(AUSTIN) – Texas State Technical College student Jalen Burns was impressed by his new surroundings Thursday.

Burns, 20, an electrical lineworker technology major at the Marshall campus, traveled to Austin to be part of TSTC Day at the Capitol.

“It has been amazing,” said Burns, a resident of Palestine. “I had never been to the Capitol, and to meet a lot of the nice people here has been good.”

Burns talked to people about his experiences at TSTC. He learned about the technical college from a co-worker who was an electrical lineman.

“My father and I looked at it and did research,” Burns said. “TSTC is a wonderful campus. You get out what you put into it.”

TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser said state agencies apply to have specially designated days during the legislative session. The Texas Legislature meets regularly every two years.

“It’s a great honor when the Legislature selects you to have an agency day like this,” Reeser said. “It is a way to say thank you to the Legislature.”

For Elton Stuckly Jr., TSTC executive vice chancellor and chief operations officer, being at the Capitol was a way to continue building relationships.

Burns saw the Texas House of Representatives and Senate approve resolutions about TSTC.

Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson filed House Resolution 1536 to designate May 4 as TSTC Day at the Capitol.

“Texas State Technical College provides Texans with the opportunity to attain leading-edge technical skills and knowledge, to the great benefit of the students, their families, and the State of Texas, and it is indeed fitting to recognize the school for its contributions to the economic advancement of the Lone Star State,” according to the resolution.

Other representatives with TSTC campuses in their districts told the legislative body and gallery visitors about TSTC’s campus expansion plan in Abilene, workforce development and the willingness to partner with local businesses to determine the skills set needed for qualified workers.

Sen. Brian Birdwell filed Senate Resolution 686 declaring TSTC as the state’s premier two-year institution for technical education with more than 60 technical programs offering associate degrees and certificates. TSTC’s North Texas and Waco campuses are in his district.

“Texas State Technical College experienced record increases in enrollment in the fall semester of 2016; the institution continues to focus on student achievement while maximizing state investment, and it serves as a national model for technical training in higher education settings,” according to the resolution.

TSTC and Amy’s Ice Creams in Waco teamed up for an ice cream social in a conference room in the Capitol Extension. Two lines of legislative staff members and people visiting the Capitol queued up for ice cream and to talk with technical college staff.

Ben Stratmann, Birdwell’s chief of staff, has attended previous TSTC Day at the Capitol events and said it was a good time for the technical college to make an impression on legislators.

“Sen. Birdwell is a big proponent of higher education,” Stratmann said. “Everyone has different professional and life goals. TSTC presents an opportunity to learn trades and crafts to put people into work in real time. The senator likes the outcome-based funding system.”

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