Category Archives: All TSTC

TSTC in Fort Bend County Welcomes New Hire Tara Zekavat

(FORT BEND) – Meet Tara Zekavat, the new director of student recruitment at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County, which will officially open the doors to its new campus in August 2016.

“TSTC has been treating me amazing,” said Zekavat. “The teamwork is so impressive and I’m ready to work hard at letting folks know of the great educational opportunities TSTC is bringing to the area.”

Zekavat comes to TSTC with more than 18 years of experience in higher education. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Ferdowsi University in Mashhad, Persia. Zekavat then moved to Houston in 2009 to pursue a Master’s Degree in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Houston-Victoria.

Upon arriving in the United States, Zekavat was hired as an instructor for Wharton County Junior College’s adult education program and a few years later was promoted to Instructional Supervisor for the same department. Prior to relocating, she worked as an instructor in Persia for 12 years.

Zekavat said she was ready to make the move from instructor to recruiter when she applied with TSTC. She said her teaching and supervisory duties gave her the experience she needed in working closely with instructors, providing departmental resources and trainings, and working orientations at different schools.

“I felt confident in my skills when I applied for this recruitment position,” said Zekavat. “I was also ready to make the move to TSTC. Their growth was impressive to me and I had to at least attempt to join the team.”

The experience and contacts Zekavat has made while working with different schools in Fort Bend and surrounding counties will help her spread TSTC’s message and inform students and parents on what TSTC has to offer.

“My goal is to reach as many students as possible because there is interest. Students are asking questions,” said Zekavat. “I’m going to continue reaching out to high school counselors and informing them of our new campus which will have bigger labs, bigger classrooms and will be ready to be filled with their students wanting to pursue a technical education.”

Zekavat, who is also a single mother to a nine-year old son, said she wants to share the same advice she will someday tell her son when he is preparing for college.
“Be opened minded about TSTC,” said Zekavat. “One-year certificate or two-year associate degree programs are a way to reach an educational and career goal faster, while spending less on tuition. We need students and parents to realize TSTC is here to give them the skills needed to find jobs opportunities out in the workforce.”

Registration for summer and fall semester begins April 4. Apply anytime online at tstc.edu.
For more information on new programs or registration at Fort Bend County call 281-239-1548. Or to apply for one of 60 jobs opening on the new Fort Bend campus, please visit www.tstc.jobs.

 

Tara Zekavat is the new director of student recruitment at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County, which will officially open the doors to its new campus in August 2016.

Texas State Technical College Hosts FFA Tractor Competition

Texas State Technical College students in Waco prepare Tuesday morning for another round of a tractor troubleshooting contest at the FFA Tractor Technician Competition for high school students from north and central Texas

(WACO) – Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program hosted Tuesday the FFA Tractor Technician Competition involving 16 high school teams from north and central Texas.

The two winning teams from FFA’s Area 5 was Frisco Centennial and Weatherford while the top winners in Area 8 were Blooming Grove and Teague. These teams will move on to compete in a state FFA competition in March at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

“Our mission is to offer the students a foundation to build on for financial stability and to build a knowledge base in technology,” said John Goebel, a TSTC Diesel instructor and campus organizer of the contest.

TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology students created the problems the high school students found in the tractors and served as contest judges.

“It was a good experience,” said Joseph Jimenez, 20, of Red Oak and a Diesel Equipment Technology major. “You get to talk to the kids and they learn something and we learn something. It is important to know how an engine works.”

The contest had special meaning for Joshua York, 18, of Mexia and a first-year Diesel Equipment Technology major. He participated in FFA at Mexia High School where he did welding and raised pigs.

“It was a good experience for the high school students to see TSTC,” said York.

Sam Hall, 20, a Diesel Equipment Technology student from Weatherford, was the scorekeeper during the tractor troubleshooting. He said the students had to think within the allotted time how the tractors worked and what needed to be done to get them operating.

“The hardest part about being a mechanic is knowing what’s wrong,” Hall said.

Teams of three students took a written test, did a parts identification test and troubleshooted John Deere and Kubota tractors donated for the competition by Brazos Valley Equipment and Tipton International, both in Waco.

Individual and team winners received tools donated by Snap-on and Matco Tools, both of Waco, and NAPA in Bellmead.

TSTC offers Diesel Equipment Technology at the Waco, Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas and Sweetwater campuses. Apply today at tstc.edu. Registration for summer and fall semesters begins April 4.

The College Preview at TSTC in Waco will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2. For more information go to tstc.edu/openhouse.

Student Success Profile – Miguel Cervantes

(FORT BEND) – Kendleton, Texas native Miguel Cervantes is currently a student at the Fort Bend County Campus of Texas State Technical College. The 23-year-old expects to graduate in August 2016 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Diesel Equipment Technology with a heavy truck specialization. Cervantes currently boasts a 3.4 grade-point average and said he couldn’t be any more excited about graduation being around the corner because he looks forward to his new career.

What are your plans after graduation? I want to immediately start working in my field. I can’t wait to start making my own money and stop living on a college student budget.

What’s your dream job? I would like to work for an oil-field company as their Diesel Technician. If that doesn’t happen right away, I would also like to work for a large construction or mining company. I’ve got several career plans and options to consider.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC? I have had great academic success because I’m more disciplined as a student since having worked as a diesel technician on tractors prior to enrolling at TSTC, and because of the extensive hands-on learning I am receiving at this college to improve my skills. I didn’t do well in high school, so my grades in college make me look like a genius now. I’m proud I now have good grades.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life? I’ve learned you must take risks in order to succeed in life. Opportunities will not seek you, you must seek them. This is important to remember especially when opportunities are outside of your comfort zone.

Name a TSTC person who most influenced your success? As far as teaching me life skills it’s instructor Keith Klix. My instructor Gary Voelkel has also been an excellent inspiration. He has years of experience in the diesel equipment field and he is always willing to share his knowledge.

What is your advice for future TSTC students? Incoming students need to realize that everything the instructors talk about and teach will show up later in your career, so it’s best to learn the material and make mistakes now, than out in the field later.

TSTC Logistics Program Grows

(RED OAK) – As Texas State Technical College’s Logistics Technology celebrates the milestone of its first two graduates earlier this month, instructor William Scott reflects on the program and how it’s grown.

Instructor William Scott teaches the steps of the Supply Chain.

“The program has grown leaps and bounds,” Scott said. “There’s a lot more things for the students to learn to use, and they’re learning how everything fits together. As we get all the pieces, it’s easier for a student to understand the beginning through the end process.”

And that’s specifically what industry is looking for.

“Industry today is looking for somebody that understands the big picture. Graduates may end up working initially at a warehouse, but three or four years later they might go into purchasing,” Scott said. “There’s a whole host of jobs, but industry still wants our students to understand the overall process. That’s the real focus on this program; exposure to each element in the process.”

The process begins with raw materials, which get made into inventory, and then are transported to warehouses for distribution.

“The merchandise doesn’t stop being inventory until it gets into the customer’s hands,” Scott said. “At its simplest, logistics is about acquiring inventory, moving inventory and delivering it to the end customer. This program covers the entire process.”

The program is still moving forward, introducing new logistics technologies to the students.

“Amazon is building a new million square foot distribution center. One of the techniques they’re thinking of using, is to use drones inside the warehouse to scan items for inventory purposes,” Scott said. “I got a couple of drones for the students to practice using a drone in a warehouse environment.”

The students will also use 3-D printing to cut back on down-time.

“In the manufacturing world, you have parts that break on the machines. Historically, what logisticians would do is go to the warehouse and see if the part is available. If it’s not, we go back to the manufacturer, expedite the part being shipped to us, and finally you get it. In the meantime, that machine has been idle for maybe two days. With 3-D printing, you just take the engineering drawing of that part, print it on a 3-D printer and you can substitute that part into the machine to get it back up and running while you’re waiting for the other part to come from the supplier. So, instead of being down days, you’ll only be down hours.”

The 3-D printing software is among the many that logistics students will learn.

“In today’s modern logistics world, information is the key,” Scott said. “It’s no longer the hardware, it’s the software. We’re pushing the software aspects of logistics really hard now, from tracking information to managing your inventory to moving parts through a manufacturing process.”

Scott chose to help pioneer the program at TSTC after 17 years in logistics in the Air Force.

Instructor William Scott teaches the steps of the Supply Chain.

“Four of those years [in the Air Force], I had the opportunity of teaching logistics to international students as well as U.S. Military students,” Scott said. “I moved on when I got out of the Air Force to do some work for NOAH NASA on satellite systems. I got near that retirement age and wanted to do something where I could give back. I loved teaching. I loved logistics. I loved TSTC’s idea of being hands-on and job oriented, so those were appealing to me.”

According to O*NET OnLine, Texas expects a 40 percent increase for Logistician jobs over the next seven years. Logistics Technology is exclusively offered at TSTC’s North Texas campus.

TSTC is registering now through Jan. 4 for the spring semester, but will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 24 through Jan. 3. For more information on the program, visit www.tstc.edu, or call 972-617-4040.

Meet the Teacher: TSTC Welcomes New Logistics Instructor

Mathew Dromey has joined the TSTC team as the newest instructor in the Logistics program.
Dromey retired from the Army & Air Force Exchange Service after 30 years, and was looking for a way to give back.

TSTC welcomes new Logistics Instructor Mat Dromey, who joined the team at TSTC last month.

TSTC welcomes new Logistics Instructor Mat Dromey, who joined the team at TSTC last month.

“I had a chance to talk to the current logistics instructors and was able to learn a lot about the program, what they did, the kind of things they offer to the students and it seemed like a good fit,” Dromey said.

In his 30 years at AAFES, Dromey worked in 17 different positions. Because of it, he can offer the students advice on real world experience.

“I went from a college trainee up to a Senior Vice President. I’ve been exposed to many different aspects of the retail world and international business, because we were in 50 states and 39 countries,” Dromey said. “I did everything from taking care of the local guys down in Fort Hood in Killeen, to taking care of the ones that are deployed in Baghdad. If we have students coming up who want to get into that business, I can give them honest and realistic answers. It’s not just theory that’s in the book.”

Though Dromey is new to TSTC, he isn’t new to teaching.

“I’ve been teaching for 20 years; I taught at Northwood University,” Dromey said. “So teaching isn’t something new to me, it’s just a different aspect of it. We’re in a segment of technical school where we’re teaching students the managerial part of logistics. I would put it up there with any college around.”

He also taught at Texas Wesleyan University. Dromey will be teaching Freight Loss and Damage Claims, Materials Requirement Planning and Domestic and International Transport Management in spring 2016, and is happy he will be making a difference in the students’ lives.

“The students are my favorite part of working here, without a doubt,” Dromey said. “I’ve always enjoyed working with students.”

TSTC a Top School in Military Advanced Education & Transition’s 2016 Guide to Colleges & Universities

(WEST TEXAS) – Texas State Technical College has been designated a Top School in Military Advanced Education & Transition’s (MAE&T) 2016 Guide to Colleges & Universities. The guide, which measures the best practices in military and veteran education, was released late this month.

The guide evaluates more than 600 institutions including private, public, for-profit, not-for-profit, four-year and two-year colleges. From community colleges to state universities, online universities and nationally known centers of higher learning, MAE&T’s 2016 Guide to Colleges & Universities arms students with information about institutions that go out of their way to give back to our men and women in uniform.

This year, institutions were evaluated on their military culture, financial aid, flexibility, general support, on-campus support and online support services.

“Our goal is to be a dynamic resource for active service members and those who have moved from the military to their civilian careers, helping them find the school that best fits their plans for the future,” said Kelly Fodel, Military Advanced Education & Transition’s editor.

Earlier this year, EMA Electromechanics donated $75,000 to TSTC to found an account called the Sweetwater Veteran’s Funds for College Education. Funds will go towards helping veterans complete their technical training at the college’s West Texas campuses in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater. TSTC served 88 veterans in the Fall 2015 semester.

Visit www.mae-kmi.com for online access to MAE&T’s 2016 Guide to Colleges and Universities.

About Military Advanced Education & Transition
Military Advanced Education & Transition (www.mae-kmi.com) is the journal of higher education for servicemembers and veterans making the transition from military to the civilian sector.

Covering issues and hot topics in higher education, career trends, transition assistance, innovative programs, and schools of special interest to the military, MAE&T focuses on news and resources that will empower a military student to pursue a quality education and rewarding career. MAE&T serves education services officers (ESOs) and transition officers (TOs) at every U.S. military installation, along with the servicemembers they counsel. Published 10 times yearly, MAE&T’s editorial coverage includes exclusive interviews with military executive leadership, educators, and members of Congress; best practices; career and transition spotlights, servicemember, school, and program profiles, and periodic special reports.

TSTC Announces New Leadership at North Texas campus

(RED OAK) – TSTC Vice Chancellor Jeff Kilgore announces the appointment of Marcus Balch to serve as provost for the Texas State Technical College campus in North Texas, effective immediately.

Balch began his career at TSTC more than 15 years ago as an Admissions Advisor at the Waco campus. Today, he serves as TSTC’s Vice President of Student Recruitment for all ten campuses. Over the past year Balch has led the transition of recruiting department from a regional focus to statewide. Previously, he served as TSTC’s Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services at the Waco campus

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“The provost serves as the senior campus executive in developing, implementing and maintaining strategies that grow TSTC’s student and donor markets, builds the TSTC brand regionally, improves the quality of the local campus and experience of its students, and works to unify the faculty and staff in making TSTC a great place to work,” said Kilgore. “Growing enrollment and the TSTC brand in North Texas is of the highest priorities. Marcus’ experience and leadership in recruitment combined with the high respect he has earned from his teammates in North Texas has positioned him well for this new assignment,” added Kilgore.

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead the growth efforts at one of TSTC’s strategic locations. We have an aggressive goal for growth at TSTC in North Texas and I’m confident that working closely with our faculty, staff, community partners and industry partners we can make technical education followed by a rewarding career accessible to more people in this region,” said Balch. “I’m proud to be a part of the TSTC family and look forward to working more closely with the folks at TSTC in North Texas to Place More Texans.”

Balch earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Wesleyan University. He is a member of Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. Balch was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Excellence Award in 2009 and honored as Employee of the Year at TSTC in Waco in 2006.

TSTC Graduate Finds His Passion

(FORT BEND) – Jacob Thompson never imagined he would become a college student, much less a graduate, but on December 11 he will receive his associate degree in Precision Machining Technology from Texas State Technical College.

“Growing up, I never thought I would make it to college,” said Thompson. “I never expected to get a degree in anything, but TSTC really did make it possible for me.”

Thompson lost his mom to lupus before he was a teenager. He said his dad was never in the picture. These circumstances made it necessary for him to enter into the foster care system after his mom passed away.

From 2006 to 2008 he waited in the system while his maternal grandparents organized and processed all the legal paperwork needed to adopt him. Thompson was finally adopted by them at the age of 14.

“My grandparents were the greatest factor in my decision to go to college,” said Thompson. “My grandpa always told me to go to school while I was young, that it would make everything worthwhile. He pushed me to be something and helped me to realize school is an important part of life.”

After graduating from high school in 2012, Thompson was unsure about college and what he wanted to study. He took some core classes at a junior college in East Texas before deciding to work at Houston Custom Metal Works as a water jet machine operator.

“It was at Houston Custom Metal Works that I found my passion,” said Thompson. “I knew I needed to follow my interest and so after researching I found the precision manufacturing technology TSTC and enrolled.”

For Thompson the apple did not fall far from the tree. He followed his grandfather’s example, and like him, continued to work to pay for college. He worked 40-hour weeks during the night shifts to pay for school.

“My grandpa’s example was my driving force. He put himself through college working at a cotton farm,” said Thompson. “So working hard was my only option. Putting myself through college definitely makes this degree that much more rewarding.”

After graduation, Thompson will complete his remaining academic core pre-requisites and transfer to the University of Houston to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Thompson said TSTC really prepared him and encouraged him to continue his education.

“TSTC really prepared me to move on. My time here as a student has been so fulfilling,” said Thompson. “It really laid a solid foundation for me in my industry. It was a real eye-opener to all my future possibilities.”

Thompson said his instructor Michael Barnes really encouraged him and all his students to step out of their comfort zones and really explore the precision machining industry.

Precision Machining Technology at TSTC is a hands-on program that teaches students a series of machine tool operation courses. Students also learn skills in precision measurement, blueprint reading and heat treatment of metals. After completion, graduates can find jobs in commercial and military aircraft and automotive tool and oil tool manufacturing.

“Mr. Barnes never limited us. If he we wanted to try something he was helping us every step of the way,” said Thompson. “He even gave us the opportunity to attend Houstex Tool Show and encouraged us to visit every vendor and pursue trainings and certifications offered to us.”

Thompson was able to earn certificates to a computer-aided manufacturing software; and to make blue prints using the AutoCAD software and is highly recognized in his chosen field.

“Jacob has been a great student and a very hard worker in everything he does,” said Michael Barnes, Precision Machining Technology Instructor and Department Chair. “I know Jacob plans to continue with his education beyond TSTC, and he will have a very rewarding future.”

Thompson hopes to one day work for Lockheed Martin or Halliburton and said he would owe it to everything he has learned at TSTC and along the way.

“My grandpa always said, ‘The day you stop learning is the day you cease to exist,'” said Thompson. “Everything I’m doing I’m doing for me, but especially for him.”

Thompson is one of five students graduating December 11 from TSTC Fort Bend County’s campus. Graduation will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Waco Convention Center.

For more information on Precision Machine Technology call 281-239-1587.

TSTC Fort Bend County Campus Now Hiring

(FORT BEND) – Texas State Technical College will be opening a new campus in Fort Bend County come Fall 2016, but first, they are looking to fill the approximately 60 job positions that have opened or will be opening in the coming months.

Set to be hired immediately are student recruitment representatives. Followed by the first round of faculty hires in Spring 2016 and the remaining positions should be filled in Summer 2016. There will be 40 faculty and institutional program support jobs available and nearly 15 support staff positions such as human resource personnel, admissions counselor and financial aid representatives.

“We’re looking for enthusiastic, energetic, committed and fun people to work for our campus,” said Randy Wooten, TSTC Vice Chancellor. “We want people who can relate to not only high school students, but also our non-traditional students.”

Wooten said TSTC’s Fort Bend campus already has the support of the community, businesses and industries with them coming together with more than $40 million to bring a campus to their area.

“We get a lot of positive comments and the excitement of our new campus is definitely there,” said Wooten.

The hiring influx comes with the increased number of programs offered at TSTC’s Fort Bend campus. There will be seven programs total with 15 different degree awards offered. Currently, there are three programs offered: HVAC Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology and Precision Machining Technology. The new four programs will include, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Cyber Security, Telecommunications Convergence Technology and Welding Technology.

“There was a need to expand the programs offered. Now that we’re in the process, we need to hit the ground running,” said Mary Castañon, Director of Instructional Administration. “There are going to be a lot of job opportunities for those who want to work for TSTC.”

Wooten also added these additional programs will also result in great careers for students. He said it is TSTC’s role to talk to students about going to college and giving them the opportunity of not only graduating, but graduating into a great job.

“We want to help students decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives,” said Wooten. “The career programs we will offer at Fort Bend County will result in great jobs for them with the ability to have a family and provide for them, grow, own their home – in other words we want to provide good paying jobs for our graduates.”

The new TSTC Fort Bend campus is set to open in Fall 2016. First day of class is August 29. There will be day and evening classes available. TSTC’s goal is to open with 500 students and all new employees will be part of working toward that goal.

“This project is on time and budget and will be a great addition to this area,” said Wooten. “It’s going to be something people can be proud of and will go a long way in helping the economic vitality of Bend County and its surrounding areas.”

For more information or to apply for a position please visit www.tstc.jobs or call Human Resources at 956-364-4042.

For information on programs, please call 287-239-1548.

The Last Man on the Moon Speaks to TSTC

Former Astronaut Gene Cernan addresses TSTC students at the Annual Aerospace Division Awards Seminar.

(WACO) – Gene Cernan, former American naval officer and aviator, electrical engineer, aeronautical engineer, fighter pilot, and NASA astronaut, spoke at the TSTC Aerospace Division’s Annual Awards Seminar earlier today.

Cernan launched into space three times, and as part of the December 1972 Apollo 17 mission, was the 11th and last man to walk on the moon. He was Pilot of the Gemini 9A mission in 1966, Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 10 in 1969, and Commander of the Apollo 17 mission. Cernan was also a backup crew member for the Gemini 12, Apollo 7 and Apollo 14 missions.

Cernan delivered a moving speech about his knowledge of the field of aerospace, and his experience on the moon, describing the earth from space.

“When you head out in space, it’s a different point of view. Now you’re beginning to see the earth and the world as only it has been seen through the paintings of artists, or the words of poets.”

Cernan urged the students to accept the challenges of life.

“I want to promise you that fate will play a role in your life,” he said. “If you’re willing to accept a challenge, an opportunity, more challenges and more opportunities are going to come along. You’re going to have to be willing to take the risk.”

Cernan accepted the challenge of commanding the Apollo 17 mission to prove himself.

“People ask me all the time what it was like to take those first steps on the moon, but Neil Armstrong and many others took steps before me. These steps mattered to me because they were my steps, and no one could ever take them away from me,” Cernan said. “The reason I needed to command that flight, was to find out if I was good enough. It proved to me that I could do it. You have to have the attitude that you not only can do it, but you can do it better than it’s ever been done.”

Aircraft Pilot Training Department Chair Angel Newhart said it was beneficial to have Commander Cernan speak to the students because of his experience.

“Commander Cernan represents aviation as whole. He’s been there and done that,” Newhart said. “He’s been out there in industry and flown some really fast, cool aircraft. He’s a good example of where these students want to be; we have a couple of students here who want to go to NASA.”

Cernan words encouraged the audience.

“It was good to have an astronaut here to represent the industry and to encourage everybody to keep going,” Newhart said.

Aaron Gilbert, an Aircraft Pilot Training student, said what he took away from Cernan’s speech was that anyone can do anything.

“There’s really no limit to what you want to do,” said Gilbert. “If you set your mind to it anything is possible.”

VibrAlign Awards Scholarship to TSTC Student

(SWEETWATER) – TSTC Wind Energy student Kyle Everett won a scholarship and earned the TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program a free state-of-the-art laser shaft alignment system from VibrAlign earlier this month.

The national award is part of VibrAlign’s Realigning America scholarship program. Every quarter, the program awards scholarships to students who submit the best essays about learning machinery maintenance.

Everett submitted an essay to VibrAlign describing his experiences as a student in TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program. Everett’s essay was selected, winning him a $500 scholarship and a Fixturlaser GO laser alignment system for TSTC.

According to David Zdrojewski, VibrAlign chief executive officer, “America’s industrial workforce is aging. As a country we face the challenge of training the next generation. We want to do everything we can to support the training of America’s future industrial workforce so they can compete on the world stage. Helping schools like Texas State Technical College is a big part of our commitment to Realigning America.”

Zdrojewski founded VibrAlign in 1983 and has been serving as CEO since 1996. VibrAlign serves a wide array of industrial customers, from oil & gas facilities to defense contractors to papermakers, and specializes in Fixturlaser alignment systems, training, and calibration, as well as Oneprod condition monitoring systems.

For more information, call VibrAlign at 800-394-3279. For more information about TSTC, visit www.tstc.edu.