Category Archives: All TSTC

Student Success Profile – Jesus Hernandez

(HARLINGEN) – Jesus HernandezHarlingen native Jesus Hernandez is a Computer Systems Management Technology student at Texas State Technical College and expects to earn his associate degree this semester.

On top of maintaining a 3.4 grade-point average, the 21-year-old is also a student worker for the Office of Student Success as a Peer Mentor and volunteers around campus during registration rallies and new student orientations.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I hope to enter the workforce as an information technology (IT) technician and return to TSTC for an associate degree in Computer Networking and Security Technology or pursue a bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Computer Science.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to work my way up the ladder and become a supervisor at a hospital and manage its IT department.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment at TSTC has been completing my Academic Core and becoming a peer mentor motivating other students and helping them through challenges they face.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is from my mother and that is that patience and kindness take you a long way.

Who at TSTC has influenced your success the most?

The person who has influenced my success the most is my supervisor Norma Salazar, TSTC director for Instructional Tutoring. She has guided me and supported me in my job and my studies. She’s always willing to help and give advice. She is a great leader.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future and current TSTC students is to always keep an open mind, stick with your goals and work hard. It’s rewarding to have the opportunity to learn something and later be able to practice it and teach it to someone else.

TSTC Culinary Arts Watches Calendar for Winter Vegetables

(WACO) – The winter months mean an abundance of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and other vegetables for students to learn about in Texas State Technical College’s Culinary Arts programs.

Of Texas’ five growing zones, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, three include TSTC’s campuses. TSTC’s Culinary Arts program in Abilene is in a zone stretching from the Red River to the Rio Grande. The technical college’s Culinary Arts programs in Waco and Williamson County are in a zone extending from the Rio Grande to the Houston coast. And, TSTC’s Culinary Arts program in Harlingen is in a zone made up of the Rio Grande Valley.

TSTC students learn about the seasonality of vegetables in classes, said Aaron Guajardo, an instructor in the Culinary Arts program in Waco. He said paying attention to when vegetables are at their height of availability can mean more quantity and lower food and shipping costs.

“The flavors are going to be better because the conditions will be more favorable for them to grow,” Guajardo said.

Winter vegetables are those that are planted in the fall and early winter and are harvested before spring planting, said Colleen Foleen, a McLennan County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for family and community health.

“The roots and leafy greens are going to be the ones you are going to have,” Foleen said. “If you look when they are available at the stores it’s best from November to April. Things in season and grown fairly locally are going to have a higher nutrition value, will be cheaper and have no artificial means of sunlight to grow.”

Each of the state’s growing zones bring different soil, climates and planting schedules. For instance, beets can be planted about Aug. 15 in the Panhandle and as late as Dec. 15 in the Rio Grande Valley, according to the extension service. The Ruby Queen and Detroit Dark Red beets are available in Texas from October to April as growing seasons move southward, according to the extension service and the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Foleen said kale is currently being harvested and spinach and lettuce are growing well in McLennan County.

“It gets too hot here for most of the greens, but they will grow well in the wintertime,” she said. “We have a lot of vegetables that are winter that are considered spring and summer in other climates.”

Kayleen Mills, a Culinary Arts instructor at TSTC’s Abilene campus, uses celery and onions in stocks. Locally grown celery is available from December to April and onions can be planted in November and December in Central and South Texas with crops being available from March to August, according to the state extension service.

“It’s a huge money saver and time saver and it’s neat for the students to see it too,” Mills said. “Things like that do very well in the winter.”

Herbs are also available year-round throughout the state. Mills said she and other faculty members grow herbs in raised gardening boxes in the parking lot next to the T&P Depot in downtown Abilene.  

“The students see how intense the herbs are in flavor when you grow them versus purchasing them,” Mills said. “It’s a huge thing when you are manipulating recipes.”

Seeing when vegetables are in season helps with menu planning at TSTC’s student restaurants in Abilene, Harlingen and Waco.

“It comes down to how you get the best product at the end of the day,” Guajardo said.

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

TSTC HVAC Program Receives Equipment Donation

(RED OAK) – A Plano business recently donated more than $13,000 in Trane equipment to Texas State Technical College in North Texas.

TSTC’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program received five high-efficiency condensing units, five fan coils, two gas furnaces and an evaporator coil from Total Air & Heat Co.

Terry Robinson, a TSTC HVAC instructor with more than 20 years of industry teaching experience, said this was one of the largest equipment donations he has seen.

“The donated Trane equipment diversifies the equipment that students will work on as they install, maintain, troubleshoot and service in the HVAC training laboratory,” he said. “This is high-quality equipment with new technology that will enhance our students’ learning experiences.”

The family-owned company was founded in 1957 and provides residential and commercial boiler, heating and air conditioning installation and maintenance services in Collin and Dallas counties. The company has 45 employees.

“We stay active and keep in front of people, so we stay relevant for people to want to do business with us,” said Justin Lauten, a general manager at the business.

Lauten did not graduate from TSTC, but became familiar with the Red Oak campus when he took a statewide HVAC licensing preparation course from there.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate in HVAC Technology.

To learn more about making a gift to Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu/tstcfoundation.

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

 

Student Success Profile – Arelynn England

(HARLINGEN) – Arelynn EnglandArelynn England is a Biology student at Texas State Technical College. The McAllen native holds a 3.4 grade-point average and expects to earn her associate degree in Fall 2018.

The 20-year-old also stays busy by working as a student orientation leader, volunteering with the Student Government Association and interning with Texas State Representative Oscar Longoria.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I plan to return to TSTC for the Dental Hygiene program. I hope to work in the field after that and save money for dental school.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become an orthodontist and open a family dental clinic here in the RGV and help the people of my community.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment so far at TSTC has been receiving the internship opportunity with Representative Longoria. It goes to show that my hard work has not gone unnoticed.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is ‘do not quit.’ I’ve closed many doors because I would quit the moment things got hard. But I’ve learned to take every opportunity as a new adventure and make choices that I can be proud of.

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

Larissa Moreno, my former supervisor, has influenced my success the most. She makes hard work fun and helped me gain the confidence I need to believe in myself. She has helped me in more ways than she’ll ever know and has helped me see I can do more that I think I can.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is to get involved, be purposeful and diligent. Also, be a good student and work hard because it will get you far.

 

TSTC Receives Gold-Level Military Friendly School Award

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College prides itself in not only placing more Texans in good paying jobs, but also helping veterans transition to civilian life through education.

It is this mission that has earned TSTC the prestigious Gold-level Military Friendly School Award for 2018.

TSTC in Harlingen has been recognized as a Military Friend School for the eighth straight year, and this is the third year TSTC has received the distinction statewide.

TSTC serves more than 1,100 veterans and their dependents at all 10 campuses across the state.

Harlingen alone serves 337 veterans and veteran dependents.

 “Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much and TSTC is ready, willing and able to support them and their dependents,” said Interim Provost Rick Herrera. “TSTC is here to take care of our veterans and their families and help them succeed in their educational journey.”

With this award, the college’s military initiatives are being honored for their standard of excellence. The Military Friendly Gold Awards showcases the most powerful and effective programs, meaning TSTC is in the top 20 percent of the institutions ranked within their categories.

Only 541 schools nationwide have been recognized for excellence in different categories which distinguish a college based on the questions: “Are you military friendly?” and “How Military Friendly are you?”

For more than a decade, Military Friendly ratings have set the standard for companies and colleges demonstrating positive employment and education outcomes for veterans and their families.

“All of our Military Friendly award recipients set the standard for excellence,” said Daniel Nichols, chief product officer of Victory Media and head of Military Friendly development.

“They offer exceptional examples of what it means not just to build a program that meets federal requirements, but one that serves the military and veteran community from classrooms to careers.”

TSTC Veteran Center Director Steve Guevara said their goal as a center is to make honoring and serving TSTC student and employee veterans a top priority.

The Veteran Center serves as a centralized, one-stop shop for prospective and current veterans and their dependents. Here, veterans can get assistance with admission, financial aid, GI Bill and Hazlewood applications, in addition to other internal and external services and referrals to ensure a successful college experience.

The Veteran Center also serves as the meeting site for the Veteran Students Alliance Club, a club created to unite all students who have served the nation in any branch of the military during war or peacetime, and to promote a feeling of energy, support, knowledge and excitement to face challenges together.

“I hope TSTC veterans take away a sense of pride knowing that we (TSTC) truly do appreciate the sacrifices they have given during their services in the United States Armed Forces,” said Guevara. “We are committed to providing excellent service and veterans can be assured that TSTC is doing its very best in supporting the needs of veterans and their dependents. It brings me great joy to see my brothers and sisters at arms succeed.”

Guevara added that TSTC Veteran Services is working closely with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to provide services under the Veterans Upward Bound program and Veterans Affairs to bring the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program to the TSTC campus in Waco to increase the rate at which veterans graduate.   

For more information on TSTC’s Veteran Center call 956-364-4387.

TSTC Toys for Tots Campaign Brightens Holidays

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College recently hosted a holiday celebration for the families living in TSTC campus housing and the children of TSTC’s Early Head Start and NINOS Head Start programs complete with food, games, gifts and a visit from Santa Claus.

The gifts that were distributed to the children by Santa were donated by TSTC faculty and staff during TSTC’s annual Toys for Tots drive. In all, 176 toys were collected and distributed this year.

TSTC Toys for Tots is an annual tradition hosted by Support Services. TSTC employees have been collecting and distributing toys for close to two decades.

“The families we select for toy distribution have either low incomes or no incomes due to being full-time students at TSTC,” said Patty Flores, ­­­­Support Services coordinator. “Students make sacrifices to better their family, and this can be a difficult financial time for them. We believe their children should still get to experience the joy of opening a gift.”

Student Success Profile – Omar Reyes

(HARLINGEN) – Omar ReyesOmar Reyes is working toward an associate degree at Texas State Technical College in Computer Systems Management Technology. The Raymondville native is expected to graduate in Fall 2018.

When the 19-year-old is not studying or completing lab assignments, he is employed as a work study in the TSTC Talent Management and Career Services office and volunteers with the Intramural Sports Club.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I hope to start working as a computer maintenance technician and save enough money to continue my education and get a bachelor’s degree.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to someday work as an information technology technician with Apple or Samsung.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC has been receiving my very first job as a work study on campus. Plus, as a student it’s convenient to work and study at the same place.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned about myself is my ability to be a leader and have a passion for helping others. I discovered this about myself in my classes because instructors look to me to help other students. Also, in group projects I usually take the lead.

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

My instructor Jesus Herrera has had the greatest influence on my success. I have had him as an instructor every semester and he is always willing to lend a helping hand and answer all of my questions. He is also always willing to share his knowledge and experience with us.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

My advice for future TSTC students is don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. There is no shame in asking and there are no dumb questions.

TSTC Graduates First Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Specialist Class

First Heavy Duty Diesel Engine Grads

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College’s Continuing Education Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Specialist program recently graduated its first group of students.

The four men earned a certification of completion giving them the opportunity to work as diesel engine technicians. They have already found employment with PetroChem Transport, H-E-B, Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District and Ryder Truck Rentals, respectively.

Texas Workforce Solutions Cameron also donated a toolbox and tools to each graduate to use in their new careers.

The graduates are (left to right):  Joseph Wright, David Colunga, Juan Velez and Hector Garibay.

TSTC Food Drive Benefits Students Year-Round

(HARLINGEN) – More than 80 percent of Texas State Technical College students living in housing on the Harlingen campus have been helped by the TSTC Staff Senate food drive since November.

Participation by TSTC staff, faculty, students and the surrounding communities has made the annual drive a success in helping to fight hunger.

“We are so thankful for the help we have received so far,” said Staff Senate President Sharon Foster. “There is no need for a student to struggle with hunger.”

The drive has benefited TSTC’s Charlie’s Pantry, which serves students living on campus, and the Student Center Pantry, which serves students who commute to campus.

Both pantries rely exclusively on donations of food and money received during the drive. Before the drive, both pantries were struggling to keep food in stock.

TSTC Housing Director Yvette Garza said the help they have received from the Staff Senate food drive is appreciated by those running the pantry and the students it serves.TSTC Charlie's Pantry

“We have been able to keep our shelves stocked because of the generosity of the campus and local community,” said Garza. “We all need a little help every now and then, and these students are working so hard to complete their education. If our pantry can help take a small burden off of their shoulders, then we have fulfilled our purpose.”

TSTC Executive Director of Student Life Adele Clinton and Student Life Coordinators Belinda Palomino and Larissa Moreno are also very thankful to the Staff Senate and community members for their donations.

“Student Life and Engagement would like to give a big ‘thank you’ to all those who contributed to the food drive,” said Moreno. “With an average of more than 100 students seen each week, every item donated was stocked and received by our students. Thank you, Staff Senate, TSTC employees and community members, for your continued support.”

Winter Texan Debra Bates, a resident of both Harlingen and Colorado, donated numerous bags of groceries for the drive after reading about TSTC’s previous food drive in the Valley Morning Star.

“My first grandson recently started college. If he was hungry, I would want someone to help him,” she said. “Students have enough to worry about without having to worry about food and being hungry, and it’s awesome that donations like mine are helping these students.”

Monetary donations totaling more than $200 have been made by community members.

“With our efforts we are trying to take care of our students and alleviate their hunger,” said Foster. “We’re here to help them succeed and not have to decide between food, tuition or books.”

Recently Charlie’s Pantry was able to obtain a large freezer to store more foods such as TV dinners.

The hunger problem is not unique to colleges in South Texas. In a study done by Wisconsin HOPE Lab and Feeding America, 50 percent of college students nationwide struggle with not having enough food, with the majority clustered in the low-income, first-generation sector.

Foster added that the students’ needs are such that the food drive will be extended into TSTC’s Spring 2018 semester, although donations are accepted year-round.

The TSTC Staff Senate accepts both food and monetary donations. For more information, call 956-364-4023.

TSTC Students Have Easier FAFSA Application Process

(WACO) – Students planning to attend Texas State Technical College in the fall now have access to an online tool to decrease errors when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

The 2018-19 FAFSA includes an improved IRS Data Retrieval Tool, a feature that was not available starting in March because of security concerns surrounding financial aid availability for the 2017-18 academic year.

“It makes their process a lot easier if they can access the IRS Data Retrieval Tool,” said Jackie Adler, executive director of Financial Aid Administration at TSTC. “When they can do that, the income information pulls over from their income tax return onto the application and they don’t have to enter anything manually.”

Students started applying nationally for FAFSA in October using 2016 income tax returns.Adler said students are already being notified via email about financial aid awards for the fall.

In January, students will be able to submit financial aid paperwork through the technical college’s secure online portal instead of the present method of printing, mailing and hand-delivering, Adler said.

Adler said the U.S. Department of Education plans to unveil a FAFSA mobile app in 2018.

“Not only will students be able to access their information, but they can review their loans, see how much money they owe and make payments,” she said. “It will be like a one-stop shop for financial aid on the mobile app.”

Students can also look to scholarships, both in their technical programs and on TSTC’s 10 campuses, for extra financial help.

Karen Beach, director of donor retention for The TSTC Foundation, said students should complete a general scholarship application each semester to be eligible for scholarships that have money available.

The Snyder Helping Hands Scholarship is one of the general scholarships available to assist students with financial and life emergencies. Beach said students should go to their campus financial aid office to learn more about this and other scholarships.

A TSTC campus-specific scholarship recently received a boost with a contribution from its founder. The Rev. Earl Cantrelle of Longview gave $3,500 to the Clay Aaron Cantrelle Scholarship. The scholarship is named for Cantrelle’s grandson, a graduate of Marshall High School and TSTC, who died in a fire on May 8, 2010, at SSC Auto Center in Marshall. The younger Cantrelle had an associate degree in software engineering from TSTC.

Susan Wingate, assistant director of Financial Aid Administration at TSTC in Marshall, said only three students applied this year for the scholarship. The Cantrelle Scholarship is open to any major at TSTC in Marshall.

For more information on FAFSA, go to fafsa.ed.gov.

For more information on financial aid at TSTC, go to tstc.edu/financialaid.