Category Archives: Fort Bend County

Students begin fall semester at TSTC

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently celebrated summer graduates with a virtual commencement that livestreamed on Facebook. Friends and family commented online with joy and excitement about the momentous occasion as they wished their loved ones all the best on their journeys after college.

Now TSTC is ready to safely welcome back students as the fall semester begins.

Campus enrollment executive Georgeann Calzada shared a message for new students, and she also gave advice on how they can maximize their experience at TSTC.

“Welcome to the TSTC family,” she said. “Make sure that you ask questions and check your TSTC emails regularly. Get involved in Student Life and SkillsUSA. You will not regret these opportunities.”

Associate Provost Bryan Bowling acknowledged that this semester will be vital for students.

“The rest of this year will be a monumental, course-correcting year for our students,” he said. “Not due to COVID-19, but to them beginning their journeys toward life-changing careers.”

He credited the dedicated instructors and staff at TSTC for making these opportunities possible.

“They (instructors and staff) heartily believe in the mission that we not only ‘place Texans in great-aying jobs,’ but ‘we change lives,’” he said. “Just as our students were incentivized to enroll in TSTC to land a great job in the industry of their choice, so too are we heavily incentivized to prepare them accordingly. Their success is our success.”

TSTC is strictly following its set of COVID-19 safety guidelines, including mandatory multilayered facial coverings, directional signs throughout the campus and social distancing. To learn more about TSTC’s coronavirus precautions, visit tstc.edu/coronavirus.

To learn more about programs offered at TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC enrollment coach inspired by students

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – As Texas State Technical College is gearing up to celebrate this summer’s graduating class virtually, enrollment coach Tracey Clayton at the Fort Bend County campus discussed some of the characteristics that add positivity to her job. She said she is inspired by students who pursue their education and become role models for those they love.

What are your responsibilities as an enrollment coach?

I assist students with registration, collect documents for admissions and assist with financial aid, among many other things. It is also always very important to me that I provide the best customer service.

What inspired you to work in higher education?

Being able to see others succeed. I was an adjunct instructor before I became an enrollment coach, and it was a great feeling to see students graduate and become successful.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

Helping people achieve their goals. It is inspiring to be able to help them further their education and become positive role models for their siblings and peers.

What is one of the best aspects about helping students change their lives?

One of the best things about helping students change their lives is saving their lives. We give students hope, strength and encouragement to be the very best they can be.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. To apply to TSTC, visit https://tstc.edu/admissions.

 

Student safety top priority at TSTC this fall

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County has been diligently preparing for the fall semester.

The coronavirus has brought about many challenges, including the way students are receiving curriculum. Even with the necessary changes, TSTC is ready to safely continue its hands-on technical education.

“All departments were tasked with devising innovative ways to adhere to social distancing requirements while maintaining critical instruction,” said Associate Provost Bryan Bowling.

Many of the on-campus labs previously required students to share workstations and form groups to complete projects. Space to conduct mandatory labs is often at a premium, and in many cases social distancing requirements can exacerbate the issue.

“While some programs mitigated COVID-19 restrictions with additional sections and creative scheduling, we approached this with an all-options-are-on-the-table mentality,” Bowling said.

While the entire campus in Fort Bend County has been preparing to safely welcome students back later this month, Robotics Technology has been particularly creative.

“There are barriers between each station to maintain social distancing requirements,” Bowling said. “In short, with these barriers in place, all students in the classroom have near-unfettered access to the computer workstations and controlled access to the robots.”

Robotics Technology instructor Charles Sparks said that students had no problem with the safety protocols.

“All barriers took less than a day to put up,” he said. “Students adjusted immediately, and we have already been using them for the entire summer semester.”

Bowling said that many nicknames for the barriers emerged as they were coming to fruition, and he even took a liking to one of them.

“Cootie Barrier 5,000 is my personal favorite.”

TSTC’s COVID-19 guidelines dictate that all students and employees on campus wear masks and social distance at all times. These guidelines were originally implemented in March, but have been reinforced for the Fall 2020 semester.

Registration for the fall semester is currently underway. To apply to TSTC, visit https://www.tstc.edu/admissions.

 

TSTC HVAC Technology introduces hybrid teaching format for fall semester

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program will use a hybrid teaching model this fall. But the instructor that students will see teaching online may not be from their home campus.

The program’s faculty from the East Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, North Texas and Waco campuses will teach courses online to students statewide. Students will complete hands-on labs on their home campuses.

This is the first time the faculty at the campuses have united to teach like this.

“HVAC Technology is going to be one of the first programs to have statewide lectures this fall,” said Lance Lucas, statewide department chair for the program. “For example, one of our instructors out of Waco will be the instructor for lectures for our basic electricity class across the state.”

The hybrid method will apply to every course in HVAC Technology.

“It keeps continuity between the different classes with the hybrid,” said Curtis Christian, an instructor in East Williamson County’s HVAC Technology program. “It will kind of simplify instruction.”

Christian will teach some of Fort Bend County’s HVAC students in the fall. He said he looks forward to meeting them online and listening to the questions they will ask.

Lucas said the current pandemic has created more job opportunities in the HVAC industry. He stated that more people working remotely means that there is a greater need for them to maintain comfort in the heat.

“The outlook is great for HVAC technicians,” he said. “This is Texas, and we always need cooling. With so many people working from home and having their air conditioning units running all day, this industry will not slow down.”

Registration continues statewide for the fall semester.  For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

 

TSTC workforce training gives Texans edge in job market

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The need for essential skills in the Texas job market is rapidly growing, caused in part by a skills gap between the number of available jobs and the number of skilled workers ready to fill them.

The Workforce Training department at Texas State Technical College aims to close that gap by providing students with the tools necessary to succeed in the Texas workforce.

“Workforce training caters to a population that does not necessarily have time for college but wants the job training,” said TSTC Executive Director of Workforce Training and Continuing Education Victor Blalack, who serves both the Harlingen and Fort Bend County campuses.

The training can also help individual companies and businesses by evaluating their needs and then developing specialized curricula to upskill their employees.

Blalack said that the changing job market makes the training an advantage for individuals who want to maintain a fresh batch of skills.

“Those who go through workforce training typically want better employment opportunities,” he said. “Most of our trainees have already been employed somewhere and are looking to add an additional set of skills to their resume.”

Blalack stated that the training can be not only beneficial, but also vital.

“We are essential because we target those who simply do not have the time to spend two or four years in college,” he said. “We complement TSTC on the mission to place Texans in better-paying jobs.”

To learn more, visit https://www.tstc.edu/workforce/home.

 

TSTC helps unemployed workers get trained faster with RISE programs

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The new coronavirus has impacted more than just social gatherings. In Texas, nearly 1.3 million people are unemployed because of the current pandemic, and that number continues to climb.

To help Texans get back to work, Texas State Technical College is deploying the Rapid Industry Skills and Employability (RISE) program that will allow students to quickly learn the skills they need to help them toward a new occupation.

“With so many Texans affected by the pandemic, we wanted to offer courses that would get them the skills needed to enter into industry quickly, while also focusing on providing flexible time commitments,” said Trey Pearson, TSTC’s regional director of student recruitment. “Some of the programs are completely online, and some are taught in a hybrid format, which allows students to complete the coursework while still working or taking care of their families.”

Upon completion, students earn an Occupational Skills Award, which is the formal name for the curriculum designated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. These short-term courses provide quick and basic entry-level skills that can open up opportunities for those experiencing unemployment and are seeking to get back into the workforce.

The courses are designed to feed into the regular certificates or degrees that TSTC offers if a student wants to pursue additional skills in the field. These courses provide graduates with the ability to apply for positions in their new fields, confident that they have the knowledge to start in a new job.

The idea of shortening the time to gain needed skills to enter the workforce has been in the works, but the current economic crisis necessitated starting the programs as soon as possible.

“RISE was accelerated because of the pandemic,” said TSTC Provost Edgar Padilla. “We’ve had this vision for a while to reduce the amount of time it takes for students to get quality training. The economic climate in the post-coronavirus world really created a sense of urgency for us to move quickly to be in a position to address the economic recovery in Texas.”

Students registered in the RISE program will begin this fall, and registration for the programs will be on a continuing basis.

“The registration process was kicked off in early July, and the applications have started to come in,” said TSTC Senior Vice President of Student Learning Hector Yanez. “These students will begin during our regular fall semester, and some of the programs are designed to be delivered and completed in as little as 7 1/2 weeks.”

Currently there are 12 short-term offerings available online, or via a hybrid format, but that number will change once the first cohorts complete their programs.

“As we continue to roll into the next fiscal year, the goal is to grow the inventory of options in the RISE curriculum,” Padilla said.

Tuition for these programs was also an important factor when they were being created.

“The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act allocated federal dollars to pay for short-term credentials,” Padilla said. “We have launched Occupational Skills Awards that are eligible for this funding immediately, and we have a team working on everything that needs to be in place in order for us to have that funding available for students.”

Hands-on training is one of TSTC’s strongest attributes, and it is something that is the key to the success of the RISE program.

“Every student enrolled will have the same access and opportunities as that of the traditional TSTC college student,” Yanez added. “The TSTC resource teams have been preparing and meeting to make sure that the needs and services of these students are met and provided.”

With a quicker curriculum, TSTC is hoping to provide stability for those seeking a rapid entry into the Texas workforce.

“These programs will really allow students the opportunity to rise to the occasion,” Padilla said. “This is designed to lead to some quality employment opportunities for students, which will ultimately be very impactful.”

To learn more about TSTC’s RISE program, visit https://www.tstc.edu/rise.

First-generation college graduate brings passion for helping others to TSTC students

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – In the seven months that Sugar Land native Yareni Gomez has spent with Texas State Technical College as a program enrollment coach, she has not only assisted TSTC students in Fort Bend County plan for their futures, but also made it her goal that they know they can count on her for help along the way.

“I assist students with anything that they may need while they are completing their degree, from planning and registering for classes, to helping with financial aid items, and everything else in between,” she said.

Gomez is one of the familiar faces in Fort Bend County that students know they can count on as they are completing their programs.

“I am here to ensure that our students are receiving the support that they need, from the moment they submit their application, to when they walk across the stage at graduation,” she explained. “When I finish a session with a student, I want to make sure that they feel supported and know I am available to help in any way that I can.”

Gomez, a first-generation college student, hopes that those she helps do not face the same difficulties that she did when she was obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies.

“I want to help make the college journey easier for them than it was for me,” she said. “I remember how hesitant I was to ask for help my first year of college because I didn’t understand some of the higher-education lingo. I love that my position allows me to sit down with students and answer their questions to help them understand certain processes and to remind them that they have someone supporting them in their journey to earn their degree.”

Her willingness to help others succeed brought her into higher education, which came as a surprise journey that ultimately changed her life.

“I entered this career path accidentally as a student worker, and I quickly developed a passion for helping others,” she reminisced. “When I was in college, there were times that I was overwhelmed and hesitant to ask for assistance, but what made a difference for me was the staff and faculty at the University of Houston who took the time to mentor me and teach me things I needed to know.”

The guidance that Gomez received from passionate mentors at her alma mater was a factor in her decision to work in higher education herself.

“I decided to continue my work in higher education to help ensure that all students feel supported and know they have someone they can turn to for guidance and to celebrate their victories with them.”

Fall registration is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Rosenberg native serves veterans at TSTC

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Kenneth Buford served his country as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army for eight years, during which time he traveled to such places as the Middle East and South Korea. Recently the Rosenberg native’s worldly experience brought him back home to serve fellow veterans as director of veteran recruitment at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus.

Do you have a favorite TSTC memory so far? 

Right now, given the times, assisting veterans to complete their registration applications during quarantine has been my favorite thing to do.

Is there anything in particular that you feel makes TSTC unique?

The staff and faculty at Texas State Technical College truly believe in providing students every opportunity and resource necessary to ensure their success.

What impact do you hope to have at TSTC?

During my tenure at TSTC, it is my hope to utilize my professional military and civilian experience to assist in the building of long-lasting bonds between the college itself, veteran organizations and the community. These bonds will serve as bridges connecting veterans, their dependents, and the broader community to the types of educational resources and experiences necessary to attain higher-paying employment and financial stability.

If you could give any advice to fellow veterans, what would you tell them about starting college or going back to college? 

Although many of us focus on today, it is important always to look toward the future and plan for tomorrow. The ability to earn a certificate or degree enhances individual marketability and provides us paths to employment and financial freedom.

To learn more about veteran services offered at TSTC, visit https://tstc.edu/veterans.

From left to right: Vlad Hidrovo, Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management, veteran and TSTC Student with Kenneth Buford. Photo courtesy of Kenneth Burford and was taken in early 2020.

 

TSTC celebrates its Fort Bend County campus graduates

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – One of the greatest milestones of a college career is reaching the finish line at commencement. While Texas State Technical College had to do things a little differently this semester, the team at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus wanted to give its best to the spring 2020 graduates one more time as they set off into their new careers.

 A small, socially distant celebration was held Friday, June 19, to celebrate the accomplishments of graduates who once again proved that TSTC students are nothing short of resilient.

 

“When we heard we would have to cancel spring commencement due to the pandemic, we knew we needed to do something to highlight the huge milestone for our spring graduates,” said TSTC campus enrollment executive Georgeann Calzada. “Celebrating something positive during this pandemic is something we were all happy to do. I hope the graduates know that we will always be here to support them, encourage them, and join in on what we know will be a lifetime of accomplishments.”

 

TSTC’s director of veteran recruitment in Fort Bend County, Kenneth Buford, reiterated that TSTC prides itself on maintaining connections with students, even after their time on campus is over.

“Our graduates are about to become members of a family dedicated to their success,” he said. “Their TSTC family will always be here to guide, support and encourage them.”

Christina Vargas, a TSTC assistant director of enrollment management, also offered congratulations for the graduating class.

 

“Every graduating class is special,” she said. “We honor every class for their hard work, but this particular group overcame some unique challenges. The pandemic took a chunk of their graduating semester and turned it upside down.”

 

Despite the adversity faced by students, Vargas does not doubt that they are ready for whatever their futures may bring.

 

“The fact that they were able to rise to the challenge and complete their degrees proves that they are more than just trained in their craft,” she said. “They have the heart and spirit to rise above adversity. That is as valuable, if not more, than any other quality.”

 

Fall registration is currently underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

 

TSTC Debuts New Virtual Kiosk System for Students

(WACO, Texas) – Students at three of Texas State Technical College’s campuses can now use a digital queuing system for a range of services.

Students at the Fort Bend County, Harlingen and Waco campuses can sign up at tstc.edu/wem to use QLess, an online system meant to decrease the physical amount of time spent in line to meet with TSTC’s student services staff.  

Students can also download the QLess app for smartphones.

Once on the app, they can choose what office they need to visit and receive updates on their place in line.

“I think the rollout of QLess has worked really well for us thus far,” said Garrett Bratton, a TSTC program enrollment coach. “We are still learning how to use it, but it seems to be a very useful resource during this time.”

Steve Guevara, TSTC’s statewide veteran services director, said although QLess is in a testing phase, he can already tell it will improve customer service. 

QLess will be used to assist us in providing students phone or face-to-face services while allowing us to keep our social distancing,” he said. “Instead of waiting on campus, we can communicate with the student through QLess to alert them when they can stop by the office to speak to us.”

QLess is used by entities in education, government, logistics and retail. It is estimated the company has saved more than 100 million people at least 6,000 years’ worth of time waiting in line worldwide, according to company information.

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