”

Medrano began his career in Telecommunications with Time Warner Cable after earning his associate degree in 1999 from Education America in Electronics and Computer Technology. He worked for Time Warner for 15 years, before deciding to make the change into education.

At Time Warner, the TSTC instructor started as a technician, became a certified technician within one year and moved up the ladder as an electronics technician, contract coordinator, before finally ending his career with Time Warner as an analyst for their Center of Excellence.

“I loved my career, I loved what I was doing,” said Medrano. “But I also felt the need to teach my skills. To make a difference in someone’s life and his/her career. It was time for me to share my knowledge, challenges and experiences. That’s what brought me to TSTC.”

Medrano said he has big goals for his students and his classroom. He said the most important job duty he has is making his students and their education a number one priority.

“It’s my job to make sure that my students understand everything I teach them,” said Medrano. “I need to make sure they are ready and fully prepared for the field. It’s my duty to expose them to all of the tools they will use in the industry and make sure they receive the best hands-on training, which TSTC already offers.”

Another one of Medrano’s main goals is to maintain and create new contacts in the telecommunications industry to help his students find good-paying jobs straight out of his program.

“My job doesn’t stop in the classroom,” said Medrano. “I need to help these students find jobs to begin their career. And ultimately, I want industry to be calling us requesting our students because of how skilled they are.”

Telecommunication Technology is a new program at TSTC in Fort Bend County that will begin in August with the opening of the new campus, and Medrano said he is honored to be the founding instructor.

When Medrano is not working, he is busy being a student himself. He is currently attending Walden University online to complete his doctorate in General Psychology and is already working on his dissertation.

Medrano also holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and a master’s degree in Psychology.

“It’s always been a life goal of mine to earn a PhD,” said Medrano. “It’s been a challenge because I’m a family man, so studying time has definitely cut into family time. But my wife and kids have been very supportive and I’m so close to finishing.”

Medrano is married with two children, a daughter who is 13-years-old and a son who is 11. On his time off he enjoys spending quality time with them and coaching boxing and baseball, two activities his children are actively involved in respectively.

“My kids are awesome, they’re my life,” said Medrano. “There is always something to do and they teach me something new every day.”

Ultimately, Medrano hopes to grow with TSTC and eventually earn a department chair title, but for now he is thankful for the opportunity he has been given to share his skill and knowledge with the future employees of the telecommunications field.

For more information on Telecommunications Technology call 832-223-0608.

Registration for Summer and Fall 2016 is already in progress. To register or apply anytime visit tstc.edu.

Scholarship Campaign Kicks Off at TSTC

(WACO) – The community has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Texas State Technical College students working toward an education, all through a new scholarship campaign.

The new Make a Texas-Sized Difference campaign was developed by The TSTC Foundation to raise money for the Texan Success Scholarship. TSTC will match each donation made – dollar per dollar.

“The goal is to grow TSTC, get our students in school and on track to complete a program and eventually enter the Texas workforce,” Vice President of Institutional Advancement Beth Wooten said. “This is bigger than just TSTC. This is about filling the skills gap in Texas and providing industry with the skilled workers desperately needed.”

Technical degrees and certificates will be critical to have in the next decade. Wind turbine service technology and health care jobs in physical therapy, home health and ambulance driving are predicted to be some of the fastest growing occupations by 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“A large number of well-paying jobs go unfilled in Texas because employers cannot find workers with the right blend of technical skills,” TSTC Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Mike Reeser said. “At TSTC we teach those skills needed for these great jobs. We hope more students will be encouraged to consider the benefits of a technical education and the great jobs that result from them.”

New, incoming students can receive the non-need referral based $1,000 scholarship at TSTC’s 10 campuses. TSTC recruiters, faculty members and high school counselors can make recommendations for students to receive the money.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Acting Provost Rob Wolaver said students are notified with a letter that they have received the scholarship.

“This is an incentive for students to decide on what their education choice will be,” he said.

TSTC in Waco has more than 45 technical programs offering certificates and associate degrees in technical areas from air traffic controller to welding technology.

For more information on the Make a Texas-Sized Difference Campaign and other ways to contribute to TSTC, log on to tstc.edu/tstcfoundation or call 254-867-3900.

 

TSTC’s New Director of Student Services holds a Soft Spot for Veterans

AJWarrenPhotoTexas State Technical College in North Texas is proud to introduce Amanda Warren, M. Ed, as the new Director of Student Services.

Warren, an Ohio native, moved to Texas several years ago after her husband had a job transfer. She has lived in the north Texas area for four years. Warren joins the TSTC team after most recently serving as Associate Dean of Workforce and Continuing Education at the Dallas County Community College District.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Notre Dame College of Ohio in 1996, and later, a Master of Education in 2001 from Ashland University. Warren is currently taking classes towards a doctorate in education from Grand Canyon University, and anticipates graduating in December.

Vice President of Student Services Sarah Patterson said Warren’s experience will bring great things to TSTC.

“Amanda’s credentials speak for themselves,” Patterson said. “She brings innovative ideas and new energy to our department. In addition, she will be a great asset in our Veteran outreach efforts. We’re excited she’s decided to join the TSTC family.”

As Director of Student Services, Warren will oversee student’s rights and responsibilities, including student conduct, student complaints and customer service, Title IX and retention.

Warren was excited to join the TSTC team.

“I really found myself agreeing with the philosophy and the approach TSTC is taking to providing technical education,” she said. “From the vision of the college — helping students gain employment — to even how they’re breaking down payment schedules to assist students in understanding exactly what they’re paying for and what it will help them achieve. I thought ‘Wow this is kind of different!’ and that’s what attracted me.”

In addition to serving as director of Student Services, Warren will also assist with Veteran Services. Warren began working with veterans in 1999, and, with her father also being a retired army veteran, holds a special appreciation for them.

“First, they’re so important for their service to our country,” Warren said. “Growing up with a veteran really helped me understand what they go through, and also what it’s like for the family members. I think a lot of people tend to forget that the entire family is impacted.”

Warren served as a director for the College Credit for Heroes statewide initiative – a program that ensures our active duty, former and retired military personnel receive the credit they earned for their service to our country – when it first began in 2011.

“I’ve worked with addiction, anger management and with helping veterans reintegrate into civilian and academic life,” Warren said. “It’s always been such a challenging system with figuring out how to get your credits transferred, figuring out if they will even be recognized, and using your GI funds. When I was offered the opportunity to work with College Credit for Heroes, it was what I had been waiting for pretty much my whole life. You’d think we should be so far with our services for veterans, but then you realize we still have such a long way to go.”

Warren will also utilize her background by teaching a psychology class at TSTC.

“That is my idea of stress relief,” Warren laughed. “I love being in the classroom with the students, and teaching undergrad psychology is great. I’ve taught psychology courses for many years. To me, it’s not really work. I don’t see it as a challenge because I enjoy what I’m doing. It doesn’t feel like hard work when you like it. I look forward to coming in every day.”

So far, Warren’s favorite part of the job is getting to know the students.

“I like getting some of their ideas on where they would like to see things go,” Warren said. “Their enthusiasm is energizing. I love seeing the creativity. I’m looking forward to helping the students implement some of their ideas.”

TSTC prides itself on being a great place to work. For opportunities at TSTC in your area, visit our website at tstc.edu/about/employment.

TSTC to Host College Heroes Day

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College’s Veterans Service Office is reaching out to active duty military personnel, veterans and dependents to prepare them for their academic future.

The office will host the TSTC College for Heroes Day from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 21 and Thursday, July 14 at the John B. Connally Technology Center Auditorium on Campus Drive. The event includes a benefits briefing, campus tours and information tables from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and TSTC’s housing, disability services, financial aid,l housing and academic programs.

“Our veterans have done so much for us, they’ve sacrificed a lot and TSTC appreciates their service,” said TSTC Vice President of College Readiness Javier Deleon. “That’s why we’ve created this day solely for veterans and their families. It’s our turn to do our part and take care of them.”

Veterans Counselor Rachel Mims said this is the first time the office has done an event like this. She said military personnel from the Waco-Temple-Killeen areas have been invited to attend.

“Veterans do often come in with a lot of skills,” Mims said. “Companies want you to have that piece of paper that says you completed the degree and training. Finishing that academic program is important even if they do have a good skills set.”

Vans will be available for people who need assistance on the tours.

TSTC has 835 veterans and their dependents using GI Bill or Hazlewood benefits at 10 campuses. More than 400 of these students attend classes in Waco.

The event is free. To RSVP or for more information contact the Veterans Services Office at 254-867-4817 or waco.veteransaffairs@tstc.edu. The Veterans Service Office is located at the Fentress Center on Boiling Drive.