(HARLINGEN) – Paul Lopez has belonged to the Texas State Technical College family for 13 years, troubleshooting and solving problems as an Application Administrator for the Office of Information Technology (OIT), and this year he is being recognized for the problem solver he is with a 2018 Chancellor’s Excellence Award.
“I thought someone was playing a joke on me. I thought how cruel,” he said with a laugh. “I couldn’t believe I was actually getting one of these (awards). I never expected it.”
The Chancellor’s Excellence Award is given by TSTC’s Chancellor Mike Reeser to select faculty and staff for their distinguished service and dedication to the college, communities and their state.
“These teammates were nominated by their peers, recommended by their Provosts and Vice Chancellor’s and chosen as faculty and staff who model excellence in our college every day,” said TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser. “Their caring and dedicated efforts embolden us all to make a difference in the success of our teams and the lives of our students.”
The San Benito native graduated from TSTC’s Computer Science program with an associate degree in 1996 and worked with Rio Hondo Independent School District and Region One Education Center in Edinburg as a lead technician/interim technology coordinator and help desk developer, respectively, before returning to TSTC.
“I have to credit the mentors I’ve had along the way,” he said. “Because of them I’ve been able to be successful in my career for so long. Every piece of advice I have taken to heart and have carried with me.”
Lopez has 20 years of experience in the information technology world.
And for at least four years during the Windows XP era in the early 2000’s, Lopez worked as an instructor with TSTC’s Corporate College, which is now Workforce Training and Continuing Education.
He helped train industry leaders and their employees, ranging from assembly line workers to supervisors.
“This was definitely a learning experience for me,” he said. “I loved teaching and sharing my knowledge and seeing faces light up when they learned something new and understood it.”
In 2005, Lopez made the full transition to TSTC and began his journey at the TSTC Help Desk, moved up to a network technician II and eventually into his current role.
As an applications administrator he has worked on both the support and project side of the house, initiating and maintaining various projects for departments such as TSTC’s Learning Resource Center, Police Department and HVAC program.
Senior Executive Director of Infrastructure for OIT and also Lopez’s supervisor Rick Collatos said this award is long overdue for Lopez.
“Paul is a dedicated employee who goes the extra mile for everyone he works with,” said Collatos. “He demonstrates an excellence in customer service every day and has so for many years. Congratulations Paul.”
Collatos also said that Lopez is an innovator for TSTC, always thinking ahead and dedicating himself to projects that will take the college to the next level.
Those who nominated Lopez for this award have remained anonymous, but he has a special message for them.
“Thank you, thank you,” said Lopez. “I don’t get out of my office, everyone I have contact with is over the phone or video conference, so I appreciate people taking notice of my work and recognizing me for it. It’s a true honor.”
So what is next for Lopez?
Lopez said he hopes to go back to school and finish what he started: a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He also hopes to move back into teaching at TSTC and share his knowledge and skills with others.
Lopez will join the other 16 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipients from across TSTC’s 10 campuses in May for the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards dinner and celebration in Austin where the honorees will receive their award.