(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is getting creative with events this semester. Social distancing has brought about a new way for students and staff to get together, and utilizing technology to get students involved in events that would normally happen on campus shows no signs of slowing down.

This month TSTC will recognize Collegiate Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week virtually. Current students and staff will be invited via a link that will guide them to an online hangout where different topics will be discussed. TSTC counselor Angela Dunn talked about the importance of the events, as well as what she hopes students will gain from attending.

“Collegiate Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week is an educational week held in institutions of higher education nationwide,” she said. “Alcohol and drug safety should be a priority throughout the year for colleges and universities, but this week is a helpful reminder to follow best practices and to bring attention to issues posed by excessive drinking or drug use among college students.”

The week will consist of various digital activities, including participants taking part in making graffiti art, an overview of making “mocktails,” and a Netflix watch party. As with any event, there were a few logistics that needed to be figured out to make sure that things run smoothly.

“All event planning comes with its own challenges,” she said. “Engaging students to attend the event is the hardest part of hosting virtual events. Other challenges are technical issues or participants not having supplies if it’s an activity.”

The activities planned for the week involve using household items, which Dunn said will allow for more students and staff to participate.

“We utilize generic items around the house that most people will have,” she said. “In order to avoid technical issues, we practice ahead of time to try to minimize any errors that might occur.”

Ultimately, virtual events such as this are to benefit students.

“Our hope is to open a line of communication within the college community,” she said. “We want to educate students on how to recognize the signs and behaviors of someone who might have issues with alcohol or drug abuse and teach students how to deal with stress in a healthier way.”

TSTC’s Collegiate Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week begins on Monday, Oct. 19.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – This week, Texas State Technical College celebrated a cohort of nursing students who passed the National Council Licensure Examination with a success rate of 96 percent at its traditional nursing pinning ceremony. The milestone is particularly special because the passing percentage with the Board of Nursing is 80 percent, which puts TSTC well above average of most other colleges and universities

This particular group of students was at the forefront of adjustments made by TSTC because of the coronavirus, something that Associate Provost Jean Lashbrook said adds even more meaning to their accomplishment.

“They have definitely stepped up to the plate, and quickly,” she said. “This group started in the fall of 2019 and completed their program at the end of summer 2020. They started the program with face-to-face classes and then had to quickly move to online learning with minimal face-to-face conversations with instructors, and the inability to be at the clinical sites due to the coronavirus.”

Program director Shirley Byrd acknowledged that both faculty and students being able to adjust so rapidly to the new methods of learning is something to be proud of.

“These students need to be recognized for the hardships they endured,” she said. “They came into the program with an excellent attitude and a gung-ho spirit to accomplish their goal of becoming registered nurses. They were already familiar with being able to interact with faculty on a daily basis, and all of a sudden, because of the pandemic, that was gone.”

The pinning ceremony, which became a tradition in the U.S. around 1916, was started by Florence Nightingale on her quest to honor nurses for their dedicated and selfless service.

“The pin identifies them as nurses,” Byrd said. “It bears testimony to their education.”

Lashbrook added that the ceremony is a well-deserved send-off into the field of nursing.

“Pinning is a rite of passage, so to speak,” she said. “It is presented to the new graduate as a symbol that welcomes them to the profession of nursing.”

Byrd said that the instructors of the program are incredibly proud of this cohort, and she even had a few parting words.

“Continue the dedication you showed in the program to your patients,” she said. “Show everybody what excellent nurses you have become. The world is yours.”

To learn more about TSTC’s Nursing program, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/Nursing.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Dental Hygiene program are fortunate that their instructors bring a wealth of experience to the classroom each day. One of these instructors, Victoria Martin, lived in such diverse locales as Alaska and Puerto Rico before calling Texas home.

How long have you been with TSTC?

I began teaching with TSTC in the summer of 2016, but my love for wanting to teach at the Harlingen campus started much earlier, around 2007. I was living and teaching in Anchorage, Alaska, back then. My husband and I would come down to the Rio Grande Valley to vacation — and warm up a little. Going to and from the airport, we would pass by the TSTC campus. The main quad area of the camps is just beautiful, and I would say to myself, I pray I get to teach there someday.

What inspired you to get into teaching?

One of my former instructors, a mentor and friend, approached me to take over one of her classes when she retired. I was deeply honored. Once I started, my love for teaching grew with every class.

What did you do before your time with TSTC?

That is a topic that could make its own book. As I mentioned, I was teaching dental hygiene in Anchorage. During that time, I was also highly active in the American Dental Hygiene Association, along with practicing clinical dental hygiene in a public health setting. Besides providing oral health care in a hospital setting in Anchorage, we would fly to parts of rural Alaska to set up portable dental units and provide oral care to Alaska Natives. It was a fun and exciting time. My husband was a commissioned officer and dentist with the United States Public Health Service. Later, he was transferred to Puerto Rico. While there, I completed my master’s degree in dental hygiene. When my husband retired, we moved to the Rio Grande Valley.

What do you enjoy most about working with students?

Wow, there are so many things that I love about teaching. My favorite is watching the students grow, not only with their dental hygiene and critical-thinking skills, but also as confident professionals. By the time they graduate, they believe in themselves and are willing to take any challenge head-on.

Do you have a favorite TSTC memory?

A year after I had been teaching, my dad, who is a dentist, came down from Chicago to visit. I brought him to the TSTC dental hygiene clinic to meet my co-workers and students. This simple thing turned into a lifelong memory for both me and my dad. Both the faculty and students not only welcomed my dad, but they treated him like a rock star. My dad felt incredibly special and still talks about it to this day. That moment will forever be in my heart.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Dreams of opening her own restaurant led Leilani Lopez on a path to studying Culinary Arts at Texas State Technical College. While her journey at TSTC has not been a cakewalk, she is grateful for the support and guidance that she has received from her dedicated instructors.

The Philippines native is a student worker in the Culinary Arts department and is expected to graduate at the end of this year.

“I have always enjoyed cooking and baking,” she said. “I wanted to make it a career. My journey at TSTC was difficult at first because I did not know there was more to culinary arts than cooking and baking. However, the instructors have been extremely helpful. They encouraged me to keep learning, and every day has brought me something new.”

Culinary Arts instructor Emma Creps said that Lopez has excelled during her three semesters as a student worker.

“Right now she is in her final class before she graduates,” she said. “She has been a terrific student worker. Very dedicated.”

Lopez said she is not a student who likes to observe from the sidelines.

“I enjoy prepping, baking, and conducting inventory,” she said. “I like being helpful. I am not the type of person who likes to stand and watch. I am always willing to learn more.”

Her dedication to go above and beyond extends well into her education.

“My original plan was to just get my certificate,” she said. “It was my husband who encouraged me to go for my associate degree instead. I was nervous at first. I did not think I was going to make it.”

Through her time at TSTC, Lopez has relished competing with her peers.

“My favorite memories are the competitions the department has,” she said. “They helped me realize that I was able to work well under pressure. They helped me become a competitive person and define my strengths and weaknesses.

Lopez said TSTC has helped her prepare for her career beyond her education.

“I have learned how to be more organized and use time management wisely,” she said. “It has made me more confident and comfortable with myself. I was very shy when I started this program, but now I am headstrong, and I look forward to succeeding in the future.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Magic Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC) recently gave $20,000 to The TSTC Foundation for scholarships in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program. The funds will benefit deserving students who one day hope to become part of the booming lineworker industry.

TSTC senior field development officer Richard Mesquias said that The TSTC Foundation is grateful for this gift.

“The funding will enable us to help TSTC in its work to prepare students for the workforce now and in the future,” he said. “This scholarship fund will be used to provide financial assistance for tuition, books and tools to eligible students.”

Partnerships with businesses like MVEC allow TSTC’s mission of training students for well-paying careers to continue. Mesquias reiterated that the number of jobs in this market is expected to climb, making these funds even more vital.

“Market demand for lineworker positions in Texas is expected to grow,” he said. “This means that TSTC graduates are quite attractive to Texas employers.”

MVEC general manager John Herrera said that one of the company’s most important goals is to empower the communities it serves.

“When TSTC reached out to us about investing in their Electrical Lineworker Technology program in the form of a scholarship fund, we did not hesitate,” he said. “We are honored to be part of the preparation and training of TSTC students toward a very rewarding career in the electric industry.”

TSTC Provost Cledia Hernandez said that the scholarship fund helps to accomplish two of TSTC’s biggest goals: student success and employer success.

“We focus on getting our students trained to go straight into the workforce and be prepared with the skills employers look for,” she said. “We also work very closely with industry partners to ensure that we get their input on the skills needed to make certain that our programs are aligned with their needs.”

Hernandez said that scholarships such as this allow TSTC students to fulfill their dreams.

“Our industry partners see the caliber of graduates TSTC produces, and they want to invest in our region’s future workforce,” she said. “They also see the financial need that many of our students face, and these scholarships will help them reach their career goals.”

Herrera spoke about how the occupation itself is unique.

“The program at TSTC can be life-changing for students,” he said. “Although it is hard work, the career of an electrical lineworker can be very rewarding, both professionally and financially. It is an opportunity to play a vital role in your local community and allows you to become part of the family of lineworkers across the nation.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas is at the top of the list of states with the highest level of employment for electrical lineworkers, and the demand is expected to continue to grow.

To learn more about Electrical Lineworker Technology at TSTC, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/ElectricalLineworkerTechnology.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College provides a hands-on approach to the rapidly growing field of culinary arts.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts, as well as three certificates, all of which can help equip students for success in the future.

Culinary Arts instructor Emma Creps discussed the approach that TSTC takes to the program.

“Our program has well-trained instructors with a lot of experience,” she said. “Our students receive excellent training, whether it is in baking or cooking techniques, food and meat preparation, dining room and customer service, or international and American cuisine.”

She said that Culinary Arts is always looking for additional ways that the program can bring even more to the table for students.

“We are always seeking ways to enhance those experiences for students,” she said. “Throughout the program, our students are given projects that will help them learn the importance of organizing events, kitchen management, menu creation and community relations.”

TSTC Career Services director Viviana Espinosa said that the guidance given from her department extends beyond a job search. While the coronavirus has shifted their services to being done virtually, students can still expect the same level of support that TSTC is known for.

“Our department offers professional development workshops, employer spotlights, job fairs to connect our students with industry professionals, and access to our online job portal,” she said.

The support does not stop there.

“We also offer one-on-one consultations, where we assist the student individually with their resume and conduct mock interviews.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, culinary arts is expected to grow at a faster-than-average pace until 2029.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It is often said that sometimes a new career path will find you. Such was the case for Rick Vargas, who became an instructor at Texas State Technical College after finding that he thoroughly enjoyed presenting curriculum to his co-workers.

Three years later, he is now the lead instructor for Building Construction Technology at TSTC, where his experience outside the classroom is helping students who one day hope to become leaders in construction themselves.

What inspired you to become an instructor?

I was working for a structural engineer as a drafter, and I had to set up a small training to get the crew up to speed with how we did things. I set up a curriculum and held a four-hour training session. That’s all it took. I enjoyed teaching that session so much that I knew that I wanted to teach.

What did you do before your time with TSTC?

I have a degree in architectural drafting and design. I worked for a structural engineer for 10 years, which is when I learned about 90 percent of everything I know about construction. That experience has definitely helped me in the field. After my time there, I went back to school and earned another degree in construction supervision, as well. I was then offered a job as a construction superintendent for projects in the Rio Grande Valley before the opportunity to become an instructor presented itself.

What do you enjoy most about working with students?

The part I enjoy most is when we are working on projects and the students hit a problem or issue that they need to work through. We guide them, but do not just give them the answer. We make our students think and analyze the situation to come up with possible solutions. It’s at that one point where you can see that look in their eyes where the metaphorical light bulb turns on and they know exactly what they need to do. They put it into action, and they solve the issue.

Do you have a favorite TSTC memory?

I would have to say it was my first time taking the stage as lead for the graduation of our students. It was extra special because the students graduating that night were students that started the Building Construction Technology program on the same day that I started working at TSTC. They were the first cohort of students that I saw complete the program all the way through. I was very proud to see them walk across the stage and receive what I saw them work so hard to earn, day in and day out, in class.

To learn more about Building Construction Technology at TSTC, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/BuildingConstructionTechnology.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A love for baking and creating recipes she learned from cookbooks guided chef Emma Creps to her career as a Culinary Arts instructor at Texas State Technical College. The five years she has spent at TSTC have brought her many unforgettable memories and experiences that she gladly shares with the future culinary artists she is inspired by every day in the classroom.

“My first job was at a bakery in a grocery store,” Creps said. “I remember the first time I was allowed to make the doughnuts and the bread. When I saw the transformation of the dough to a loaf of bread in the oven, I knew right then and there, this is what I wanted to do.”

Her journey to teaching began after she was selected to go to culinary school while enlisted in the Army. At the time, she assumed teaching would only be temporary.

“The more courses I taught, the more I truly started to enjoy training students,” she said. “I love being in the kitchen. No matter how many times I have taught a class that teaches how to julienne an onion, or how to make a stock, I feel excitement for my students because they are learning something new.”

The Culinary Arts program offered at TSTC is one that Creps says prepares students very diligently for their careers.

She credits the instructors in the program for bringing top-notch insight to the classroom.

“Our program has well-trained instructors with a lot of experience,” she said. “Our students get excellent training, whether it is in baking or cooking techniques, food and meat preparation, dining room and customer service, or international and American cuisine.”

One of her TSTC colleagues, chef Ayla Cabarubio, said Creps’ work ethic is something that rubs off on her students.

“Chef Emma leads our team with her relentless work ethic and continuous focus on growing and refining the program,” she said. “In the classroom, she expects students to perform with integrity and professionalism. She not only teaches them the cuisine, or how to cook and bake, she teaches them how to be leaders.”

The lessons that Creps teaches go beyond culinary arts.

“She provides a learning environment where students are challenged to refine not only their culinary skills, but also their professional, interpersonal skills,” Cabarubio said. “In the classroom, she takes on the role of both instructor and mentor to her students. Her leadership helps our team stay on track with our goals, which are providing our students with the best training possible and shaping them to get hired in the industry.”

Becoming a mentor to her students is a responsibility that Creps holds very dear.

“I get a great feeling of accomplishment when I see my students develop their culinary skills and go on to hold jobs in leadership positions,” she said. “As their mentor, it makes me proud that they share with me what they are doing in their careers. They know that the TSTC Culinary Arts program is their support system.”

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Whether to be on the forefront of construction projects or supervising during the making of the next great skyscraper, Building Construction Technology at Texas State Technical College prepares students for careers in the constantly evolving field of construction.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in this field will continue to grow by 11 percent through 2028, much faster than average. TSTC gives students the essential tools they need to head into this occupation with confidence.

“We teach the skills that encompass nearly every aspect of construction included in residential and commercial construction and management,” said lead Building Construction Technology instructor Rick Vargas. “Our curriculum provides a look into the construction industry that will help our students to find a job in a field they love.”

While Building Construction Technology does include construction management, there are also many additional career paths that students will be prepared for.

“After studying at TSTC, a student can become an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspector, project manager, estimator, and any type of subcontractor,” Vargas said. “Several of our graduates even opened their own construction companies right after graduation and have been very successful.”

TSTC maintains high standards to ensure that students receive the training that will give them an edge in the job market, which is one aspect that makes studying the program at TSTC different than at any other college.

“Our program prides itself on having the best hands-on curriculum in the Rio Grande Valley,” Vargas said. “We have a multitude of projects going up in different classes that students love doing. It is hard work, but it is definitely a payoff to build something from start to finish throughout their time in our program.”

Statewide department chair Tony Chaffin reiterated that at TSTC, hands-on learning for Building Construction Technology is vital.

“While we do teach the textbook knowledge that all such trade programs teach, 80 percent of our technical classes have four hours per week of hands-on labs,” he said. “Students are able to touch and use the tools, materials and methods that we are teaching them about in the classroom or online. Putting on that tool belt is why our students come to TSTC.”

Building Construction Technology is an area that Vargas said is not slowing down anytime soon.

“Civilization will always need construction workers to build new buildings, repair broken or damaged buildings, or rebuild when natural disasters occur,” he said. “Construction is an essential part of human civilization.”

Chaffin added that the expanding Texas population only means a greater outlook for jobs in the industry.

“Construction is vital to our society and economy,” he said. “Texas’ population is exploding as people and companies are flocking to our state. With growth expected to continue, we are very optimistic about the many rewarding career opportunities out there in construction.”

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After completing the Surgical Technology program at Texas State Technical College in 2002, Yolanda Ramirez worked as a surgical technologist for seven years. Then, in 2009, she decided to bring her knowledge and refined skills back to TSTC to help educate future generations of surgical technologists.

She discussed her time working in the field, as well as how her experience is now helping students in the classroom.

“I decided to become an instructor because I enjoy teaching,” she said. “I wanted to share my passion for surgical technology with others.”

Ramirez’s skills in the classroom are beneficial for her students, but her work experience is something that allows students to receive genuine insight from someone who has already had a career outside the program.

“I was able to get experience in various specialties,” she said. “I started my career in obstetrics and gynecology, and then transitioned to the main operating room, where I specialized in neuro and cardiothoracic surgery. I believe my operating room experience has helped shape me into a better instructor. I am not only able to teach students about surgical procedures they can find in their books, but I can also share my personal experiences with them.”

Ramirez said that getting to utilize both of her passions, surgical technology and teaching, has made her career that much more meaningful.

“I enjoy being able to get the best of both worlds,” she said. “I still get to go into the operating room and watch my students be part of surgical procedures. Watching my students grow while they are in the program, seeing them learn and absorb all the new skills and techniques, and watching them set up and perform a surgical case with minimal assistance, are all steps I get to see. It is so rewarding to watch them grow throughout the program and become successful surgical technologists in the operating room.”

The joy she receives from her career is evident.

“I love that we are a vital part of the operating room team,” she said. “We are able to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful surgery.”

To learn more about TSTC’s Surgical Technology program, visit https://www.tstc.edu/programs/SurgicalTechnology.