Category Archives: All TSTC

TSTC Helps Alumnus Build Successful Career, Business

(Fort Bend County) – Ben’s Chuck Wagon is a popular catering company in Wallis, Texas where you can find the owner, Ben Pustejovsky, putting the skills he learned at Texas State Technical College to good use.

The Wallis native graduated from the TSTC campus in Waco in 2002 with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Upon completing, he attended the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant management. However, because Pustejovsky was already working in the field, he decided to pursue his career instead and use the skills he learned at TSTC to open his own business.

“My ultimate dream was to open a restaurant,” said Pustejovsky. “But because I was already cooking, selling barbeque and catering parties and meetings, I was building a strong, loyal clientele for a catering business, so I pursued that instead.”

Ben’s Chuck Wagon has been in business for 12 years and staffs approximately 20 employees. Pustejovsky and his team cater for parties, meetings and conferences ranging from 50 all the way up to 3,500 people. They serve southern comfort food such as chicken fried steak and barbeque with all the sides and fixings, in addition to holiday menus they save for November and December. They also customize menus based on their clients’ wants and needs. TSTC in Fort Bend County is, of course, on his list of customers.

“TSTC really changed my life for the better. They gave me the start at building a successful career,” said Pustejovsky. “They really gave me the foundation I needed.”

The 35-year-old said his time at TSTC really gave him the confidence he needed to continue pursuing a career he has had an interest in since the age of seven. As a young child he cooked with his grandparents following family recipes and perfecting them with practice and patience.

“Cooking at a young age and having that support is definitely something I cherish,” said Pustejovsky. “I took everything I learned from my grandparents and applied it in school and in my business. In fact, a lot of what I prepare and cook today comes from family recipes.”

Pustejovsky added that TSTC was like a family to him. He said a four-year university was never in his path; he knew it was not for him.

“At TSTC you’re definitely not just another number,” said Pustejovsky. “All of the instructors know you by name and are always ready to help. I got all of the hands-on training that is necessary to be successful. I don’t think I would have received that at a university.”

Pustejovsky said he looks forward to his future and the future of his business. He hopes to expand his catering business around the Houston area and to open an additional location.

“I can only go up from here,” said Pustejovsky. “I’m keeping my restaurant dream alive. With the right partner there’s no telling what we could accomplish.”

Certificates and associate degrees in Culinary Arts are offered at four of the 10 TSTC campuses: Waco, Harlingen, Williamson County and Abilene.

Registration is currently in progress for the Fall 2016 semester. You can apply or register anytime online at tstc.edu.

TSTC Holds Big Opportunity for Local Woman

(Fort Bend County) – Sugar Land native Marigold Sagrado finds herself back home as one of Texas State Technical College’s student recruitment representatives after a seven-year stint in California.

The 28-year-old moved to California immediately after high school with only $200 in her pocket to attend California State University in San Bernardino. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2012, but found that her true passion was student affairs.

“My time in California during and after college was spent working in housing, residential life and student affairs,” said Sagrado. “I found this to be my way of helping students, like myself, who come to school alone and with nothing.”

Sagrado gained experience in student affairs at the University of Southern California, San Diego State University and at her alma mater.

Nearly three years ago, an illness in the family pulled Sagrado back to Texas. Within that time she took odd jobs, but finding something in higher education proved to be a challenge. It was not until an Internet job search brought up TSTC’s open positions for the new Fort Bend County campus.

“I knew I wanted a career in higher education, it’s what I love,” said Sagrado. “So I immediately jumped on every job opportunity that was in my realm of expertise and passion.”

Fortunately Sagrado is now part of the TSTC family and loving every moment. She hit the ground running as a recruitment representative in February 2016 and has not looked back.

“I can only go up from here,” she said. “It’s a brand-new campus and I know there will be a lot of room for me to grow and enhance my leadership.”

As a student recruitment representative, Sagrado is active in Fort Bend County and the surrounding communities speaking to high school students about the benefits of a technical education. She said she hopes to help students of all ages realize their dream of a college degree that will lead to a successful career.

“I hope I can turn students’ lives around with my guidance,” said Sagrado. “I know I have succeeded in my job when I begin to see my students graduate. The greatest feeling in the world is when they come back and tell me how I’ve impacted their lives and those of their families.”

Sagrado wants current and incoming TSTC students to stay encouraged, no matter how challenging college and life get. She said she never wants to hear her students say “I can’t.”

“Like people say, where there is a will, there is a way,” said Sagrado. “This career path helps me connect with people. I’m empathetic to those who want to better themselves and they are the reason behind my love for the job.”

In her spare time, Sagrado enjoys practicing photography, traveling, spending time outdoors and hanging out with her family.

Sagrado can be found at Lamar High School or TSTC’s Enrollment Center in Rosenberg. TSTC’s Fort Bend campus is set to open in August 2016. Registration is in progress. To register or apply anytime, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC Development Officer Receives Prestigious Recognition

(Harlingen) – Harlingen native Amy Lynch has been part of the Texas State Technical College family since 2012, and just recently has been named a 2016 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipient.

The award given out by Chancellor Mike Reeser, is given to faculty and staff for their service to their college, communities and their state.

Lynch is TSTC’s development officer and was recognized for her dedication to the college at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards Dinner and Celebration in Austin. She said it was a memorable time and something she will never forget.

“I was honored to receive this award. There are so many other deserving people,” said Lynch. “I’m grateful that someone thought enough of me to nominate me. To that person – thank you.”

The Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipient said it was a privilege to be recognized by the organization, TSTC’s chancellor and her peers, but what made her experience really special was the chancellor asking the recipient’s guest to present the award.

“My husband presented me with my medal. I get emotional just thinking about it,” said Lynch. “He said some pretty great things and told me I deserved this and he was proud. It was really touching.”

Lynch brings with her extensive experience in higher education public relations and marketing. Prior to TSTC she served as the Assistant News Director for News and Information at The University of Texas at Brownsville. And prior to that she was a reporter for the Valley Morning Star covering the education beat.

Now as a development officer, Lynch has the opportunity to use her skills to collect resources that help the college give students a first-class technical education and helps students attend college and achieve a degree.

“My job is to keep an open relationship with our donors so they know our needs,” said Lynch. I work with industry, corporation, business and organization leaders to raise funds for things such as scholarships and lab equipment. These are the things that help us graduate more students into successful careers.”

The Vice President of Development Pete Rowe said it is the passion that Lynch displays daily that makes her deserving of the Chancellor’s Excellence Award.

“She has such a passion to work for her students, the college, its faculty and staff,” said Rowe. “She gets things done, is a pleasure to work with, and I know she has a great future ahead.”

Currently, Lynch is working to earn a master’s degree in Strategic Communications from Purdue University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communications from The University of Texas Pan American. Lynch said she hopes graduate school and her work experience will help her push toward her goal of becoming part of an administration team someday.

“TSTC is an advocate for their employees and they try to make you as successful as you can possibly be. Everyone is willing to work for the greater cause and for me it makes all the difference,” said Lynch. “I’m going to continue learning and developing. I love playing a part in graduating more students.”

For more information on donating visit tstc.edu or call The TSTC Foundation at 956-364-4500.

TSTC CDL Course Acquires Numerous Partnerships

(Harlingen) – Texas State Technical College’s continuing education Commercial Driver License (CDL) course is approaching its second year, and has acquired partnerships with companies that are hiring the program graduates.

Coordinator of Special Projects for the Transportation Training Center Adan Treviño said gaining nearly 15 partnerships has been a huge advantage for the program and its students.

“This opportunity opens doors not only for the students being hired, but for our future students as well,” said Treviño. “I keep communication open with our companies to maintain the relationship and make sure our students continue meeting the industry’s demand for truck drivers.”

TSTC’s CDL hiring partners include – UPS Inc., FedEx, Celadon, Labatt Food Service, HEB, Valley Trucking, Home Depot Inc., Coca-Cola, Hygeia, Petro Chem Transport Inc., Heyl Truck Lines, Werner Enterprises, Paschall Truck Lines (PTL), Swift Transportation, Con-Way Freight and 7UP.

PTL Regional Student Development Manager Mike Rojas has hired TSTC CDL students in the past and is looking for new recruits.

“We hire people straight out of school,” said Rojas. “We want to give them the opportunity to get the experience they need. I used to be in their shoes, and I know how hard it can be, but TSTC is doing a good job at preparing them for the field.”

With students having the opportunity to get hired immediately, and laws continually changing, revisions have also been made to the program to continue to meet industry needs so students are more employable and readily trained for the workforce.

All program lessons are tailored to the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) exams that students must pass before receiving their truck driver’s license. Those taking the course will have access to practice tests, study materials and training videos, in addition to hands-on experience.

“We need to make sure our students are well educated in all areas,” said Treviño. “Our goal is have our students pass and create a successful career.”

Students enrolled in the CDL course can now also expect to graduate with endorsements, meaning they can become certified to handle hazardous materials, and in doubles and triples, which means they can pull multiple trailers.

Additionally, the CDL program has acquired a tanker trailer, making it the only CDL course in the Rio Grande Valley to have one, and a dry van trailer. Both trucks came from the TSTC campuses in Sweetwater and Abilene. In total, the program has three trailers in use for students’ training during the four-week course.

Many of the students who enroll in the TSTC commercial driving course are learning the skill for the first time. During this course they learn everything from theory to road rules.

The tuition for the classes is $4,500 and covers everything from books to supplies. Students coming in from the Workforce Solutions in Cameron County and Willacy County, and from the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) receive tuition assistance. There is also a grant available for veterans.

“One thing that differentiates us from everyone else is that our students can choose where they want to work,” said Treviño. “We just give them the options.”

For more information on TSTC’s commercial driving class call Treviño at 956-364-4503.

TSTC Instructor Earns Recognition for His Work

(Harlingen) – David Campos has dedicated 15 years of his career to Texas State Technical College and was recently honored with a 2016 Chancellor’s Award at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards Dinner and Celebration.

The award given out by Chancellor Mike Reeser, is given to faculty and staff for their service to their college, communities and their state.

“I’m the type of guy who does the job because it has to get done and I enjoy it. I never look for a pat on the back or recognition,” said Campos. “So winning this award was an honor and I appreciate people taking notice in my work.”

Campos is Department Chair and Instructor for the Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics program. He began his journey at TSTC as a student in the same program. He earned his associate degree in 1989.

“Architecture and design is something I’ve always been interested in pursuing,” said Campos. “I studied it in high school, so finding a program at TSTC with experienced and knowledgeable faculty was a dream come true.”

Immediately after graduating with his associate degree Campos said faculty within his program helped him land a job in Waco in the aerospace industry. During his 12 years in North Texas, Campos also opened his own architectural business designing and constructing custom homes and commercial buildings.

“My business was short-lived;, it was opened for about six years, because when the opportunity to return to the RGV became available my wife and I jumped at the chance,” said Campos. “TSTC was offering me a position. Not only was this a new stage in my career, but also a chance to move closer to family.”

Taking the job offer at TSTC proved to be a good move for Campos. He said teaching and helping students grow has been rewarding.

“It’s really nice when students graduate and their parents thank you. Then the students come back once they’re working and they thank you also,” said Campos. “It makes me feel like I’m actually making a difference in someone’s life and in the community.”

It is also the very reason that Campos is earned the Chancellor’s Award according to Engineering Division Director Dan Bodnar.

“He is truly a person who deserves this award for all of his hard work and dedication to his program, his students and the college,” said Bodnar. “He brings to this program and his students real-world experiences through many community projects which enrich the students’ knowledge and help in the development of the community the students live.”

Campos hopes to grow and develop professionally with TSTC and that his leadership will continue to help the program expand.

“I’m going to continue working hard and doing my job,” said Campos. “I pray that our program continues to change lives and leads to successful careers.”

For more information on Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics call 956-364-4694. Registration for Fall 2016 is in progress. To apply or register visit tstc.edu.

Student Success Profile – Angelina Cruz

(Harlingen) – Angelina Cruz, originally from Europe, but now residing in Harlingen, is currently a Business Management Technology student at Texas State Technical College. She is working toward an associate degree and is expected to graduate in Spring 2017. While working toward her degree, Cruz is completing her General Academic Core to prepare for a bachelor’s degree. Recently, she was also appointed as the Education and Humanities Division Student Senator.

What are your plans after graduation? After graduating I plan on transferring to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg to further my education. There I will pursue a bachelor’s degree in International Business.

What is your dream job? I would like to join a business and work my way up; become a manager and hopefully someday get hired at a corporate level. Ultimately, I would love to open my own music production business. I’ve played the piano since I was six years-old, I’ve sang with a European choir and I’ve always composed and written music. So opening my own studio would be a dream come true.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC? I’ve really been able to learn the ins and outs of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, while studying my major here at TSTC. I’ve really strengthened my skill and I’m now able to help and tutor others in these programs.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life? Throughout my life I have faced challenges and have overcome obstacles that has taught me that one: Respect is earned, not given; and two: never take things for granted.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success? The follow instructors and people have been here for me and have really shown how much they care about my success. I know I can count on their help when I need it: Claudia Arnold, general studies instructor; Father George Gonzalez, music appreciation instructor; Scott Contois, mathematics instructor; and business technology instructors Eddie Benitez, Steve Szymoniak, Elvia Silva and Janie Cuellar.

What is your advice for future TSTC students? The key to a successful college career is punctuality, attendance and participation in class. Most importantly, read the material. Dedication and time management are huge factors in meeting goals.

Student Success Profile – Jonathan Orduña

(Harlingen) – Brownsville native Jonathan Orduña is majoring in Digital Media Design at Texas State Technical College. He is working toward his associate degree and is expected to graduate December 2017. Orduña said he is always looking for ways to get involved on campus, whether it is helping at campus events or being active in the Anime Club, Anime is a Japanese style of film and television animation.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation I plan on applying at anime companies around Texas. This is the first step toward my dream of directing an anime series.

What’s your dream job?

My dream is to become an anime director for Japanese and Western style anime series. I have my sights set on collaborating two of my favorite anime themes into one so that it can bridge two fictional worlds together.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

While at TSTC I’ve learned more patience, how to accept constructive criticism and how to keep an open mind. Also becoming more involved on campus has given me the opportunity to make more friends.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I have learned that life is about cherishing moments. It’s about balancing a work life from a personal life and to take time for those we care about. I’ve also realized that leaders exist to protect those that need a voice.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success?

Personally, all of my instructors have influenced my success; but if I had to pick I would say that Claudia Arnold, my college success instructor, has made the biggest impact. It is thanks to her that I have become more involved in campus activities, and her encouragement has really inspired me to never give up no matter what.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want to tell students to accept assistance, and keep the inspiration and motivation. These three things will help a student successfully complete their degree plan. Also, don’t give up on a dream and let it die. Fulfill your goal, realize your dream and pass it down to the next generations who will carry it on.

Student Success Profile – Benito Lara

(Harlingen) – Brownsville native and United States Army veteran Benito Lara is working to earn his second associate degree from Texas State Technical College in Fall 2016 in Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology. He earned his first associate degree from TSTC in 2015 from the Automotive Technology program and is currently employed with Gillman Chevrolet. Lara currently holds a 3.5 grade-point average.

What are your plans after graduation? I want to use the technical knowledge and skills I have learned during my time at TSTC. I hope to find a job that will have a good retirement plan and benefits.

What is your dream job? My dream job is to work for the Customs and Border Protection as an automotive mechanic. I currently work at Gillman Chevrolet in Harlingen and I’m loving my job, especially, because my manager supports graduates and veterans from TSTC.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC? I owe my greatest accomplishments at TSTC to the support programs that are in place at TSTC such as the Veterans Center. These programs were the key reason I was able to achieve a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and graduate with honors when I completed the Automotive Technology program and received my associate degree.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life? I have learned to be humble and accept that there is life after being in the U.S. Army for 23 years. I have been deployed to Kosovo, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq and coming back it is great to see the support for military veterans at TSTC. I appreciate the support I have received from Joe Villegas and Steve Guevara from the Veterans Center at the college.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success? The person at TSTC who has influenced me the most is Adan Gutierrez, Industrial and Manufacturing division director. He has had a huge impact on the success I have found at TSTC with his great instruction and advice.

What is your advice for future TSTC students? My advice for future TSTC students is to use all of the available assistance programs offered to them by the college. They need to take initiative in all they do and never give up. TSTC will definitely prepare them for future success.

TSTC Culinary Student Uses Family Experiences to Create in the Kitchen

(WACO) – Shawnthena Burks can literally use the farm-to-table concept made popular these days in the culinary world.

Burks, 32, can slaughter cows and hogs, shell purple hull peas straight from the garden and use fresh peaches to top a tasty dessert.

Burks, who will graduate in August with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts at Texas State Technical College in Waco, credits her upbringing for making her the cook she is today.

She grew up on family land in Sandy in Limestone County as a self-described country girl. She had always been good with her hands, whether it was braiding hair or creating crafts.

“You saw cows, donkeys and grasshoppers,” she said. “I didn’t have cable.”

She spent a lot of time with her grandfather, Taylor Reed, who taught her how to make fresh pork sausage, butter and pork cracklings.

Her mother, Margaret Burks, taught her a lot about cooking while working two jobs. Burks and her mother would often pick and prepare vegetables from their garden.

“We would have a full family meal – a protein, three fresh vegetables, bread and tea each day,” Burks said. “My mother was always in the kitchen.”

She graduated in 2002 from Mexia High School and was active in the DECA club.

And the older she got, the more she developed a talent for baking cakes.

“When she did let me in the kitchen, my mother was impressed,” Burks said. “Food and family is everything.”

After high school, Burks had an automobile accident and said she did not know what to do with her life. But in 2012, she realized the profession she needed to pursue after making two wedding cakes.

“I think I reached a plateau of what I wanted to do in my life,” she said. “I was 27.”

She researched TSTC and learned about its Culinary Arts program. She visited the campus and talked to staff members who helped ease her way into technical college life.

“My faith is what put me here,” she said. “I asked God what I could do that I was overlooking and something my family could benefit from.”

Burks cited TSTC’s Chef Martin Ellenberger and Chef Len Pawelek as having pushed her hard in the Culinary Arts program.

Pawelek said Burks was ahead of her time in using vegetables and meat as fresh as possible in her dishes.

“She is way ahead of the curve in what the industry is coming back to,” he said. “I think she’s very respectful and passionate about what she does. She shows up and has a great attitude.”

Burks already has a job working at Rio Brazos Fine Custom Cuisine in Waco where she will be working with catering, a food truck and food preparation.

In the fall, Burks will begin work on an Associate of Applied Science degree in Web Design and Development Technology at TSTC in Waco. Her goal is to maintain her own web site for the catering business she wants to open one day.

“If I can keep following the path where every door has been open for me and build something big, I want to give back,” she said. “I want to have jobs open for good people.”

Summer commencement for TSTC campuses in Waco, North Texas, Williamson County and Fort Bend County is at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, at the Waco Convention Center on Washington Avenue.

TSTC Student Receives Statewide Scholarship

(WACO) – Christopher Blair was never a stay-indoors-and-watch-television-kind of child.

He was, and still is today, more at home among trees and rolling hills.

“I like to be up and outside before the sun rises,” said Blair, 24, of Mansfield, Texas, and a Turfgrass and Landscape Management major at Texas State Technical College in Waco. “I don’t mind getting dirty.”

And now, he has a financial gift to show for his appreciation of the outdoors.

Blair on Thursday received the $1,000 Kevin L. Dilliard Scholarship from the Texas Branch of the Professional Grounds Management Society. Dilliard was a longtime grounds director at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

“It will be super helpful,” Blair said. “I am paying for school myself. It will make a big impact on me for sure in the next semester.”

He is the only student in Texas that will receive the award this year, said Barbara E. Hatchel, a certified grounds manager and PGMS member in Amarillo.

“He is gearing himself to pursue this profession for life,” Hatchel said. “He works at a golf course now and keeps his grades up.”

Blair, like other Turfgrass and Landscape Management students, gets experience maintaining TSTC’s four-hole golf course on Airline Drive. He is fascinated by irrigation systems and grass for golf courses.

“I just love that you are growing grass at 1/8th of an inch and still expect it to be healthy so people can walk on it,” he said.

Ron Gwyn, chair of the Turfgrass and Landscape Management program, said Blair was enthusiastic about his work and learning.

“He will be a valuable asset to a golf course,” Gwyn said. “He wants everything taken care of and done to the best of his ability. He grasps a lot of the technical aspects pretty quick.”

Blair said there is much more to grass than just cutting it. He said people who maintain golf courses, yards and formal lawns must also consider the science behind the amount of water and fertilizer needed.

He said some of his favorite golf courses were Augusta National Golf Club – home of the Masters – in Georgia, Whistling Straits Golf Course in Kohler, Wisconsin, and Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.

Blair began working at 16 at Shady Valley Country Club in Arlington, Texas, helping maintain golf carts and eventually the grounds.

He played golf for two years while at Mansfield Legacy High School, where he graduated in 2010. Working at Shady Valley while in high school enabled him to play free golf to practice his skills.

“One day it clicked that I wanted to take care of a golf course,” he said.

Blair said Turfgrass and Landscape Management is a good career to consider for students to consider who enjoy the outdoors and hard work.

“Students need to try to think a few years ahead and where you see yourself being at in life,” Blair said. “You need to see how you want to work.”

Blair now works at least 30 hours a week at Walnut Creek Country Club in Mansfield and attends classes full time at TSTC.

“Since I work in grounds maintenance and then come to school, that makes a difference,” Blair said. “What I learn I can then talk to my boss about and it is easier to grasp the concept.”

After his expected graduation from TSTC in August 2017, Blair said he wants to move up the ranks of golf course maintenance at private clubs.

TSTC in Waco will have a Registration Rally from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9, at the Student Services Center. For more registration information, log on to tstc.edu.

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