Category Archives: Waco

Student Success Profile – Jacob Blazek

(FORT BEND) – Jacob Blazek, 20, from East Bernard is a student at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County. He is pursuing an associate degree in Diesel Equipment Technology with a specialization in heavy trucks. Blazek expects to graduate in August 2016. In addition to going to school full-time, Blazek works part-time in a law office in Wharton to help pay for school.

Blazek said he first discovered his love for diesel technology in high school while taking an agriculture class. He said one of their lessons was in agricultural mechanics, so when it came time to choose a college he knew the diesel equipment program at TSTC was for him.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I plan on attending TSTC in Waco to continue my education and work toward another associate degree in Diesel Equipment Technology with a specialization in John Deere Construction and Forestry Specialization.

What’s your dream job? I want to work as a diesel mechanic for John Deere, but of course my options are open. I will go where there is opportunity for me.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC? My greatest accomplishment at TSTC was passing my first semester. It took a lot of effort on my part and extra work, but I did it. And I’m now doing well in all of my classes.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life? I have learned that no matter what I need to be on time with my assignments. All of the training we get here applies to school and the workforce. If something for class is not done on time we do not get a grade for it and once I’m working if I do not meet a deadline I risk losing my job.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success? Gary Voelkel has been my biggest influence because he has taught me a lot and has been very patient. All of his experience in the field really impacts what we learn and how he teaches it. He is a great instructor.

What is your advice for future TSTC students? I would like to tell other students to make sure to get their work done on time, and no matter how hard it gets, do not give up.

 

 

Photo Cut Line: Jacob Blazek from East Bernard, Texas is a student at Texas State Technical College studying Diesel Equipment Technology with a specialization in heavy trucks. He expects to graduate in August 2016 with his associate degree.

TSTC Office Manager Can’t Imagine Herself Anywhere Else

(FORT BEND) – Judy Cox, Texas State Technical College’s office manager in Fort Bend County, started with the college in 2001. Cox said she cannot imagine herself working anywhere else and is excited for the college’s future.

Cox handles all of the day to day duties at TSTC. She is responsible for completing and managing all clerical work, assisting students, faculty and visitors, and helping with recruiting at local community events.

“I love my job. It changes every day, it’s never the same thing,” said Cox. “I enjoy working with people and still being able to work with students, even though I’m not in a classroom setting. Watching them learn and making their own dreams come true is my favorite part.”

Cox comes to TSTC with extensive experience in office management. She worked as a division secretary at Wharton County Junior College for nearly 5 years, prior to that she worked at South Texas Medical Clinic for 3 years.

“When I came to TSTC I knew it was the right place for me,” said Cox. “I could see that technical jobs were the future and TSTC was and still is a leader in educating students for these jobs.”

Coming from a junior college herself, Cox knows the value of a one or two year certificate or degree. She is a product of WCJC, where she earned her associate of arts in 2000. She now finds it her duty to educate students and parents about the benefits of a technical education.

“Many see technical jobs as pertaining only to machinery or automobiles, but it’s so much more,” said Cox. “Many don’t realize what “technical” really is and it’s my mission to expand the knowledge because “technical” is also digital media design, computer science and dental hygiene, only naming a few.”

Cox said with the new TSTC campus opening in August 2016, she is now ready to come together with her team, more than ever, and offer the surrounding communities an affordable, hands-on technical education close to home.

“The whole area has been driven to keep us here, so when I heard about the expansion it was a dream come true,” said Cox. “The programs at our college have been tailored to the growing industries in the area. Students can now study and find a good paying job while staying close to their families.”

Family is important to Cox, she has been married for 11 years and has three daughters. Besides being busy with work, she also finds the time to volunteer at her daughters’ schools with the Parent Teacher Organization and works closely with Jump Rope for Hearts, an organization working to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

“After my dad passed away from cardiovascular disease, we made Jump Rope for Hearts an annual family event to raise money for research,” said Cox.

Cox and her daughters also enjoy doing arts and crafts, and baking together. Decorative sugar cookies are their specialty, in addition to creating ornamental crosses out of wire and rocks.

“My girls are my pride and joy. I’m so proud of the young ladies they’re becoming,” said Cox.
When the time comes, Cox said she will encourage her daughters to attend TSTC, the way she encourages others. She said as a parent herself, she understands what it is like to want the best for your children.

“I hope prospective students and their parents keep an open mind when they tour our campus,” said Cox. “Here at TSTC you’re not just a number, you’re a name. It’s a great place to work, a great place to come to school. It’s a great place to be.”

For more information on TSTC in Fort Bend County call 281-239-1548. Registration begins April 4. You can apply anytime at tstc.edu.

 

TSTC office manager cant imagine herself anywhere else

Judy Cox is the Office Manager at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County. She has been with TSTC since 2001 and is excited for the region’s new TSTC campus to open in August 2016.

TSTC’s Auto Collision Technology Program Receives National Grant

(WACO) – Tyler Ashby has a passion for paint.

Ashby, 26, of Burleson grew up watching his relatives work on vehicles. He once owned a paint and body shop and through all of this, he discovered he enjoyed automobile painting. Ashby, a first-year student at Texas State Technical College, is pursuing an associate degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Refinishing Specialization and a certificate in Auto Collision Repair.

Ashby and other students will soon get to use new equipment to work on in labs. TSTC’s Auto Collision Technology program recently received for the first time a $50,000 Collision Repair Education Foundation Makeover Grant.

“It’s a great idea to have this equipment in the shop,” he said.

Money for the grant was made possible by Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, Caliber Collision, GEICO, Herb’s Collision and Nationwide Insurance. Faculty members put together a wishlist of the program’s equipment needs which will be delivered soon.

“The faculty will be able to continue to sharpen our own skills and then pass that knowledge on to the students,” said Ranson Bandy, an Auto Collision Technology instructor. “The better we learn the better we will be able to teach.”

Second-year student Robert Lee Pecina Jr., 36, grew up in Marlin and remembered watching his grandfather run his own paint and body shop. In high school he toured TSTC and saw the Auto Collision Technology labs. Now living and studying for an associate degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Refinishing Specialization in Waco, Pecina said is looking forward to using new air dryer guns.

The program has applied for the grant in recent years and though it did not win the top award before now, it still received gifts in kind such as two wrecked vehicles for students to repair. Through the grant initiative, the program has also received an aluminum repair kit and laptops for instructors to use in class.

“We received several welders that our budget would not allow us to buy,” said Clint Campbell, Auto Collision Technology’s program chair. “We were able to move toward aluminum welding with the equipment.”

Campbell said faculty are planning to apply for the grant again.

“We need to keep our name out there and the work the program does,” Campbell said.

Students can earn associate degrees in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Refinishing Specialization or Repair Specialization. Students can also earn a certificate in Auto Body Refinishing or a Certificate 2 in Auto Collision Repair. The program also offers an enhanced skills certificate in Sheet Metal Fabrication and advanced technical certificates in Auto Body Refinishing and Auto Collision Repair.

The College Preview at TSTC will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2. For more information go to tstc.edu/openhouse.

Apply today at tstc.edu. Registration for summer and fall semesters begins Monday, April 4.

TSTC Grad Collaborates on Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo Project

2008 TSTC Aviation Maintenance graduate Brandon Westley stands in front of SpaceShipTwo at Virgin Galactic’s unveiling event. Westley’s team at The Spaceship Company were a part of the ship’s construction.

(WACO) – Graduates of Texas State Technical College don’t just reach for the sky, sometimes they reach even higher than that. Brandon Westley, a 2008 Aviation Maintenance graduate, took on the role of Lead Production Technician at The Spaceship Company in 2013, knowing there were great things coming for the company.

The Spaceship Company is a sister corporation to Virgin Galactic, who unveiled its commercial aircraft, SpaceShipTwo, on Friday. Westley’s team at The Spaceship Company played a large role in ensuring flawless operations. The ship is designed for space tourism, and will be able to transport six passengers (and two pilots) into space.

“As a team, we go over what is on the agenda and look for any conflicts that may inhibit our work flow such as job overlaps in close quarters, or problems we may have run into the day before,” Westley said. “After the day’s agenda has been distributed I thoroughly go through my job determining what parts, tools, and possible problems may exist.”

But the job is anything from monotonous.

“A normal day can range from laying up parts, to building an oven over a section needing to be cured, to training other techs on safety and tool usage,” Westley said. “It’s ever-changing and there are lots of opportunities to learn new things here.”

Wanting to make a difference in the world, and not at a desk, Westley chose to attend TSTC for his education.

“I wanted to contribute to something greater than myself,” Westley said. “TSTC was the likely choice to learn what I needed in order to find the right path for myself, and gaining my Airframe & Powerplant license was a huge step in having the right skill set and training to succeed in the aviation industry.”

Now, Westley has about eight years of aviation experience and more than 12 years of technician experience, mostly focused on mechanical and systems areas. He previously worked for L-3 in Waco before moving to his current job in Mojave, Calif.

He chose to go into the field of aviation maintenance to fuel his passion for tinkering.

“I have always been mechanically inclined,” Westley said. “I loved to take things apart to figure out how they work. I think mostly every child has dreams of space travel and flying, and it was just a natural progression for me to combine my love of mechanics and flight into a career I would enjoy.”

It’s a good fit, since technical industries have surrounded Westley in most aspects of his life.

“I have two older brothers both with technical backgrounds,” Westley said. “I also just recently got married in October, and my wife works for The Spaceship Company in the Engineering department.”

The Spaceship Company is located in the Mojave Air & Spaceport, a leading aerospace test center for commercial operations in North America.

“I get to be at the forefront of innovation – not just with TSC here, but with all the other experimental facilities here,” Westley said. “It’s like being at an air show every day. The types of aircraft present here are better than anything you could see anywhere else.”

Westley is referring to aircraft like SpaceShipTwo, which he’s proud to have worked on.

“There is a huge sense of fulfillment knowing all these months of long hours, hard work and milestones have enabled us to build a spaceship. We build spaceships – not many people can say that,” Westley said. “We’ve built the foundation for the common man to see the stars up close and personal; It’s a remarkable feeling knowing I’ve had the chance to be a part of history.”

Westley looks forward to opportunities the future brings.

“I look forward to seeing what projects and opportunities join The Spaceship Company and Virgin Galactic brands after we head into test, and eventually, commercial operations of our spaceship,” Westley said. “I’d also like to go back to school at some point for an engineering degree – there is still so much to learn and design and I’d like to be a part of all of it.”

Westley’s advice for students is simple.

“Work hard, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to challenge what’s always been done in favor of what can be done,” Westley said. “The sky isn’t the limit anymore.”

TSTC offers associate degrees and certificates in Aircraft Airframe and Aircraft Powerplant technology. TSTC will begin enrolling new students for the summer and fall semesters on April 4. For more information on the aviation maintenance programs, or to apply, visit www.tstc.edu.

Three Programs at TSTC Attain 100 Percent Job Placement

(RED OAK) – Three programs at Texas State Technical College in North Texas have 100 percent job placement. Graduates of TSTC’s Diesel Equipment and Logistics Technologies who graduated in December are all working in industry now, while students of the High Voltage Electrical program, now known as Electrical Power and Controls, have all been brought on as paid interns for Oncor, and will be offered full-time employment after graduating in August.

Leroy White, the program chair for the three programs, said he’s not surprised.

“You can’t imagine a modern society without electricity,” said White. It touches every facet of our lives. The field is not only lucrative, but it’s in demand. I receive calls from companies that are looking for employees and they just can’t find people. There is a demand for skilled technicians in this field.”

White says Logistics has also become very popular in the area.

“If you look at the I-35 corridor here, you see a lot of trucking and logistics companies,” White said. “For example, Amazon has three facilities in the north Texas area and Fedex has a facility in Hutchins. There are many companies that have distribution centers and warehouses in this area. Also, the DFW airport is a Foreign Trade Zone, making the Dallas-Fort Worth area a hub for international activity. TSTC’s mission is to support the workforce of Texas and here in North Texas, logistics is large part of that.”

A rise in the need for qualified diesel technicians follows the logistics boom.

“Diesel and logistics kind of work together,” White said. “To be able to transport or ship inventory, those vehicles must be properly maintained to stay in good working condition.”

TSTC in North Texas Provost Marcus Balch said the success of these programs shows the school’s potential.

“We’ve only recently began serving the North Texas area, and these achievements show that TSTC chose the right area to expand in,” said Balch. “We hope we can continue to serve Red Oak and the surrounding cities with the same fortitude.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average growth in Texas across all three areas over the next six years. A 21 percent increase in Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists is expected through 2022, while Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technician jobs will grow by 18 percent, and Logisticians by an impressive 40 percent.

TSTC will begin enrolling new students for the summer and fall semesters on April 4. For more information on the college, or to apply, visit www.tstc.edu.

Student Success Profile – Colton Boaz

(FORT BEND) – Colton Boaz, 18, from Needville is a student at Texas State Technical College studying Precision Machining Technology. Currently he has a 3.7 grade point average. Boaz expects to graduate with his associate degree in Fall 2016 and then pursue a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I want to use the skills I have gained here at TSTC and become a CNC Machinist for an oil company. I have my eye set on working for National Oilwell Varco.

What’s your dream job?
Someday I would love to own my own machine shop and work with oilfield companies creating and repairing parts.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?
My greatest accomplishment has been making good grades. Everything I’m learning is new to me and I feel I am successfully pursuing my passion.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?
I have learned that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to with hard work and determination. I have learned that all my sacrifice will be worth it in the end.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success?
Mr. Michael Barnes has been my biggest influence. He has done some great things for our program. Every time we need help or we are struggling he is by our side, always willing to help. He always has past students visiting him, that says a lot. Mr. Barnes is also helpful when it comes to helping us find jobs because of the contacts he has made throughout the year.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?
It is important students remember that behind every success story, there has been great sacrifice.

 

Photo Cut Line: Colton Boaz from Needville, Texas is a student at Texas State Technical College studying Precision Machining Technology. He has a 3.7 grade-point average and will earn his associate degree in Fall 2016.

 

TSTC Helps Student Create a Better Life

(FORT BEND) – Texas State Technical College will be opening a new campus in Fort Bend County in August 2016, but the college is already producing successful students like alumnus Matthew Fresquez, and placing them in good paying jobs in and around the Fort Bend region.

Fresquez graduated from TSTC in Fort Bend County in 2012 with a certificate in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology and a job offer in hand. He was on the dean’s list throughout his college career and graduated with honors.

“TSTC has definitely changed my family’s life for the better,” said Fresquez. “Getting a job straight out of college and earning a steady income has helped my family tremendously.”

Prior to enrolling at TSTC, Fresquez worked as a helper and installer for a local HVAC company. After a couple of years with the company, he knew he needed to go to college.

“I felt I wasn’t getting the training I needed with the employer I was with,” said Fresquez. “I wanted to advance my career and I wasn’t getting where I wanted to be.”

Enrolling in the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning program at TSTC was the next step Fresquez needed to advance in the career he loved and provide a stable financial environment for his wife and two sons.

Fresquez was with the company that hired him right after college for three years, but in March, he will begin a new chapter in his career at a new company: Chimney Rock Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. He will be working as a service technician and the owner of the company is excited about having him on board.

“There is a shortage of skilled and highly trained workers in the HVAC field,” said Brian McIlwain, owner of Chimney Rock. “But I can tell that Matthew has all the required skills and passion needed to succeed with my company. Because of the education he received I have full confidence in his abilities and I’m so excited to have him on board.”

Fresquez credits the hands-on learning approach TSTC takes with all of its programs for helping him take his skills to the next level.

“I left TSTC more knowledgeable than I came in and ready to take on the workforce,” said Fresquez. “I practiced with all of the equipment I could. After all it’s everything you use while working in the field.”

Fresquez said his experience at TSTC was rewarding and fulfilling. He said his instructor Keith Klix played a huge role in his success in the program.

“Keith is a great instructor. He’s so knowledgeable in the field and has so much experience,” said Fresquez. “He not only showed us how to get the job done, but how to get it done right.”

Come August 2016, Fresquez hopes to enroll at the new TSTC campus to work toward an associate degree in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology. He hopes continuing his education will give him the opportunity of becoming an instructor at TSTC someday.

“I want to be a good example for my sons,” said Fresquez. “I hope watching me graduate and seeing how our lifestyle has changed for the better will inspire them to go to college someday.”

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology is also offered at TSTC’s Harlingen, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County Campuses.

Registration for the summer and fall semesters begins April 4. To apply visit tstc.edu today!
For more information on the program in Fort Bend County call 281-239-1586.

 

Matthew Fresquez is a graduate from Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County. He graduated with a certificate in 2012 from the HVAC program with a job offer in hand. He will begin a new chapter in his career in March as a service technician for Chimney Rock Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.

Texas State Technical College Student Gives Time as SkillsUSA Volunteer

Michelle Lopez, a TSTC student in Waco, is volunteering this month at SkillsUSA District Competitions.

(WACO) – Michelle Lopez has been on both sides of SkillsUSA competitions.

Lopez, 41, a student at Texas State Technical College, is volunteering this month for the high school SkillsUSA District Competitions hosted on campus. The first district contest was Feb. 5-6 with additional competitions Feb. 19-20 and Feb. 26-27. High school students compete in topics ranging from welding to cosmetology.

During the first day of competition on Feb. 5, Lopez welcomed students to TSTC and let them know how they could continue to be part of SkillsUSA at the collegiate level. TSTC has a history of creating champions with students having won more National SkillsUSA awards than any other college or university in Texas.

“When planning and running SkillsUSA events, volunteers are the event’s worker bees that make sure every detail gets done,” said James Matus, an instructor in the Computer Maintenance Technology program and campus SkillsUSA event director. “Their work ranges from cleaning, giving directions, scoring and judging.”

Lopez competed at the state and national collegiate level in SkillsUSA in 2014 and 2015 and this year will take part in state contests in Chapter Display, Extemporaneous Speaking, Prepared Speech and Technical Computer Applications. State medalists will move on to the SkillsUSA Championships in June in Louisville, Ky.

“I enjoy being able to network with my peers from around the country and with industry leaders,” said Lopez.

She was the campus SkillsUSA president in 2015 and is the chapter secretary this year.

Lopez was born in Waco and raised in Burnet. She spent 10 years in the United States Marine Corps and seven years in the United States Army before leaving on medical retirement.

Today, Lopez is studying Digital Forensics Technology, Cyber Security, Computer Networking and Systems Administration and Cloud and Data Center Management. She wanted to put the intelligence knowledge she gained in the military to good use. She is scheduled to graduate in December with multiple Associate Degrees.

“It’s taking me extra time since I’m earning multiple degrees,” she said. “It’s worth it for what I can do for employers. I will be even more versatile in the workforce.”

Texas State Technical College Police Training Employees on Safety

(WACO) – Run, hide or fight: these are the three actions that faculty and staff in the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program learned about on a recent Friday morning from members of the Texas State Technical College Police Department.

“What we are trying to do is to get you to grasp the fundamental concept of how to handle an active shooter situation,” TSTC Police Chief Brian Davis said.

Run, hide or fight is the theme of a safety video that has been shown to all TSTC campus employees. The video was produced by Ready Houston, the emergency preparedness arm of the city of Houston. TSTC campus police statewide also take periodic safety training.

Campus police announced in January that they would visit every building on campus and train employees on what to do if an active shooter incident occurred. Training, to help prepare staff and faculty in case there is a incident on campus, started in late January and is scheduled to end in June.

Davis and Sgt. Joe Ashby said people should not set indoor fire alarms off as warnings because this could cause panic. Doors can be blocked with heavy objects such as desks. And, people leaving a building should not stop police unless they have specific descriptions of the shooter.

“People who commit these types of crimes are trying to be famous and kill as many people as possible,” Ashby said.

Ashby said the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Building where he and Davis met with faculty and staff was built well with its small windows and controlled entrances. These features could make it more difficult for an active shooter to enter the building. The structure was built in the early 1950s.

“It was a good presentation,” said Joe Paris, a program lab assistant and 2013 TSTC graduate with an associate degree in air conditioning and refrigeration technology. “I like the security of the building.”

Faculty and staff liked what they heard from campus police.

“I learned a little bit more about fighting back,” said Barbara Tynes, department secretary. “We have plenty of items to make into weapons. Hot coffee, whatever you can get your hands on.”

Similar safety trainings involving active shooters, natural disasters and other emergencies are conducted at all 10 TSTC campuses statewide every year.

Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Linemen Program Fills Need for Trained Workers

Texas State Technical College students work in the outdoor electrical pole lab in Waco.

(MARSHALL) – Electrical lineworkers are some of the first people to respond to emergencies, such as downed power lines from hurricanes and ice storms.

Scott Buckelew, an Electrical Lineworker Technology instructor at Texas State Technical College, said he has been encouraged by the need for employees with the recent hiring of nine program graduate by AEP.

“Every county basically has a co-op that has roughly 15 to 20 men working for the electrical office,” he said.

Buckelew worked 25 years in various positions at Brazos Electric Power Cooperative Inc. in Waco before making a career change to teaching. He began job shadowing at the college last November and is now teaching his first full semester.

“I like to show the students what is going on and that I got something out of it,” Buckelew said.

Students can earn a certificate and associate degree in Electrical Lineworker Technology at TSTC in Marshall. The Marshall program currently has more than 30 students.

Texas employs the highest number of electrical lineworkers in the country. The hourly mean wage for Texas workers is $26.19 with the annual mean wage at $54,470, according to May 2014 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Texas, electrical lineworker jobs are expected to rise 24 percent by 2022.

“The job market is great for lineworkers,” said Robert Mitchell, an instructor in the Electrical Lineworker Technology program. “The baby boomers are retiring and companies across the state are needing trained linemen.”

Some of the qualities needed to do the work include the ability to be mentally tough when working in the elements and at heights as well as the stamina to balance on the side of a pole for periods of time.

“Students who like the outdoors and who are physically capable of performing manual labor in all kinds of extreme weather are geared to our program,” Mitchell said. “Climbing a pole and building power lines is a challenge which our students look forward to. We sometimes start our labs at 4 a.m. so the students can get accustomed to working at night and in the dark. Linework is a 24/7 operation and we prepare students for the real world.”

Tyler Kussad, 19, of Lexington is scheduled to graduate this spring with a certificate in Electrical Lineworker Technology. He said he has already accepted a job that is being held for him at an area electric cooperative.

Kussad enjoys working with his hands and climbing to the top of the electric poles at TSTC’s outdoor lab in Waco. He said he also likes driving the program’s boom truck.

“This program is not as expensive as others,” Kussad said “I like it a lot. We have good instructors and I’ve learned a lot since I have been here.”

Patrick Rayson, 21, of Temple is scheduled to graduate with a certificate in the fall. He said he became interested in electrical line work when he watched a transformer be changed out at his father’s house.

He wanted to pursue an outdoor career and hopes to get hired by an electrical company in Waco after graduation.

The Marshall program currently has one automatic boom truck that students use to prepare for the commercial driver’s license test.

The College Preview Day at TSTC in Marshall will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 14 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15. For more information go to tstc.edu/openhouse.

Apply today at tstc.edu. Registration for summer and fall semesters begins April 4.