(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Last year, Texas State Technical College deployed the Rapid Industry Skills and Employability (RISE) program to allow students to quickly learn the skills needed to help get them started on the path to a new career.

The courses were introduced to help combat the impact that the coronavirus has had on employment in Texas.

Hector Yanez, TSTC’s senior vice president of Student Learning, said that the first cohorts of the RISE program have seen success, and he expects to see additional interest from potential students as word spreads.

“The RISE cohorts have been doing well,” he said. “We have gathered data and continue to comb through it to get a better understanding of what is working great and what needs to be tweaked. In order to maintain rigor and quality, we inspect things very closely so that students can achieve success in their cohort.”

The courses are implemented in areas with high industry demand so that jobs can be readily available for students once they receive their Occupational Skills Award. However, Yanez said that he has noticed a surprising trend.

“An interesting thing that we observed immediately after the first cohort was that students wanted to continue their education and explore TSTC’s certificate programs and associate degrees,” he said. “Students enroll knowing that they could get even higher wages with just a few more courses.”

Yanez said that TSTC is currently in the process of adding 14 new Occupational Skills Award-eligible courses to the RISE program, which will double the opportunity for interested students.

“The RISE awards give the students the knowledge to work more efficiently, boost their confidence and make them a more valuable candidate for employers,” he said. “Businesses are always on the lookout for knowledgeable staff, and these RISE awards will offer the students the opportunity to attain these in-demand jobs.”

Limited scholarships are available for those interested in the RISE program.

To learn more, visit https://www.tstc.edu/rise.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently added an additional resource to ensure that students succeed during their time in college.

Progress Pathway, formerly known as Early Alert, is a feature that allows students, faculty and staff to submit a referral about a student who they feel may be falling behind in the curriculum. The referral will then lead to assisting that student to help them make it past the bump on their educational journey.

Christina Vargas, assistant director of enrollment management at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus, said that the system was created to help students get back on track when they may be struggling.

“If there is concern that a student is having problems with not only their courses, but maybe another issue, we can submit a referral that goes directly to the student’s enrollment coach,” she said. “Once the referral is submitted, the coach will reach out to the student. We have resources at TSTC to address many of the types of barriers that impede student success.”

“The objective of Progress Pathway is student success,” added TSTC enrollment analyst Robert Foshie. “We want to ensure students, staff and faculty have a way to express concern that may negatively impact a student’s ability to persist through their degree.”

He said that the tool will allow appropriate parties to offer assistance when a student needs it.

“Progress Pathway allows Enrollment Management to intervene and provide resources or additional funding as needed to ensure students stay on course to graduate.”

Issues that students may face go beyond the classroom. Access to technology, funding for supplies, or personal dilemmas are all factored into the solutions that Progress Pathway can make happen for students.

“We know there are a number of issues that could be causing a student to fall behind,” Vargas said. “The issues that can be reported on Progress Pathway reach beyond academics. Whether it be financial struggles or a lack of child care that an instructor suspects is causing the student to struggle, a referral will work in the same way.”

Foshie said that the new feature helps continue to enable TSTC’s mission of building the Texas workforce.

“Being able to assist a student with their needs is often the determining factor for whether or not a student can persist to graduation,” he said. “Our mission is to place more Texans in great-paying jobs, and our team strives to make what is impossible for some a success in their journey.”

To learn more about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A curiosity for engines and transmissions is what drove Diego Trevino to a career at Texas State Technical College three years ago. He is currently an instructor in the Automotive Technology program and brings to the classroom not only his love for all things automotive, but also his firsthand experience.

What was your career before your time with TSTC?

Before I became an instructor, I was an automotive technician for Gillman Chevrolet Buick GMC in San Benito for several years.

Why did you decide on a career in automotive technology?

The main reason I decided on my career in the automotive industry is my love for cars. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been working on cars. On my time off, I still make time to build engines and restore classic cars.

What do you think makes the automotive program at TSTC different from other colleges?

What I think sets the TSTC Automotive Technology program apart from other auto programs is the experience of the instructors; we are all masters in the field and accredited as such. TSTC only hires the best and most capable to pass along decades of experience and skills.

Additionally, job placement is a big help for students when they graduate. Not many other colleges set up interviews or help create paid internships for students while they are enrolled in classes with some of the biggest automotive shops in the region.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

What I enjoy the most about my job is passing on my years of experience to a new generation of technicians to continue this craft.

To learn more about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The revving of engines is music to the ears of students and  instructors alike in Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for automotive service technicians are expected to continue to rise through 2026. TSTC’s Automotive Technology program utilizes a hands-on method of learning that gives students the necessary training needed to excel in the field.

The college offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology, as well as several options for certificates of completion.

Instructor Diego Trevino said that TSTC students in the program are given the opportunity to study with working vehicles, as well as learn from instructors who have had firsthand industry experience.

“We get to teach from actual running vehicles rather than trainers on a stand,” he said. “All the instructors at TSTC are required to be Master Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified and also have an associate degree in the automotive field before they can step into a classroom.”

Bruce Schmitt, also an instructor, added that TSTC’s mission to work closely with students is what sets this program apart.

“We invest in students over a long period of time,” he said. “TSTC is a well-established college throughout the state of Texas.”

He added that the focus on students does not stop once the class ends. Job placement is also a vital component of the program.

“All automotive students are assisted with job placement through our partnerships with local industry partners, both dealership and independent,” he said.

Trevino said that Automotive Technology instructors also do their due diligence to ensure that students are given good opportunities.

“As instructors, we all take time out of our day to visit dealerships and shops across the Rio Grande Valley to create a relationship with them to help our students get their foot in the door,” he said. “We take advantage of the interview practices offered throughout the year to help our students prepare for the interviews with industry partners that we have set up for them by the time they graduate.”

Instructor Miguel Zoleta said that the automotive industry is not slowing down, as far as jobs are concerned.

“I see a rapid rise in demand for the automotive industry, especially in the electrical automotive industry, because many automotive companies are introducing electric lines of vehicles,” he said.

While current safety precautions have impacted the one-on-one time that instructors have with students, Trevino said that this has not deterred the department from finding other ways to guarantee communication, such as distancing with minimal time in the lab, virtual appointments, and even phone calls.

“We are always available by appointment,” he said. “In order for students to really master the automotive craft, whether it is practicing a skill like tire balancing or getting the finer points of engine rebuilding, we try our best to make ourselves available to students however we can.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is ready to welcome students back to campus for the spring 2021 semester.

Students, faculty and some staff will return to campus on Monday, January 11, on a limited basis and continue to follow TSTC’s coronavirus safety guidelines.

Most courses will be taught with a combination of online classes and in-person labs.

The safety protocols include mandatory face masks while on campus, social distancing, and designated entrance and exit locations.

Provost Cledia Hernandez is eager to welcome students back.

“As the new year gets started, a very common tradition is setting new resolutions,” she said. “TSTC is dedicated to helping students reach their goals. We have dedicated tools and resources that are available to students in order to make these resolutions happen.”

Associate Provost Jean Lashbrook added that 2020 may have changed our attitudes, but students should not be deterred from pursuing their educational goals.

“Last year changed us all,” she said. “It changed some of us more than others, but students should not let that change them in a negative way. Think positive, dream positive, and go after the great things in your life that you want to achieve.”

Hernandez said that there are resources at TSTC to help students through their college journey.

“We will help our students finish strong,”  she said. “Tutoring services, dedicated faculty, and career coaches are ready to refine our students’ skills to get them the job they have been waiting for.”

TSTC is dedicated to helping enhance the Texas workforce by equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in some of the most in-demand careers.

To learn more about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

To read more about TSTC’s coronavirus precautions, visit https://tstc.edu/coronavirus.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Mechatronics Technology program equips students with the essential skills needed to succeed in a career that is expected to grow through 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Mechatronics, whose name derives from combining the words mechanical and electronics, is the study and use of multiple disciplines to help maintain the integrity of products. The program at TSTC utilizes industrial maintenance, robotics technology and process controls to give students a hands-on look at what it takes to thrive in the industry.

Program instructor Juan Alferez said the program teaches students how to fix machinery and equipment, as well as about production processes and communications protocols.

“With the increase in demand for automation and communications, companies are looking for technicians that have the ‘industry 4.0’ skills,” he said. “Every year, the demand for technicians that possess these skills increases.”

Instructor Eldwin Leija added that the hands-on experience only adds to the benefits that the courses can give students.

“We have a solid curriculum, supplemented with industry-relevant equipment,” he said.

He added that the demand for everyday necessities is one of the reasons that mechatronics will remain a stable career choice.

“As long as the world needs gasoline, oil, natural gas, and manufactured goods such as food packaging, clothes, makeup and bottled water, mechatronics technicians will always be in demand.”

While the program itself includes a detailed curriculum, TSTC also helps mechatronics graduates with job placement when they are close to completing the program.

“We keep close communication with industry partners and help students meet with companies,” Alferez said. “In many cases, students have job offers before graduation.”

To learn more about Mechatronics Technology at TSTC, visit https://tstc.edu/programs/MechatronicsTechnology.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is committed to ensuring that students have everything they need to make the most of their education, including food. One of the ways this is done is via the TSTC Food Pantry, which provides students with meal assistance should they ever need it.

TSTC Advocacy and Resource coordinator Patty Flores discussed the logistics of the food pantry, as well as what students should do if they need dietary assistance.

When is the TSTC Food Pantry open?

The Food Pantry is open on Mondays and Tuesdays or by appointment. It is located at the Advocacy and Resource Center in the Student Center, room 132. Many students are facing additional stressors during this pandemic, so we have transitioned our snack pantry to a food pantry for students facing food insecurities.

What is the process for students if they need assistance?

TSTC students can stop by, sign in, and fill two bags with items from the shelves. If it is determined that the student may need additional resources, I can provide them with community resources that offer assistance with food. Students can also apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using one of our computers.

What is the turnaround time for students who need food?

 Students are able to get items usually the same day, based on availability. They can stop by when we are open or schedule an appointment.

Who would students contact if they need help?

Students can contact me at 956-364-4525 or patty.flores@tstc.edu, or stop by the Advocacy and Resource Center.

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

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor Mark Casares has a passion for welding, and he is grateful that he gets to bring his knowledge into the classroom with each passing semester.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, welding occupations are expected to grow continuously through 2029. TSTC’s Welding Technology program will prepare students for this rising career and teach them skills that will allow them to start the job with confidence on day one.

Why is Welding Technology important?

Welding Technology is important because it provides a body of knowledge to understand the basic principles of producing a quality weld.

What inspired you to become an instructor?

Going through the program myself and seeing the level of success it helped me with early on in my career gave me the inspiration to give back and pass on that knowledge.

What do you think makes the Welding Technology program at TSTC different?

What sets TSTC’s program apart is the fact that students have access to top-of-the-line equipment currently leading the welding industry, as well as well-qualified instructors with real-world experience.

What are some of the careers this program prepares students for?

This program will prepare students for careers such as pipe welding, pipe fitting, and structural welding.

What are a few traits a student should have to be a successful welding technology student?

Successful welding students are diligent and dedicated. They are also hands on, detail oriented, and have great hand-eye coordination.

What do you enjoy most about welding?

The thing I enjoy most about welding is being creative. Imagining a product, then creating it with your hands, gives you a sense of pride.

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