Category Archives: All TSTC

Student Success Profile – Josephine Delgado

By Emily Swartz

Josephine Delgado, 22, aspires to be a Human Resources Manager. She is currently attending the Business Management Technology program at Texas State Technical College.Josephine Delgado

A one-time resident of San Perlita, Delgado has been an active student at TSTC heavily involved  with Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the Intramural Sports Club, where she serves as treasurer.

To add to her impressive feats, Delgado currently holds a 3.5 grade-point average. She plans to graduate with her associate degree in Fall 2018.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation I plan on pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in business with a specialization in human resources. I hope to eventually work in this field.

What’s your dream job?

What got me most interested in business was taking related courses in high school. Upon entering TSTC, my interest only grew. The goal is to one day work as a Human Resources Manager.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

I credit TSTC for much of my success in life and consider balancing good grades and activities a great accomplishment. I am very proud to be a member of the honor society. Likewise, I also made the President’s List in spring 2016 and 2018. TSTC definitely facilitated my growth as a student.

What great lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

My takeaway from my time as a TSTC student is time management and organization of my priorities. This is something I struggled with at first, but eventually mastered.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success.

The entire faculty is wonderful, but the person that comes to mind is my Business Management

Technology Professor Dr. Edna Claus. She has been instrumental in my success here. TSTC as a whole is so helpful and provides the resources that students need to succeed.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to stay focused and not to lose sight of your goals.

Student Success Profile – Jose A. Trevino

(HARLINGEN) – Jose A. Trevino is a Building Construction Technology student at Texas State Technical College. The Brownsville native expects to earn his associate degree in Spring 2020.

Trevino said right after high school he enrolled at a local four-year university, but ultimately withdrew because he felt out of place and unfulfilled, so when he found TSTC and the building construction program he knew he had found his place.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I want to find a job in my field, either in the Rio Grande Valley or in Houston, and gain experience in residential construction.

What’s your dream job?

I want to grow within a company and become a project manager or construction site supervisor and eventually realize my dream of opening a residential construction business and a carpentry shop building furniture.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

The best decision I have ever made was coming to TSTC, which in turn has allowed me to achieve good grades in a field that I love.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that over thinking my next move  isn’t always a bad thing. It is sometimes a challenge because I get easily distracted with my thoughts, but sometimes it really helps me plan ahead and motivates me toward new ideas.

Who has had the most influence on your success?

The person who has influenced my success the most is my Veterans Memorial High School carpentry teacher Mr. Ted Carver. He is the one who advised and encouraged me to check out TSTC’s building construction program after I left the university. Because of him, I am where I am today.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to choose to do what you really love, be prepared for class and keep an eye on your goal. Finish college and start your career.

 

Recycling pays off for TSTC students

(HARLINGEN) – Thanks to the help of the Texas State Technical College community, the TSTC Student Government Association was able to bring home the win with more than 7,600 pounds of recycled products collected for the Keep Harlingen Beautiful Recycling Contest.

SGA was recently presented with a $500 check to use toward other recycling and community service efforts for this achievement.

“We are so proud of them,” said TSTC Executive Director of Student Life Adele Clinton. “Our students are creating a culture of recycling around campus. And we’re excited to see how participation has grown and how people are thinking consciously now about what they recycle and throw away.”

For five years now, Keep Harlingen Beautiful has hosted a recycling contest among the public and private schools of Harlingen, Marine Military Academy and TSTC.

From September 1 to March 31, each campus collects newspapers, papers, cans and plastic bottles in hopes of being the campus with the most recycled products at the end of the contest.

“TSTC’s recyclables more than doubled that of the other campuses,” said Keep Harlingen Beautiful Executive Director Melissa Boykin. “TSTC students are an amazing group to work with, they always show up and go above and beyond.”

TSTC currently has 35- and 40-gallon, blue recycle bins across campus, with at least one located in every building, and 135 smaller bins in each dorm room.

SGA President Thalia Gutierrez said she is excited about the group’s recent accomplishment and glad others on campus are starting to see the difference recycling can make.

“We can’t stress the importance of recycling enough at student events and new student orientations,” she said. “I’ll admit I wasn’t into recycling before joining TSTC’s initiative, but now I recycle everywhere, at home, at the beach picking up cans and bottles that litter our community.”

Gutierrez also added, “We encourage students to recycle not only for contests, but to help keep our environment clean and beautify our community.”

TSTC and Keep Harlingen Beautiful have a long-time partnership that has been in place for at least a decade.

With this partnership, TSTC has been able to arrange recycle pickup with Keep Harlingen Beautiful and receive funding for major community service projects such as National Make a Difference Day.

“Whether the project is valued at $11,000 or $27,000, we can count on Keep Harlingen Beautiful,” said Clinton. “This is a huge testament to our students, their work ethic and commitment. They know our students will always come together to make our community a better place. This is truly a win-win partnership.”

Community service projects funded by Keep Harlingen Beautiful include park and neighborhood cleanups and the planting of flowers and shrubs along walking trails, parks and canal banks. Volunteer hours for such projects account for at least $8,000, saving the city money and manpower.

All recycled material Keep Harlingen Beautiful receives from contests or throughout the year from the community is purchased and all of the money Keep Harlingen Beautiful collects goes back into these beautification projects for the city.

“TSTC is one of my favorite campuses to work with,” said Boykin. “Every volunteer from TSTC is great and we’re excited at the growth we have seen in the number of volunteers from the college. We love having them and we look forward to our continued partnership.”

TSTC HVAC students head to SkillsUSA nationals

(HARLINGEN) – With the SkillsUSA national competition around the corner, three men from the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen are preparing in hopes of bringing home the gold.

Muhammad Khan, Javier Garcia and Leonel Garza Jr. will be traveling this weekend to Louisville, Kentucky for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.

SkillsUSA is a professional organization teaching technical, academic and employability skills that help high school and college students pursue successful careers. Members build these skills through student-led team meetings, hands-on competitions, leadership conferences and other activities.

Khan wants a chance to redeem himself.

Khan is attending the SkillsUSA national competition for a second year and again competing in the Sheet Metal Technology category. Last year he came up short of a gold medal, but he hopes to change that this time around.

“When I won gold at state and learned I’d be heading to nationals once again I was excited for the second chance,” said Khan. “Last year was my first competition ever and this year I know what to expect, so I hope that gives me a leg up.”

The Los Fresnos native has been preparing tirelessly alongside his HVAC instructor Rogelio Longoria.

During competition, Khan is required to design a duct layout, cut the sheet metal and build the duct, so that’s exactly what he has been practicing.

“All of the skills we learn in class are the skills we need to be successful at Skills,” said Khan. “And with the help of Longoria, I’ve been able to use the program’s labs, tools and materials to prepare. Because of this, I’m ready.”

Garcia, on the other hand, has found success in a non-related HVAC category: Robotics Urban Search and Rescue.

The Brownsville native and his partner Martin Ramos from Mechatronics Technology are the only robotics team representing Texas so they have been working overtime to ensure their remote control robot is ready for competition.

“We’ve made a pretty good team and have been able to come together,” said Garcia. “We’ve given up a lot of our free time, but we know it’s going to be worth it.”

The next challenge for the men will be to prepare their robot in one hour at the competition to complete an obstacle course, find and lift a fake bomb.

“I had my first taste of robotics in high school, and I’m glad I have the opportunity to give it a try again,” said Garcia. “And this is such a large competition that I’m excited to meet other like- minded people and to learn from each other.”

Last but not least, is Garza. He will have an entirely different experience at SkillsUSA from his peers.

The McAllen native who is president of the TSTC SkillsUSA chapter, is also HVAC Technology’s first state officer. He is one of six students representing Texas at the national conference.

At the state competition held in Waco earlier this year, Garza applied for the position, ran a campaign and had to address at least 200 SkillsUSA delegates in hopes of receiving the majority vote.

“My goal is to be able to provide the moral support our competitors need, from both TSTC and across the nation,” said Garza. “And of course to represent TSTC and Texas well.”

As a state officer, Garza will serve a one-year term and will be responsible for helping SkillsUSA coordinators with conference logistics, preparing meeting and competition materials, preparing conference tote bags, grading competition exams and purchasing food and supplies.

This is Garza’s second time being elected state officer, but last year he had to forfeit the position because he was about to become a dad and this year he will miss his son’s first birthday.

Longoria, the men’s instructor, said he is proud of what they have accomplished in SkillsUSA this year and most in part because of the men’s hard work, time and sacrifice.

“This upcoming trip is a culmination of all of their hard work and prepping they have done outside of class during their free time,” said Longoria. “This is their reward. We’re rooting for the gold, but no matter the outcome I hope they know they’ve already made us proud.”

Khan, Garcia and Garza will join at least 50 other TSTC students statewide at the week-long event, June 25-29.

 

TSTC Student Spending the Summer at NASA Internship

(HARLINGEN) – Saul Pizano liked to watch space shuttle launches on television when he was growing up.

Now, that fascination with space is enabling the Texas State Technical College student to learn from professionals in their environment.

Pizano, 22, began a summer internship in June in NASA’s Lithium Ion Battery Thermal Management System at Johnson Space Center in Houston. His role is to help design a thermal management system used in batteries for usage in space. He is scheduled to finish in mid-August with an option of continuing in the fall.

“Anything that is sent into space requires power requires batteries,” Pizano said.

Mark Rosas, an instructor in TSTC’s Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics program, said internships are important for a student’s future success in the workplace.

“Internships in general are awesome,” he said. “They (the students) get real-world experience and learning beyond a classroom setting. It puts you one step above a competitor in a job search.”

Pizano took a week off from his internship to compete in late June on a two-man team in Additive Manufacturing at SkillsUSA’s 54th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The competition involved using knowledge of 3-D printing and computer aided drafting.

“You are applying what you learn at SkillsUSA and can apply this to work,” he said.

The trip to Kentucky also marked the first time Pizano had been out of Texas.

“I want to travel more,” he said. “There are so many things to experience.”

Pizano grew up in Harlingen and graduated in 2014 from Harlingen High School.

“I helped my dad a lot when I was smaller,” he said. “He would take me out to these construction sites. I loved seeing how all the houses are designed. I liked the idea of creating something from nothing.”

Pizano graduated from TSTC in 2016 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics and earlier this year received an Associate of Science degree in Physics.

After his internship, he wants to study mechanical engineering and physics at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

“We tell our students that finishing an associate degree is only a stepping stone into something better,” said David Campos, TSTC’s statewide division director for Architecture, Science and Engineering Technology. “They can make a real good career out of it or as a stepping stone.”

Pizano wants to one day work full time in a civil service job at NASA.

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

TSTC Student Awarded National Construction Scholarship

(WACO) – Timothy Watkins grew up on a ranch in Milam County working on fences and repairing tractors.

“We built our house there and I got to be part of that,” he said.

Watkins, 24, a Building Construction Technology major at Texas State Technical College, did not know his talents would land a nationwide scholarship. The Cameron resident was one of 28 recipients of Fine Homebuilding’s #KeepCraftAlive Scholarship. He was honored at a reception at SkillsUSA’s 54th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in late June in Louisville, Kentucky.

He said he was grateful for the $2,500 scholarship.

“I’ve been paying for each semester out-of-pocket, so it helps,” he said.

John Russell, an instructor in TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program, encouraged Watkins to apply for the scholarship given to SkillsUSA high school and college students, along with organization alumni, studying in the construction field.

SkillsUSA is a professional organization teaching technical, academic and employability skills that help high school and college students pursue successful careers.

Russell said he admired Watkins’ demeanor and attentiveness.

“His attention to detail is rarely surpassed,” Russell said. “He is an ‘A’ student in my classes. He always has the answer if called upon in class. He is soft spoken and respectful at all times.”

While at the SkillsUSA conference, Watkins represented TSTC and the state in the Cabinetmaking contest. It was the first time he participated in SkillsUSA.

“I’ve always been interested in challenging myself,” he said. “I was calm in the beginning of the competition. I did run into a mistake and was able to fix it. I tried to make the right cuts and be consistent. I’m definitely inspired to complete some more projects.”

Watkins graduated in 2012 from C.H. Yoe High School in Cameron. He did home remodeling as an after-school job.

“I’ve always been interested in being challenging myself,” Watkins said. “I’ve always loved building.”

Watkins is scheduled to graduate from TSTC in spring 2019 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology.

After graduation, Watkins wants to work in the construction field in the Austin area.

For more information on Texas State Technical College or to register for fall classes,  go to tstc.edu.

 

Temple Business Finding Value in TSTC Alumni

(WACO) — In the fast lane it can be easy to forget the importance of family values, but for the folks at Wisener’s Auto Clinic, LLC, family is what keeps the engine running smoothly.

For over 30 years, Wisner’s has prided itself on serving the Bell County area with honest and efficient work, entrusting two TSTC graduates to help preserve that mission.

“We need to look at our business with a servant’s heart and provide the highest level of service to our community and others,” Neil Wisener, president, said.

Justin Dillard and Chris Duffy are both TSTC alumni working at Wisener’s. Dillard graduated in 2013 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology and Duffy graduated in 2002 with a certification in Industrial Maintenance. Dillard has been with the company for a year while Duffy has been with the company for the past two and a half years.

“It’s been great with Wisener’s because it’s family-based. I worked with Bill, Neil’s dad, and Neil, and they really do want you to be your best and keep training to be better,” Duffy said.

After graduating, Dillard felt confident to enter the workforce and credits his time at TSTC for helping him to succeed.  

“I like working on cars because it’s always something different and TSTC really prepared me for the industry and interviews so that I can do what I love,” Dillard said.

During the hiring process at Wisener’s, Neil asks applicants what their goals are to determine if they are dedicated to providing the level of service his company is known for.

“We’ve always looked at TSTC students because they’ve always stood out to us as good interview candidates,” Wisener said. “Those that come out of TSTC seem to have their act together and are clearly focused in advancing their skills and careers.”  

Both alumni agree that their time at TSTC and Wisener’s is allowing them to grow in their careers, while still having time for family.

“I got started working on cars with my dad and my brothers went to TSTC for industrial maintenance too. Family is important to me just like it is to the Wisener’s,” Duffy said.

Wisener’s Auto Clinic, LLC was purchased by Bill Wisener, Jr. in 1987. Neil Wisener purchased it after his father retired in 2009. There are two locations in Temple.

With TSTC as a partner, the future is bright for the established auto shop and the graduates hired to work there.

Registration for fall classes at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Student Uses Gift of Education to Keep Giving

(WACO) — Education may be the key to creating a better life for oneself, but for Texas State Technical College student Taylor Dudik, it’s also the opportunity to create a better life for others.

Dudik is a second-semester Instrumentation Technology student who plans to use her degree as a way to support her five-year-old daughter and stay involved in various philanthropic activities.

Dudik finds time in her busy schedule to volunteer with the Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center in Waco, as well as fostering  animals through Gray Mutts Rescue and Sanctuary in Clifton and running T&B Doggie Haven in Aquilla.

“I wish I could do more. This degree and the job that will follow are going to allow me to help and do more,” Dudik said. “It will allow me to give money and have more time to donate. I love helping people; it just makes me happy.”

Dudik’s life can be hectic at times, but she is determined to set an example for her daughter.

“I’m a single mom, and I want my daughter to see me as an example of ‘girl power,’” Dudik said. “I want her to see that you can go out and do anything you want, and for her to always have those values of helping people, no matter what.”

Dudik’s giving attitude made an impression on her instructors and subsequently helped her get to know one of her neighbors.

“Taylor and I found out we live on the same road in the first few days of class,” said Linda Martin, TSTC senior instructor of Instrumentation, Computer Controls and Robotics. “Even in my first impression, she came off as very happy to be there and focused and just an open person, which will help her big-time in the field.”

Martin and Dudik both encourage women to enter the instrumentation field and take advantage of the financial opportunities that can follow.

“For a woman who is not afraid to get outdoors and get to work, you can provide for yourself. Especially for single mothers, it’s great because you can provide for your family and have insurance and be able to thrive on your own,” Martin said.

Dudik was pleasantly surprised to have a female instructor and to see other women in her classes. She thoroughly supports anyone who has an interest in the field.  

“If you’re a girl, you can do anything you feel like. And don’t be embarrassed or ashamed — just do it,” Dudik said. “Don’t be scared to put some boots on, get your safety glasses, get your hard hat, and let’s go!”

Dudik plans to graduate in spring 2019 with an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Registration for fall classes at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

 

Houston Company, TSTC Alumnus Help Support BCT Program

(WACO) – The driver of the semi-trailer truck made the turn onto Airline Drive and maneuvered left into a driveway next to Texas State Technical College’s Building Construction Technology building. A BCT faculty member sat ready with a forklift to begin unloading the vehicle’s contents.

And, the items kept coming and coming.

“I think it’s great,” said Chris Porter, a TSTC in Waco BCT instructor and master plumber. “It’s a great relief for our department.”

The semi-trailer truck carried more than 1,300 pieces of lumber from Boise Cascade in Sugar Land and 80 pieces of No. 2 and BTR (better) Douglas fir lumber from Weyerhaeuser Co. in Houston. The items were delivered by Double G Forest Products in Navasota. The nine bundles of lumber is valued at slightly less than $14,000.

The in-kind gift was from Camden Living in Houston and organized by Steve Hefner, senior vice president of construction and a graduate of the BCT program at TSTC in Waco.

“I’m a huge advocate of TSTC and I believe strongly in our workforce and technical schools that provide a benefit to this country,” he said.

Michael Carrillo, a TSTC Building Construction Technology instructor, said the gift means he and other instructors can have students work on larger scale hands-on projects in classes.

“It’s pushing the efforts in what we are trying to do to help the workforce,” Carrillo said. “The students get what they need. We can expand and grow labs and make them more complex. It gives them more realistic scenarios.”

Hefner also made a $2,500 gift to the Building Construction Technology program for SkillsUSA. SkillsUSA is a nationwide professional organization teaching technical, academic and employability skills that help college and high school students pursue successful careers. TSTC’s Building Construction Technology program has students that participate in cabinet making, carpentry, plumbing, electrical and group construction contests on the state and national level.

“These will be life changing moments for the students in the future,” Hefner said.

Carrillo said the money could be used to purchase uniforms and hard hats for the program’s SkillsUSA participants to use at yearly competitions and scholarship opportunities for future students.

“One of the biggest expenses a student has are uniforms,” he said. “SkillsUSA are the top notch students. SkillsUSA provides a pathway to a company.”

Porter said he hoped the construction students would value the gifts. And, he said he wants one day for the students to contribute in their own ways to the program long after graduating.

“I hope they do see there are good people in the world who really want to help a good program,” he said.

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

 

TSTC Wins Medals at National SkillsUSA Conference

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College won medals in four events at Friday night’s closing ceremony of SkillsUSA’s 54th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

The ceremony was electric as delegations of high school and college students from Hawaii to Puerto Rico filled Freedom Hall and cheered for medalists and SkillsUSA’s new national officers.

TSTC alumnus Jeremiah Stones won the gold medal in Computer Programming. Category contestants had to solve computer programming problems.

Stones, 33, grew up in Waco and graduated in December from TSTC with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Programming Technology. He took the week off from his job as a computer programmer at Citibank in Irving to make the trip to Kentucky.

Stones competed in 2017 at the national conference in 3D Visualization and Animation.

“I felt like I knew what to expect,” he said. “I feel I got more of an appreciation of what builds people’s skills and how to work hard to be successful.”

The TeamWorks group of Jack Chance, Ricardo Delgado, Joseph Hermann and Andres Zapata won the silver medal. This is TSTC’s first TeamWorks group ever to receive a national medal.

“We need to take this as a learning experience,” Zapata said. “We will use this as motivation. It was fun to hang out with these guys and approach this build as a team.”

The team of Dylan Borg and Travis Pitrucha won a bronze medal in Interactive Application and Video Games Development. The students had to produce an original sample of an interactive video game or multimedia application.

“The conference meant working until about 5:30 a.m. the morning of the competition,” said Pitrucha, 27, of Temple. “It was solid work. Presenting was cool because of what we made. The judges were really nice.”

Juan Alcala won a bronze medal in Collision Repair Technology.

Alcala, 20, of Bertram, is an Auto Collision and Management Technology graduate working on an Advanced Technical Certificate in Auto Collision Refinishing that he will receive in December.

Alcala credited Jacob Pevia, an instructor in TSTC’s Auto Collision and Management Technology program, for helping him develop his skills for the competition. One of the tasks Alcala did in his competition was a damage analysis.

“It is an experience I would do two, three or four more times,” Alcala said. “It’s just great seeing what is in the competitions and how it relates to the real world and the up-to-date equipment.”

TSTC students from Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, Waco and West Texas participated in the conference. The students qualified for the national conference by winning SkillsUSA Texas’ state conference in April in Waco.

For more information on SkillsUSA, go to skillsusa.org.

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