(HARLINGEN) – Brownsville native Moses Guerrero is an Automotive Technology student at Texas State Technical College. He expects to earn his certificate in Summer 2018.

When the 20-year-old isn’t busy studying or working on cars he volunteers with TSTC’s Student Life Office, Student Government Association and TSTC’s Automotive Car Club.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I hope to work at a ranch as a technician for heavy duty equipment such as tractors. I also plan on continuing my education to pursue certification as a marine technician.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become a marine technician and work on boats. I hope to either work on a cruise ship or open my own shop.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment has been passing all of my classes with A’s and B’s and learning how to operate the machinery and tools I need to have a successful career in my industry.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that if I work hard and maintain focus I can achieve my goals and ace my skills.

Who at TSTC has had the most influence on your success?

My automotive instructor Adan Gutierrez has had the most influence on my success. He has so much experience in the field and is full of knowledge that he loves sharing with all of his students. He is an inspiration and I hope someday that I can be as successful as he is.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to use all of the resources available to you, from the Student Center to the library, don’t be afraid to ask questions and get involved.

(HARLINGEN) – With recent school shootings and always a plan on how to be proactive, Texas State Technical College recently hosted a Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (C.R.A.S.E.) training for all students, faculty and staff.

The training was hosted by TSTC’s Police Department and presented by Sargent Eduardo Patiño.

TSTC Police Chief Aurelio Torres opened the training with a message.

“This training is not meant to scare you, but to teach you situational awareness,” said the chief. “By the time you leave today you will know how to create a plan and take action should the need arise.”

Torres added that an active shooter is only one of the many man-made hazards someone can face.

C.R.A.S.E. was developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) program at Texas State University in 2004 and has since grown into a world-wide comprehensive training.

In April 2017, TSTC’s Police Department hosted more than 100 law enforcement officials from across the state for the C.R.A.S.E. Train the Trainer course. The first for the Valley.

At TSTC, nine officers in the police department are certified to teach this material.

“You are not helpless. What you do matters,” Patiño told his audience.

He reviewed the defined actions an individual can take in the face of an emergency: Avoid, Deny, Defend.

“If you can leave, leave. If you can’t leave, deny access by locking a door, creating a blockade and turning off lights and if you have to, defend yourself and those around you,” he said. “Our goal is to get you to deliberate an action, fight or flight. Don’t freeze.”

According to Patino’s presentation, there were 179 active shooter cases between 2000 and 2014, with an increase of shooter events at education and commercial entities through the years.

TSTC’s Provost Cledia Hernandez said it is TSTC’s goal to be proactive and equip the TSTC community with the information and training they need to be prepared.

“One well-trained person can make a difference and change the outcome of a situation,” she said. “If one can do this, imagine a whole team.”

TSTC allied health student Candie Cerda said the presentation was an eye opener.

“I never really took the time to think about what I would do in an emergency situation,” said Cerda. “After today I feel more prepared to take action during the unexpected. I’m also going to share this information with my sister who is a teacher. You just never know.”

Cerda went on to say that she feels safe at TSTC, but even though, she is pleased that the college hosts trainings like C.R.A.S.E.

TSTC works year-round to ensure the safety of the entire TSTC community by helping staff and faculty with department walkthroughs and assessments and making sure there is a plan in place.

The TSTC Police Department is also working closely with the college’s Student Government Association to create presentations specifically for students.

“Our job is to serve and protect and equip everyone with the tools they need to make the best decisions during an incident,” said Torres. “Being proactive is important and it begins by encouraging others to report suspicious activity and with training.”

To report suspicious activity on campus, call the TSTC Police Department at 956-364-4220.

(HARLINGEN) – For the first time in nearly a decade, Texas State Technical College’s Interview Practicum saw its highest number of participants and had to be extended to three days.

The Interview Practicum is hosted every Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters by TSTC’s Industry Relations and Talent Management Office and usually lasts two days.

At least 260 soon-to-be TSTC graduates from 17 programs attended this year’s event that consisted of mock job interviews, resumè building and interview skills workshops.

Each student participated in three rounds of interviews, each 30 minutes long, and is provided constructive feedback on how to improve his/her resumes and interview skills.

“The growth the program has seen is exciting,” said TSTC Industry Relations and Talent Management Director Viviana Espinosa. “This is the highest number of students we’ve ever had participate.”

Espinosa added that she is happy to see an increased amount of faculty gaining awareness of the interview practicum and are taking advantage of it for their students.

“We host these events for our students with the goal of helping them gain the confidence they need for a successful job interview,” said Espinosa. “For some this is their first interview ever and it’s important they practice talking about their skills and themselves. This is the hardest thing to do.”

TSTC Wind Energy Technology student Wade Reynolds said he loves that TSTC holds events like this for its students.

“It’s thoughtful, useful and great all around,” he said. “I’m leaving today’s event more confident and prepared for the future. This was my first interview so now I know what to expect.”

The 21-year-old will be earning his associate degree next month and said he has already begun looking into jobs so the critiques he received were invaluable.

Viviana Aguiniga, TSTC Dental Hygiene student, will also be graduating in April and said the practicum was a great learning experience for her.

“I was so nervous coming in,” she said. “But now I’m leaving with great feedback, advice and more confidence. There’s no doubt that I’m prepared for what’s to come.”

She added that the interview process is no longer unknown territory for her and she is grateful to TSTC for providing this opportunity.

As the number of students who participate in the interview practicum grows, so does the number of volunteers who help coach these students.

More than 120 coaches made up of industry partners and community business leaders conducted 750 interviews during the length of the event, many of which go on to hire TSTC graduates.

Some coaches are seasoned and some are brand new and excited to join TSTC in this effort.

This was the first time Fastenal General Manager Gilbert Garcia.  Participated as a coach Fastenal also hires TSTC students for positions at their locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley and Kingsville.

“For me helping students succeed is a team effort and I’m looking forward to being a part of this process,” said Garcia. “TSTC has helped us a lot by sending us great graduates who are eager to learn and have a great work ethic. This is my way of giving back.”

Espinosa said she is looking forward to working closely with all industry partners and local business leaders for future interview practicums or other events such as the upcoming Industry Job Fair.

“We are so appreciative of everyone who comes out to help our students,” she said. “And we look forward to growing these relationships and getting our students placed.”

TSTC’s Industry Job Fair is April 5.

For more information on Interview Practicum or to become a volunteer coach call the Talent Management Office at 956-364-4940.

(HARLINGEN) – Harlingen native Jesse Lopez is an Education and Training student at Texas State Technical College. He expects to graduate with his associate degree in Spring 2021.

The 19-year-old is also active on campus as a Student Government Association (SGA) Senator for Education and Humanities and will be running for SGA Treasurer in the upcoming election.

When Lopez is not on campus, he can be found teaching music and singing with his church choir.

What are your plans after you graduate?

After I graduate I plan on transferring to Texas A&M – Kingsville through TSTC’s University Center and pursue a bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in music.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job in to become an elementary music teacher here in the Rio Grande Valley. I hope to inspire children to pursue music if that is their passion and to create musicians and artists for our area.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment so far at TSTC has been becoming a senator of the SGA. It has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone, meet new people and help make a difference.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is to never say no. Always try something new and help people out. You never know what you’re going to learn or who you’re going to meet.

Who at TSTC has had the most influence on your success?

The people who have had the most influence on my success are the SGA officers: President Isela Rodriguez, Vice President Thalia Gutierrez and Secretary Miguel Zamarripa. Last but not least, is TSTC Student Life Coordinator Belinda Palomino. They are all examples of great leaders and they have showed me what it takes to be one and have helped me grow as a student and person.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to be outgoing and active on campus. This is important because you need to have fun and enjoy college. It will make all the difference in your college experience.

(HARLINGEN) – With a notepad, pen and camera in hand, Texas State Technical College Digital Media Design student Robert Lopez walked around the J. Gilbert Leal Learning Resource Center (LRC) admiring paintings of vivid color and textures by Macarena Pena, also known as Ma K Art, during Thursday’s artist meet and greet.

“As a designer, artists like Macarena and events like this inspire my work and creativity,” he said. “Everything from the colors and textures are of great significance for me.”

Lopez and nearly 30 other visitors to the exhibit celebrated the artist and her works titled, “Sunday at Chapultepec” and “Remembering Mexico.”

The artist and McAllen native became blind in 1999 at the age of 30 after a sudden illness about a year before losing her sight, Pena had begun trying her hand at art and revived her artistic abilities as a blind artist in 2015 when she became co-founder of Visual Challenges Art.

Pena told students and community members that her memories have turned into dimensional shapes and there is no more darkness because of art and painting.

“It is not what I can do, but what I can inspire others to do that make the difference in my art,” Pena said.

Pena uses a painting form unique to her circumstance with the help of her husband and family. Her art begins with a sketch that is then outlined with a glue gun allowing the artist to feel her canvas and shapes when she paints with her hands.

“I tell everyone that my eyes are blind, but my mind and my brain are not,” said Pena. “I choose designs and colors based on memories from when I could see.”

All of Pena’s art can be touched by spectators. She said she will never put a “Do Not Touch” sign next her art.

“My main purpose with my art is to open doors to people who are visually impaired,” she said. “The texture I use opens vision.”

For nearly a decade, LRC Director Nancy Hendricks, has hosted artists like Pena and their exhibits as a way to expose students to the culture of art and those that contribute to it.

“I do this because I love art and the shows are a great way to engage our students and the community,” said Hendricks. “It’s a fun way to get our students involved and show off our campus.”

Hendricks said Pena came recommended and when she spoke to her and heard her story and journey she knew this was the exhibit she needed to display this year.

“Macarena is a fantastic person and artist,” said Hendricks. “She is an inspiration to many and I want our students to see that no matter what, you can be successful. And we are extremely grateful that Macarena’s work is in our library.”

As for Lopez, he said, “It was great getting to meet Macarena and talking to her about her inspirations for her work. I’m glad that TSTC gives us opportunities like this that we may not get otherwise.”

Pena’s art will be displayed through April 28 at the TSTC LRC. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

For more information on library resources or art shows call 956-364-4708.

(HARLINGEN) – For the first time in more than a decade, Education and Training students from Texas State Technical College participated in the recent SkillsUSA competition hosted at the college and are headed to state competitions in April.

“We are so excited and proud of our students,” said Education and Training Lead Instructor Myriam Aguila. “They have worked so hard and deserve this recognition. They have had quite the experience.”

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, contests, leadership conferences and other activities.

Education category contestants Mariela Aguirre and Miguel Hernandez both tied for first place, and Samantha Gutierrez received second place in the recent competition.

The Education and Training students earned their spot by creating individual lesson plans and applying them to TSTC’s NINOS Head Start class.

Aguirre, who is the mother of a three year old, created a lesson plan titled, “The Life Cycle of a Frog,” and said she felt more prepared than ever because of her experience with children. She is also a former nanny.

This was her first time competing with SkillsUSA.

“I prepared by testing the material on my son and assessing his reactions,” she said. “The courses I’m taking here at TSTC also played a huge role in my preparation. I was confident going in because of them.”

Each student had the opportunity to prepare their lessons plans beforehand. Hernandez created a lesson plan focused on the seasons of the year, while Gutierrez’s lesson concentrated on objects that sink or float.

Hernandez, who hopes to someday become a principal, created a dance for the children so they could easily identify and remember the seasons.

“My mom inspired my lesson plan with her Zumba,” he said with a laugh. “The children really enjoyed it and were engaged and by the end of it they were able to identify all four seasons,” he added proudly.

All three students agree that competing with each other can be intimidating, especially because they have become close in their SkillsUSA journey, but their goal is to help each other bring home the gold and earn a spot at nationals.

“We may not all be able to go to nationals, but hopefully at least one of us makes it,” said Gutierrez. “Our goal is to represent TSTC and our program well, gain experience and learn from each other.”

Aguirre, Hernandez and Gutierrez will be joining 75 other winners at the SkillsUSA state competition.

More than 3,000 Rio Grande Valley high school students competed as well.

“Having this many students advance to state is a testament to our teaching and training,” said Isaac Gonzalez, TSTC SkillsUSA Campus Coordinator and Lead Precision Manufacturing Technology and Welding instructor. “I’m so proud of how far our student have come and my hope for them is that they earn a spot at nationals. These students are the cream of the crop.”

Other areas of competition included technology, health and hospitality industries such as HVAC, Drafting and Design, Automotive, Nursing, Culinary and Mechatronics, where students are working to defend a national gold.

“SkillsUSA is a great experience for our students and allows them to network with others in their industries and makes them more competitive when applying for jobs,” said Gonzalez.

“SkillsUSA helps our students become better leaders, team players and professionals.”

Students will compete at the SkillsUSA state competition on April 12 and 13 at TSTC in Waco and SkillsUSA national competition will be held in Louisville, Kentucky on June 25 – 29.

For more information on the programs offered at TSTC, visit tstc.edu.