(FORT BEND) – With registration for Spring 2017 underway, Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County will be hosting a Registration Rally Wednesday, November 30 to give new and returning students the resources they need to complete the registration process under one roof.

Registration Rallies are a new initiative at TSTC that started for the Fall 2016 semester. All 10 campuses statewide host this event with hundreds of students taking advantage of the assistance offered by faculty, staff and student volunteers.

“This is one-stop shop for our students,” said Dora Colvin, director of Recruitment. “We want to help students by providing the resources and opportunities they need to finish the application and registration processes for the next semester.”

Enrollment representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, Advisement, Support Services and Testing will be on hand to guide those attending the event. Tours of the college will also be available throughout the day.

“We hope that having faculty and staff present will help make this process easier for students,” said Colvin. “They’ll have a chance to learn about the services we offer and get the help they need.”

To complete the registration process students must bring their completed admissions application, GED scores if applicable, recent high school or college transcripts, and proof of their bacterial meningitis vaccination if under 22 years of age.

“We want to encourage students to register early,” said Colvin. “The earlier a student registers, the more likely it is they get the classes they need before they fill up and a schedule they are happy with. Of course students don’t have to wait until the event, they can apply or register anytime.”

TSTC’s registration rally will be from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the new TSTC Industrial Technology campus located at 26706 SW Freeway Rosenberg, Texas. The registration deadline is January 3. Spring 2017 classes begin January 9.

To apply or register visit tstc.edu or call the Admissions Office at 346-239-3413.

(FORT BEND) – Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County and its newest industry partners are bringing the latest technology to student classrooms and labs on campus.

Recently, TSTC partnered with Kyrish Truck Center, DMG Mori and Miller Electric, all which have supplied items for Diesel Equipment Technology, Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology respectively.

“They have invested in TSTC’s mission of providing a highly trained, skilled workforce in the state of Texas,” said John Kennedy, TSTC field development officer. “This allows us to use the dollars we would have spent on this equipment, on the students’ learning experiences, which allows our college, to better train our students.”

Owner of Kyrish Truck Center, Duane Kyrish, supplied the students in Diesel Equipment Technology with four diesel trucks and one refrigeration truck that can be used for hands-on training.

“We always look at the type of techs we would hire and we want them to be knowledgeable in the latest technology,” said Kyrish. “Every truck we supplied is a new generation truck.”

Kyrish said he was blown away by the TSTC Industrial Technology campus in Fort Bend and the training it provides. He hopes to not only maintain his relationship with the college, but he wants it to grow.

“Trucks and the need for diesel techs is never going to go away,” said Kyrish. “We would love the opportunity of hiring TSTC students when they graduate. Therefore, we want to give them the items they need to get the max amount of training necessary to be successful.”

Students in Precision Machining Technology were also gifted with 13 state-of-the-art Computer Numeric Control machines.

Bret Settle, regional director for DMG Mori, said TSTC has been a customer for a number years, so when they were approached about machines for the new campus, they knew they had to contribute somehow.

“The machines we set up for them give students a higher level of hands-on training and education in machinery,” said Settle. “They will receive the type of training on machinery that will eventually see in the industry and workplace.”

The opening of TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus not only gained attention from Kyrish Truck Center and DMG Mori, but also from world-renown welding company Miller Electric.

Regional Sales Manager for South Central Texas Miguel Fernandez said he is proud to be partnered with TSTC and felt compelled to help because he was impressed with the college’s new facility in Rosenberg and because of the long-standing relationship between the company and the college.

Miller Electric has helped TSTC with 40 new welding systems in addition to the software needed to run each machine.

“We (Miller Electric) just started a program to support educational systems and its students,” said Fernandez. “And we believe we have a long-term partnership with TSTC and that it will help students train with the most advanced technologies and be competitive out in the field.”

TSTC’s Field Development Officer John Kennedy said that together, the in-kind gifts from all three partners totals nearly $1.6 million.

“These in-kind gifts are state-of-the-art and all allow our students to be better equipped for high-paying jobs,” said Kennedy. “Each partnership has supplied us with the most relevant products that each company offers better preparing our students for what they can expect in the industry.”

In addition to Precision Machining Technology, Welding Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology, TSTC’s Fort Bend Campus also offers Cyber Security Technology, HVAC Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology and Telecommunications Convergence Technology.

Registration for Spring 2017 is in progress. For more information call 346-239-3413, or register and apply anytime at tstc.edu.

(FORT BEND) – The Veterans Center at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County hosted a Veterans Day breakfast serving up pancakes as a way to say thank you. TSTC employee and student veterans gathered at the newly opened Industrial Technology Center to remember and honor those who have served and have made the ultimate sacrifice.

TSTC students and employees also wore red shirts to commemorate RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) Shirt Friday.

TSTC prides itself in being a military friendly school that serves more than 1,000 veteran students and their dependents statewide. The Veterans Center at the TSTC Fort Bend campus is a centralized, one-stop-shop for veterans and their dependents, assisting with admission, financial aid, and GI Bill and Hazlewood applications.

TSTC also offers competency-based learning, targeting veterans who have gained skills through their service in the military. For more information on the Veterans Center, call 346-239-3425 or visit tstc.edu/veterans.

(FORT BEND) – From lost to found, Texas State Technical College alumna Georgeann Calzada attended classes on the Harlingen campus during a time when her future was uncertain. She now finds herself back at TSTC, this time as an employee ready to help college students the same way she once was helped.

Calzada now works at the TSTC campus in Fort Bend County as director of student services while finishing up graduate school at Sam Houston State University, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in higher education administration.

But it has been a difficult decade to get where she is today.

The 33-year-old single mother first graduated from TSTC in 2007 with an associate degree in business office technology, which is now business management technology.

“I found myself at TSTC,” said Calzada. “I had just had a baby. I was a single parent and I was lost, but the support I received at the college was invaluable to my growth.”

It was during Calzada’s time at TSTC that her passion for higher education began to blossom. She was involved with Student Government Association, serving as secretary and president. It was through her student leadership positions that she started to see the importance of a college experience outside of a classroom.

“I had no idea where life was taking me. I was living off of food stamps and Medicaid,” said Calzada. “I suddenly then fell into my career. I had no set plans of going into higher education, but now I can’t see myself doing anything else.”

Calzada got her feet wet in higher education when she worked for TSTC as a pre-tech advisor for the High School Equivalency Program, working closely with the General Educational Development (GED) student population.

“I’ve always advised students that TSTC is just the beginning to a successful career,” said Calzada. “It’s an important stepping stone in their life and it definitely was in mine.”

Calzada went on to transfer to the University of Texas at Brownsville, where she received a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree with minors in sociology, psychology and business technology.

Calzada also worked for Texas State University as a freshman academic advisor for four years, before deciding it was time for a change.

Fortunately, Calzada was offered her new position at TSTC and made the move to Fort Bend County.

“I was shocked when I was offered this position,” said Calzada. “I wanted it so badly, yet it was my worst interview ever. But I guess my experience was enough. This job is exactly what I need right now.”

The student services director is now ready to help students find themselves, the way TSTC helped her chart her future.

“I’m here to bring their (students’) dreams to life,” said Calzada. “I’m here to make sure they succeed, and I promise that there will always be help for them if they need it.”

In the New Year Calzada plans to make the most out of homework-free evenings. She plans on spending more time with her son, traveling and enjoying having family nearby once again.

For more information on programs offered at TSTC in Fort Bend County, call 346-239-3438 or visit tstc.edu.

Apryl Molina finds herself in the daily struggle to make ends meet. With a brother and sister to take care of and medical bills to pay, the 21-year old dreams of a life where she has a career and a steady income.

“My mom is ill often and money is short, so paying for a college education is never on my priority list,” said Molina. “But I’ve just received a couple of scholarships and financial aid so everything is about to change for the better.”

Recently, Molina, who will be one of the first students to pursue an associate’s degree in Cyber Security at the new Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County campus, was presented with a $500 scholarship from the Richmond Rotary Club, a donation made to TSTC for a student with financial need.

“This scholarship came out of nowhere and I couldn’t be more grateful. I literally cried when I found out I had received it,” said Molina. “I was really stressed out about how I was going to pay for school. For a while I thought college wasn’t going to be a possibility for me.”

Richmond Rotary Club President-elect and Secretary Larry Pittman said it is helping students like Apryl that makes their donation so worthwhile. This is the first Rotary Club scholarship given to a TSTC student to help pay for tuition or books.

“Apryl is a terrific young lady who is fighting to get ahead,” said Pittman. “I hope that our scholarship can help fund a portion of her college career and help her achieve her educational and career goals.”

The Sugar Land native has big dreams to earn a college degree and work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) helping save young children from the dangers of today’s cyber world. And because of the help she is receiving from TSTC and organizations like the Richmond Rotary, those dreams seem to be coming true.

“I’ve never received financial aid or scholarships before,” said Molina. “Because of all the assistance I’m getting I have been able to drop to part-time at my full-time job and fully focus on school and moving forward with my career.”

Molina also recently received a $1,000 scholarship from TSTC. She said she is so thankful for the help she received from staff at TSTC in Fort Bend County. Prior to TSTC, Molina had attended another local college and said she never received the kind of help she has at TSTC.

“Everyone from financial aid to admissions representatives really helped me get everything in order,” said Molina. “I’m excited to get started at a college where I’m a name, not only a number. They really care about the future of their students.”

For more information on TSTC’s Cyber Security program call 832-595-8734 or visit tstc.edu. The deadline to register is August 22. Fall 2016 students will be attending the new TSTC campus in Fort Bend County which will open in time for the first day of classes on August 29.

For 15 years a typical day for Jesus Botello Jr. consisted of working in fields along the East Coast with a harvest crew who gathered blueberries, but the father of three wanted a new career close to his family.

Botello has now gone from harvest field to field technician, making his dream a reality. On August 19, he will be one of 11 students graduating from Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County. He will be receiving a certificate in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Botello’s family owns the farming and harvesting business he worked for in the past, but he said when he left to pursue his own interests, he got nothing but support from his family, wife and children.

“My family really encouraged me to go back to school,” said Botello. “I was tired of being away from my wife and kids for long periods of time, so everyone knew I needed the change and I needed to come home.”

The Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning graduate is already working in the field with Comfort Custom Air out of Rosenberg. Botello was offered the position as a HVAC technician three weeks before completing his program.

“TSTC has changed my life,” said Botello. “I’m able to be with my family now and I have a new career that I love. I feel like I’m in the right place.”

The Needville native’s first experience with Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning was when he began his classes at TSTC in August 2015. He said although he had never worked in the industry, it was always something that peaked his interest.

“I’ve always been interested in how these systems work, their design and technicalities,” said Botello. “Plus, everyone in Texas needs central air and heating.”

Botello said he credits his current success on the hands-on training and education he received at TSTC. He described his college experience as the perfect fit for him.

“Coming back to school and being the oldest in the class was not easy,” said Botello. “But the learning approach with hands-on techniques is what I needed to be successful.”

Heather Hogan, owner of Comfort Custom Air said they have been impressed with Botello’s skills and desire to learn. She said she has heard nothing but praises from her other HVAC technicians.

“I’ve been hearing that he is a quick learner and will have no problem being out on his own very soon,” said Hogan. “Part of this is what first attracted us to hire Jesus. He’s doesn’t mind working hard and he’s determined to learn all he can about the industry. He’s been the most prepared recent graduate we have hired, and a lot of it has to do with the training he received at TSTC.”

Botello said he has high hopes for his future. He said he has really admired and looked up to his instructor Keith Klix for his experience and positivity in every situation.

“Mr. Klix has really been so helpful and I hope to be like him someday,” said Botello. “It’s because of him and the training I received that I’m able to dream about owning an HVAC business someday.”

At the end of the day, Botello said he hopes he can excel enough in his field to someday teach at TSTC.

All Fort Bend graduates will be the last to graduate from the TSTC location at Wharton County Junior College. Commencement will be August 19 in Waco at the Waco Convention Center at 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning program at TSTC call 832-595-8734. The new TSTC campus in Fort Bend County will open August 29.

With a couple of job offers in hand, Macay Bahner will walk the commencement stage on August 19 and receive his certificate from Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County.

The Magnolia native studied Diesel Equipment Technology, a field that was new to him when he started at TSTC one year ago.

“Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school,” said Bahner. “All I knew was I needed to work with my hands, a four-year university and learning from books was not for me.”

The 19 year-old said he researched technical colleges in his area after graduating from Magnolia West High School. Bahner added that when he found TSTC and saw the Diesel Equipment Technology program it caught his attention.

“After looking into the program and seeing first-hand what it consisted of, I knew it was the career I should follow,” said Bahner. “I get to learn, see and do something different every day.”

Bahner said he never imagined he would have job offers before graduating from college, especially with countless graduates around the country struggling to find work.

“Many of my classmates and I are either working or deciding which job offer to take,” said Bahner. “Finding a job is not something I had to worry about.”

While Bahner is still deciding where he will work, he also seriously considering going back to TSTC for his associate degree to become more competitive in his field.

“I hope to open a business someday dealing with diesel mechanics,” said Bahner. “TSTC and my instructor Gary Voelkel really prepared me for that.”

The diesel mechanic graduate appreciates the dedication and commitment Voelkel has for his students.

“He was always there to keep us on the straight path,” said Bahner. “He was always there to help us and make sure we understood everything. His goal is to make sure we succeed.”

Overall, Bahner said he enjoyed his college experience and the hands-on training he received at TSTC. So much so, that Bahner has begun recommending the college to high school graduates in his hometown.

“I hope others take advantage of what TSTC in Fort Bend County has to offer,” said Bahner. “This college changes lives, I know it’s changed mine.”

Bahner is one of the 11 graduates receiving certificates or associate degrees during TSTC’s commencement ceremony on August 19 at the Waco Convention Center at 6:30 p.m. They are the last class to graduate from the TSTC location at Wharton County Junior College.

For more information on the Diesel Technology program call 832-595-8734. The new TSTC campus in Fort Bend County will open August 29 in time for the first day of class.

By Naissa Lopez

(Fort Bend County) – What started as a job as an English tutor turned into a career that makes a difference in the lives of students for Texas State Technical College Success Coach Mara Hartsell.

 “I started working as an English tutor in the TSTC Marshall library in 2011,” she reminisces.  “I taught remedial English courses as an adjunct and went on to a full-time position as a success coach in Marshall.  Not too long after, I was transferred to the Fort Bend campus.”

While a job as a success coach entails many different responsibilities, the Shreveport, Louisiana native clarifies that one thing is always for certain; she will make sure that a student’s future is as bright as possible.

“I practice holistic advising techniques and work with students at all stages of their academic careers,” she said.  “Essentially, I help them strategize and plan in a way that keeps their educational goals at the forefront, and help them graduate with the award they need.”

Hartsell’s humble beginnings have helped her leave an even greater impact on the students she advises.

“I was a first-generation student who struggled through college while working full-time.  Today, I still recall select individuals who encouraged me and told me to keep going.  Without their support, I’m not sure if I would have reached the finish line myself,” she stated.  “I try to fill this role as best I can with students experiencing hardship, and it’s a great feeling when they take the time to let me know I’ve succeeded in pushing them forward.  The best moments are those when a student from a past semester visits you and thanks you for the impact that you had on him or her.”

A college education may seem like a difficult journey for students who struggle financially, but Hartsell emphasizes that money should not be what deters someone from enrolling.

“A lot of people today are concerned about the financial debt they might incur if they enroll in college, and they’re also worried about the job prospects they’ll realistically have after they make that sacrifice,” she said.  “TSTC students shouldn’t be preoccupied with either of these things given our extremely competitive tuition rate and high job placement statistics.”

As Hartsell points out, affordability is what sets TSTC apart from other institutions of higher learning.

“I always brag that this school puts the interest of students first, because once they graduate, they’ll still be able to maintain their financial independence.  They’ll also have a team well-rooted in the industry advocating for them.  You won’t find TSTC alumni complaining that they’re shackled by debt or unable to find a job.”

Hartsell not only enjoys her role at TSTC, but she is also grateful for the people she has met along the way.

“Collaboration, determination and friendship have defined my time here,” she said.  “TSTC has given me many opportunities to practice new skill sets, and it has introduced me to a number of great people who are not only my colleagues, but also my friends.”

Students interested in an advisement session with Mara Hartsell may reach her at mara.hartsell@tstc.edu.

Registration for the Fall semester is currently underway.  Deadline for registration is August 22 and classes begin on August 29.  Apply online or register at www.tstc.edu.

Romana Medina may have been raised in a small Texas town, but this student recruiter is helping Texas State Technical College students in Fort Bend County achieve their big city dreams.

Being a student recruiter requires a lot of communication with students who need assistance in deciding what it is they want to study.  Medina says that this one-on-one communication makes a great difference in a student’s academic career.

“When I’m speaking with a student, I always try to find their interests,” said the El Campo resident.  “I give them as much information as I can about the programs and I constantly remind them that where there’s a will, there’s a way.  You can always do something that you set your mind to do.”

Medina says that the payoff for what her career entails is always worth the effort and time put into each student.

“I always see students coming in more and more, and students enjoy being heard and listened to.  There are even some students that come in on a daily basis.  That’s what makes everything worth it.”

Medina’s admirable work ethic stems from her watching her parents work just as hard for her while she was growing up, and she is eager to continue working just as hard for not only her career, but her higher education, as well.

“My parents were always working to provide everything I needed to go to college.  I want to get my bachelor’s in Bilingual Education very soon.  I have a strong background in my Hispanic culture, so why not put it to work and help other students and families be just as successful, too?”

Her personal experience with TSTC goes beyond her employment, and she looks forward to what her career with the college will bring.

“I have two brothers who graduated from here, so I’ve seen student success firsthand.  They are doing very well and love their new careers as business owners,” she said.

“Working and being a part of this brand new campus is so much fun.  I plan on staying with TSTC as long as I can.  There are so many great support systems out there, and one thing I can say about TSTC is that you will find more than a support system here; you will find a family.”

The new TSTC campus in Fort Bend County is on track to open for classes beginning August 29.

Fall registration is currently underway.  To register or apply, visit http://www.tstc.edu/campuses/fort_bend/.

(Fort Bend County) – Ben’s Chuck Wagon is a popular catering company in Wallis, Texas where you can find the owner, Ben Pustejovsky, putting the skills he learned at Texas State Technical College to good use.

The Wallis native graduated from the TSTC campus in Waco in 2002 with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Upon completing, he attended the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant management. However, because Pustejovsky was already working in the field, he decided to pursue his career instead and use the skills he learned at TSTC to open his own business.

“My ultimate dream was to open a restaurant,” said Pustejovsky. “But because I was already cooking, selling barbeque and catering parties and meetings, I was building a strong, loyal clientele for a catering business, so I pursued that instead.”

Ben’s Chuck Wagon has been in business for 12 years and staffs approximately 20 employees. Pustejovsky and his team cater for parties, meetings and conferences ranging from 50 all the way up to 3,500 people. They serve southern comfort food such as chicken fried steak and barbeque with all the sides and fixings, in addition to holiday menus they save for November and December. They also customize menus based on their clients’ wants and needs. TSTC in Fort Bend County is, of course, on his list of customers.

“TSTC really changed my life for the better. They gave me the start at building a successful career,” said Pustejovsky. “They really gave me the foundation I needed.”

The 35-year-old said his time at TSTC really gave him the confidence he needed to continue pursuing a career he has had an interest in since the age of seven. As a young child he cooked with his grandparents following family recipes and perfecting them with practice and patience.

“Cooking at a young age and having that support is definitely something I cherish,” said Pustejovsky. “I took everything I learned from my grandparents and applied it in school and in my business. In fact, a lot of what I prepare and cook today comes from family recipes.”

Pustejovsky added that TSTC was like a family to him. He said a four-year university was never in his path; he knew it was not for him.

“At TSTC you’re definitely not just another number,” said Pustejovsky. “All of the instructors know you by name and are always ready to help. I got all of the hands-on training that is necessary to be successful. I don’t think I would have received that at a university.”

Pustejovsky said he looks forward to his future and the future of his business. He hopes to expand his catering business around the Houston area and to open an additional location.

“I can only go up from here,” said Pustejovsky. “I’m keeping my restaurant dream alive. With the right partner there’s no telling what we could accomplish.”

Certificates and associate degrees in Culinary Arts are offered at four of the 10 TSTC campuses: Waco, Harlingen, Williamson County and Abilene.

Registration is currently in progress for the Fall 2016 semester. You can apply or register anytime online at tstc.edu.