(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Recent Texas State Technical College graduate Ashton Turner’s fascination with mechanical and electrical systems began during his childhood, where it was sparked by the inner workings of simple toys like motorized race car tracks.
Turner, of Lovelady, saw his early interest grow into a deeper pursuit for robotics in high school. He later learned programming, electronics and robotics through the Mechatronics program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus.
“When I first started at TSTC, my roommate was working on a small Arduino kit in our dorm room that a Mechatronics instructor had given him,” he said. “(He) had to set up temperature and laser sensors so an alarm wouldn’t go off. I’ve always been a hands-on learner. My roommate explained the other assignments he had worked on. I was hooked. That’s when I decided to join the Mechatronics program.”
Turner, who earned an associate degree at the recent TSTC Fall 2025 Commencement, praised the program’s hands-on training with giving him the tools that developed his professional skill set.
“I believe the instructors’ lessons on troubleshooting and other skills gave me a solid understanding of how to make electrical systems work,” he said.
Alberto Barrera was one of Turner’s instructors.
“Ashton is a detail-oriented person who will pursue a problem until he has found a solution,” he said. “Students who share that drive about mechanical and electrical systems, do extremely well in this field.”
During his time at TSTC, Turner said his part-time job as a college resident assistant played a significant role in developing his leadership skills.
“The job taught me to take initiative in different situations,” he said. “It strengthened my professionalism, communication and customer service skills.”
Turner said his time at TSTC prepared him well for the next chapter of his life.
“TSTC provides a safe environment where students can thrive, from mastering skills in their respective programs to networking with the faculty and staff,” he said. “I also gained knowledge about financial literacy to budget and manage my own bills.”
Registration for the spring semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.