Category Archives: All TSTC

Student Success Profile – Courtney Huerta

(HARLINGEN) – Courtney Huerta is a student at Texas State Technical College majoring in Biology. She boasts a 3.5 grade-point average and is expected to graduate with an associate degree in 2018. Following her graduation, the Harlingen native hopes to pursue the Licensed Vocational Nursing program at TSTC.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating from TSTC, I want to transfer to the University of Texas at San Antonio to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

What’s your dream job?

I currently work at a nursing home and I’m loving the experience; because of that my dream job is to continue on my path and someday become a director of nursing.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment at TSTC has been passing all of my classes, being active in Student Government Association and volunteering at TSTC events hosted for students and our community.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson life has taught me and I have learned is to be humble and compassionate.

Who at TSTC has influenced your success?

It’s really hard to name just one person. All of my instructors have greatly influenced me with their advice and encouragement. Each of them has found it important to give us daily pep talks, which serve as reminders of why we are here and why we need to keep going.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want students to know that it’s important to believe in their dreams; they were given for a reason. Also, college is what you make of it. Put in the time and effort, and take advantage of opportunities outside of the classroom such as student organizations and clubs. They help you in so many ways and make your college experience that much more rewarding.

TSTC Ag Students See Growth through Donation

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College Agricultural Technology students were able to use a $2,000 donation gifted to their department by the Harlingen Cotton Committee to create and maintain vegetable tower gardens in the program’s greenhouse.

As part of the Horticulture course in the associate degree track, students use the towers to grow cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, cilantro and jalapenos without soil, using only air and water in a method called hydroponics.

Harlingen Cotton Committee members pictured with the TSTC Agricultural Technology students are Brady Taubert, chairman; Sally Ross, committee member; and Steve Krenek, former chairman.

TSTC Will Host Spring 2017 Registration Rally

(HARLINGEN) – With registration for Spring 2017 underway, Texas State Technical College will be hosting a Registration Rally Thursday, November 17 to give new and returning students the resources they need to complete the registration process.

Registration Rallies are a new initiative at TSTC that started for the Fall 2016 semester. All 10 campuses statewide host this event with hundreds of students taking advantage of the assistance offered by faculty, staff and student volunteers.

“This is one-stop shop for our students,” said Dora Colvin, director of Recruitment. “We want to help students by providing the resources and opportunities they need to finish the application and registration processes for the next semester.”

Enrollment representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, Advisement, Support Services, the Veterans Center and Student Life will be on hand to guide those attending the event. Tours of the college will also be available throughout the day.

“We hope that having faculty and staff present will help make this process easier for students,” said Colvin. “They’ll have a chance to learn about the services we offer and get the help they need.”

To complete the registration process students must bring their completed admissions application, GED scores if applicable, recent high school or college transcripts, and proof of their bacterial meningitis vaccination if under 22 years of age.

“We want to encourage students to register early,” said Colvin. “The earlier a student registers, the more likely it is they get the classes they need before they fill up and a schedule they are happy with. Of course students don’t have to wait until the event, they can apply or register anytime.”

TSTC’s registration rally will be from 1-6 p.m. at the Student Services Building (EK Building). Registration ends January 3. Spring 2017 classes begin January 9.

To apply or register visit tstc.edu or call the TSTC Student Recruitment Office at 956-364-4118.

TSTC Honors Veterans with Celebration

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College Agricultural Technology student Kahalid Shakur Johnson watched proudly as his mother, retired U.S. Army Major Noemi Hernandez, spoke to dozens of veterans during TSTC’s annual Veterans Day Celebration.

“It truly is an honor to have my mom as a guest speaker on campus. I’m touched that she was selected,” said Johnson. “This is definitely a memorable experience.”

Johnson said his mother has been one of his greatest inspirations for completing a college degree. Hernandez herself holds associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is working to start her doctorate. Johnson said he wants to make his mother proud.

“My mom has definitely set the bar high in terms of what you’re capable of with dedication and persistence,” said Johnson. “I now have an idea what my potential can be if I work hard. I am beyond proud of my mom and proud of everything she does and continues to do.”

Hernandez told the audience that her military career began in 1989 when she enlisted in the Army in the Adjutant General Corps as an administrative specialist. Throughout her career she has been stationed in South Korea, Puerto Rico, Panama and across the United States, but that she is proud to be at TSTC honoring her fellow veterans.

“Being here today is a great honor and privilege. I am truly humbled to stand before you,” said Hernandez.

Her message reflected on the sacrifices and contributions of veterans past, present and future.

“I hope this gives you a thought or two about those that continue to give for our nation’s security, freedoms and our way of life,” said Hernandez. “I was privy to this throughout my military career. To me, every day is Veterans Day.”

TSTC Provost Dr. Stella Garcia quoted an email sent to TSTC faculty and staff from Chancellor Mike Reeser to show how truly appreciative TSTC is of its veterans.

“TSTC is blessed to have many veterans who serve in our ranks. Likewise, we have students who served too. Thanks to their service, we enjoy freedoms that are the envy of the world. We owe all the privileges of American citizenship to your willingness to serve,” she quoted.

Garcia also echoed his thoughts by personally thanking the veterans for their service and sacrifice.

“Thank you, veterans–not just today, but every day,” Garcia said.

During the ceremony, the Harlingen High School Junior ROTC presented the colors and flag folding, Veteran Students Alliance Club (VSAC) President Brian Rodriguez served as master of ceremonies, while VSAC Vice President Nancy Fontana led the Pledge of Allegiance and the American Legion 15^th District Drill Team paid tribute to the Prisoners of War and those missing in action. Many TSTC faculty, staff and students also wore red shirts to commemorate RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) Shirt Friday.

TSTC Veterans Center Director Steve Guevara said the college makes honoring and helping veterans one of its top priorities.

TSTC is recognized to be a military-friendly school that serves more than 1,000 veterans and their dependents statewide. In Harlingen alone the college serves nearly 300.

“I hope TSTC veterans take away a sense of pride knowing that we (TSTC) truly do appreciate the sacrifices they have given during their service in the United States Armed Forces,” said Guevara. “It’s important for everyone to observe and honor the men and women who have served our military and fought for the liberties and rights we enjoy today.”

The TSTC Veterans Center serves as a centralized, one-stop shop for prospective and current veterans and their dependents. The center assists with admission, financial aid, GI Bill and Hazlewood applications. There is also a variety of services, such as internal and external referrals, that veteran students can benefit from.

In addition to the Veterans Center, TSTC also offers competency-based learning, targeting veterans who have gained skills through their service in the military.

For more information on the Veterans Center, call 956-364-4387 or visit tstc.edu/veterans.

TSTC in Waco Alumna Helps Valley Mills ISD Ascend to Technology Heights

(WACO) – A job layoff in the medical field three years ago convinced DiAnna Richardson of Lorena that she needed to make a drastic change.

“I looked at what I could physically do and what I would enjoy doing,” Richardson, 48, said. “I’ve worked with computers since I can remember.”

Her new career flourished when she began work in early August as the computer technician at Valley Mills Independent School District in Bosque County. But the transformation began when she attended classes full-time at Texas State Technical College and received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Maintenance Technology in late August.

Richardson said she enjoys the more than 60-mile-round-trip commute because of the country roads and rolling hills. She considers it a time to plan her day.

“I enjoy working here,” she said. “It is like a big family. From day one they were welcoming and appreciative, and I think on a smaller scale the district is more personable.”

Richardson keeps the school district’s technology functioning, from replacing computer screens to maintaining wireless connections and cyber security. She looks at what items can be recycled due to age and functionality and studies what technology could be useful to the district.

She also maintains the iPads that Valley Mills Elementary School students use and the Dell Chromebooks that Valley Mills Junior High School and Valley Mills High School students use in class and doing for homework. The school district has more than 620 students.

Eric Halfmann, the junior high school and high school’s assistant principal for curriculum and technology, is learning alongside Richardson. He also is in his first year at Valley Mills ISD and said he has been impressed with her quick understanding of the district’s needs.

“She gets on it and is coming and going,” Halfmann said. “She has had a big challenge recently – a hard drive crashed for a woman in our district who keeps important data and she dealt with it.”

Richardson learned at TSTC about technical support, electronics, networking techniques and troubleshooting.

“With her years of experience in the working world, she was very focused and serious about her coursework,” said David Macik, an instructor in the Computer Maintenance Technology program on the Waco campus. “She was an outstanding student who always made the other students better by setting a great example and providing great input for class discussions.”

Richardson said job hunting in the computer field was a scary time.

“I have been working nonstop since I was 13 years old,” she said. “Not everyone wants to hire an older individual.”

She credited Macik with helping her discover Valley Mills ISD, as well as the support the school board and community give.

“When her current position became available, I knew she would be a great fit and I was happy to recommend her for the job,” said Macik. “I know that she will be successful in her new position because not only does she have great technical skills but, also great soft skills due to her prior experience.”

Area Companies Partner with TSTC for $527,400 Job-Training Grant

(RED OAK) – Texas State Technical College has partnered with an industrial consortium including Betafence, Cardinal CG, Cardinal Glass Industries, Kinro Texas, Inc. and The Sherwin-Williams Company to train 243 new and incumbent workers using a $527,400 Skills Development Fund grant.

Texas Workforce Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs presented the check to officials from TSTC, Betafence, Cardinal GC and Kinro Texas at a 3 p.m. ceremony yesterday at TSTC in North Texas.

Hughs said the North Texas area has much to be proud of.

“Your unemployment rate is 3.9 percent, which is well below the state average of 4.9 percent and the national average, which is at 4.8 percent now,” she said. “The area has an annual job growth of 3.6 percent, and just over the last year this area has added 109,900 private sector jobs. You’re seeing great growth, and that’s really a testament to all these partnerships that you have and the great work this community does.”

The Skills Development fund is one of the state’s premier job-training programs, keeping Texas competitive with a skilled workforce.

“Employers benefit because they get custom-trained workers, and workers benefit because they get that competitive skill training they need in any job in the marketplace,” Hughs said. “Last year, the Skills program served over 100 businesses and supported the creation of 5,500 new jobs and the retraining of over 10,000 workers in existing jobs.”

Roel Lopez, COO of Betafence, said the company is happy to be participating.

“We are very proud to get this opportunity because we believe in education,” Lopez said. “We are really putting a lot of emphasis on ensuring that our employees at the facility have a high skill in the kind of things they are doing. I support this program 100 percent. Tomorrow we have 18 employees that will be in the class. I’m very proud that they can continue learning.”

Workers trained will include 53 new hires, and 190 jobs will be upgraded. Workers will be from North Texas-area plants and will be trained in the areas of maintenance, mechanical and support operations. Training will be provided by TSTC instructors.

Upon completion of this training, business partners anticipate improved equipment efficiency, greater team member capacity to maintain and manage different systems, career advancement for team members, and increased capacity to move unfinished and finished products through a series of operations.

After completing the training, workers will receive an average hourly wage of $22.16, which is higher than the average wage in the area.

For more information on TSTC’s workforce training, visit www.tstc.edu.

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Three TSTC in West Texas Employees Earn Chancellor’s Excellence Award

(ABILENE) – Texas State Technical College in West Texas honored the recipients of this year’s Chancellor’s Excellence Award at a luncheon Friday in Abilene. Three West Texas employees were chosen as recipients.

This year’s award winners are Adam Harvey, lead application administrator at TSTC in Sweetwater; Griselda Sanchez, community standards liaison at TSTC in Sweetwater; and Andy Weaver, health science statewide division director at TSTC in Abilene.

The Chancellor’s Excellence Award began in 2001, and over the past 15 years 270 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.

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TSTC Employee Celebrates 40th Work Anniversary

(SWEETWATER) – When Si Acuña began working at Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater, he thought he would only be there for a few years. Now he finds himself in his 40th year at TSTC.

Acuña began working at the college in 1976 as a lab assistant in Automotive Technology.

“I was thinking I would stick around and see how long I was going to stay,” Acuña said. “I thought I would maybe go and do something else after that. I started as a lab assistant and moved on to an instructor, then moved on to master instructor for many years, and I was the department chair for years on and off. The program just kept going and going.”

With the development of advanced technology in cars, Acuña has seen much change throughout his time at TSTC.

“In the last 15 years or so, technology has changed so rapidly,” Acuña said. “The curriculum has changed quite a bit to keep up. In my time here, we’ve grown from being in a small building to a larger building where we are now. We have a lot more space and more classrooms with a well-equipped shop.”

He keeps up with the technology by reading and maintaining membership in professional organizations.

“I’ve been a member of many organizations that send out information and host conferences, like the Mobile Air Conditioning Society, the Automotive Service Association and the Automatic Transmission Association,” Acuña said. “Being part of those organizations, going to conferences and continuing to study on my own, I’m learning all the time.”

Acuña is proud to have made a difference at TSTC.

“I’m glad I was part of it,” Acuña said. “I helped to train a lot of students. One of the things I really like is working with the students and training them. The training is what’s really kept me here so long, being able to pass on my knowledge to other people.”

Overall, his favorite moment in teaching is seeing his students succeed.

“I have a lot of favorite moments, but I guess what is the best is when I see them cross the stage and they get a job,” Acuña said. “That’s the greatest one.”

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TSTC in Waco HVAC Program Receives National Ranking

(WACO) – The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Waco has received nationwide academic recognition.

The Nevada-based Community for Accredited Online Schools recently ranked the technical program in the top five in the nation for this year among two-year institutions. The ranking took into account financial aid, student-teacher ratios, graduation rates and placement and counseling services. Information from the National Center for Education Statistics was used to rank the list’s top 50 institutions.

There are about 70 students studying this semester for the certificate and associate degree in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology.

David Brannen, the program’s campus lead, said some students underestimate the algebraic conversions and physics involved in learning about HVAC.

“You have to have the theory to do a lab,” Brannen said.

Cheyanne Hill, 19, of Florien, Louisiana, is in her first semester of studying for the certificate. She learned about TSTC from her high school band director.

Hill said she has enjoyed learning about pipefitting, the different stages of refrigeration and manifold gauges.

“I have family that work in HVAC and I have helped my uncle,” she said. “It’s demanding work, and not a lot of females are willing to do that type of work. It can be overwhelming.”

Joseph Paul, 19, of China Spring will graduate in December with his HVAC certificate. Paul said he likes the program because it combines his interests in plumbing and electricity and he gets to use his hands.

“It’s fun and there is no dull moment, really,” he said. “I can’t sit behind an office desk the rest of my life.”

Some of the classes that majors can take include Basic Electricity for HVAC, Air Conditioning Control Principles and Heat Pumps.

Students will have a new opportunity to learn about HVAC when a $15,000 rooftop package unit lab will open in fall 2017. The lab will be used in a new commercial air conditioning class that will be offered.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC in Waco Environmental Students Attend Chicago Leadership Conference

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College in Waco students attending a leadership conference in Chicago found a world of opportunities to motivate them in their future careers.

Jason Lehrmann, 34, of Mart, Katelyn Scott, 23, of Ennis and Thomas Roberts, 33, of Granbury, earlier this month attended the American Society of Safety Engineers 12th annual Future Safety Leaders Conference.

“Each of these students offers their own abilities and perspectives in safety,” said Patti Tate, an instructor in TSTC’s Environmental Health, Safety and Radiation Protection Technology program. “I have no doubt that all three of these students will go far and will be part of a bright and productive future as a safety or even an environmental professional.”

The students represented the Texas State Technical College in Waco Student Section of the Central Texas Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers. The students are all double majors in Environmental Technology – Compliance Specialization and Occupational Safety Compliance Technology.

“It was a good networking opportunity for us to meet some of the high-profile people in the ASSE community and learn about leadership from them,” Lehrmann said. “They have been in the field for 30-plus or more years.”

Some of the conference’s roundtable topics included fire protection, industrial hygiene, safety communication and training, and compliance for a bilingual workforce. Participants also learned about resume writing and had mock interviews with professionals.

“I love all these regulations and safety inspections,” Roberts said. “We are the nerds of the safety world.”

Scott found a discussion on the use of drones intriguing.

“Drones get into areas that are unsafe for employees to get to, such as checking transformers,” she said. “This cuts production time in half. Employees are working in confined spaces and entries. Drones can be sent in and they see what the actual hazards are.”

Roberts said the conference was a way to get reacquainted with networking.

“There is nobody in a high position that is going to say ‘I am better than you,’” he said. “They have arms open, mentoring and asking what they can do to inspire us. It was cool to feel that energy from strangers.”

The conference helped one of the students make a sharper focus on a career possibility.

Scott said she is interested in doing consulting work after listening to a presentation by Regina McMichael, president of South Carolina-based The Learning Factory Inc., an education and training design and delivery company focused on safety, leadership and risk management.

“Having a strong female example in the leadership role is a good starting point,” Scott said. “It was a good eye-opener for me in having a mentor. I can do consulting or training.”

The students also explored Chicago. Scott said the group took an Uber ride around the city and had fun spotting safety hazards at construction sites they passed. And, the group experienced the energy that Chicago residents had celebrating the Chicago Cubs’ World Series victory.

“These people were out in the city at 2 a.m.,” Lehrmann said.

For more information on the American Society of Safety Engineers, go to asse.org.