(FORT BEND COUNTY) – Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County recently welcomed Erasmo Chapa, the newest financial aid adviser to the financial aid team. The Rio Grande Valley native started his career with TSTC in 1993 and is happy to finally be back.

“It’s funny how life comes full circle,” said Chapa. “My financial aid career started with TSTC and here I am again, this time preparing for a brand new campus.”

Chapa, is not only a previous employee of TSTC, but also an alumnus. The PSJA Bears graduate enrolled at TSTC and completed a certificate in Information Management Technology in 1992, and an associate degree in 1995, before earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Technology from the University of Texas Pan American in 1999.

Chapa comes to TSTC with extensive experience in financial aid advisement. He first started as a financial aid intern in 1993, before receiving a full-time job offer from TSTC for a financial aid clerk position. Since then, Chapa has also worked as a financial aid technician, and specialist.

In 2008, the TSTC alumnus decided he needed something new in his life. So, he left the Rio Grande Valley and moved to the Houston area.

“I wanted a change. I wanted something different,” said Chapa. “I hit a rough patch though. I couldn’t find permanent jobs. Things got better though when I was informed about TSTC’s new campus in Fort Bend County. I immediately knew where I had to be.”

Fortunately, for Chapa, there was a financial aid adviser position open and he quickly applied.

“Even though I took a break from working in financial aid, I truly never stopped,” said Chapa. “I was always helping family and friends complete their financial aid applications.”

Chapa said he is excited to be part of the TSTC team again and is ready to provide the best service he can to all current and prospective TSTC students. His goal is to make sure that students know they can always count on him to give them the help they deserve.

“I’m here 100 percent for our students,” said Chapa. “My job is to get them ready for class without worrying about their financial aid or how they’re going to pay for college.”

With the new TSTC campus opening in August 2016, Chapa is looking forward to growing with the college and his team.

“It’s only a matter of time before our team grows,” said Chapa. “I look forward to growing with TSTC and seeing all of the positive results this college will bring to the area.”

For help completing the FAFSA or for questions on financial aid, Chapa can be found at Lamar High School in Rosenberg, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, and at the Go Center mobile unit parked at the TSTC campus from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on TSTC financial aid call 832-223-0609.

(FORT BEND) – Damacia “Dee” Maldonado from Wharton retired from the only profession she had ever known to pursue an education and a new career. She now finds herself at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County, where she has been the Department Secretary since August 2015.

Before coming to TSTC, Maldonado worked for grocery retailer Kroger. She worked every department and held positions including assistant manager. After 22 years with the company, she made the decision to retire in 2012.

“I had three kids and one baby at home, so 60 to70-hour weeks were no longer feasible,” said Maldonado.

Immediately after retirement, Maldonado found herself enrolling at Wharton County Junior College to pursue an associate degree in Psychology.

“I’m a firm believer in junior and technical colleges, especially going back after two decades, I was intimidated,” said Maldonado. “But I don’t think there’s any age that’s too old to go back to school.”

Unfortunately, only two semesters away from graduating, Maldonado found herself in a single- mother role, solely living off of her retirement. So in the spring of 2015, she had to make the difficult decision of putting her education on hold.

“It’s my faith that has really guided me in how I should live life and handle situations,” said Maldonado. “I really prayed for this job at TSTC and for the opportunity to go back to college. My prayers were answered.”

Now in her second semester, the single-mother is a full-time student at the College of Biblical Studies in Houston studying counseling in hopes of helping others through faith-based counseling.

As for her position at TSTC, Maldonado is glad it still allows her to work in an educational setting as a guide for students.

“With a lot of these students there’s a lot of fear of the unknown and uncertainty about making big career decisions,” said Maldonado. “My position has allowed me to build relationships with these students and really learn TSTC’s mission and foundation so I can guide these students in the right direction.”

In addition to being able to do what she loves, Maldonado said TSTC gives her the opportunity of being a mom and a volunteer. In her free time, she volunteers with a children’s ministry and a life pathway program for adolescents. She also works closely with women struggling with divorce, addiction and sobriety.

Ultimately, Maldonado said she hopes there will be counseling opportunities with TSTC in the near future because she wants to be a part of TSTC’s new chapter in Fort Bend County.

“TSTC is moving in the right direction with its new campus and it’s going to be a big help for our community,” said Maldonado. “We’re definitely going to leave footprints.”

TSTC’s new campus in Fort Bend County opens August 2016. Registration for summer and fall 2016 is in progress. For more information call 281-239-1548.

(FORT BEND) – Gary Voelkel, a seasoned professional in the field of diesel technology, has been with Texas State Technical College since 2003 as the Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck Specialization instructor. However, this is not Voelkel’s first time at the college.

Voelkel graduated from Texas State Technical Institute (TSTI) in Waco in 1978 with a certificate in heavy truck mechanics. TSTI was renamed TSTC in 1991 and in 2006, Voelkel graduated from TSTC in Waco with an associate degree in Heavy Truck Specialization.

Prior to coming to TSTC, Voelkel worked for Halliburton in the marine division traveling around the world and maintaining vessels out at sea, and Coca-Cola as a lead mechanic, before opening his own shop in El Campo working on heavy equipment such as tractors and trucks for a decade.

“At or around 10 years, one of my suppliers told me TSTC was needing help,” said Voelkel. “It was perfect timing for me to make a change. So I took the opportunity. I just waited for my employees to find jobs elsewhere before closing.”

Voelkel said he does not regret the decision he made. He was excited to share the extent of his knowledge with others to help build successful careers. Voelkel describes his first year of teaching as an “experience of a lifetime.”

“It’s impossible to learn everything there is to know about diesel mechanics, but my job is to teach the basic concepts and functions and give them the hands-on training they need,” said Voelkel. “I teach them everything the truck industry needs and the skills the truck industry is looking for, so when they leave TSTC they get hired.”

Students in Voelkel’s class have the opportunity of graduating and landing positions with big companies in the industry such as Walmart, Holt Caterpillar, Peterbilt and Kenworth.

“Mechanics is not a trend that will not die any time soon. We’ll always need clothes, food and other supplies transported,” said Voelkel. “The trucking industry is here to stay.”

Voelkel said his overall goal in the classroom is to teach students all of the latest technologies, since trends are always changing.

“With our new campus opening this fall, I hope to see my program grow,” said Voelkel. “I want to remind students to make sure when choosing a major they choose something they love. This isn’t just a job, it’s a career and future.”

Diesel Equipment Technology is also offered at the Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwater and Waco campuses.

For more information on Diesel Equipment Technology with a specialization in heavy trucking at TSTC in Fort Bend County call Voelkel at 281-239-1588.

Registration for summer and fall 2016 begins April 4. Apply or register anytime online at tstc.edu.

Gary Voelkel has been with TSTC since 2003 as the Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck Specialization instructor.

(FORT BEND) – Houston native Salman “Sal” Maredia is a student at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County studying Precision Machining Technology, a field his father inspired him to pursue.

“My dad always had a dream of opening his own automotive engineering shop,” said Maredia. “But he was our family’s provider so he needed to work and needed something with a quick turnaround. He went into real estate instead.”

Now, Maredia, who holds an impressive 3.8 grade-point average is working toward graduating in Fall 2016 with an associate degree, with hopes of transferring to a local university to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

“My dad has always told me that there is no such thing as impossible as long as I work hard and push myself,” said Maredia. “I’ll take this with me as I carry on with my dad’s dream.”

After graduating in the fall, the 25 year-old has his eye on a few companies he hopes to work for. He said he would like to improve his skills and gain experiences at places such as Schlumberger, Halliburton or General Electric.

But ultimately, Maredia’s dream job is to own an automotive engineering company, where he can manufacture parts for the automotive industry.

At the moment, Maredia said his greatest accomplishment has been being able to quickly learn the different types of machines he will be using in the field someday.

“The more I learn, the more skills I gain needed to build my career,” said Maredia.

The greatest lesson Maredia said he has learned is that he can do anything as long as he applies himself.

“There’s always going to be people who try to discourage you,” said Maredia. “But I just need to work hard to prove myself and remember my worthiness.”

In addition to his dad, who has always pushed him to do his best, Michael Barnes, Maredia’s Precision Machining Technology instructor, is another great influence in his current success as a student.
“He (Barnes) always pushes me, us, to do better,” said Maredia. “He really helps us hone our skills so we become all-around learners.”

Maredia said he hopes one day he can become an inspiration to others, as Barnes has been for him and his classmates, but for now he has some advice to share.

“Ask a lot of questions,” Maredia advises. “When I first enrolled I was a bit shy, but as time went on I learned it’s better to ask questions, it helps me understand everything so much better. Getting help is nothing to be ashamed of. There are no stupid questions.”

Precision Machining Technology is also offered at the North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses. For more information on Precision Machining Technology at Fort Bend County call 281-239-1548.

Registration begins April 4. Apply or register anytime online at tstc.edu.

Houston native Salman “Sal” Maredia is a student at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County studying Precision Machining Technology. He will be graduating Fall 2016 with his associate degree.

(FORT BEND) – Chris Calmes, a Needville native, began his college career at a four-year university. He soon realized that he had made the wrong decision for himself. Calmes has always considered his learning style as hands-on, which helps him better understand the material he is studying, but he was not receiving that at a university level.

After much consideration, Calmes made the decision to enroll at Texas State Technical College, where he is currently studying Precision Machining Technology. He is slated to graduate this fall with an associate degree. Calmes said TSTC has been his best decision and looks forward to his future.

“I’ve always considered myself a hands-on learner,” said Calmes. “I tried pursuing a four-year degree, but it wasn’t for me and that’s ok, I know it’s not for everybody. I hope through my experience, others can see that a technical education is just as good, if not better.”

After graduating from TSTC, Calmes hopes to find a position in his field, where he can use his skills as a machinist to become a machine operator for a major manufacturing company. He said his ultimate goal is to become a mechanical engineer to take his career to the next level.

“Going back to a university may be an option for me in the near future,” said Calmes. “I love machining and I would like to grow within my field.”

Calmes said he is proud of his accomplishment this far. He has been receiving A’s and B’s and holds a 3.6 grade-point average.

“It hasn’t always been easy, especially constantly learning new material,” said Calmes. “But I’ve pushed through and realized just how important an education is.”

Calmes said he has learned that it is his education that will him support himself and live a good life.

“As long as I continue doing what I’m doing, I know I’ll be able to move up in life. No one can take this education away from me,” said Calmes.

Calmes’ biggest influence in his success at TSTC has been his instructor Michael Barnes. He said Barnes, from what he has seen, is a big influence for many and his program has led to success for numerous students.

“Mr. Barnes is the man with the knowledge,” said Calmes. “He’s always willing to lend a hand and he has a solution for everything. I couldn’t ask for a better instructor or better college experience.”

Precision Machining Technology is also offered at TSTC’s North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses.

For more information on Precision Machining Technology in Fort Bend call 281-239-1548.

Registration begins April 4. To apply anytime visit tstc.edu.