(HARLINGEN) – Graduation has been a long time coming for Texas State Technical College student and employee Monica Zuniga, but the journey was not always easy.

The wife and mother of two daughters will be graduating April 29 with her associate degree in Education and Training, a career she said has always been interested in because of her love for children.

“I didn’t think I would ever see the day I would graduate,” said Zuniga. “There have been so many obstacles that have discouraged me, but now I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I’m so excited.”

The 32-year-old is a 2002 graduate of Harlingen High School, but because her parents were migrant workers, Zuniga would fall behind in school. Adding to the challenge, Zuniga was already living on her own, making work a necessity.

“I was in high school and working a part-time job,” said Zuniga. “College was never encouraged when I was growing up, so I felt my only option after high school was to find a full-time job to support myself.”

Zuniga’s aunts were custodians at TSTC at the time of her high school graduation so they helped her apply, marking the beginning of her TSTC career in 2002. Because this was Zuniga’s first job, she did not have a car to get to work, and she did not always have a ride. Many of her days were spent walking to and from work. It would be 11 years, before Zuniga would realize she could do more with her life.

“Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing bad about being a custodian, but I wanted to be more for myself and for my daughters,” said Zuniga. “It wasn’t always easy though.”

So in 2013, Zuniga applied for the cashier position she currently holds and it opened an entirely new chapter in her life. She enrolled at TSTC as a student, but she describes her college experience as a rollercoaster.

“I had ups and downs and there was always a twist or turn,” said Zuniga. “One of my daughters got very sick and ended up needing three surgeries. I was in and out of class and work; she was my priority. I had to take care of her. It definitely pushed me back though and there were days I felt like just giving up.”

Zuniga credits two of her colleagues for giving her the encouragement to keep going. She said Adela Alaniz, student accounting assistant and Lynda Lopez, executive director of Communications, were always my support.

“They both never let me give up,” said Zuniga. “Sometimes they were brutally honest with me, but that’s what got me through. I didn’t have that support anywhere else, and knowing they believed in me and what I could do meant a lot.”

With the support of Alaniz, Lopez, her husband, daughters and instructors, Zuniga has been able to realize the goal she set for herself, which is becoming a college graduate. She is currently completing her practicum in a third grade classroom at Ben Milam Elementary School in Harlingen to earn the last of the credits she needs before graduation.

“I’ve learned so much during my time at TSTC. The hands-on training I’ve received has prepared me for my career and future,” said Zuniga. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with a great teacher during my practicum. I’ve gotten great exposure to a classroom environment and have learned so many new techniques.”

Although Zuniga will continue working at TSTC after graduation, she plans on attending one of the universities available to her through TSTC’s University Center to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

“I want current and prospective TSTC students to know that nothing is impossible,” said Zuniga. “TSTC is full of people who are ready to help you succeed if you’re willing to try hard and never give up. If I can do it, so can they.”

Zuniga is one of 392 graduates who will earn certificates and associate degrees at TSTC’s Commencement Ceremony on April 29 at Marine Military Academy’s Yeckel Memorial Auditorium. Ceremonies are scheduled for 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

For more information on Education and Training call 956-364-4747.

Registration is in progress for Summer and Fall 2016. Apply or register anytime at tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College recently held the SkillsUSA State Conference in Waco and the students from TSTC in Harlingen brought home the wins making the south Texas campus a leader in the most medals won.

A total of 32 medals were earned, 20 of those were gold. All gold medal winners will be competing in the National SkillsUSA Leadership Conference in Kentucky June 20-24.

“This year was very successful. We had more programs with gold medal winners and top three finalists than previous years,” said Isaac Gonzalez, TSTC SkillsUSA coordinator. “We’re hoping for the best from our students at nationals and hoping for a few gold medals, but most importantly, our students are competing for one goal and that’s to be the best at what they do.”

SkillsUSA is a professional organization teaching technical, academic and employability skills that help high school and college students pursue successful technical careers. Members build these skills through student-led team meetings, contests, leadership conferences and other activities.

Students in SkillsUSA participate in hands-on competitions in various fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, carpentry and urban search and rescue.

Ricardo Santos, one of the team members who earned gold in the Robotic Urban Search and Rescue category of the competition, said he is proud of his and his team member Cecilia Zebrowski’s gold medal win. Both Santos and Zebrowski are Precision Machining Technology majors pursuing associate degrees at TSTC.

“We were both so excited when we learned we had won,” said Santos. “But also very nervous, because now it meant we are going to compete against the best robotics teams from each state.”

Like other SkillsUSA participants and teams, Santos and Zebrowski prepared for competition in the evenings, sometimes being on campus as late at 9 p.m. This time was used to perfect their design on their robot Stang, in homage to TSTC’s now retired mascot the mustang.

Both Santos and Zebrowski got support from large businesses such as the Harlingen Manufacturing Association and United Launch Alliance which each donated $500 s for a robot kit for the competition.

“We at ULA have a high regard for TSTC’s technical curriculum as it aligns with our overall support for STEM-related programs,” said Tim Piller, ULA site lead. “Providing support to the urban search and rescue team enables the inspired team members the opportunity to compete and display their talents.”

Zebrowski said she is looking forward to the national conference and preparations for the competition are underway. She said the donations they received have helped tremendously.

“These donations have been such a huge help. When we started we had nothing but a pencil and some software to design our robot,” said Zebrowski. “We are both overwhelmed and honored that these major local companies were willing to invest in us. We hope we can prove ourselves worthy with our robotics skills at nationals.”

For more information on SkillsUSA or Precision Machining Technology, call 956-364-4815.

Registration for Summer and Fall 2016 is in progress. Apply or register anytime online at tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN) – Brownsville native Joel Jimenez is a student at Texas State Technical College pursuing an associate degree in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology. The 19-year-old will be graduating this month with a 3.75 grade-point average.

When Jimenez is not studying you can find him working with the Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Club. As a member of the club, he is an active volunteer with the Harlingen Aerotropolis Project designing three dimensional models used to attract aerospace manufacturing companies to the city and with the Rover Team building a vehicle with tracking equipment that will be used to survey land.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation I plan on continuing with academic classes at TSTC. Then I plan on transferring to a university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become a licensed engineer managing an engineering research firm that leads the development of transhumanism, which expands the advancement of human capabilities physically, intellectually and psychologically.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC was the opportunity I received to represent the college at SkillsUSA. I recently received a gold medal in Automated Manufacturing Technology and will be traveling to Kentucky in June to compete at the SkillsUSA National Conference. Last year, I received a gold in Technical Drafting and competed at the national level as well.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

There is a saying that has always stuck with me, “Si estas triste en lo pequeño, estarás triste en lo grande”.  In other words, you should be happy with what you have. I believe this is important to remember if you want to be successful in life.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success?

The person who has influenced my success the most is my instructor David Campos. He is a man with good intentions for his students, ongoing perseverance and quick witted thoughts. It is his dedication to student success that has inspired me to fully understand my field of study.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I advise future TSTC students to join as many clubs as possible, and to attend as many events they can. TSTC has a lot to offer and being actively involved makes a big difference in your college experience. You not only meet more people, but you also make connections that may help you in the future. More than anything though, enjoy your time at TSTC because time goes by too fast.