Techsan Day is a long-standing tradition at Texas State Technical College. It is held every spring semester before final exams to give administration, faculty, staff and students a chance to network and relieve the semester’s stress through games, contests and food. From mechanical bull riding and dunking booths to eating contests and obstacle courses, there is fun for all.

(HARLINGEN) – Eva Gonzalez is a student at Texas State Technical College pursuing an associate degree in Wind Energy and Turbine Technology.

The 32-year-old expects to graduate in Summer 2017 and currently boasts a 3.7 grade-point average.

The Raymondville native said she first became interested in the industrial arena when she worked as an insulation and metal installer and asbestos remover at refineries in Corpus Christi and Victoria. Gonzalez said although she loved what she did, she is ready for a career, not just a job.

What are your plans after graduation?

I’m hoping to have a job position in place upon graduating. Although I’m keeping an open mind about where I may end up, I am ultimately hoping to get a job with Siemens USA, a global company that provides services such as Energy, Industrial Automation and Drive Technology.

What’s your dream job?

My dream is to become a supervisor or some type of leader either at Siemens or whichever company I end up at. I would like oversee a region, especially the South Texas region. It’s home.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC was being able to balance school and maintain a high GPA while working. Until recently I worked at O’Reilly Auto Parts but my school schedule has changed and I want to focus on school and starting my career.  I’m proud that I was able to handle both work and school through the majority of my program.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

Several years ago my dad passed away and I went through a depression. I was living in California at the time and that’s when I decided to come home. I learned that it was important to not take anything for granted, especially an education. So I took a continuing education class at TSTC and earned a certificate in Industrial Safety and I never left the college. I hope to make my dad proud of who I’m becoming because I had an unsure path before. And coming from a background of migrant workers I have also learned the value of hard work and determination.

Who at TSTC has influenced your success the most?

It’s hard to name only one person because all three of my instructors: David Gomez, Juan Alferez and Alfredo Rodriguez have influenced my success. All three have different experiences and lessons to share. They are always there encouraging us to succeed.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want to tell future and current students to stick with their goals and dreams and not to get discouraged. Education is the key and it will get you far in life.

(HARLINGEN) – Michael Foster was a dual-credit high school student the last time he attended Texas State Technical College, but it was at the college where he found the support that got him where he is today.

The Harlingen native finished his general academic core at TSTC in 2009, the same year he graduated from Harlingen Early College High School.

“Honestly, TSTC was the best thing to have happened to me,” said Foster. “During my hardest time, they were there for me and pushing me to go forward.”

The 19-year-old is now a student at St. Edward’s University in Austin, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history and economics, and he also works at the Texas State Capitol as a senate messenger, hand-delivering documents to various departments within the Capitol. With this nonpartisan position, he has the chance to witness the happenings of the legislative session.

However, before finding his way upstate he suffered a great loss.

“My dad passed away from lung cancer during my senior year in high school,” Foster said. “Only one month later, I was diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease.”

Foster has what is called pemphigus vulgaris, an autoimmune disorder of the skin that causes blistering and sores. With treatment, his disease is now under control.

“I felt like my life was chaos,” he said. “I was so discouraged, but my TSTC instructors were so understanding and were there for me every step of the way, helping in any way they could so I could finish and graduate.”

TSTC instructors like Elizabeth Bryant, who teaches state and federal government, and William Taliancich, who teaches English, would constantly call to check on him.

In fact, it was Bryant who helped Foster discover his love for government and helped him find job opportunities when he moved to Austin.

“Without Bryant, I would have never known about this position,” said Foster. “It was her constant reassurance and guidance that got me through the hiring process. And here I am.”

Foster said TSTC acted as his stepping stone and he is so grateful for the experience.

“Everything I learned at TSTC is conducive to my long-term goals in how it prepared me,” he said. “Stepping into these advanced courses as a high school student was challenging, but it definitely prepared me for everything that was to come.”

Bryant, who has worked with the Texas senate, said she could tell from the beginning that Foster had a true interest in government, but just needed a little push.

“Michael was a great student. He was always reaching out, wanting to learn more,” said Bryant. “Like him, all of my students are special, and I work hard to encourage each of them to have confidence and be proud of their education. Michael was a little hesitant to meet senators and assert himself, but with encouragement he did it. I know he has a bright future.”

As of now, Foster’s long-term goals are to attend law school and become active in politics, including running for public office someday.

“A lot of things for me are still up in the air. There’s a lot I want to do,” said Foster. “But I couldn’t have done it without my support system at TSTC and my mom. And that’s what I want to advise future students: always reach out to instructors or family when you need guidance. You can go far with their help.”

(HARLINGEN) – Thalia Gutierrez is pursuing an associate degree in Education and Training at Texas State Technical College. She expects to graduate in Spring 2020.

In addition to studying, the Harlingen native finds yourself busy serving as the secretary of the Pool Sharks, TSTC billiard club, and as the newly elected Student Government Associate Vice President.

The 19-year-old also makes time to give back to her community by spending her free time volunteering at the Harlingen Humane Society, the recycling center and nursing homes.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating from TSTC I hope to transfer to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for a bachelor’s degree in education.

What’s your dream job?

My dream job is to become a teacher at a local elementary school to inspire young children’s’ lives. I have a quote that I live by, “To aspire, to inspire before I expire,” and I feel like I can achieve this through teaching.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment while at TSTC has been learning how to trust myself and my abilities. I’ve always been scared to grab opportunities, take chances and put myself out there, but during my time here at TSTC I have learned that I can do more than I ever expected I could. Part of this newfound confidence comes from being active on campus and meeting so many people that believe in me.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

I have learned that no matter what it is important to lend a helping hand to everyone. There is always someone who is in need of a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on and we all have to be there for each other. It’s the goodness to life. And we must do these things without expecting anything in return. It’s enough just putting a smile on someone’s face and knowing that we have made a difference.

Who at TSTC has influenced your success the most?

Rick Santos, former SGA Vice President and my friend, has had the most influence in my success and in life. He has pushed me to believe in myself. He is the one who encouraged me to become active on campus and because of him I have had doors open for me filled with endless opportunities.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want to advice future and current students to get involved with campus organizations or community service throughout their communities. It is a great feeling being able to help the college and make a difference. Jump in and don’t look back, because all of the opportunities and all of the good things are outside of the comfort zone.

(HARLINGEN) – Habitat for Humanity presented the Texas State Technical College Building Construction Technology SkillsUSA students with a Recognition Award for their hard work and dedication with the organization. Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of the Rio Grande Valley Wayne Lowry said students’ leadership and professionalism show that they are learning great skills at TSTC and his organization looks forwards to a continued partnership with the college and the TSTC SkillsUSA chapter.

These SkillsUSA students have been working with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for the low-income families of the Rio Grande Valley. They put into practice the skills they are learning in the classroom giving them a chance to perfect their trade.

(HARLINGEN) – A beach, a sand version of a snowman and a borrowed camera is how Texas State Technical College alumnae Marian Bliss Blake’s photography career got started.

The Mexico City native never saw photography in her future. In fact she attended a university in Mexico to study Architecture. During this time she took a job as a liaison and translator between American and Mexican architects working on a renovation project for a major hospital.

“I only took the job because I wanted experience in my field while in school,” Blake said. “Who knew I’d meet my husband?”

Marrying a Cardiologist and Medical Director at Harlingen Medical Center meant that Blake would call the United States and TSTC her new home.

She graduated from TSTC in 1999 with an associate degree in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics. She even built a home with a design she created in class.

Around this same time, Blake was busy raising three children and helping her husband fight for his life after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

“After going through this time in my life and thinking that my husband was going to die, I began to see everything differently,” she said. “I’ve always loved doing photography, but now I began valuing photographs so much more. They’re stories and memories.”

Blake’s husband survived the cancer scare and she decided it was time to document their lives with photos.

What was supposed to be a family fun day taking Christmas photos at the beach with a sand snowman for a Christmas card turned into a photography session for more than 25 families.

“Word got out among my friends on what I was doing and by the time I knew it I had people requesting Christmas photo shoots,” said Blake. “I had never done anything like this before but I enjoyed it so much. It was the best thing that could have happened to me.”

It was after this shoot that a local photographer saw Blake’s photos. The woman encouraged her to enroll at TSTC and J. J. Vavra’s photography class.

“I’m the type of person who wants to do what she is doing the right way,” said Blake. “If people were going to be paying me for their photos, I better learn how to do it right.”

She returned to TSTC in 2007 and enrolled in Vavra’s photography class, which is part of the Digital Media Design program, and learned the foundation of taking photos and editing them.

After college, Blake became an active member of the Professional Photographers of America, and participated in the World Photographic Cup, an international team competition.

When she moved to Mexico, she and two partners formed the Comité Fotográfico Mexicano and encouraged fellow photographers to join and compete against the world’s best.

“We needed a certain number of photos and contestants and we weren’t getting responses from some of best. Organizing this for Mexico was not an easy task,” said Blake. “But in the end all of the hard work and sacrifice was worth it.”

The first two years of competition deemed successful for Mexico.  Blake and her fellow photographers took fifth place as a country sixth place as a country in 2016 and 2017 respectively. They are now preparing for their third world cup in Australia.

Blake has also taken on many projects in the recent years. She focuses on her business photographing newborns and children and works closely with Operation Smile, a not-for-profit, volunteer medical organization that provides reconstructive facial surgery to children with cleft lip or cleft palate.

Wanting the children to feel accepted and beautiful, Blake photographs before and after photos of children who suffer from this birth defect.

“These children are beautiful and have nothing to be ashamed of,” she said. “If I have the ability to help them gain confidence then I’m going to share it.”

Blake credits much of this success to what she learned at TSTC and the mentors she met in the course who opened many doors of opportunity for her.

“It all started at TSTC,” she said. “It gave me the foundation for everything I am doing now and what I want to express with my photographs.”

(HARLINGEN) – Isela Rodriguez is a Texas State Technical College student and graduate. She earned an associate degree in Spring 2016 in Dental Laboratory Technology and is about to complete her General Academic Core.

The Brownsville native boasts a 3.5 grade-point average despite her busy schedule as a Student Government Association Housing Senator and a member of the Service Squad, Leadership Academy and Intramural Sports Club.

In addition, the 23-year-old is also a work study at the TSTC Game Room and the newly elected SGA President.

What are your plans after graduation?

Once I complete my Academic Core, I plan on enrolling in Business Management Technology for Spring 2017. I feel like getting this degree will open doors to many other opportunities that will help me find a great career.

What’s your dream job?

I’ve always wanted to do something in the dental field, which is why I got my degree in dental laboratory.  But after working in the game room, I am leaning toward a career in business.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment at TSTC has been getting involved. The more I volunteered and helped around campus the more doors of opportunity that were opened for me. I have met wonderful people and made friends who have supported me in everything I do or aspire to do.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself or life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is to not underestimate myself. I didn’t grow up having confidence or believing that I could do anything. And my time here at TSTC has really shown me who I am and what I am capable of. So although I still need work, I have come a long way and I am learning to trust in myself.

Who at TSTC has had the most influence on your success?

My friend and former TSTC student Angel Gutierrez played a huge part in where I am today. He introduced me to the organizations I am active in and encouraged me to get involved. And last but not least Belinda Palomino has been the biggest influence. She helped me gain confidence in myself and she helped bring out the best in me. She is always pushing me to do better. I consider her my role model.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

Don’t be intimidated or scared to be active on campus. Get involved. There are so many opportunities available to those who join clubs and do community service, plus you get to network with a great group of professionals and other like-minded students. TSTC offers so much more than an excellent education, it is just a matter of reaching out of the comfort zone.

(HARLINGEN) – Thirteen has proven to be a lucky number for Mary Aguilar. That’s how many years she has served at Texas State Technical College and in the same year has been chosen as the TSTC Employee Spotlight for March.

The San Benito native is a teaching lab assistant for the Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences department. She said she has had the privilege to work for multiple divisions as a secretary for Education and Training, the Center of Excellence in Teaching and Training and, what was then, the President’s Office.

Holding back happy tears Aguilar said she is thankful to those who nominated her and have believed in her along the way.

“This recognition is an honor. You think no one notices, but they do,” said Aguilar. “I help just to help. I never expect anything in return.”

The Employee Spotlight was created by TSTC’s Staff Senate to recognize employees, who are nominated by their colleagues, for making a difference in their department and around campus.

It is Aguilar’s selfless attitude that many say they admire. Those who nominated her remain anonymous, but their comments are printed on Aguilar’s award.

“Mary is always willing and ready to provide help to instructors and students,” one comment read.

Another remark states, “She has taken the steps necessary to learn information about Moodle and make the instructors’ jobs easier.”

And a final comment, “Mary is always willing to help with events being held by other departments.”

However, Aguilar is not only an employee of TSTC, but also an alumnae. She graduated in 2012 with an associate degree in Business Management Technology. She is now in the process of earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Wayland University at the TSTC University Center.

“Over the years working with differently people I’ve come to learn the importance of an education,” she said. “Education has always been important to me, but life happens and I had to wait.”

The wife, mother of three and grandmother of six said there is no better time than the present to work toward her goal of a bachelor’s degree. Despite the fact that she works full-time and takes online classes she still makes it a point to spend time with her grandchildren.

“I look forward to going to games and recitals,” said Aguilar. “I take as many pictures as I can because children grow up fast.”

In the near future, Aguilar hopes to become an instructor at TSTC for the Business Management Technology program to help students achieve their dreams.

“The best part of my job is working with students,” she said. “Plus, TSTC is like a second family to me and I want to stick around as long as I can.”

(HARLINGEN) – TSTC is taking steps to make it easier for veterans to qualify for College Credit for Heroes.

The College Credit for Heroes initiative ensures that active duty, former and retired military personnel receive credit for skills learned while serving. This will allow them to receive degrees and certificates in less than the traditional course time and expedite their entry into the workforce.

“Many times military personnel or veterans have a family to support, so getting into the workforce quickly is a priority for them,” said Edna Claus, campus lead for business management, computer science and gaming and simulation programming. “And with this program it pretty much puts them ahead by one semester.”

College Credit for Heroes gives students the option of using military skills or taking the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam for course credit.

This year, TSTC will be offering an additional one-week Quick Review Course through the College for Heroes program that will prepare students for the CLEP exam and make it less daunting.

“We’re always working on ways to help our students,” said Claus. “Through the Quick Review Course we give the student all the materials necessary to pass the CLEP exam, and in turn save time and money.”

The courses included in College Credit for Heroes this year are Business Management Technology and Computer Networking and Security Technology. Within each program there are three courses that students can receive credit for either through military experience or a CLEP exam.

“We did research and found that these two programs are the most popular among our active military and veteran students,” said Claus. “We hope many will take advantage of what this program has to offer.”

TSTC Grant and Contract Specialist Ben Capetillo added that the College Credit for Heroes grant also supplies tools and equipment for students.

“The money we get from College Credit for Heroes helps us with the foundation we need to build a long-term program,” said Capetillo. “In addition, we’re able to purchase laptops and equipment students can use in order to be successful.”

College Credit for Heroes at TSTC is in its third year. The first grant was received in 2015, focused on supporting veterans in Wind Energy and Turbine Technology and the creation of TSTC’s Veterans Center, which assists veterans and their dependents with admissions, financial aid, GI Bill and Hazlewood Act processes.

The College Credit for Heroes grant’s second year focused on veterans in Automotive Technology.

“We’ve really established a foundation for this program,” said Claus. “Our hope is that after its initiation we can implement this toward our other technologies and be able to make this opportunity available to all TSTC students.”

The current College Credit for Heroes grant is only available at TSTC’s Harlingen campus, but once all documentation such as curriculum is reviewed, submitted and completed, the college’s other nine campuses will have the chance to follow the model and implement the program as well.

TSTC’s Harlingen campus has been named a military friendly school for the last seven years, and the TSTC System has earned the same recognition for two consecutive years.

For more information on College Credit for Heroes call 956-364-4819 or visit tstc.edu/veterans/militarycredit.

(HARLINGEN) – Jonathan Rodriguez is completing his General Academic Core at Texas State Technical College. The 18-year-old is expected to complete this program in Spring 2018.

The San Benito native also serves as president of the Pool Shark Club, a billiard club on campus. Rodriguez, along with club members, do community service at the Harlingen Humane Society, Harlingen Recycling Center, a homeless shelter and various nursing homes in the area.

What are your plans after graduation?

After I graduate I hope to enlist in the Army to travel and get help paying for college. I eventually hope to attend Texas State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

What’s your dream job?

Ultimately, I would love to work for the U.S. Border Patrol to help protect the borders and have a steady and good-paying career.

What has been your greatest accomplishment while at TSTC?

My greatest accomplishment so far at TSTC was creating the Pool Sharks Club and becoming president. We’re an active club that likes to not only play pool, but also help our community, and I’m proud of that.

What greatest lesson have you learned about yourself and life?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that it is important to lend a hand to those in need. Since my time in ROTC during high school I have made this my mission. I like showing others that I care and the happiness I see come from the people I help makes me happy in return. Knowing you made a difference is the best feeling.

Who at TSTC has had the biggest influence on your success?

TSTC’s Student Government Association Vice President Rick Santos has had the biggest influence on my success here at TSTC. He always advised me to get involved on campus so I could make the best out of my college experience. So when the Pool Sharks Club opportunity came up, I listened and jumped on it thanks to him.

What is your advice for future TSTC students?

I want to share the same advice I have been given. Get involved with campus clubs, school activities and community service events. This is the best way to meet new people, help the community and have fun while doing it.