(HARLINGEN) – Texas is known as one of the states with the highest number of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients, which is why Texas State Technical College, which serves more than 200 undocumented students, will focus its Fourth Annual Empowerment Conference on the issue.

This year’s conference, hosted by TSTC’s Student Support Services department, will be held on January 25 at the TSTC Cultural Arts Center from noon to 5 p.m. and is titled: DACA: The Dreamer’s Challenge.

“This issue is one that has had a huge impact in our area and our state,” said Student Support Services Coordinator Patty Flores. “There are so many students who are uncertain about their future in the United States and are lost and confused with how to handle the situation.”

Flores said the goal of the event is to provide the resources DACA recipients, their families, friends and advocates need to make informed and educated decisions about their next steps.

The half-day event will include three speakers: Abraham Diaz, La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) education specialist, Gabriel Sanchez, Texas Rural Aid and Ana Villegas, Villegas Law Office immigration attorney.

Presentations on “DACA and Know Your Rights,” Texas Rural Legal Aid Services and “Be Prepared,” will be presented by the speakers, respectively.

“Our goal is to educate and empower with information,” said Flores. “This isn’t an issue that only affects those who are undocumented. It’s affecting their children and families as well.”

To close this year’s event, the Harlingen High School Drama Department will perform their play, “Tracks: Inspired by Real Events.”

The play is dedicated to those who have suffered on the journey and lost their lives while immigrating to the United States seeking a better life and the American Dream.

The conference, which has touched on other issues such as human trafficking, drugs and cultural awareness, is open and free to the public.

“We encourage everyone from TSTC students, staff and faculty to the community to attend,” said Flores. “This is an issue that hits close to home for many.”

To register and reserve your seat visit Eventbrite at http://bit.ly/2mkbpMX. The last day to register is January 24.

For more information, call TSTC Student Support Services at 956-364-4525.

(HARLINGEN) – Alex Meade joins the Texas State Technical College family as a newly appointed Board of Regent with nearly two decades of experience in the economic studies and economic development arena.

The Brownsville native and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mission Economic Development Corporation was recently appointed to serve a six-year term as a TSTC Board of Regent by Texas Governor Greg Abbot.

“I’m really honored to serve as a regent for TSTC,” said Meade. “I look forward toenhancing Texas’ highly skilled workforce and continue to support the Governor in keepingTexas competitive.”

Meade took the lead role of CEO at Mission EDC in 2011 and since then has attracted businesses such as Black and Decker, Rexnord, Southwest Steel and Royal Technologies that have created hundreds of jobs.

He has also implemented programs such as Ruby Red Ventures, a small business fund for the citizens of Mission; Code the Town, which promotes computer science education; and Mission EDC’s Center for Education and Economic Development, a 55,000 square-foot center which aims to create an entrepreneurial, science, technology, engineering, art and math (E-STEAM) ecosystem.

“Our job at the EDC is to not only recruit companies and support small business, but to develop the talent that will create a ready workforce,” said Meade. “It’s the same task TSTC focuses on daily, which is why I’ve always been a huge fan of the college.”

The newly appointed regent said his goal is to support the chancellor with his initiatives and continue to ensure that TSTC stays on the forefront of today’s global economy.

“What the chancellor is doing is remarkable and unique,” said Meade. “TSTC is unlike any other state institution and can pivot to changing technology trends and growing industry demands.”

TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser said it is an honor to have Meade and his talents on board.

“Mr. Meade’s extensive professional experience in business and economic development will be a great resource for the TSTC Board of Regents,” said Reeser. “We’re especially honored to have representation from the South Texas region, which is home to one of our flagship campuses.”

Meade received his bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1999 from St. Edward’s University, a Master of Business Administration in 2006 from the University of Texas in Brownsville and a Master of Public Administration in 2015 from the University of Texas-Pan American.

Meade’s experience dates back to his very first job after college with Southern Union Gas Corporation as a cost analyst. He has also worked at Grant Thornton, LLP as a management consultant in the Global Public Sector in Washington D.C.; Burton McCumber and Cortez, LLP as the manager of litigation support; Long Chilton, LLP as a senior accountant; and the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce as the interim director and manager of economic development.

“I worked closely with TSTC when I was with the Harlingen Chamber and I saw the impact they had in our area and across the state,” said Meade. “TSTC is the only institution in Texas ready and capable of keeping the state competitive.”

Also leading the way in the community, Meade has served on local boards such as RGV LEAD, Teach for America-Rio Grande Valley, Border Trade Alliance and RGV Partnership.

Serving his state, Meade has also been appointed by Abbott to the Texas Economic Development Corporation and by Governor Rick Perry to the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners and the Governor’s Advisory Board of Economic Development Stakeholders.

“Texas’ workforce and the skills required are constantly changing,” he said. “I’m excited to have the opportunity of working with this great institution in training for the jobs of tomorrow.”

(HALRINGEN) – In 1989, Tony Abad graduated from Texas State Technical College with an associate degree in Drafting and Design, little did he know then that he would be back nearly 30 years later to serve as a TSTC Board of Regent.

The Pharr native was recently appointed by Governor Greg Abbot to a six-year term as a member of the TSTC Board of Regents and said he is honored for the appointment and the opportunity of working with a great team.

“I am so honored that the governor appointed me as a regent for a college that taught me everything I know,” said Abad. “TSTC opened a huge door for me and I want to help do the same thing for others.”

Abad is a Mechanical Design Engineer with Syber Jet Aircraft in San Antonio with three decades of experience in aircraft modification. He’s also a respected community leader, activist and volunteer.

Abad said his goal as a regent is to continue the tradition of a technical education and to help fill the skills gap in the Texas workforce.

“I want to make sure that our instructors always have the resources they need to train our students and stay up to date on the technology and procedures industry uses,” said Abad. “I also want to educate our communities on the importance of a technical education and the type of career opportunities it can provide.”

TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser said he is honored to have Abad serving on TSTC’s Board of Regents.

“Mr. Abad is a graduate of TSTC in Harlingen and has achieved an outstanding level of professional success,” said Reeser. “Having an alumnus as a member of the Board is a testament to the possibilities provided to our graduates, so we’re excited to have his unique perspective as part of our governing body.”

Abad, a husband and father of three has climbed the ladder and he said it is all thanks to his two-year degree.

“When I went back to school I was a shoe salesman and it wasn’t cutting it,” he remembers. “I had a family to support like many of our students do. And TSTC helped me do that.”

Immediately after graduating, he went to work with Chrysler Technologies in Waco as a drafter and through some changes and 25 years in the industry he finally became a Senior Mechanical Designer and Chief Engineer Liaison.

“TSTC helped start my life and take care of my family,” he said. “From a couple making $12,000 a year combined to earning $35,000 a year, our income nearly tripled. We were in our early twenties, so it was a ‘wow’ moment for us.”

As a leader in his community, Abad has also served as a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of McLennan County, Prosper Waco Financial Branch Committee and Waco school board committees. He was also past president of the Hispanic Republican Club of McLennan County, Waco Sunrise Rotary and Sanger Heights Neighborhood Association.

In his free time, Abad helps friends who are running for local, state and nationwide positions campaign, encourages people to register to vote and engage with their elected officials, spends time with his family and reads books such as “The Complacent Class” by Tyler Cowen.

“I love being busy and getting involved,” said Abad. “I’m excited for everything that’s to come and ready for my responsibilities as a TSTC Board of Regent.”