Category Archives: All TSTC

TSTC in Waco Starts Fall Semester

(WACO) – Weston Potter, a Building Construction Technology major at Texas State Technical College, is a first-day-of-class veteran.

Potter, 21, from Mansfield, began the fall semester on Monday with the finish line in sight – he is scheduled to graduate in May and is ready to go to work.

“The first day is so good because it’s building a solid foundation for my future,” Potter said.

His advice for first-semester students at TSTC was to pay attention and know they will understand how to balance their new responsibilities.

Faculty members in Building Construction Technology and Welding Technology said their classes went smoothly Monday. Students visited the Student Services Center Monday morning to make final payment arrangements or visit the campus bookstore.

TSTC Provost Adam Hutchison was on the greenway early Monday morning greeting students.

“The first day of the fall semester is always special,” he said. “I love the excitement and buzz on campus as students fill up the sidewalks and make their way to class. There are many new faces who are just starting their journey with TSTC, and there are lots of familiar, returning students who are excited about finishing their degrees or certificates this term.”

Branden Paradis, 18, of Del Rio has several Del Rio High School alumni to learn from as he begins studying in the Welding Technology program. He arrived during the weekend to move into Village Oaks Apartments at TSTC and has already found where the Del Rio students are living.

“I’m excited for college and it is cooler that I can be with my classmates,” Paradis said. “I learned about TSTC from my instructor. I applied first then visited the campus and was impressed with what I saw.”

The first day of the semester ended with a dodgeball tournament held at the Murray Watson Jr. Student Recreation Center as part of Welcome Week. Other activities this week include a game night, pool tournament and block party.

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

 

TSTC Graduate Finds Solutions to Work Challenges at Houston Company

(WACO) – Parker Schellhaas of Spring grew up knowing his future career had to involve working with his hands.

But, he was not sure what path he would take after graduating in 2010 from Cypress Woods High School in Harris County.

“I was told about Texas State Technical College by my wife’s uncle, who was working at Luminant at the time,” said Schellhaas, 25. “His company was getting quality employees from TSTC. We visited TSTC one weekend to check out the different programs they offered at an open house.”

Schellhaas graduated in 2015 from TSTC with an Associate of Applied Science degree in what is now Facilities Maintenance and Management.

He is now a facilities technician at Data Foundry in Houston and works alongside co-workers troubleshooting and finding solutions. Schellhaas said he wants to professionally grow with the company and eventually work on a bachelor’s degree to move into management.

“I wouldn’t say there is a typical day,” Schellhaas said. “It can vary from doing paint touch- ups around the site to working on HVAC and power equipment.”

He said he has learned on the job about the value of teamwork.

“In facilities, you start at the bottom and prove your way to the top,” Schellhaas said. “No matter what the job asks, it is your responsibility to do it.”

TSTC offers the Associate of Applied Science degree in Facilities Maintenance and Management in Waco. The degree includes classes in hydraulics, electrical theory, blueprints, piping standards and boiler maintenance. Students are exposed to building, electrical and safety codes and learn about paperwork and retention. Students also learn about Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

Michael Hubbard, lead instructor in the Industrial Maintenance and Engineering Department, based the curriculum around professional competencies developed by the International Facility Management Association.

Program graduates are encouraged to apply for IFMA credentials, which are recognized worldwide, Hubbard said. The organization’s credentials are for Facility Management Professional, Sustainability Facility Professional and Certified Facility Manager.

“We don’t need managers (in the field), we need leaders,” Hubbard said.

Texas had more than 110,000 general facilities and maintenance workers in May 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Woodlands – Houston – Sugar Land metropolitan area had the most workers in Texas with more than 27,800 people, while the Waco area had more than 900 people in the field in May 2016.

General facilities and maintenance positions are expected to increase by 83,500 nationwide through 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Other professions that graduates can pursue include building and systems analysis, facility maintenance, building automation control, building inspections, facility management and plant maintenance engineering.

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

 

Student Becomes First at TSTC in Waco to Get AWS Certification

(WACO) – Zackary Palomin can always say he was the first.

Palomin, 22, of League City and a student at Texas State Technical College in Waco, in mid-August became the first Cloud and Data Center Management program student to get the Amazon Web Services Certified Solution Architect – Associate certification. The certification is for two years and can be renewed with additional testing. AWS is a worldwide cloud platform that includes storage, networking, analytics, artificial intelligence and other features.

“My eyes were wide open,” Palomin said when he found out he passed the test.

Palomin’s instructor, Andy Kroll in TSTC’s Cloud and Data Center Management program, has used the Amazon Web Services Academy Cloud Computing Architecture curriculum in the Cloud Deployment and Infrastructure Management course since January. Cloud and Data Center Management majors take this course in the fifth semester and learn about data security, data storage, cloud computing, the AWS cloud and other topics.

“It’s the most in-demand certification in information technology,” Kroll said. “Everyone wants to go to the cloud, but there aren’t enough people to take them to the cloud.”

Palomin is a triple major at TSTC. He graduated in December 2016 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration and in August 2017 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cloud and Data Center Management. He is scheduled to graduate in December 2017 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cyber Security.

“I decided the second-to-last semester before I was going to graduate with my first degree to take my mother’s advice and keep going and explore more,” Palomin said.

Palomin was born in New Mexico and moved to Texas in 2001.

“I was a curious child,” he said. “I had an interest in taking things apart. I had an interest in my parents’ computer when they used the Windows 2000 program.”

Palomin learned about TSTC when a recruiter visited Clear Falls High School in League City, where he graduated in 2014.  He was also involved in technical theater.

Palomin is active in SkillsUSA and the Cyber Centurions organizations at TSTC. Away from clubs and studying, Palomin likes to watch YouTube videos and read about random subjects through Google searches.

After finishing at TSTC, Palomin wants to work in the Houston area.

For more information on Amazon Web Services, go to aws.amazon.com.

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

 

 

TSTC Welding Graduate Continues to Prove Talents

(WACO) – Kacy Crook is one for proving people wrong.

“I wanted to do welding in high school,” said Crook, 20, of Tyler and a recent graduate of Texas State Technical College. “My teacher said I could do it. I welded and cut one thing, and then he put me on the plasma table.”

Crook graduated Aug. 18 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology at TSTC in Waco. She walked across the stage at the Waco Convention Center with more than 500 students from the Waco, North Texas and Williamson County campuses.

Crook’s parents and aunts attended the ceremony.

“I can’t believe it’s over,” she said. “It’s a bittersweet moment. I wanted to shoot for the extra. I didn’t want to do the bare minimum.”

She was one of four females graduating with welding degrees this summer. And, the program is expected to have at least two females graduating from the program in December.

“This program isn’t for everyone,” said Mark Watson, a TSTC Welding Technology instructor. “The young ladies that make it through this program are extraordinary with great work ethics.”

Crook said her first two weeks at TSTC in fall 2015 had class difficulties that made her cry and question her confidence. But she credited Watson for encouraging her to calm down and listen to music on headphones as she welded.

“The faculty have become family,” Crook said. “They are here for you, welding or not.”

Crook’s longtime dance instructor in Smith County, Savannah Holik, also gave her encouraging advice.

“She told me to not be afraid of the opportunities and to not give up no matter what,” Crook said.

Crook’s career goal is to do pipeline work.

Crook worked two jobs and took dance lessons while she was a student at Bullard High School, where she graduated in 2015.

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

TSTC in Waco, North Texas and Williamson County Hold Summer Commencement

(WACO) – More than 580 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2017 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 18, at the Waco Convention Center.

Students from TSTC’s campuses in Waco, North Texas and Williamson County took part in the ceremony. The Waco campus had 515 graduates, Williamson County had 40 graduates and North Texas had 34 graduates.

Many of the graduates already have jobs and are ready to work.

Rosie Zamora of Fort Worth graduated with a Certificate in Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology. She is following her father and grandfather into the profession. Zamora will continue working as a plumbing apprentice in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“It was an experience,” Zamora said about her time at TSTC. “I learned things I didn’t know before.”

Cesar Castillo, 19, of Del Rio received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology. He follows in the footsteps of several other Del Rio students who have graduated from TSTC’s Welding Technology program.

“This program tests if you really want to go down your career path,” Castillo said. “It’s a lot more welcoming since most of your instructors know where you came from.”

Castillo said he will continue job hunting.

“I’m excited to go out on my own,” he said.

TSTC had more than 1,200 graduates this summer across the state.

For more information, log on to tstc.edu.

 

Two TSTC Employees in Breckenridge Earn Chancellor’s Excellence Award

(BRECKENRIDGE) – Texas State Technical College has announced the recipients of this year’s Chancellor’s Excellence Award, and seven West Texas employees were honored. Of the seven, two employees from Breckenridge received the award.

This year’s Breckenridge award winners are Vernon Akins, maintenance supervisor, and Cassie Love, enrollment specialist.

Akins, who has been at TSTC for nearly four years, said he was excited to receive the award.

“It was an honor to be nominated and be able to receive it,” he said. “I try to treat everyone nice and get to the work orders as fast as I can get to them. I’m polite to everyone and do my best at what I can.”

He said his co-workers are what drive him.

“I enjoy working with these people,” Akins said. “I feel that everything I do helps them accomplish their jobs in the classroom or going to meetings. I just try to keep everything up and going.”

Love, a 10-year TSTC employee, said she was honored and humbled that her co-workers nominated her for the award.

“They said that I was a very valued employee and an asset to TSTC,” she said. “I’m willing to always help our students and fellow employees.”

Her favorite part of her job is helping students.

“I love my job,” Love said. “I like to help students and see them succeed. When they come in and they say, ‘I don’t think I can do this,’ I like to tell them, ‘Yes, you can!’ I didn’t start college until I was 42, so if I can do it, I know you can do it.”

The Chancellor’s Excellence Award began in 2001, and over the past 15 years more than 280 TSTC employees have received the honor. Recipients are chosen based on outstanding contributions and achievements, commitment to excellence and character. Honorees serve as agents of change in the advancement of TSTC initiatives.

TSTC touts itself as being “a great place to work” and is currently hiring for positions at its 10 campuses statewide. For information on open positions at TSTC, visit tstc.edu/about/employment.

President and CEO of Abilene Chamber of Commerce to Speak at TSTC Commencement

(ABILENE) – Doug Peters, president and CEO of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, willspeak at the Texas State Technical College summer commencement ceremony, which starts at 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 18, at the Abilene Civic Center.
Peters took on his current position of CEO in 2015. He oversees the strategic direction of the chamber and its affiliate organizations, including the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council and the Abilene Industrial Foundation.
He totes up 30 years of experience in chamber of commerce and economic development environments, having begun his career in Dayton, Ohio. He later went on to work for chambers of commerce in Richmond, Indiana; Findlay, Ohio; and Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he also served on the Economic Alliance.

Peters is a member of the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, the Grace Museum board, the Junior League of Fayetteville advisory board, the board of the United Way, and various other local, state and national organizations.

He is married to his lifelong sweetheart, Whitney, and together they have three children.

TSTC expects to award over 100 degrees and certificates across its four West Texas campuses Friday.

TSTC awards associate degrees and certificates in areas such as Aviation Maintenance, Computer-Aided Drafting & Design, Emergency Medical Services, Environmental Technology, Nursing, Welding, Wind Energy and more. The college is currently registering for the fall semester.

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

– # –
Who: Texas State Technical College students, faculty and staff; Abilene Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Doug Peters
What: Texas State Technical College Summer Commencement Ceremony
When: Friday, Aug. 18, 7 p.m.
Where: Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N 6th St., Abilene

TSTC Student Back in Class after Two Decades

(HARLINGEN) – The last time Patricia Aranda was in a classroom was nearly two decades ago, but she is back at Texas State Technical College to start her new career in the Medical Information Transcription field.

The Harlingen native will be graduating with her certificate during TSTC’s commencement ceremony later this month.

“I’m so excited to put on that cap and gown,” she said. “I’ve truly found my passion.”

The 45-year-old’s love for the health profession has grown through the years beginning in 1996 when she earned her certificate in Emergency Medical Services as an intermediate emergency medical technician.

“I’ve always had a love for the medical field,” said Aranda. “And now that my kids are grown it was time to pursue a new career.”

Aranda was a stay-at-home mom for the first years of her children’s lives until she walked the halls with them at a local elementary school as a paraprofessional, only holding a couple of secretarial jobs before that.Patricia Aranda

Most recently, she was her granddaughter’s primary caretaker.

“Because I had to learn so much about my granddaughter’s health, my passion for the medical field was reborn after several years away,” she said. “And TSTC makes it easy for someone like me to get an education and find a new career.”

The mother of four and grandmother of eight said she has had the greatest experience coming back to school. She added that she loves her classes, instructors, labs and practicum site: Golden Palms Retirement Center and Healthcare in Harlingen.

“Everything we learned in the classroom went hand-in-hand with what we did in the field,” said Aranda. “I was able to use everything taught to me in the classroom to be successful during my practicum.”

She credits TSTC’s Medical Information Transcription Department Chair Debbie Woods and program instructor Jenny Delgado with having a large influence on her success.

“They’re both great instructors and motivators,” she said. “They give us a chance to learn and be somebody by supporting us the entire way.”

It is both their teaching that Aranda said she aspires to someday. She hopes she can be a medical and health information instructor in the future to help others like her. In the meantime, she will be returning to TSTC to pursue an associate degree in Health Information Technology and returning to the medical office setting.

Students like Aranda who enroll in Medical Information Transcription can earn their certificate in three semesters and after successfully completing their practicum course.

Graduates of this program are trained in numerous positions such as assembly clerk, outpatient coder, processing specialist, medical receptionist, billing specialist and medical transcriptionist.

Woods said that the demand for skilled workers in this field is high and the need keeps growing.

“We have a 90 to 100 percent placement rate in our program,” said Woods. “Many of our students are placed in good-paying jobs and have the opportunity to grow within the field.”

There are many career opportunities available for graduates from this program. They can work in hospitals, physician offices, long-term care facilities, behavioral health facilities, schools, insurance companies and even from home.

Woods said they encourage students who are interested in this field to begin in Medical Information Transcription to build a strong foundation before pursuing Health Information Technology, which focuses more on the managerial side of the medical office industry.

“Most of our students come back to health information,” said Woods. “But because they are graduates from our medical information program they have their foot in the door and a better understanding of what is needed and trending in the field.”

To register or for more information on Medical Information Transcription visit tstc.edu. The last day to register is August 21.

TSTC Surgical Tech Students Celebrate Success

(HARLINGEN) – It was already a big night for Itati Fernandez who was celebrating the completion of the Texas State Technical College Surgical Technology program with her 12 other peers. But it became a night to remember when she was unexpectedly named program valedictorian because of her 3.6 GPA.

“I didn’t even know valedictorian was a thing in college,” Fernandez said with a laugh. “I was so surprised. It was a very emotional time for me. I couldn’t be happier.”

With tear-filled eyes Fernandez stood in front of a full auditorium to thank her instructors, classmates and family for the support she got throughout the program.

“There were many occasions where I wanted to give up. It was so hard,” she said. “But everyone kept me motivated and didn’t let me give up. This is the first of many more accomplishments.”

The 22-year-old has a job offer at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen as a surgical technologist pending a passing score on her certifying exam.

She will also be continuing her education at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology with the goal of being accepted into the university’s physician assistant master’s program.

Nancy Garcia, Fernandez’s mother, said she couldn’t be prouder of her daughter’s accomplishments and drive to succeed.

“I call this her short-term goal and I knew she could reach it,” said Garcia. “I’m so happy right now and so proud of my daughter. I know this is only the beginning.”

TSTC Surgical Technology lead instructor Anna San Pedro called this an impressive achievement considering the intensity and difficulty of the surgical technology curriculum.

“The work ethic and discipline that she displayed while in the program was the winning formula to her success,” said San Pedro. “The faculty and I are confident that she will continue to find success in all future endeavors and will be an asset to the industry of Surgical Technology.”

The pinning ceremony also included the presentation of pins and Surgical Technology graduates taking the Surgical Technologist Pledge, the presentation of the Preceptor of the Year award to Gina Tijerina from McAllen Medical Center and a message from guest speaker, pharmacist and TSTC alumnus Michael Muniz.

Muniz graduated from Surgical Technology in 2004 also top of his class and is a now a pharmacist at family-owned Muniz Rio Grande Pharmacy in Harlingen. He said TSTC will always have a special place in heart.

“TSTC gave me the foundation I needed and it’s great to be back as a speaker and I hope I can become a mentor for these students and future generations of surgical technologists,” said Muniz. “And my hope for these students is that they continue learning and stay goal-oriented.”

Robert Sanchez, TSTC Surgical Technology program director, left his graduates with one final note at the end of the event.

“Your future will be determined by the opportunities that you encounter and how you are able to embrace them,” he said. “You have your career in your hands, how you work with it and pursue your dream is up to you.”

“Congratulations,” he added. “Be the best technologist you can be and always be a patient advocate.”

For more information on Surgical Technology or to register visit tstc.edu. The last to day to register is August 21.

Student Success Profile

(HARLINGEN) – Nicholas “Nick” Trevino is an Aviation Maintenance major at Texas State Technical College. He will receive his associate degree in Aviation Maintenance-Airframe in December 2017 and will return to pursue a second associate degree in Aviation Maintenance-Powerplant.Nicholas Trevino

The Kingsville native currently boasts a 3.7 grade-point average and is employed as a works study with the Talent Management and Career Services office.

The 22-year-old said after nearly four years in the oil and gas industry it feels good to be back in school following a career path and added that it was his uncle, also a TSTC alumnus, whose advice played a huge part in his return.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I hope to start my career at L3 Technologies in Kingsville, a contractor in aerospace systems, security and detection systems and pilot training used by military, homeland security and comer platforms. I also plan on returning to TSTC to pursue an associate degree in Welding Technology.

What’s your dream job?                           

My dream job is to work with L3. In addition to its great benefits, the company offers travel opportunities with its locations spanning across the United States and internationally. There is also room to grow my career and grow as a professional within the company.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment at TSTC has been finding my path, establishing career goals and maintaining my grades. It’s makes me proud knowing I can call my mom at any time and share my test scores and grades with her and know that I make her proud too.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I have learned that while we can make plans, life will always throw a curve ball and nothing will go as planned. So I’ve learned to go with the flow and learn from my mistakes and experiences.

Who at TSTC has had a large influence on your success?

The people who have had the largest influence on my success are my peers, the people I’ve met in class. We all have a group chat going and remind each other about homework, due dates, tests and form study groups. Not only do we get our work done, but we also have fun outside of the classroom as friends.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I advise students to always go for the goal. If you have a dream, like I did about coming back to school, but it seems impossible, try it anyways. And remember, everything is possible because the people here at TSTC are always willing to help you and they want to see you succeed.