(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Students enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program are in good hands as they learn from instructors who not only have knowledge of the industry, but also have experienced working in the field themselves.

TSTC Emergency Medical Services instructor Ruben Ramirez spends his days in the classroom while also coordinating the curriculum’s classes with the Texas Department of State Health Services. His passion for the field has allowed him the opportunity to help prepare the next generation of emergency medical services professionals for an industry that will always need them.

Why is the emergency medical services profession important?

It is important because of the role we play in public safety. We provide an entry point for the public to gain access to emergency medical care and transportation to the emergency room when needed. At the time of a medical emergency, the public dials 911, and first responders are activated to provide emergency care, giving them access to medical care.

What inspired you to become an instructor?

I really love emergency medical services. The experience I gained in the industry has given me so much. I feel that teaching others about my past experiences is the right thing to do, and I want others to learn from my experiences. I want to give back to the profession as my previous instructors did with me. I have the best of both worlds as an instructor. I get to teach about a profession that I love with a passion.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

As an instructor, seeing the look on my students’ faces and hearing the excitement in their voices when they obtain and reach their goal of becoming an emergency medical technician or a paramedic is always worth it. Being able to interact with a wide variety of students, from traditional to nontraditional, and helping them obtain their educational goals is something I love.

What do you enjoy most about this field?

The ability to say “I helped save a life today.” Being able to make a difference in someone’s life by performing CPR or just holding a hand when somebody is scared and giving them comfort. We are there so that they know they are not alone during a scary and stressful moment. This profession makes for a rewarding career that few will answer the call to, and those that do will have a lifelong, fulfilling career.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Photo caption: Students in the TSTC Emergency Medical Services program receive hands-on experience as they make their way through the curriculum. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Growing up around restaurants and catering inspired Stephanie Salazar to enroll in the Culinary Arts program at Texas State Technical College.

Salazar received her Associate of Applied Science degree in 2019 and is now the dietary and nutrition services director at McAllen Nursing Center, where she is able to utilize her skills in the industry while also helping others in the process.

“My parents had a catering company when I was growing up, and I would help where I could,” she said. “My father also had his own restaurant. My parents are the ones who inspired me and pushed me to be creative and explore the culinary world more.”

She said that not only was the Culinary Arts program hands-on, but the encouragement from the instructors also gave students extra motivation.

“I loved my classes and all the material I was exposed to while at TSTC,” she said. “The instructors really push their students to get out of their comfort zone and work with foods they otherwise would not have.”

TSTC Culinary Arts instructor Emma Creps vividly recalled Salazar’s desire to continually learn new things.

“You could just tell by the way she performed in the labs that she had a passion for culinary arts,” she said. “Stephanie definitely stood out in her class and never hesitated to take initiative, ask questions and seek advice. I am truly proud of her.”

The Culinary Arts program equipped Salazar with the information she needed to succeed not only in the field, but also in other areas that come with a career.

“The courses I took at TSTC in regard to management really helped me know how to break down things properly and be as effective as possible,” she said. “Learning about that side of the business helped me in the environment I went into because I knew the structural foundation of what I needed to do.”

She added that her knowledge of the industry brought her one of her greatest successes.

“I recently started my current position and was recruited due to my record at a previous company,” she said. “I was offered a higher position and a much higher salary. I am very proud of the role I have right now and am also proud of my degree. I am able to live comfortably because of it.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for chefs and head cooks will see a faster-than-average increase through 2029.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Photo caption: Stephanie Salazar completed her Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts at TSTC in 2019 and is currently thriving in her position as dietary and nutrition services director at McAllen Nursing Center. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Salazar.)

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Building Construction Technology at Texas State Technical College equips future builders with the tools needed to step into a booming industry.

TSTC instructor Rick Vargas discussed the program and how it benefits students.

“Our TSTC instructors have first-hand industry experience that we share with our students,” he said. “This is the only construction program in our area that can teach students full-scale, hands-on construction from start to finish. By graduation, students will know what it takes to complete residential and commercial construction projects.”

Much of the program focuses on hands-on learning so that students are confident about heir skill set as soon as they begin applying for jobs.

“The majority of our classes require on-campus labs,” Vargas said. “We make sure that every class has a different project to work on so that nothing repeats itself. Our projects include floor framing, wall framing, roof framing, interior and exterior finishing, installing doors and windows, roofing, cabinetmaking, drywall, painting and surveying.”

Sebastian Tovar, a 2018 graduate of the Building Construction Technology program, credits TSTC with helping to establish the foundation for his career.

“TSTC gave me the opportunity to get training on things like rough framing, blueprint reading, estimating, schedule building, project management, and much more,” he said. “These are all skills that I use daily in my career.”

Now Tovar is thriving as an assistant superintendent at SpawGlass general contractors in San Antonio.

“My greatest accomplishment to date would have to be graduating from TSTC,” he said.

Vargas said that students considering enrolling in the program should enjoy getting their hands dirty, but also know that the skills they leave with will always be in demand.

“You have to have a passion for building or working with your hands,” he said. “There is currently an abundance of job opportunities for students, and there are bound to be more opportunities in the next several years. We have companies from all over the state that come down to recruit students from our Harlingen campus because they are so well prepared to enter the workforce.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Photo caption: Building Construction Technology at TSTC is a hands-on program that receives statewide attention from potential employers. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)

Foreman or achitect engineer shows future house, office or store design plans and model to a young couple. Meeting at the construction office to talk about facade, interior decoration, home layout.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Twenty-four hours after he was born, Eloy Hernandez suffered a stroke. 

It was December 1, 2000,  and his parents had a new reality to deal with. The right side of their son’s body was partially paralyzed, the rest of his life shrouded in uncertainty. 

Twenty years later, there can be no doubt about his future or abilities.  

“I’ve always had curiosity about how things worked, and I was always taking things apart, inspecting every detail,” Hernandez said. “My physical disadvantage has made me learn to find multiple ways to work out situations, so learning about mechanical systems really attracted my interest in mechanical engineering.”

Now a student in the Texas State Technical College Engineering program in Harlingen, Hernandez has worked through significant mobility limitations caused by the stroke to become an acknowledged star student. It is no small accomplishment, given the rigorous and intensive curriculum that he and his classmates engage with on a daily basis.  

“Students struggle the most with learning to translate commonsense engineering and physics concepts into mathematical constructs,” TSTC Engineering Department Chair Hermes Chirino said. “Professors get to know the students that participate and engage the most. Eloy is among the few that are always carefully paying attention, always asking questions.” 

Graduates of the program, which offers an Associates of Science degree, can look forward to careers as engineers and mechanical engineering technicians or continue their studies for a bachelor’s degree. They master mechanical-electrical drafting technology and apply physics principles to developing test products or technical documents. Courses are difficult, but Hernandez feels that TSTC has prepared him to enter the workforce fully equipped.  

“Being a student at TSTC is one of the greatest things I’ve done. I’ve gained so much from the instructors and classes I have had,” Hernandez said. “I especially enjoyed taking Engineering Mechanics, Electrical Circuits, and Engineering Graphics.” 

The TSTC Access and Learning Accommodations office helps students like Hernandez navigate their studies with a minimum of difficulty and maximum support. Resources extend to course modifications and school website accessibility features. Equipping students with the support systems and accommodation services they need is just as integral to their success as academic programs. 

“I have very little motor control, which makes it difficult to accomplish most everyday tasks,” Hernandez said. “But the most important thing I’ve learned is to always be resourceful and never give up on the obstacles in life because of my physical disadvantage.” 

Hernandez is not the only student with a disability to pursue a highly difficult degree and excel. Arizona native and Baylor University Business Fellow William Badger can relate. 

“I found out sophomore year I was autistic, and before then I didn’t know I was struggling adjusting to school because of a developmental disability,” Badger said. “But I’ve pushed through with patience and an open mind to the world’s possibilities. College is a place where you grow not only your mind, but your character.” 

Hernandez is blazing a trail once thought impossible. 

“I’ve always had a mindset to never stop trying, no matter what obstacles or hardships come your way,” he said. 

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

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Surgical Technology students recently received hands-on training via a mock surgery performed under a retired surgeon’s supervision.

The scenario, which included a lifelike manikin, involved students preparing the room for surgery, sanitizing and sterilizing their hands and tools, and even putting on scrubs and other proper attire for the procedure.

This was the first time that both the students and instructors had worked with the TraumaMan simulator, which was designed to be a highly realistic portrayal of a patient. For this exercise, it simulated a patient with a lacerated kidney.

Surgical Technology instructor Yolanda Ramirez said that this is one of the most beneficial ways students can feel as though they are in an operating room before leaving the classroom.

“My goal is to help our students improve their knowledge and comfort levels,” she said. “These scenarios are helpful in identifying strengths and deficiencies, and they set learning and improvement goals.”

The instructors plan to have multiple mock scenarios based on the curriculum that students are studying at any given moment.

“My goal is to have one mock surgery for each specialty we cover throughout the semester,” Ramirez said. “It would total about five mock surgeries a semester.”

Retired area surgeon Dr. Ashraf Hilmy is volunteering his time with the Surgical Technology program by supervising and offering feedback during and after the mock scenarios. He started his surgical practice in 1994 and said that surgeons could not do their jobs without surgical technologists.

“Students absolutely have to have this hands-on training because it is what they will be doing in the real world — you can’t learn this in a book,” he said. “These scenarios give students the opportunity to learn how to prepare for surgery, learn from their work, and get feedback.”

He added that as students move forward in the program, there are a few things they should keep in mind.

“Communicate and take ownership,” he said. “No matter how good a surgeon is, he or she cannot do their job without the surgical team. Surgical technologists are appreciated more than they will ever know.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Work zones and hard hats were a way of life for Sebastian Tovar before he entered the Building Construction Technology program at Texas State Technical College.

Growing up, the Harlingen native would scurry around construction sites, picking up trash while his dad was helping to build the next addition to a city.

“It just seemed natural for me to follow in his steps and go into construction,” he said.

Tovar, who completed an associate degree in the Building Construction Technology program in 2018, is now an assistant superintendent at SpawGlass general contractors in San Antonio.

He said his time at TSTC not only helped prepare him with essential skills, but also helped him gain confidence to set himself up for a career that promises to rise like a skyscraper.

“The instructors were invested in our success,” Tovar said. “They immediately helped us with any questions we had during the program.”

He said that although the program taught him and the other students curriculum from a textbook, it also allowed them to go outside and get their hands dirty.

“TSTC gave me the opportunity to get hands-on training on things like rough framing, blueprint reading, estimating, schedule building, project management and much more,” he said. “These are all skills that I use daily. I especially enjoyed our time doing labs, which included volunteering to build homes for our local Habitat for Humanity.”

Another aspect of the program that he appreciated was the knowledge that many of his peers brought to the classroom.

“Most of my friends at TSTC were already working full time or in the middle of a career change,” he said. “Many had been in the construction industry, which added a new perspective to our classes. I absorbed a lot of experience from my colleagues and instructors.”

Tovar is thankful that he took the leap and registered for courses at TSTC.

“My greatest accomplishment to date would have to be graduating from TSTC,” he said. “I carry a lot of pride for this college with me because of how strongly I believe in the effectiveness of the Building Construction Technology program. TSTC shaped my whole idea of what a college should be.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The San Benito Industrial Foundation Inc. is making the collegiate dreams of some San Benito residents come true with a gift of $75,000 through the TSTC Foundation for scholarships to attend Texas State Technical College.

The scholarship money will help fund tuition, course materials, uniforms, and testing fees for students residing within the city of San Benito or within the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District.

Founded in 1964 by a group of business owners, the San Benito Industrial Foundation focuses on promoting business and industry in the Resaca City.

San Benito Industrial Foundation Vice President Ben Fry said that education is an important component of the organization’s mission.

“We felt that scholarships to our San Benito residents attending TSTC would have a direct and positive impact on our young citizens,” he said. “Education provides a markedly higher lifetime income. It benefits the student, and also the city in which that student lives, in countless ways.”

TSTC Senior Field Development Officer Richard Mesquias knows that the scholarship will change lives.

“This amazing gift from the San Benito Industrial Foundation will greatly impact residents of San Benito,” he said. “We are thrilled to have their support for this initiative that will provide critical financial assistance to TSTC students.”

Fry said that student encouragement will go a long way.

“Every young person needs support when they are beginning to think of a career,” he said. “We are very blessed  to have such an excellent educational facility such as TSTC so close to our homes.”

Ultimately Fry wants residents of San Benito to know that they will have others in their corner in their pursuit of higher education.

“Our San Benito residents need to be made aware that our organization encourages education, and we are providing these scholarships to encourage and provide financial support to our young citizens,” he said. “With the education that TSTC can provide, our San Benito students can earn a good salary to comfortably support their families and become a great benefit to our city and its population.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Photo caption: The San Benito Industrial Foundation Inc. scholarship will benefit TSTC students residing within the San Benito city limits. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)