Search results for:
"aircraft airframe technician certificate 2" (890 results)

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Programs Aircraft Airframe Technology

What keeps an aircraft in the air? Lift, thrust, and the skills of an Aviation Maintenance Tech.

Programs Aircraft Powerplant Technology

It's true: Texas employs the highest number of aviation mechanics in the country.

Programs Aircraft Pilot Training Technology

With more than 12.1 million annual take-offs and landings, the aviation industry is booming in Texas. We will help your career to lift off.

Programs Automotive Technology

Some prefer to be behind the wheel, but you prefer to be under the hood.

Programs Electromechanical Technology

The automation industry relies on technicians to maintain productivity and efficiency. What a powerful opportunity for you!

Programs Diesel Equipment Technology

Texas employs more diesel engine specialists than any other state in the nation, from trucks that deliver goods across the state to engines that power farm and construction equipment.

Programs Auto Collision & Management Technology

A steady hand and eye for detail make you a classic in this industry.

Programs Wind Energy Technology

In this industry, you're only limited by how high you're willing to climb.

Programs HVAC Technology

There's no one more popular than an A/C repair person in the Texas summers.

Programs Robotics & Industrial Controls Technology

Your mad math and science skills are needed to program and manage the automated computer systems that power industries today.

Programs Avionics Technology

You could ensure a safe-landing career in avionics.

Programs Emergency Medical Services

The sounds of a siren and rotating red lights are your call to action. The difference between life and death rests in your ability to assess and act under pressure during a crisis.

Programs Industrial Systems

If you don't want to focus your talents on one subject, learn it all!

Programs Process Operations

Moving raw materials from production to distribution is a key component in process industries pumping out some great careers.

Programs Health Information Technology

Excellent computer skills + knowledge of anatomy + medical terminology equals great success.

Programs Engineering

This program is only available at TSTC in Harlingen to students residing in the four counties of the Rio Grande Valley.

Programs Mechatronics Technology

A blending of disciplines is becoming increasingly necessary to solve today's complex industrial problems.

Programs Occupational Safety & Environmental Compliance

You're a detail-oriented person with the know-how, grit and communication skills to do what it takes to keep the workplace safe and healthy.

Programs Automation & Controls Technology

Moving electricity, water, oil, gas, and data; all under your control.

Programs Precision Machining Technology

Learn to apply your perfectionism to a field that allows you to fit the needs of any industry. Cut, grind, and shear your way into this high-growth career in whichever way fits your schedule.

Programs Drafting & Design

The world is a blueprint. Leave your mark.

Programs Business Management Technology

Management requires the ability to stay organized and lead creatively. Now available online, you don’t have to go anywhere to become the leader Texas needs.

Programs Computer Networking & Systems Administration

Increasing bandwidth is just part of your job. You have a whole network that relies on you.

Programs Culinary Arts

Flex your knowledge of art, design, and chemistry in a program that encourages you to branch out. You can handle the heat.

Programs Digital Media Design

Warning: This page contains graphic information that may be suitable for your career.

Programs Web Design & Development

The Web Design and Development program is 100% ONLINE! Do you know the difference between TSTC and other colleges? We make web development look good!

Programs Welding Technology

A steady hand and attention to detail could land you a great career in an industry that's heating up the job market.

Programs Electrical Power & Controls

You have the power to take control of your future with an education in the generation and management of electricity.

Programs Instrumentation Technology

Let TSTC be an instrumental part of your career success.

Programs General Education – Academic Core Curriculum

We have more than just technical degrees. You can also get your general academics here.

Programs Chemical Dependency Counseling

If you want to be a part of helping people change their lives and truly make a difference, this career is for you.

Programs Cybersecurity

Train to use cyber security tools, analyze security events, and implement security measures.

Programs Plumbing & Pipefitting Technology

A small leak can sink a great ship. A good plumber can save it.

Programs Computer Programming Technology

The Computer Programming Technology program is 100% ONLINE!

Programs Vocational Nursing

You've found a career with a healthy outlook. Allied health professionals are in big demand in Texas.

Programs Biomedical Equipment Technology

When it counts, medical equipment can’t fail. No sweat. You got this.

Programs Building Construction Technology

You can build anything. Start by building your dream career.

Programs Education & Training

You'll assist teachers and be on track to lead your own classroom.

Programs Electrical Construction

You have the power to build a great life; with a career in Electrical Construction Technology.

Programs Electrical Lineworker & Management Technology

Take your career to new heights in this high-paying industry.

Programs Solar Energy Technology

You can help deploy solar energy to the masses, harnessing its power to lower operating costs, increase profits and protect the environment.

Programs Pre-Allied Health

Are you enthusiastic about pursuing a career in health care, but not sure where to start? Pre-Allied Health can jumpstart your prerequisite coursework in the medical industry.

Pages Tuition and Payment

Our value-priced courses provide the perfect opportunity to continue your education or retrain in a new field without drowning in debt. We are so confident in the quality of our technical education that with some of our high-demand, Money-Back Guarantee programs we guarantee you will find a job within six months of graduation—or your money back.

Pages Star Stats for Texas State Technical College (TSTC)

Being different is part of who we are.

Meet Daniella. She’s a pageant winner.

She’s also a TSTC Welding Technology graduate.

Pages Graduation – West Texas

West Texas
Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater

Pages Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians assist and support licensed pharmacists in providing healthcare to patients. The Pharmacy Technician Online Certification Training Course was developed in response to a rising need for trained technicians to work in hospitals or retail pharmacies. However, this growing opportunity has also come with increased responsibility, making certification an essential issue for many industry employers and some state legislatures. Some states now require all individuals who work as pharmacy technicians to become nationally certified.

Pages University Transfer

Earn your degree from TSTC, then transfer to one of our educational partners to further your education with a four-year degree. Interested in transferring? Talk to your enrollment coach to get started.

Pages HVACR TECHNICIAN

HVACR is one of the most constant industries for new jobs, so there’s no better time to join.

Pages Certified Phlebotomy Technician

Phlebotomy Technicians are essential to proper healthcare worldwide as they are responsible for drawing blood needed for tests, donations, transfusions, and research. As the population ages and diseases spread across the globe, the need for qualified phlebotomists will only increase.

Pages Patient Care Technician

Patient care technicians play a critical role at healthcare facilities, assisting with inpatient treatment and helping provide quality of life.

Pages The TSTC Foundation

Gifts made to The TSTC Foundation have the potential to change the direction of someone’s life. All while answering the needs of the Texas workforce.

 

 

Pages Ed2Go

In partnership with ed2go, TSTC Workforce Development offers flexible, self-paced non-credit certificate programs to help you start a new career or advance within your current occupation.

 

Pages Additional Testing

We provide testing services to assist you in assessing your knowledge and skills.

Pages Data & Statistics

One obligation of Business Analytics and Reporting is to report student enrollment numbers and student college progress to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

The data and statistics pages are an effort to address the accountability and transparency of the college.

Pages Veterinary Assistant Training

Veterinary assistants take charge of making sure office visits and procedures go smoothly for animals under veterinary care.

Pages Testing

Texas State Technical College Testing Centers offer testing services to help students persist in their education. Additionally, we encourage our communities to use our services to support their educational and career goals. Testing Centers adhere to the National College Testing Association (NCTA) Professional Standards and Guidelines to maintain the integrity of our institution.

Pages The TSTC Foundation – Donor List

Every gift received by The TSTC Foundation introduces the possibility of transformation for TSTC students. Thank you to every person and organization that believes in our mission of placing more Texans in great-paying jobs.

Pages Industrial Systems and Precision Machining Technology

Industrial Systems and Precision Machining Technology are two of our most sought-out programs in the engineering & manufacturing fields.  Find out why these programs are in high demand.

Pages CARES Act

The CARES Act is intended to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

Pages TSI Testing and Exemptions

The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) helps us determine whether you are ready for general coursework and what kind of preparation you may need to succeed at TSTC.

Pages Dual Credit

Want to get a head start on your college education? Dual Credit may be for you! Dual Credit gives high school students a head start toward their futures. Take college courses to earn college and high school credit at the same time.

Dual Credit courses are available at some high school campuses, on-site at a TSTC campus, and through distance learning classes taught by TSTC instructors.

 

 

Pages Satisfactory Academic Progress

Our Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) have been adopted to determine continuing eligibility for students who are receiving or applying for financial aid. Academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each term to determine whether you are making satisfactory improvement. This review will include all periods of your enrollment, even those for which you did not receive financial aid.

You are expected to be continually aware of your grades.

Pages Bundled Pricing

Lock in your rate. Pay the same amount semester after semester. No surprises!

Pages New Students

Our application process is personalized and transparent. You’ve worked hard to get this far; our Enrollment Coaches are available to walk you through the next steps. They will answer any program questions you may have, help you set up your financial aid profile, and guide you to graduation.

Applying is easy — and free.

Pages Certified Medical Administrative Assistant with Medical Billing and Coding

Administrative healthcare workers are in high demand. Whether you are just starting your career or transitioning into a different field, there has never been a better time to become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant or work in medical billing and coding.

Pages Special Programs

Helping students succeed while meeting the needs of industry

Pages Educators

Our dual enrollment pathways give your students a head start to a great technical career.

News TSTC Aircraft Airframe Technology students gain real-world experience at area aviation companies

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Many aviation enthusiasts who have a passion for different types of aircraft set out to achieve a dream of working in the aviation industry in some aspect. That dream has become a reality for three Texas State Technical College Aircraft Airframe Technology students. Fabien Granja, Hafez Omar and Mark Sanchez are gaining...

News Foursome of TSTC alumni flourish at local aviation business

Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus has produced many aircraft technicians who are skilled at diagnosing and resolving a plane’s mechanical or electrical problems. Those technicians include four TSTC alumni who have made a direct impact on the local aviation industry at Sun Valley Aviation Inc. Sun Valley Aviation is a fixed-based operator in Harlingen...

News Love for aviation enhances student’s skills at area aircraft company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Matthew Stokes, a native of Liberty who now resides in Harlingen, knew from the age of 11 that he wanted to pursue a career as an aviation maintenance technician. His decision to enroll in the Aircraft Powerplant Technology program at Texas State Technical College was a step in the right direction. Stokes...

News TSTC aviation maintenance works to meet local, statewide industry demand

(HARLINGEN) – Texas has become one of the most important locations for the aviation and aerospace industry, and students from Texas State Technical College are getting in on the action as graduates from the college’s Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology programs. TSTC is one of about a dozen colleges in Texas certified by...

News Spacecraft donation brings exciting project to TSTC’s Aircraft Airframe program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Not many college students get to fulfill their dream of being rocket scientists. But for two students of Leo Guajardo, a Texas State Technical College Aircraft Airframe and Powerplant instructor in Harlingen, they can come close. Guajardo and the students are the stewards of an X-38 space prototype vehicle frame for research...

News TSTC alum’s love for airplanes leads to career with area aviation company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Adrian Nacianceno’s education in Texas State Technical College’s Aviation Maintenance program has led to a promising career as an aircraft airframe and powerplant mechanic. Nacianceno, of Edinburg, developed an interest in the aviation field through a family friend. “Our friend worked as an aircraft mechanic for American Airlines in Fort Worth,” he...

News TSTC Aircraft Airframe program takes student across the world

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – At a young age Carlos Rodriguez gained a love and passion for traveling, and now at 24-years-old, he will get to do a lot of it because of his new career. The San Benito native will graduate with a certificate from Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Airframe Technology program in August and...

News TSTC Aircraft Airframe/Powerplant student fascinated with technology

(ABILENE, Texas) – Jayden Hummel has always been fascinated with technology. The son of a former Air Force mechanic, Hummel is hoping to honor the memory of his late father by earning Associate of Applied Science degrees in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology at Texas State Technical College. “I know that he is...

News TSTC aviation maintenance student volunteers at area aircraft flying museum

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Damian Leal, of Rio Hondo, grew up playing video games, many of which happened to be related to world wars. Little did he realize that his love for those games would lead to an education at Texas State Technical College. “These games introduced me first to military tanks and then aircraft,” he...

News TSTC graduate, student get jobs with regional airline company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The aviation maintenance program at Texas State Technical College is solidifying its reputation by producing the next generation of aircraft technicians, and now one of its graduates and one of its students are recipients of new job opportunities. Julia Farris and Matt Stokes have accepted jobs as aircraft airframe and powerplant mechanics...

News TSTC students accept job opportunities with regional airline company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – At Texas State Technical College, August is a time to celebrate the highly skilled graduates who will enter the Texas workforce, and now two Aircraft Powerplant Technology students are the recipients of new career opportunities. Abel Cazares and Fernando Espinoza, each of whom is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree, have...

News Garcia thrilled about potential job opportunities with big-name aviation companies

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Learning about aviation pioneers such as the Wright Brothers, along with Charlie Taylor, the mechanic who helped build and maintain some of the Wrights’ engines and airplanes, provided the initial spark that got Texas State Technical College student Carlos Garcia interested in aircraft and flying. Little did the San Benito resident know...

News TSTC student gets experience with aircraft company internship

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Pilots get planes off the ground, but skilled technicians ensure that planes are safe to fly. Texas State Technical College student Juliana Perez, of Brownsville, is training to be one of those technicians. She is proud of her decision to enroll in the Aircraft Powerplant Technology program at TSTC. She also is...

News TSTC Aviation Maintenance program celebrates first female FAA certification in more than a decade

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Women have clearly shown themselves to possess exceptional talent in technical careers, including in aviation maintenance. Julia Farris, of Hidalgo, is one of those aspiring women. Her perseverance recently led to an achievement in which she earned an Aircraft Powerplant Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) license after she completed TSTC’s Aircraft Powerplant Technology...

News Former nurse studies aircraft technology at TSTC

(ABILENE, Texas) – Racheal Dupre has exchanged her stethoscope for a wrench. The former nurse is pursuing Associate of Applied Science degrees in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology at Texas State Technical College. In her first year in the program, Dupre has been pleased with what she has been able to accomplish. “I...

News Navy veteran’s former military job and encounter with popular actor lead him to TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For U.S. Navy veteran Axel Iracheta, his former job as an aviation boatswain’s mate on an aircraft carrier docked in California — and a brief handshake with a movie star — led him to pursue an education in aviation maintenance at Texas State Technical College. “My job was doing some maintenance on...

News TSTC prepares aviation maintenance students to fill technician shortage

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Highly skilled aircraft technicians are in short supply, and the aviation maintenance program at Texas State Technical College is training students in an effort to meet demand for them across Texas. According to a recent Aviation Technician Education Council Pipeline Report, the pandemic is estimated to have cost the industry at least...

News The sky’s the limit for TSTC Aviation Maintenance graduate

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Ely Monalisa Cortina is ready to bring girl power to the male-dominated field of aviation. The Brownsville native knew that Texas State Technical College was the right college for her after a tour in high school introduced her to aviation maintenance, and it was in that moment that she fell in love...

News The sky’s the limit for TSTC aviation maintenance graduate

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Ely Monalisa Cortina is ready to bring girl power to the male-dominated field of aviation. The Brownsville native knew that Texas State Technical College was the right college for her after a tour in high school introduced her to aviation maintenance, and it was in that moment that she fell in love...

News TSTC student encourages other females to pursue aviation maintenance

(WACO, Texas) – Heather Scoggins, of Nevada, Texas, is an associate degree student in the Aircraft Powerplant Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Waco. She has already completed requirements for an associate degree in Aircraft Airframe Technology and is scheduled to graduate later this year. Scoggins recently talked about her experiences in the...

News TSTC aviation students excel at Weslaco airport volunteer work with flying colors

Participants have opportunity to gain valuable aviation experience (HARLINGEN, Texas) – A group of aviation students from Texas State Technical College have gained valuable hands-on experience by volunteering to work at Mid-Valley Airport in Weslaco. TSTC student Adrian Nacianceno was among those who got a leg up through the opportunity. “Definitely great, very invaluable —...

News TSTC aviation maintenance students look forward to getting careers off the ground

(ABILENE, Texas) – May 24 is a day set aside to honor aviation maintenance technicians, and the aviation maintenance instructors at Texas State Technical College work hard to ensure that the future aircraft technicians under their wings get the best possible training. Several TSTC Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology students will earn Associate...

News TSTC students learn about aviation careers at industry panel discussion

(WACO, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s aviation maintenance programs learned from industry professionals what it takes to be hired during an employer panel hosted by the college’s Career Services department on Tuesday, July 30, at the Waco campus. The panel discussion was held at the Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center. Panelists...

News TSTC aviation maintenance students challenge classmates

classmates (ABILENE, Texas) – Two second-semester Texas State Technical College aviation maintenance students have thrown down the gauntlet to their classmates. Jeb Drewery, of Hallsville, and Sandy Medina, of Abilene, recently passed the Federal Aviation Administration’s general knowledge test, a prerequisite for taking the Airframe and Powerplant knowledge tests. Passing all three is required to...

News TSTC aviation students plan to restore history for future generations

(ABILENE, Texas) – For two Texas State Technical College aviation students, the past is their future. Colby Northcutt and Matthew Voss, both of Abilene, want to follow the example of Nelson Ezell, founder of Ezell Aviation in Breckenridge. Ezell had a passion for preserving and maintaining World War II-era aircraft. In honor of her late...

News Oregon native ventures to TSTC to begin aviation career

(ABILENE, Texas) – Frederick Hoeffliger left his home state of Oregon to study at Texas State Technical College. Hoeffliger, who is working toward Associate of Applied Science degrees in both Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology, has been happy with his decision. “I was planning to go to school in Oregon, but it was...

News TSTC aviation students work behind the scenes during Big Country wildfires

(ABILENE, Texas) – Fire season wreaked havoc on the Big Country region of Texas in March. A fleet of air tankers was staged at Abilene Regional Airport to help fight the Eastern Complex fire and the Eastland Complex fire during the week of March 17. Three Texas State Technical College Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft...

News Poe turns to TSTC to complete dream of working in aviation

(ABILENE Texas) – Hayden Poe had a dream of being a fighter pilot in the United States military. But his height and color blindness prevented him from achieving that career. Instead, he turned to aviation maintenance. His journey began with a college football scholarship and eventually to Texas State Technical College. Poe is studying for...

News Aviation maintenance students say TSTC prepares them for careers

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s aviation maintenance program draws students for different reasons. At Abilene’s campus, TSTC offers Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology, allowing students to choose a path into the industry. Many students have jobs lined up before they graduate, and that has become a factor in many students’ decisions...

News TSTC aviation maintenance students to benefit from new instructor’s professional experience

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Navy veteran and Texas State Technical College alumnus Carlos Rodriguez is giving back to the college as a new aviation maintenance instructor at TSTC’s Harlingen campus with the goal of preparing students for future jobs as aircraft mechanics. “I’ve been on the job for a month,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve enjoyed teaching the...

News Former mortuary science student soars in aviation maintenance program at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It did not take long for Emma Gamez to decide that a career in the funeral home business was not for her. Gamez had studied mortuary science and even worked part time at a funeral home. But talking to a friend who had studied to be a pilot made her realize that...

News TSTC alum finds second chance at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – By the time they are 63 years old, most people are thinking about retirement. But not Adan Chavez. He is just getting started on what he calls his second chance at life. The Pharr native graduated from Texas State Technical College in 2018 with certificates in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant...

News TSTC Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program maintains health, safety during pandemic

(WACO, Texas) – Dylan Durst said he was glad to be back in the cockpit as he took off for his first flight late last spring at Texas State Technical College’s airport in Waco after a two-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was about picking up where you left off,” he said. Durst,...

News Duncan Aviation recruiter discusses career options with TSTC aviation maintenance students

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College aviation maintenance students are getting the skills they need to work for Duncan Aviation, one of the company’s recruiters said. “Our technicians remodel all types of aircraft,” Chris Murray, a Duncan Aviation corporate recruiter, told students during a recent employer spotlight at the college. “They learn well-rounded skills...

News TSTC graduate and former instructor prospers at regional airline

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As a child, Leonardo Robb was fascinated with the sound of airplanes. Now the Dallas resident is a maintenance training instructor at Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines Group. Robb earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Powerplant Technology from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus in 2008 and...

News TSTC aircraft pilot students in demand to fill jobs

(WACO, Texas) – Students in the Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program at Texas State Technical College are seeing an array of job options once they graduate. “There aren’t enough pilots being trained to meet the need,” said Trey Cade, director of Baylor University’s Institute for Air Science, which partners with TSTC in pilot training. “Airlines...

News TSTC alumnus and Aviation Maintenance instructor instills passion in future technicians

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – If anyone knows how to inspire Texas State Technical College Aviation Maintenance students, it is instructor Leo Guajardo. After all, he was once a student in the same program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus himself. “I enjoy educating my students and contributing to the aviation maintenance industry by providing high-quality training for those...

News Students take different journeys to TSTC’s aviation maintenance programs

(ABILENE, Texas) – The runway to a career in aviation maintenance varied for three Texas State Technical College students. Simon Guijosa, Robert Larson and Jacob Mares are fourth-semester Associate of Applied Science degree students in TSTC’s Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology programs. They have formed a bond with their classmates in the TSTC...

News Up, Up and Away: TSTC alum finds career as flight mechanic

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Isaiah Arizmendi is about to reach new heights with an associate degree from Texas State Technical College and a new career at World Atlantic Airlines. The 20-year-old graduated in December 2017 and December 2018 with an associate degree in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology, respectively. “Aviation is in his blood,”...

News Christie begins venture into aviation at TSTC

(ABILENE, Texas) – Myles Christie was taking pictures at an Abilene event when he learned what was inside a hangar at the Abilene Regional Airport. After his discovery, Christie, who was born in Jamaica and has lived in Abilene for the past nine years, thought that an aviation career could be in his future. He...

News Zamora’s TSTC journey to continue with pilot training

(ABILENE, Texas) – Ramiro Zamora is ready for the next step in his aviation career. Zamora, of Eastland, is completing his final semester of the Associate of Applied Science degrees in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology (A&P) program. After graduation, Zamora will immediately begin work on his third associate degree at TSTC in...

News TSTC Workforce Training program helps veterans transition to civilian life

(ABILENE, Texas) – A FAST Trac Workforce Training program offered at Texas State Technical College helps military veterans prepare for careers as civilians. The 16-week Airframe and Powerplant training program prepares veterans, as well as civilians and active-service personnel, to become well-rounded technicians. It is intended for anyone eligible to have their airman certificate or...

News TSTC alum inspires students through aviation classes

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Inspired to go to college by advice he received while in an unemployment line, Leo Guajardo studied aviation maintenance at Texas State Technical College and graduated in 2010. Now, his career as a TSTC instructor is helping the students he meets in the classroom make their own dreams come true. “I had...

News TSTC aviation maintenance students learn that their skills are needed throughout industry

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College aviation maintenance students learned during a recent panel discussion that the skills they are learning can be applied to more than one industry. Four industry officials discussed the latest trends and needs of their businesses with TSTC’s Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology students during the panel...

News TSTC Student Reaches New Heights While Restoring the Past

(ABILENE, Texas) – As the aviation industry looks toward the future, one Texas State Technical College student is helping to preserve its history. Trenton Calsoncin, an aviation maintenance student, is earning Associate of Applied Science degrees in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology while working with an area company to restore old warplanes. “It’s...

News TSTC students hope to soar in aviation industry

(ABILENE, Texas) – Wanting to learn to work on more than automobiles and diesel engines, Michael Dupre and Jordan Grisham are hoping to soar in the aviation industry. Dupre and Grisham each are studying for Associate of Applied Science degrees in both Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology at Texas State Technical College. Dupre...

News Counselor’s guidance leads TSTC dual enrollment student to career in aviation

(ABILENE, Texas) – Bristol Poindexter did not realize that a talk with her Clyde High School counselor would lead to a career. The high school senior is taking dual enrollment classes in Texas State Technical College’s aviation program, with plans to continue her education in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology this fall. “My...

News Flight simulation game jets Stamper toward TSTC’s aviation maintenance program

(ABILENE, Texas) – Michael Stamper’s enjoyment of a flight simulation video game led to a career decision. “After playing the simulator on my computer, I immediately knew that is what I wanted to do,” he said of working in the aviation industry. “There is something magical about it. It is enticing to have that bird’s-eye...

News Montalvo’s love for aviation leads to hands-on at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Olivia Montalvo is a person who enjoys keeping herself busy. When she is not practicing martial arts, she is working on airplane engines in the Aircraft Powerplant Technology program at TSTC’s Harlingen location. Montalvo, who is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree, first sparked an interest...

News TSTC links students, alumni to potential employers at Industry Job Fair

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus opened the doors to its annual Industry Job Fair, where more than 250 students and alumni presented their resumes and credentials to business and industry representatives, on Thursday, March 30. Representatives of around 75 companies from across Texas and the United States provided information on job...

News TSTC, United Launch Alliance continue to be good neighbors

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – South Texas and the solar system are closer than you think. As space shuttles inspired children of the 1980s, today’s space capsules and reusable rockets are motivating a new generation to dream galactic. “My students are going to be the technicians the aerospace world is hiring,” said Leo Guajardo, lead instructor in...

News TSTC Aircraft Powerplant Technology student receives real-world work experience

(ABILENE, Texas) – Ben Massey began taking Aircraft Powerplant Technology classes at Texas State Technical College with no prior mechanical experience. Now nearing the end of his third semester in the program, Massey, of Tyler, is working toward an associate degree while also being employed at Eagle Aviation Services at the Abilene Regional Airport. He...

News TSTC pilot training students learn in new simulator lab

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Pilot Training Technology students are getting a new experience as they learn about instrumentation. Last fall the program opened a new simulator lab at the Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center on the Waco campus. The lab consists of computers along with foot, throttle and yoke controllers....

News TSTC receives recognitions at NIFA Region 4 SAFECON 2024 held in Waco

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College hosted the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region 4 SAFECON (Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference) 2024 from Oct. 14-18 at the Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center and TSTC Airport in Waco. Competing in a series of ground and flying competitions were the Texas State Technical College Lonestars...

News TSTC’s Career Services department hosts two companies for student visits

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Service department hosted two industry spotlights for students on Wednesday, May 29, at the Waco campus. Trisha Cantu, a recruiter at ST Engineering – San Antonio Aerospace, talked to students in the Aircraft Airframe Technology, Aircraft Powerplant Technology and Avionics Technology programs. Cantu said the company has...

News TSTC, L3Harris Technologies celebrate hiring of TSTC machining student

(WACO, Texas) – Representatives of Texas State Technical College and L3Harris Technologies recently gathered to celebrate a new company employee at a recognition ceremony. Tyler Rochelle, of Whitney, was hired by L3Harris as a computer numerical control machinist for its manufacturing department in Waco. He began in November as a part-time employee, but his work...

News TSTC students learn about career opportunities with Texas Instruments

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Career opportunities were a key message that representatives from semiconductor manufacturing company Texas Instruments had for students in the Aircraft Airframe, Aircraft Powerplant, Automotive and Mechatronics technology programs at Texas State Technical College during a visit to TSTC’s Harlingen campus Wednesday, July 20. The visitors from Texas Instruments also discussed topics such...

News Lake Jackson student soars in TSTC’s pilot training program

(WACO, Texas) – Brandon Jaco’s father gave him the ultimate gift for his 14th birthday. Jaco, then living in Austin with his family, received the opportunity to take a discovery flight. “It was amazing,” he said. “It was a ton of fun. I was with a very knowledgeable instructor.” That flight, along with a passion...

News TSTC honors its West Texas graduates during commencement

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College graduates agreed that hard work paid off after receiving their diplomas during the West Texas commencement ceremony Monday, Dec. 13, at the Abilene Convention Center. More than 100 fall 2021 graduates walked the stage to receive their diplomas during the first in-person TSTC commencement ceremony since fall 2019....

News TSTC Profile of Excellence – Saul Pena

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Saul Pena, 24, is a Texas State Technical College graduate of Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology. He earned his associate degree in 2018. The Roma native has worked with Hunt Pan Am Aviation in Brownsville as an airframe and powerplant mechanic for one year. He said mechanics has always been...

News TSTC students ready to make an impact at SkillsUSA contest

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With the SkillsUSA state competition scheduled for April in Houston, pride and commitment set the foundation for many Texas State Technical College students who are preparing for it. TSTC student Jeffrey King, of La Feria, will represent the college in aviation maintenance while also supporting some of his classmates who will compete...

News TSTC’s pilot program keeps an eye on the weather

(WACO, Texas) – Preparing to fly in Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program starts before students enter the cockpit with certified flight instructors. Students in their first semester of the program take Aviation Meteorology to learn about cloud formation, what high- and low-pressure systems are, and how to analyze weather reports. “The...

News Penney returns to West Texas to complete TSTC’s FAST Trac aviation program

(ABILENE, Texas) – Sarah Penney knew exactly where she wanted to study after she left the U.S. Air Force. Penney, who served for 12 years in the Air Force, knew that Texas State Technical College’s 16-week FAST Trac Airframe and Powerplant training program prepares veterans, as well as civilians and active-service personnel, to become well-rounded...

News TSTC ready to meet aviation job needs in Williamson County

(HUTTO, Texas) – The Texas aviation and aerospace industry is responsible for creating more than 778,000 jobs and a payroll of more than $30 billion, according to the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2018 Texas Aviation Economic Impact Study.  “Aviation is a huge, growing field,” said Michael Smith, senior field development officer for The TSTC Foundation...

News Industry Job Fair brings TSTC students, alumni, employers together

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students and alumni had the chance to visit with representatives from more than 80 companies from around Texas during the Industry Job Fair held at the Abilene campus’ Industrial Technology Center on Thursday, April 13. Students submitted resumes, networked, and discussed what they have learned while attending TSTC....

News TSTC teaches aviation maintenance students skills needed for employment

(ABILENE, Texas) – Students do not need to have any mechanical experience to start Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Airframe Technology or Aircraft Powerplant Technology programs. “We tell people that you do not have to have a mechanical background to be successful,” instructor Josh Parker said. “All of our students start out in the same...

News Just Hired Profile – Saul Pena

(HARLINGEN) – Saul Pena recently graduated with two associate degrees in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen and is now working as aircraft maintenance mechanic with Hunt Pan Am Aviation in Brownsville. Pena is only one of the many students who find employment before or immediately after...

News Industry Job Fair gets TSTC students hired

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Attending the biannual Industry Job Fair at Texas State Technical College has become a tradition for directors and managers from Laughlin Air Force Base’s Civil Service Maintenance Directorate. Joseph Cortinas, Laughlin’s aircraft maintenance project manager, joined more than 60 other industry partners on Thursday during the college’s Industry Job Fair. “This fair...

News TSTC Ready to Welcome Students Back This Fall in Waco

(WACO, Texas) – Students attending Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus will see differences in how they learn and interact as they start the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 31. “We are constantly looking at our process and how we can make the campus safer,” said Jerome Mendias, TSTC’s associate provost. “Safety is our priority....

News From family influences to attending air shows, TSTC students’ appreciation for aviation industry soars

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College aviation maintenance students have an appreciation for the sky and the machines that fly through them. In honor of National Aviation Appreciation Day on August 19, which also is aviation pioneer Orville Wright’s birthday, students recently reflected on what led them to an aviation career.  For some students,...

News TSTC Automotive Technology instructor brings military experience to program

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Gerod Strother has worked on all types of vehicles. Strother, a 21-year veteran of the U.S. military, brings that experience to Texas State Technical College as an Automotive Technology instructor. After retiring from the military, he began working at the Sweetwater campus in January. His experience in the military included service with...

News TSTC flight instructor inspired by National Aviation Day

(WACO, Texas) – Natalie Verhoog grew up in California but eventually found her way to Waco. She is a certified flight instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program and has 1,500 accumulated flight hours. Verhoog graduated in 2019 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Pilot Training – Airplane...

News TSTC hosts state Rep. Buckley for campus visit

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College hosted state Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Killeen, for a visit to the Waco campus on Monday. Buckley, led by TSTC administrators and staff, visited the on-campus Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners testing facility, along with the Aircraft Pilot Training Technology, Aviation Maintenance, Diesel Equipment Technology, Precision Machining Technology...

News TSTC hosts Tarrant County state representative for visit

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College hosted state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, for a visit to the Waco campus on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Cook, led by TSTC administrators and staff, visited the Aircraft Pilot Training Technology, Aircraft Powerplant Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology programs, along with the Texas State...

News TSTC flight team prepares for regional aviation competition in Waco

(WACO, Texas) – Walker Gilbert, of Buda, is ready for the challenge. Gilbert, a fourth-semester Aircraft Pilot Training Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus, will lead the program’s Lonestars flight team as it participates in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s Region 4 SAFECON (Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference) 2024 from Oct. 14...

News TSTC recognizes Southwest Aerospace Technologies with plaque unveiling

(WACO, Texas) – The TSTC Foundation unveiled a plaque on Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus on Tuesday, in recognition of contributions to TSTC from Southwest Aerospace Technologies LLC totaling $6.6 million.  On hand for the ceremony, which took place at TSTC’s Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center, were several TSTC aviation students and faculty...

News TSTC honors West Texas summer graduates

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored 128 graduates during the Summer 2024 Commencement at the Abilene Convention Center on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Graduates from the Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater campuses were awarded Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates of completion by Andy Weaver, provost of the West Texas campuses. “Each of...

News TSTC schedules Workforce Training classes for spring

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has scheduled several Workforce Training and Continuing Education classes for the spring semester. Cindy Brunett, TSTC’s executive director of Workforce Training and Continuing Education, said the classes will offer students the opportunity to enter the workforce quickly. “We are excited to be providing these opportunities to residents of...

News TSTC students look forward to getting careers off the ground

(ABILENE, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Airframe Technology program are back in the hangar. Students studying for a certificate in the program began their second semester in January and are ready to learn more about the inner workings of an aircraft. “This semester, so far, has been really good for me,”...

News TSTC looks back on busy fall semester

The busy fall semester at Texas State Technical College’s campus in Harlingen has included many moments of pride. Here is a look back at some of the semester’s highlights: New leadership Amanda Posada, TSTC’s executive director of Dual Enrollment, became the interim provost of the Harlingen campus. Former campus provost Cledia Hernandez took on the...

News TSTC honors graduates at Summer 2022 commencement

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – They enrolled. They trained. They conquered! Texas State Technical College graduates echoed phrases such as “this is for you” and “it’s time to celebrate” at TSTC’s Summer 2022 Commencement held Saturday, August 27, at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg. Cheers of excitement filled the arena when more than 280 graduates from...

News TSTC to launch drone pilot certification this fall

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Aviation Division will begin offering a certificate of completion in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at the Waco campus this fall. The certificate program will be part of the Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program. The one-semester program will include classes such as Aviation Safety and Private Pilot Ground School, as...

News TSTC Aviation Maintenance student receives local scholarship

(WACO, Texas) – Whit Palmer’s motivation comes from a giving source. “I’d say it is the love of God in my own life and all of the blessings I’ve had,” the Temple resident said. “I want to share that blessing with others.” Palmer, 19, is an Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology major at...

News Cross’ dream of aviation career lives on at TSTC

(ABILENE, Texas) – It took Randi Cross three attempts to find a career path. After learning that she did not meet the minimum height requirement to be a U.S. Air Force pilot, she decided to work on becoming a coroner. After learning how long it would take to complete that education, Cross, the daughter of...

News TSTC drafting grad’s dream job lands him among the stars

TSTC alumnus works in drafting at SpaceX (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Gaddison GiuocoSchlaefer is a part of history, working as a drafter at SpaceX in Boca Chica. “It’s awesome,” he said. “It’s like, am I dreaming? It’s amazing. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” While drafter is GiuocoSchlaefer’s official title,...

News TSTC SkillsUSA gold medalists prepare for national competition

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some Texas State Technical College students are flying high because as SkillsUSA gold medalists they will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference that will be held June 20-24, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. Alfredo Aldape, Omar Escalon, Carina Garcia, Caleb Garza, Carlos Lara, Adrian Nacianceno, Alfredo Martinez, Isela Munoz and...

News Love of heights leads female student to TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Siria Jones recalled a moment during her youth when her parents purchased an airplane ticket for her to depart their native Honduras and reunite with them in New York. She was entranced by the aerial scene from her window seat as the airplane navigated toward the U.S. That childhood memory would lead...

News TSTC Career Services Interview Practicum a success

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Services department recently held its first in-person Interview Practicum after holding them virtually for two years due to the pandemic. The two-day event offered practice interview experiences for more than 100 TSTC students, who met with business representatives to discuss their job qualifications. Every two-hour session had...

News TSTC’s Waco Campus Has New FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus is now home to a Federal Aviation Administration designated mechanic examiner (DME). Carl Stutsman, a TSTC aviation maintenance instructor, attended an FAA training school in Oklahoma City in late 2018 and was officially notified this summer about his DME status. “To have a DME on staff...

News TSTC student wants to continue family tradition in aviation

(ABILENE, Texas) – Coltton Johnson hopes his journey will continue a family tradition. The first-year Aircraft Powerplant Technology student at Texas State Technical College is following in his father’s footsteps. The Idaho native arrived in Abilene after his father retired from the U.S. Air Force and began working for Eagle Aviation Services. “I have been...

News TSTC pilot program debuts new airplanes

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program debuted five new Piper Pilot 100i airplanes used for student instruction on Monday, Nov. 20. Faulty members and some of the program’s certified flight instructors flew the planes late last week from Piper’s headquarters in Vero Beach, Florida, to TSTC’s airport. The group...

News TSTC alumnus living his dream of flying commercial airplanes

(WACO, Texas) – Richard Rensing has taken off. Rensing was exposed to flying aircraft at an early age and took classes at the McKinney Independent School District’s McKinney Aviation Academy. He graduated in 2019 from Texas State Technical College’s Aircraft Pilot Training Technology program at the Waco campus. Now Rensing is a captain at Piedmont...

News U.S. Air Force veterans find second career opportunities at TSTC

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has been recognized as a Military Friendly School by militaryfriendly.com, and veterans of the United States Air Force have found, or are currently studying for, second careers in West Texas. From students to instructors and staff members at TSTC, veterans take pride in their service in the Air...

News TSTC in Waco holds Spring 2022 Commencement

(WACO, Texas) – More than 300 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Spring 2022 Commencement held Saturday at The BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco. “These students have worked hard,” said Kevin Kluck, lead instructor in TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program. “This day...

News TSTC Avionics Graduate Motivated by Perseverance

(WACO, Texas) – Jeffrey Potts’ fascination with aviation began when he was in high school in Michigan. He later joined the military and attended Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus, where he graduated in December 2019 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Avionics Technology. “I loved my time in the avionics program,” said...

News McGregor company looks to TSTC for avionics workers

(WACO, Texas) – Jason Macon, of Boerne, wants one day to fly for a living. But first he wants to understand how the electrical systems in airplanes work. The Texas State Technical College student is working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Avionics Technology and is scheduled to graduate this summer. He is...

News TSTC celebrates graduates at Fall 2022 commencement

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After a challenging yet rewarding journey for Texas State Technical College graduates, their hard work concluded and a day of celebration arrived. The sounds of families cheering and applauding filled the room when more than 270 TSTC graduates from TSTC’s Harlingen campus echoed expressions such as “I can’t believe I did it”...

News TSTC graduates honored during Spring 2024 Commencement

(ABILENE, Texas) – Eighty Texas State Technical College students were celebrated as graduates during the Spring 2024 Commencement at the Abilene Convention Center on Friday, April 26. Students from TSTC’s West Texas locations in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater were awarded Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates of completion. “Tonight we are celebrating your...

News TSTC students take part in state diesel technicians contest in Waco

(WACO, Texas) – Three students in Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program recently participated in the Texas Trucking Association’s Technician of the Year Competition held at the Waco campus. TSTC students Bill LeMay, of China Spring, Travis Tidwell, of Granger, and Bryce Tumlinson, of Bryan, had the opportunity to pit their skills against...

News TSTC honors excellence with Chancellor’s Excellence Award

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A record 13 faculty and staff members at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen have been named recipients of the prestigious Chancellor’s Excellence Award, chosen from among 160 nominations. Texas State Technical College has celebrated the dedication of its staff and faculty by awarding the Chancellor’s Excellence Award to those committed to...

News TSTC hosts Fall 2019 registration rallies

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Harlingen will host its first of four registration rallies for the summer on Wednesday, June 12. The event, to be held at the Engineering Technology Center on Airport Drive, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. will focus on programs: Architectural Design & Engineering Graphics, Biomedical Equipment Technology,...

News IDEA San Benito students announce plans to attend TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Family and friends of 26 IDEA San Benito seniors learned that Texas State Technical College would be the students’ school of choice beginning this fall. The high school students revealed their decision to attend TSTC during the annual college signing day celebration earlier this month. “Most of the students said they wanted...

News TSTC offers dual enrollment opportunities to West Texas students

(ABILENE, Texas) – Seventeen West Texas school districts are taking advantage of dual enrollment opportunities at Texas State Technical College. A total of 119 students are on TSTC campuses during the day, learning from instructors in a variety of programs.  The most popular program is Welding Technology, with 63 students enrolled this semester. Stephen Hope,...

News Fort Hood soldiers tour TSTC campus

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently hosted 50 active-duty U.S. Army soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, during their two-day visit to the Harlingen campus. The soldiers, who are in the Army Recovery Care Program’s Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU), toured TSTC programs and enjoyed lunch at TSTC’s Cultural Arts Center. Kenneth Buford, TSTC’s statewide...

News TSTC providing dual enrollment opportunities to Connally Career Tech students

(WACO, Texas) – Isaiah Carter has a passion for barbecuing brisket and ribs. Carter, a senior at the Connally Independent School District’s Connally Career Tech Early College High School, is learning the proper methods to slice, bake and boil as he earns college credit hours. He is doing this by taking dual enrollment classes in...

News TSTC students bring home gold from state SkillsUSA competition

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some Texas State Technical College students are raising their SkillsUSA gold medals with pride because they will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference that will be held June 19-23, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. Jessica Alaniz, Jessie Contreras, Julia Farris, Melanie Limon, Alfredo Molina, Reymundo Salinas and Edna Vargas will...

News TSTC Aviation Maintenance graduates ready to fill job openings

(WACO, Texas) – Aviation maintenance technicians are needed now more than ever. Robert Capps, statewide chair of Texas State Technical College’s Aviation Maintenance department, said aviation maintenance and repair businesses working with contracts are doing well, along with aviation manufacturers. “Our graduates have not had a hard time finding jobs,” Capps said. “Right now, the...

News TSTC candidate for graduation looks to the sky for his career

(WACO, Texas) – Richard Rensing is ready for takeoff. “It is eye-opening, especially now that I’m close to graduating,” said Rensing, a student at Texas State Technical College from McKinney. “I’m realizing my dreams are coming true. It’s cool to see how things have come together.” Rensing is a candidate for graduation for an Associate...

News TSTC fills state’s need for automotive technicians

(WACO, Texas) – Interstates and highways are busier compared to a year ago, and that means maintenance on vehicles will increase. Texas State Technical College helps automotive shops around the state fill the need for service technicians. According to onetonline.org, 60,440 technicians were employed in Texas in 2018. The need is forecast to increase 8%...

News New TSTC instructor elevates potential of future automotive technicians

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Leo Tamez, of Harlingen, recently completed his first semester of teaching in the Automotive Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. “It’s great to see the students’ reactions when they understand my approach to fixing an item on a vehicle,” Tamez said. “My objective is to find a method for...

News TSTC student benefits from scholarship for military veterans

(ABILENE, Texas) – Area military veterans can take advantage of a scholarship opportunity to attend Texas State Technical College. Since 2015, EMA Electromechanics has given TSTC a total of $225,000 for the Sweetwater Veterans’ Funds for College Education. The company, based in Sweetwater, is an international maker of equipment for the wind energy sector. For...

News TSTC Student Receives National AAMI Scholarship

(WACO, Texas) – A Texas State Technical College student has received a scholarship from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.  Joseph Rowan of Waco has been awarded the AAMI Foundation Michael J. Miller Scholarship. He is a TSTC candidate for graduation this month and will earn associate degrees in Biomedical Equipment Technology and...

News TSTC filling need for wind technicians in Texas, beyond

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The need for skilled workers who can harness the power of the wind and turn it into clean energy is increasing, and Texas State Technical College is at the forefront of training technicians for the burgeoning industry.  With renewable energy being used nationwide, additional wind energy technicians are being hired — and...

News TSTC pharmacy technicians have local job opportunities

(WACO, Texas) – Before Courtney Balzadua, 27, of Waco became a pharmacy technician at the Family Health Center, she balanced working as a waitress and being the mother of a small child. She knew she needed to make a career change. “I wanted to be in the medical field in some way,” said Balzadua, a...

News TSTC workforce training alums find success at area hospital

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Linette Jackson and Johnny Sierra, both graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Phlebotomy Technician workforce training program, have experienced successful careers helping other people. Jackson and Sierra now work at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen. Jackson is a laboratory technician, while Sierra is a laboratory assistant. Additionally, Jackson is a part-time...

News As Texas heats up, HVAC technicians are in high demand

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – With heat advisories and excessive heat warnings continuing to be issued across the state of Texas, remaining cool is especially important. Air conditioning helps keep homes, stores and offices cool, and it is HVAC technicians who keep the air conditioning running. Even though the Texas Workforce Commission projects that there will be...

News Davila looks to put knowledge learned at TSTC into career as electrical technician

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Watching some technicians in action at his former job was the motivation that Demetrio Davila needed to return to college. The Colorado City native was working the board line at a Sweetwater gypsum plant 12 hours a day when he noticed something: Those technicians had a career with better hours and more...

News Veteran’s goal is to own automotive shop after graduating from TSTC

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – After 12 years of serving in the U.S. Army, Hollis Manis has plans to open his own automotive shop in his hometown. Manis, of San Angelo, said studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology at Texas State Technical College is the first step of his goal. “I have...

News TSTC instructors share expertise with next generation of automotive service professionals

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – To commemorate National Automotive Service Professional Week, which this year is June 5-11, Texas State Technical College celebrates its Automotive Technology instructors who educate and train a new generation of automotive technicians by sharing their industry knowledge. Miguel Zoleta is the Automotive Technology program director at TSTC’s Harlingen campus and a 2014...

News TSTC automotive program transforms mechanics into technicians

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The future of the automotive world is electric, and Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology instructor Miguel Zoleta is making sure his program’s students stay plugged in to advancements in the industry. “Right now, we’re seeing that a lot out of industry is electrical vehicles, and electrical vehicles are coming out in...

News TSTC addressing state’s need for occupational health and safety technicians

(ABILENE, Texas) – With the need increasing for occupational health and safety technicians across the state, Texas State Technical College is helping to fill those jobs. TSTC’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program, which offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and certificates of completion at the Abilene, Fort Bend County and Waco campuses, trains...

News TSTC fills need for qualified automotive technicians across Texas

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – There is a growing need for qualified automotive technicians in Texas. Many dealerships and automotive repair shops turn to Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology graduates to fill the need for mechanics. According to onetonline.org, Texas has more than 60,000 automotive service technicians and mechanics employed around the state, and that number...

News TSTC graduate prospers in career at area luxury dealership

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Marcos Anzaldua, of Weslaco, grew up with a knack for tinkering in the family’s mechanic shop. Years later, observations of his father’s repair work enhanced that automotive knowledge. That would guide Anzaldua toward a rewarding automotive career. Anzaldua earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive...

News A closer look at an automotive technician career

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will expand its Fort Bend County campus offerings with the addition of the Automotive Technology and Auto Collision and Management Technology programs next fall. But what do those programs entail, and why are they needed? Becoming an automotive technician means learning skills in a variety of fields. For...

News TSTC prepares graduates for available diesel technician jobs

(RED OAK, Texas) – Now is a great time to become a diesel equipment technician. “Technology in our industry is constantly changing, from hybrid trucks that use electric axles to compressed natural gas engines being used now,” said Matthew Dobbs, lead instructor in the Diesel Equipment Technology program at Texas State Technical College in North...

News Chapla promotes TSTC’s Welding Technology to prospective students

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – One year after participating in a high school welding contest at Texas State Technical College, Christian Chapla is proud to promote the college’s Welding Technology program to prospective students. Chapla, of Newcastle, is working toward a certificate of completion in Structural Welding at TSTC this semester and is considering returning to earn...

News TSTC’s Automotive Technology program introduces new manufacturer trainings

The Automotive Technology program at Texas State Technical College is improving its educational resources with two new online manufacturer-specific trainings: Toyota Technician Education College Support (TECS) and the Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP). The TECS program will offer students e-learning modules with an online library of repair and training information. These resources will qualify a...

News TSTC graduate becomes youngest field service technician at Sunstate Equipment in Balch Springs

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The first time that Terrance “TJ” Holland, of Wills Point, attended a job fair at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall location, he came across Sunstate Equipment. He now works for the construction rental company’s Balch Springs branch as its youngest field service technician.  Holland, a graduate of TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program,...

News TSTC alumni keep biomedical equipment functioning at College Station company

(WACO, Texas) – As doctors and nurses battle the COVID-19 pandemic, biomedical equipment technicians are alongside them keeping devices and machines functioning. CardioQuip in College Station has two Texas State Technical College alumni encountering the most serious work they have done so far in their careers. David De La Hoya is a training associate and...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student aims to change perceptions

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Gissela Hernandez Guzman recalled a time during her youth when her father had a successful automotive shop. His interest in repairing automobiles would be the first spark that would lead his daughter to an education at Texas State Technical College. “It made me want to learn more about the automotive field,” she...

News Austin company looks to TSTC to fill automation positions

(AUSTIN, Texas) – An Austin company is utilizing Texas State Technical College as a resource to fill critical positions needed to keep operations running smoothly. Flex is a multinational contract manufacturer that partners with many different companies across multiple industries. Flex pioneers within industries such as automotive, aerospace, computer hardware, medical devices, and renewable/solar. One...

News Villarreal polishes knowledge in TSTC’s Automotive Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jose Villarreal, of Pharr, became interested in automotive vehicles at the age of 7 when he assisted his grandfather in the family’s garage. That mechanical knowledge intrigued him and became a deciding factor that led him to enroll at Texas State Technical College’s campus in Harlingen. He is now pursuing a certificate...

News TSTC scholarship allows veteran’s dream of becoming a wind energy technician become reality

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Eliodoro Rivas is no stranger to hard work and determination. After serving in the U.S. Army for three years, he decided to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology at Texas State Technical College. The AT&T Wind Energy Scholarship from TSTC  is helping him achieve his goal. “Receiving...

News TSTC instructors see major need for electrical technicians in West Texas, state

(ABILENE, Texas) – With structural growth continuing in West Texas, the need for electrical and electronic engineering technologists in the region is increasing. Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls instructors Cody Davis and Kevin Staton have seen a trend over the past two years. “The level of students we put out is tremendous,”...

News TSTC pays homage to Air Conditioning Appreciation Day

(WACO, Texas) – As hot weather settles in, be sure to give your air conditioning system a big hug. Sunday, July 3, is Air Conditioning Appreciation Day. And there is no better time to make sure that cooling systems are operating at their best. Texas State Technical College’s HVAC Technology program and the Better Business...

News TSTC alumnus receives aviation patent

(WACO, Texas) – Not everyone can claim to have received a U.S. patent. But Cecil C. Rhodes Jr., who received his degree from Texas State Technical Institute (now Texas State Technical College), can. Last year, he and his team at Texas A&M University were awarded U.S. Patent 9,957,035 for Un-Manned Aerial Vehicle Having Adjustable Wing...

News State Sen. Charles Perry says TSTC is good for area businesses

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, toured Texas State Technical College’s newest Industrial Technology Center last week.   “TSTC is training the workforce of tomorrow,” he said of his first visit to the Abilene campus. “Many of the things we take for granted, like turning on the power, are being taught and trained...

News Railroad Commissioner Craddick sees firsthand how TSTC fills state’s workforce

(ABILENE, Texas) – Railroad Commission of Texas Commissioner Christi Craddick left Texas State Technical College’s Abilene campus on Thursday, Oct. 20, with a new impression of the state’s next generation of workers. Craddick toured programs in the Industrial Technology Center and Aviation Technology hangar to see the equipment that students train with on a daily...

News TSTC continuing to focus on work with veterans, their families to pursue technical education

(WACO, Texas) – Edgar Marvin Dearbonne Jr., of Paige, Texas, served for four years in the U.S. Army as an infantryman and later had a career of more than 30 years as a registered land surveyor.  But he also grew up working with his father on heavy equipment and even owned heavy-duty trucks as an...

News TSTC welcomes new, returning students for spring semester

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s spring semester began this week with class introductions and activities for students. Students at the four West Texas campuses in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater began the first week of the semester by completing online paperwork and touring the labs where they will be studying for the next...

News TSTC partners with 13 RGV high schools for student success in dual enrollment

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Many Rio Grande Valley high schoolers are taking advantage of Texas State Technical College’s dual enrollment program this school year. TSTC has active dual enrollment partnerships for the 2021-22 school year with Brownsville ISD, Harlingen CISD, La Feria ISD, Los Fresnos CISD, Lyford CISD, Mercedes ISD, Raymondville ISD, Rio Hondo ISD and...

News TSTC, L3Harris Technologies celebrate hiring of TSTC Avionics Technology student

(WACO, Texas) – Representatives of Texas State Technical College and L3Harris Technologies gathered earlier this week to celebrate a new company employee at a symbolic contract-signing ceremony. Ryan Becerra, of Waco, is scheduled to begin work in mid-May as an electrical assembler in the company’s avionics manufacturing department in Waco. Becerra is a candidate for...

News Velasquez expands knowledge in TSTC’s Automotive Technology program

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Irving Velasquez wanted to expand on the automotive knowledge that he gained from his father. After learning that Texas State Technical College offers Automotive Technology, Velasquez knew it would be the best place to grow as a mechanic. He is studying for an automotive technician certificate at TSTC, with plans to open...

News TSTC Cybersecurity Program Plans to Revamp Certificate Curriculum

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Cybersecurity program will have another option available to make themselves more marketable starting next summer. Students who graduate with the Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity can choose to pursue a Digital Forensics Specialist advanced technical certificate. The certificate has traditionally been offered in Waco,...

News On the road to success: TSTC Auto Collision & Management Technology

From independent body shops to high-profile dealerships – auto technicians, repairers and painters are in demand, with Texas’ projected job openings to be at more than 14,000 by 2026 according to O*Net Online. And TSTC, with its Auto Collision & Management Technology program, is ready to meet industry demand. TSTC Auto Collision & Management Technology...

News TSTC’s Waco campus celebrates new graduates

(WACO, Texas) – More than 450 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received associate degrees or certificates of completion at TSTC’s Summer 2024 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 16, at the BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco. “It’s the best night of the year,” said Beth Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Waco campus. “It’s...

News New wave of computer technicians learning trade at TSTC

(ABILENE, Texas) – A new wave of computer technicians is learning to keep the world connected at Texas State Technical College. Adrian Medrano, a Computer Networking and Systems Administration instructor, said the program’s goal is to produce a graduate who is knowledgeable in all areas of information technology. “We do not focus on one area,...

News TSTC program helps provide environmental safety technicians for West Texas industries

(ABILENE, Texas) – With several industries calling West Texas home, environmental safety technicians are in high demand. To train these technicians, Texas State Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science degree, certificates of completion, and an occupational skills achievement award in Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance.  Two TSTC alumni in particular know that the...

News TSTI graduate leads by example in training technicians at semiconductor manufacturer

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – 1988 was a good year for Arturo Martinez. That was when he earned his associate degree in Electronics Technology at Texas State Technical Institute, now Texas State Technical College. Since then, Martinez has gone on to enjoy a 25-year career at Qorvo, a semiconductor manufacturer, at the company’s location in Richardson, Texas....

News TSTC alumni keeping people healthy in Corsicana

(WACO, Texas) – The technical well-being of patients at Navarro Regional Hospital is in Travis Recksiek’s hands. Recksiek, a biomedical technician, is responsible for about 1,500 pieces of medical equipment at the hospital and four clinics in Corsicana. He usually starts his workday at 6 a.m., almost an hour ahead of when operating room doctors...

News Phlebotomist makes career U-turn, gets TSTC Automotive Technology degree

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Sometimes it takes a while for someone to realize that a job is just not for them. For six years Samuel Gonzales worked as a medical phlebotomist but was not especially happy. Then one day he had an “aha!” moment and decided to pursue an automotive education at Texas State Technical College....

News TSTC alumnus and instructor celebrates six years of preparing biomedical equipment technicians for workforce

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Biomedical Equipment Technology instructor Oziel Capetillo is gratified that his 25 years of industry experience in the electronics and medical fields have helped lead graduates to career success. “This is my sixth year teaching in the program,” Capetillo said. “It’s important that students grasp hands-on training. I’ve seen...

News TSTC students learn about job opportunities at Texas Instruments

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – While it is true that Texas Instruments is known for making calculators, some Texas State Technical College students recently learned that the Dallas-based company does much more than that. “Our calculators are the only thing that says Texas Instruments on the outside,” said Katie Peebles, a technician supervisor for the company. Students...

News Brother’s career success motivates sibling in TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Roy Valdez, of Los Fresnos, learned of the renewable energy boom through his older brother Guadalupe, a Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology alumnus. Now Roy Valdez is pursuing a certificate of completion in Wind Energy Technician at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. The program has captivated his interest with such topics as...

News Machining student ahead of the curve at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With commencement only a few months away, Texas State Technical College student Gabriel Flores still can’t believe that he’ll become a college graduate at only 19-years-old. The Precision Machining Technology student said college was always the only option in his home, but when got to his senior year in high school panic...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student strives to learn about vehicles

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Robert Olivares wanted to know more about automobiles. Before he enrolled as a Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology student, he already knew how to fix a tire and change the oil. But it was knowing about the inner workings of vehicles that Olivares craved. “In high school, I took a class...

News TSTC Emergency Medical Services students motivated to learn lifesaving skills

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Seconds count in a medical crisis, and emergency medical technicians and paramedics often are the first health care professionals to respond with lifesaving skills to help a patient. Daryin Jones, Hiram Rodriguez and Anais Serrato are first-semester students in the Emergency Medical Services program at Texas State Technical College. They recently shared...

News TSTC Medical Office Specialist certificate program offers virtual hands-on learning

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Health Information Technology instructor Sarah Brooks has taught at Texas State Technical College for 17 years. Her excitement upon discovering the many opportunities available in health information guided her to a career as department chair at TSTC. Brooks discussed the advantages of earning a Medical Office Specialist certificate online, as well as...

News TSTC student inspired to pursue Electrical Lineworker certificate

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Jazlyn Roque recalls the day when she asked a man what his career as an electrical lineworker entailed. “(He) talked about a work situation when he left for Florida to help restore power caused by damage from Hurricane Sally in 2020,” she said. “I found his story...

News TSTC student ready to give back as medical technician

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Motivated by a desire to serve his community, Justin Vasquez is currently nearing the end of his time as an Emergency Medical Services student at Texas State Technical College. The Harlingen native, who is set to graduate this semester, credits TSTC’s small class sizes as one of the main reasons he learned...

News TSTC HVAC alumnus eyes next step as independent contractor

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The bond between a father and son is a connection that can transform a child’s ability to learn life lessons. Texas State Technical College HVAC Technology alumnus Marco Silva treasures the relationship he has with his father because it led him to a valuable trade and the possibility of becoming an independent...

News TSTC degrees keep Diesel Equipment Technology grads in demand

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – With more trucks rolling along interstates and highways, the need to keep them operational grows. Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program, offered in Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwater and Waco, is seeing an increase in students wanting to enter the field. “We cannot turn out students fast enough,”...

News TSTC hosts state trucking association competitions

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College hosted the Texas Trucking Association’s State Truck Driving and Technician Championships on Saturday. Twenty-four technicians from throughout Texas competed at the Waco campus’ Diesel Equipment Technology building, and 70 drivers competed in the driving contest at the TSTC Airport. The event is a way for the association to...

News TSTC to offer OSHA-compliant degree program in Breckenridge

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Safety on worksites is important. The person behind the scenes making sure that all of the rules and regulations are being followed is a certified Occupational Health and Safety Administration technician. Texas State Technical College will offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety Compliance Technology at the Breckenridge campus...

News TSTC HVAC Graduates in Harlingen to Experience Smart Technology in the Workplace

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Today’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians need to know more than basic electrical theory and refrigeration principles. As technology evolves, so does the need to be familiar with how smart technology is being used in HVAC systems. Jorge Cabrera, lead instructor in TSTC’s HVAC Technology program in Harlingen, said fifth-semester students...

News TSTC Student Veteran First in Family to Graduate College

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – When Texas State Technical College student veteran, Juan Lopez decided to go back to school, he didn’t realize the new, literal heights he would reach with his degree.  Lopez, from San Antonio, is a student in the Wind Energy Technology program and is expected to graduate in August 2019 with his Associate...

News TSTC Honors Campus Police Officers at Ceremony

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored three campus police officers at a promotional swearing-in ceremony Tuesday morning in Waco. Sgt. Craig Lampe, Sgt. Roy Luna and Lt. Roman Proctor were given a ceremonial oath of office by Judge Matt Johnson of the 54th State District Court. The officers, who have more than 30...

News TSTC student veteran balances school, work and family

(ABILENE, Texas) – Being a full-time student is no easy task. Add working full time and caring for a family, and you might start to wonder how there could be enough hours in a day.  But Texas State Technical College student veteran Andrew Rowlette wouldn’t have it any other way. Rowlette is an Air Force...

News TSTC hosts counselor update

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus held its annual Counselor Update on Friday to kick off the new year. “It just gives them a chance to see what is going on if they are new,” said Trey Pearson, TSTC’s North and Central Texas regional director for student recruitment. “For those...

News TSTC 2020 graduates ready to leave their mark despite the pandemic

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College graduates help their communities thrive because of their capacity to dive into their new careers as soon as their college chapters come to an end. The adversity due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted their final semester and commencement is not ideal, but the TSTC spirit is...

News TSTC, Bombardier celebrate federal apprenticeship program registration

The apprenticeship program will have eight cohorts by 2022. (RED OAK, Texas) – Representatives of Texas State Technical College and Bombardier announced Wednesday the registration of the company’s apprenticeship program by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Bombardier Aviation Apprenticeship Program is based at TSTC’s North Texas campus in Red Oak. The program was announced...

News TSTC instructor equips students for in-demand careers in machining

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Precision Machining Technology instructor Isaac Gonzalez has been teaching at Texas State Technical College for 10 years. Precision Machining Technology is an intense, hands-on program in which students learn skills such as precision measurement, blueprint reading and the heat treatment of metals, making them highly employable and work-ready from day one. Graduates...

News Second Cohort of Tesla START Program Graduates at TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – The Tesla START training program at Texas State Technical College held a recognition ceremony earlier this fall for its second cohort of graduates. The TSTC students began the 12-week training program in August to learn the skills necessary to become advanced electric vehicle technicians at Tesla. As a Tesla-paid hourly internship, the...

News Longtime TSTC Creative Services employee to retire

(WACO, Texas) – Glenn Zgabay has seen a lot in his more than 40 years of working at Texas State Technical College. “It’s rare nowadays to see someone’s career span over 40 years with the same employer,” said Nick Alvarado, TSTC’s vice president of Communication and Creative Services. “Glenn has been a strong foundation to...

News Gov. Greg Abbott appoints three to TSTC Board of Regents

(WACO, Texas) – Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed Lizzy de la Garza Putegnat and reappointed Tony Abad and Curtis Cleveland to the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) System Board of Regents for terms set to expire on August 31, 2027.  Cleveland currently serves as chair of the nine-member board. De la Garza Putegnat, of Harlingen,...

News TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology prepares students for in-demand careers

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jose Rodriguez, of Brownsville, developed an interest in precision machining when he was a student at Hanna Early College High School. His former high school had offered both precision machining and welding in the same shop, and he was intrigued by the demonstrations of how things were made. Now he is pursuing...

News TSTC in Waco returns to in-person commencement after two-year hiatus

(WACO, Texas) – More than 300 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received certificates and associate degrees at TSTC’s Fall 2021 Commencement held Saturday, Dec. 11, at The BASE at the Extraco Events Center in Waco. Jeff Kilgore, interim provost of TSTC’s Waco campus and statewide vice chancellor and chief academic officer, was...

News TSTC student credits family for leading him to welding career

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – The structural integrity of buildings caught the attention of Clay Scheller from a young age. The Newcastle native is now learning more about how metal stays together while studying Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College. After earning his certificate of completion in Structural Welding, Scheller hopes to work for a West...

News TSTC students show community pride at WASP historical marker site

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Axel Torres wants to help the Sweetwater and Nolan County communities. The Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology student has cleaned up debris around Lake Trammell. But his passion to help has grown as he asked classmates to assist with another project. To help welcome visitors to the 2023 National WASP...

News TSTC bids adieu to spring graduates

(WACO, Texas) – More than 480 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received associate degrees, certificates of completion or occupational skills achievement awards at TSTC’s Spring 2023 Commencement held Thursday, May 4, at the BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco. “Graduation represents the culmination of all the hard work of our students,”...

News TSTC honors Belton High School seniors at signing day

(BELTON, Texas) – Representatives of Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus and the Belton Independent School District’s Career and Technical Education department honored a group of Belton High School seniors on Monday, May 15. The seniors signed letters of intent to attend TSTC to study in a range of programs. Tony Montoya, an instructor in...

News TSTC and Bombardier train apprentices for aerospace industry

(RED OAK, Texas) – The Bombardier Aviation Apprenticeship Program that partners with Texas State Technical College is recruiting students for its next cohort of aviation apprentices. In late 2019, aviation company Bombardier and TSTC joined forces for a paid apprenticeship program to prepare students to be aerospace assembly mechanics. The program includes 12 weeks of...

News TSTC hosts Texas A&M University engineering students for summer courses

(WACO, Texas) – Students from Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering are wrapping up a summer of hands-on learning at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. More than 30 students in the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s (TEES) Bachelor’s+ Program began taking hybrid and online classes in late May and finished at the end of...

News Abilene ISD students become TSTC students for one day

(ABILENE, Texas) – For one day, Abilene Independent School District seniors had the opportunity to see what it was like being a college student. “We wanted to expose our students to the postsecondary experience, and show them that TSTC (Texas State Technical College) is a fantastic option to get an education and into the workforce,”...

News TSTC helps US military veterans transition into the workforce

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The website militaryfriendly.com ranks Texas State Technical College as a Top 10 school for military veterans in its 2023-24 Large Community College category. Many members of the college’s staff are United States military veterans themselves, and helping other veterans transfer into the workforce is especially important to them. TSTC’s Marshall campus provost...

News TSTC hosts Discovery Day for high school students

(WACO, Texas) – Hundreds of high school students from throughout Central Texas braved the rain to attend Texas State Technical College’s Discovery Day held Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Waco campus. “It’s a day when students get to come out and look at what we have to offer,” said Curt Wade, lead instructor in the...

News TSTC students, alumni impress potential employers at Industry Job Fair

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently held its annual Industry Job Fair at the Harlingen campus, where more than 400 TSTC students and alumni utilized their networking skills and handed out resumes to representatives from some 68 companies. “The job fair helps elevate that partnership that TSTC and our business and industry partners...

News TSTC students kick off new tradition with Techsan Tassel Trot

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students recently demonstrated their school spirit by participating in the inaugural Techsan Tassel Trot, a 5K relay run/walk hosted by TSTC’s Residence Life and Engagement at the Harlingen campus. The event was open to all students, staff and faculty and aimed at starting a fun tradition to honor...

News TSTC hosts TECHcelerate technical education conference

(WACO, Texas) – Several career and technical education counselors and teachers from throughout Texas learned about technical programs at Texas State Technical College’s second annual TECHcelerate conference held June 10-11 and 13-14. The conference’s purpose was to show how TSTC fits into building a strong Texas workforce. “I hope they take back basically to the...

News TSTC diesel program powers students’ success

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The construction and transportation industry in the Houston area and statewide is rapidly growing, meaning that a skilled workforce is very much in demand. Texas State Technical College is helping to fill that need with its technical programs like Diesel Equipment Technology. TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology instructor Brandon Foster said that program...

News TSTC Automotive Technology candidates for graduation learn value of working together

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Spending six hours a day in Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology lab helped five candidates for graduation form a bond and learn the value of teamwork. Joseph Fredericks, Brady Kennemur, David Lopez-Cortez, Patrick Rodriguez and Tanner Tankersley agreed that their time in the lab taught them more than just skills they...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student inspired by grandfather

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology student Trey Beavers takes inspiration from one single saying from his grandfather. “He always told me, ‘If someone built it, you can work on it.’ That is how I fell in love with working on anything with an engine,” Beavers said. Beavers is studying for a...

News TSTC Wind Energy Technology student accepts job opportunity with German manufacturing company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With each graduating class, Texas State Technical College lives up to its nickname: the Get-a-Job College. Now one of its Wind Energy Technology students is on an exciting career pathway that will take her halfway around the world. Monika Bodner recently accepted a job opportunity with German printing press manufacturer Koenig &...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student inspired by stepfather’s automotive career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jonathan Garza, an Automotive Technology student at Texas State Technical College, could not be happier with the choices that he made to learn more about the automotive industry and follow in his stepfather’s career pathway. “My stepdad is not only a graduate of the same program (Automotive Technology), but he’s a professional...

News TSTC HVAC graduate exceeds company goals

Shaun Davis, of San Benito, demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit of establishing his own business in his early 20s. He graduated from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus in May 2001 with a certificate of completion in Computerized Bookkeeping. “I was excellent at handling money,” he said. “I sold auto parts for vehicles and motorcycles as...

News TSTC HVAC Technology creates cool careers in a hot job market

By Amanda Sotelo (HARLINGEN, Texas) – The demand for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians is high and continues to grow as the number of residential and commercial sites increases. And Texas State Technical College is working diligently to meet industry demand and fill the jobs that are vacated as people retire. According to...

News TSTC EMS instructor returns to where it all started

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Ruben Ramirez was only 17-years-old when he began his career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and since then his passion for the field and training newer generations of EMS technicians and paramedics has only grown, leading him to Texas State Technical College. The Harlingen native is a coordinator and instructor for TSTC’s...

News TSTC Auto Collision instructor shares how modern technology impacts future technicians

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Modern technology is reshaping the automotive body repair industry, and that impacts how future automotive body repairers are trained. Jose Vasquez is the Auto Collision and Management Technology program director at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. Recently he talked about how some of the industry’s new technology is enhancing students’ skills....

News TSTC program leads to cool jobs in Rio Grande Valley

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When air conditioning breaks down on those sizzling Rio Grande Valley days, leave it to heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians to come to the rescue. More of the technical superheroes are needed in the region and throughout Texas. “Right now, we are getting job offers from different companies,” said Jorge Cabrera,...

News TSTC alumnus thrives in career, returns to HVAC program for second degree

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With the rising demand for heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians in Texas, Texas State Technical College alumnus Sadrik-Joe Trevino recently returned to TSTC’s HVAC Technology program to add an associate degree to his credentials. Last year the Harlingen resident graduated with a certificate of completion in HVAC Technician from TSTC and...

News Receiving Metallica scholarship boosts confidence of TSTC Automotive Technology student

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Richie Solis says the hands-on learning experience he receives at Texas State Technical College will lead him to a rewarding career. “What I am doing in class right now is something I will be able to put into practice in the real world,” said Solis, a TSTC Metallica Scholar who is studying...

News San Angelo Student Driven by TSTC Toyota Program

(WACO, Texas) – Ricardo Echeverria of San Angelo did not go to college right after graduating from the city’s Central High School in 2017. He went to work at Mitchell Toyota in San Angelo as a lube technician, but said he knew he needed to advance his career. A dealership employee recommended that Echeverria give...

News TSTC Automotive Technology students train on newer vehicle features

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Technology in vehicles changes often. To keep up with new technology, Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology students have a new vehicle to work on during lab sessions in Sweetwater. The college recently purchased a 2018 Dodge Charger through Performance-Based Education funds for students to learn the newer technology. “There is a...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student follows in grandfathers’ footsteps

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Many automobile aficionados who have a passion for the automotive industry set out to achieve a dream of establishing their own automotive mechanic shop. That is the commitment of Jesus Manrique-Garcia, a first-semester Automotive Technology student pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree at Texas State Technical College. Manrique-Garcia developed an interest...

News TSTC graduate finds career calling at area dealership

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Jesus Resendez could not be more thankful for his automotive career that began last November at Toyota of Pharr. “I’m a level 2 express technician, which is doing an oil change, a tire rotation and other duties on high-mileage automobiles,” he said. “I was hired for a...

News Sky Climber Renewables recruiter sees value in TSTC graduates

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – A representative from an independent service provider for wind, solar and energy storage solutions said Texas State Technical College graduates are a good fit for the company. Andy Hall, a technician development lead for Sky Climber Renewables’ Tech One Program (TOP), recently spoke to Electromechanical Technology and Wind Energy Technology students during...

News TSTC Industrial Maintenance students needed to fill North Texas jobs

(RED OAK, Texas) – Students who pursue industrial maintenance careers play a critical role in keeping their workplaces operational. “I feel like a student that will do well will be curious in nature and want to learn,” said John Walker, an instructor in Texas State Technical College in North Texas’ Industrial Maintenance program. Walker said...

News TSTC HVAC Technology student finishes certificate of completion ahead of schedule

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – More than a month before Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2022 Commencement, TSTC HVAC Technology student Myles Davis has earned his certificate of completion. How? HVAC Technology is part of TSTCYou, which meets students where they are through a flexible, performance-based education (PBE) modality that works with busy schedules. “PBE is really...

News Rock climbing hobby leads Walker to TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The serenity of nature. The beauty of mountain landscapes. And an adrenaline-filled rock climbing hobby in high altitudes. Each of those captivating elements is what Alex Walker grew up around in his home state of Wyoming. Years later, his concern for the environment — and the fact that climbing to dizzying heights...

News TSTC Wind Energy Technology student excited about potential for career growth

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Andrew Garza, a Wind Energy Technology student at Texas State Technical College, hopes to channel his previous managerial experience toward a management position someday in the renewable energy industry. “My friends who graduated from the program now have great-paying careers in the industry,” the Harlingen resident said. “Sometime in the future I...

News TSTC student praises Veteran Services efforts, smooth transition

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is known for its designation as a Military Friendly School. For U.S. Army veteran Adalberto “Beto” Mata Jr., he credits TSTC’s Veteran Services for its smooth process to begin his college journey. “TSTC Veteran Services representative (Maricela) Zepeda is exceptional at her job, and the overall process was...

News TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education program honors graduates

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – During an evening of celebration on May 10 at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen location, a group of 24 TSTC Workforce Training and Continuing Education graduates received their certificates of completion. The graduates were from the Advanced Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining, NCCER Maritime Welding, and Patient Care Technician programs. Myra De...

News TSTC paramedic program offers credit by certification

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Emergency Medical Technician program at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen recently made changes that bring more opportunity to current and future students. Last year, after being under Workforce Training and Continuing Education for more than a decade, TSTC’s EMS program received the accreditation it needed to offer a certificate and...

News TSTC provides electrifying career opportunities

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The demand for electrical power and controls technicians is high and continuously increasing, which is why Texas State Technical College and its Electrical Power and Controls program are working diligently to produce highly skilled graduates. “The industry is growing by leaps and bounds around the industrial centers in the Gulf Coast region,”...

News TSTC’s Workforce Training department provides customized training to Waco company

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training department is providing a 10-month customized industrial maintenance academy for Mars Wrigley employees in Waco. “The training program is a prime example of the mission of TSTC to prepare students for great-paying jobs in Texas,” said Adam Barber, interim director of TSTC’s Workforce Training department. The...

News TSTC Industrial Systems program looks to grow opportunities with Waxahachie company

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College and a Waxahachie insulating glass manufacturer are in the early stages of building a partnership to bolster the career possibilities for Industrial Systems students at TSTC’s North Texas campus. “They have been great about working with us,” said Lily Connolly, Cardinal IG Co.’s recruiting manager in Waxahachie....

News TSTC student finds outlet for passion through Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program

TSTC student finds outlet for passion through Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Connor Burke has a passion for the environment. When he earns his degree next summer in TSTC’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program, he will have an opportunity to protect the environment through the...

News TSTC Robotics program sets students up for oilfield automation success

Automation offers enhanced safety, efficiency and control (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Oil and gas drilling contractor Nabors Industries made history in October 2021 as the company announced that its PACE-R801, the first fully automated land drilling rig, reached total depth on its first well, located in Midland, Texas. While the company retained a similar number of...

News TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department to offer four new certification programs in Harlingen

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department will offer four new certification courses at the Harlingen campus this fall, including Fiber Optics – Broadband Technician, NCCER Basic Rigger, Phlebotomy Technician, and Remote Drone Pilot. “The four programs we’re offering are short-term training that can lead to a high-paying job,”...

News TSTC program keeping up with automation technology

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Automation and Controls Technology program is providing students with new opportunities to learn valuable job skills. “The buzzwords in the industry are smart devices, the internet of things and also Industry 4.0,” said Douglas Clark, the program’s lead instructor. “There are big things surrounding this new push in...

News TSTC Wind Energy Technology students educated by rescue training session

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The wind energy industry is booming, and Wind Energy Technology students are preparing to work in that industry at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. Students learn about topics such as high-end rescue, electrical and mechanical troubleshooting, schematic reading, fluid power, how hydraulic systems operate, and motor controls. Job performance is key,...

News TSTC Automotive Technology students offer vehicle winterization tips

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology students learned one thing from February’s winter storm. The students learned to have their vehicle prepared for an ice storm and a lengthy period of not driving it.  Recently several of the students shared some of the vehicle winterization tips they have gleaned from their time...

News Texas Instruments pitches career options to TSTC students

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students have the opportunity to be part of something big. TSTC’s Career Services department hosted a virtual industry spotlight event Wednesday, Dec. 1, alongside Texas Instruments, which hopes to hire for a number of careers. “We hope that you find something that interests you,” said Katie Peebles, an...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student destined to work on vehicles

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – After putting an engine in a 1984 Chevrolet pickup truck, Tate Potter knew he was destined to work on vehicles. Potter said he felt a sense of accomplishment when he completed the job and began preparing his career. He is working to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology...

News High school seniors feel pride in taking dual enrollment classes at TSTC

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – For three high school seniors, a few hours in Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology lab give them each a sense of pride and accomplishment. Sweetwater High School seniors Ely Barrera and Jacob Rosas, along with Colorado High School senior Richard Martin, plan to continue their journey in college after completing the...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student honors uncle’s memory

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Melissa Castro, of Mercedes, grew an interest in the automotive industry with motivation from her uncle, who was a mechanic. His approach for resolving automotive issues impressed her. After her uncle’s death, the hardworking mother of four desired more for her family. Now she is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student is ‘grease monkey’ among her sisters

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Rachel Wood-Rush has always been around vehicles. “I have been helping my father work on cars since I was eight,” she said. “I am the grease monkey of all my sisters. I have been my father’s go-to person when it comes to cars.” It is only natural that Wood-Rush, of Stephenville, would...

News TSTC Automotive Technology instructor receives nationwide recognition

(WACO, Texas) – Thomas Breshears, an instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology program in Waco, was recently named a recipient of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) World Class Technician award. The award is presented in partnership with the Auto Care Association and ASE. The award honors automotive technicians who have...

News Four on the floor? No problem, say TSTC Automotive Technology students

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Years ago, many motorists used a clutch to shift gears in their automobiles. With technology growing in the automotive industry, drivers moved away from a manual transmission vehicle. But at Texas State Technical College, Automotive Technology students recently spent one day learning how to take apart a manual transmission in order to...

News Opportunities await TSTC Electromechanical Technology students

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Electromechanical Technology instructor Arnoldo Soto has seen his students find success with a wide range of industries. The need for quality employees is high, Soto said, and he wants to continue TSTC’s tradition of placing Texans in great-paying jobs around the state. “Our graduates can go anywhere and...

News TSTC alumna gives back to Biomedical Equipment Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Biomedical Equipment Technology alumna Esmeralda Estrella developed a strong interest in helping people at a young age. Now she is helping to educate the next generation of biomedical equipment technicians as a new instructor at TSTC. The San Benito resident was introduced to the technical side of health...

News Block uses skills learned at TSTC on project car at home

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Bryce Block is taking the skills he is learning in Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology program home with him on weekends. Block, of Wall, is working to restore a Chevrolet Camaro while studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree at TSTC. He said he enjoys learning the new skills in...

News Curiosity about wind turbines inspires TSTC student to study Wind Energy Technology

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As Texas State Technical College student Ruben Lopez travels on U.S. Highway 77 to and from his hometown of Raymondville, he often sees a plethora of wind turbines. His curiosity about the turbines was what inspired him to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology at TSTC’s Harlingen...

News TSTC Automotive Technology students provide assistance during CarFest

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Being able to help others was the goal for five Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology students at CarFest in San Antonio. Kohl Henry Clark, Juan Guerra, Richard Martin, Ryan Rogers and Alejandro Soto represented the Sweetwater campus during the annual event at the Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall earlier this month. San...

News TSTC Automotive Technology students offer summer tire safety tips

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The West Texas heat wave is leading people to find ways to stay cool. The heat can also cause damage to something many people take for granted — the tires on their vehicles. Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology program is teaching students ways to keep their tires properly maintained during the...

News Working on robot leads to career shift for TSTC student

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – While working on a robot, Cameron Dirickson realized he wanted to change career paths. Dirickson was studying Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College when a different program caught his attention. He is now pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electromechanical Technology. “I have always been interested in technology and...

News TSTC Automotive Technology students say now is the time to prepare vehicles for cold weather

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – With the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicting an “unseasonably cold” winter for Texas, now is the best time to prepare your vehicle. Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology students have been learning proactive ways to keep vehicles operating during a cold winter. Ryan Rogers, of Mason, and Alex Soto, of Hawley, said there...

News TSTC Automotive Technology grad gets job at area public transportation company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Life could not be better for Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology graduate Thomas Rivera, who recently accepted a full-time job as an automotive technician with Valley Metro at the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council’s Transit Center in Weslaco. Rivera, who recently received his Associate of Applied Science degree from TSTC,...

News Joining safety team leads Tiner back to TSTC

(ABILENE, Texas) – At first, Calvin Tiner did not think he would go back to college after joining the workforce. The 2020 Texas State Technical College graduate made the decision to return to college after finding the safety aspect of his jobs compelling. He is currently studying for his second Associate of Applied Science degree...

News Simple precautions can keep vehicles running smoothly, TSTC Automotive Technology students say

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The roadways of Texas soon will be filled with summer travelers. Two Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology students recently said that preventive vehicle maintenance is the key to a successful road trip. Automotive Service Professionals Month, which is observed in June by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, is a...

News TSTC to debut new Cloud Computing certificate this fall

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will offer a new online Advanced Technical Certificate in Cloud Computing starting this fall. Students earning the online Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration will be able to move into the Cloud Computing program. “It follows the Amazon Web Services (AWS) curriculum,” said...

News Franklin foresees many opportunities with TSTC certificate

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Jake Franklin has learned he will be able to do more than work on a truck after completing Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program. Franklin, of Snyder, began studying for a Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck certificate of completion this summer. He has found that there are ample job...

News HVAC enrollment coach discusses program’s benefits

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Alyssa Lehnen loves working as an enrollment coach for the HVAC Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus. “My role as an enrollment coach is to assist students, traditional or nontraditional, coming into the HVAC program,” Lehnen said. “They are with me from the very beginning to the...

News TSTC introduces two certificate programs to its New‬ ‭Braunfels campus

(NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas) – Classes began this week in two certificate of completion programs new to Texas State Technical College’s New Braunfels campus: Structural Welding and Industrial Systems Mechanic – Electrical. Mike Anderson, the campus’s provost, is happy with the additions. “I have been looking forward to this for a long time,” he said. “This...

News TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology grads in demand

(WACO, Texas) – As a child, Beau Babineau of Creedmoor enjoyed flipping cars. In high school, he worked as a mechanic and knew he wanted to work with diesel equipment after his dad bought a diesel truck. “I’ve learned more in two semesters than I had in most of high school,” said Babineau, a Diesel...

News TSTC Automotive Technology program adapts to teaching during pandemic

(WACO, Texas) – Automotive Technology students at Texas State Technical College continue to gain insight into what their careers can look like upon graduation. “It’s a good time in the automotive industry because of how everything is advancing,” said George Williams, lead instructor in TSTC’s Automotive Technology program in Waco. The program’s students and faculty...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student receives nationwide scholarship

(WACO, Texas) – Eli Alvarez, of Hutto, grew up working on cars with his father. That interest led him to Texas State Technical College with an automotive scholarship in hand. Alvarez is one of five recipients nationwide to receive a $10,000 scholarship from Pep Boys’ Find Your Drive initiative. He is in his first semester...

News TSTC graduates ready to begin new future after summer commencement

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For more than 270 Texas State Technical College graduates, the culmination of their college journey came to fruition during the Summer 2024 Commencement as they thanked their families for their support. TSTC graduates walked across the stage at the Harlingen Convention Center on Wednesday, Aug. 21 to receive certificates of completion or...

News TSTC launches new version of John Deere specialization program

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program has fine-tuned its John Deere specialization, welcoming more than 15 students this fall semester to the Waco campus to work on certificates of completion and associate degrees. “The dealerships are essentially handpicking these students and vetting them out before they join the program,” said...

News Graduates of TSTC’s EMS program in high demand

(HARLINGEN) – Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and paramedics are in high demand across the region and the state with a projected growth of 15 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And EMS instructor Ruben Ramirez said Texas State Technical College is working to fill...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student lands job while at San Antonio event

(WACO, Texas) – Juan Mijarez of Georgetown, is excited about the transitions going on in his life now. “I like to see what today will bring me and what challenges I will face,” he said. Mijarez is a candidate for spring graduation with an Automotive Technology – Chrysler Specialization certificate at Texas State Technical College...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student eyes educator career path

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For U.S. Army veteran Antonio Lopez, the talent that he developed as a driving instructor in the military would lead him to an education at Texas State Technical College. “After I graduated college, I enlisted in the armed forces and taught soldiers how to drive tactical wheeled vehicles,” he said. “I loved...

News TSTC celebrates Fall 2021 commencement

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The excitement of graduation was electric as Texas State Technical College celebrated the return to an in-person ceremony at the Fall 2021 Commencement held Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg. More than 300 graduates from TSTC’s Harlingen campus walked across the stage with smiles gleaming and accepted a...

News TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education welding students earn NCCER certificates

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education program recently held a graduation ceremony for its third cohort of welding students. Eight students embraced the challenging eight-week training program. Each individual earned a Maritime Welding Level 1 certificate from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) under the direction...

News TSTC program hosts La Vega High School students for summer classes

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program is hosting seniors from Bellmead’s La Vega High School for summer dual enrollment classes. The students began taking classes for the certificate of completion in Precision Machining Technology when they were sophomores. Now they are taking their first summer courses so they can complete...

News TSTC adding two certificate programs this fall at New Braunfels location

(NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas) -Texas State Technical College’s New Braunfels location will offer two new technical programs this fall. Certificates of completion will be available there in Industrial Systems Mechanic – Electrical and in Structural Welding. “The main excitement is getting out in the community and promoting the programs,” said Mike Anderson, TSTC’s vice president of...

News High-demand TSTC programs offer more flexibility this fall

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – This fall, Texas State Technical College’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration, Cybersecurity, and Drafting and Design programs will offer students the choice to complete their training either fully online or in a format that combines online learning with in-person lab time — opportunities that have not been available in these programs since...

News TSTC enrollment coach answers frequently asked questions

(RED OAK, Texas) – With Texas State Technical College’s spring semester coming to a close, the deadline is fast approaching for prospective students to enroll for the summer semester. Enrollment closes May 5 for TSTC’s summer semester and August 25 for the fall semester, or when programs reach full capacity.  For students still considering where...

News TSTC alum finds success at multinational energy corporation

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With no intention to go to college, Texas State Technical College Mechatronics Technology alumnus Matt Lashbrook is now thankful that he did, because he said college took him from rags to riches. The Rio Hondo native always put effort into his schooling, even taking dual enrollment courses while in high school, yet...

News TSTC ready to help fill Central Texas EMT, paramedic jobs

(WACO, Texas) – Their role in saving lives is critical, and there is a need for more of them in Texas. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians are some of the first medical personnel that people encounter when they need to be transported to a hospital or receive lifesaving procedures. “Due to the nationwide shortage of...

News TSTC Industrial Systems students learn about local opportunities with Leedo Cabinetry

Area company looking to staff industrial maintenance technicians, among other positions (ROSENBERG, Texas) – The 15 Texas State Technical College Industrial Systems students who attended a recent industry spotlight event with Leedo Cabinetry walked away from the experience with more than just a brand-new Stanley tape measure. They also came away with valuable insights on...

News TSTC safety instructor prepares students for rapidly shifting industry

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Occupational safety and environmental compliance jobs are already challenging and in demand, particularly in industry-heavy Houston. However, COVID-19 has added new hurdles for professionals on both the occupational and the environmental sides of the industry. “It’s actually pretty chaotic,” said Andrea Skinner-Creeks, a Texas State Technical College Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance...

News TSTC student veteran reinforces TSTC safety training at job

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Vladimir Hidrovo discovered a passion for keeping people safe during his military career. The veteran spent four years in the U.S. Marines and retired from the U.S. Army after 19 years. Hidrovo, who lives in Richmond, visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County with his brother-in-law, who was interested...

News TSTC Industrial Systems program wants to help fill East Texas jobs

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program in Marshall gives students the hands-on experience they need to fill many East Texas jobs.  The program’s courses include basic electrical theory, blueprints, commercial wiring, compressors and hydraulics. Edward Chaney, an instructor in TSTC’s Industrial Systems program, said instructors look at new students as blank...

News Care for environment leads student to TSTC program

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – When Andres Hinojosa was moving from the Rio Grande Valley to the Houston area, he was driving near the house he was planning on renting when he saw something that reminded him of home: Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County. TSTC has 10 statewide locations, one of which is...

News TSTC graduate begins career as safety leader

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Christina Rhodes is ready to take everything she learned at Texas State Technical College into her new job. Rhodes, who graduated in April with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance, is now working for Pactiv Evergreen in Abilene as the company’s lone safety leader. “It was...

News TSTC instructor trains students in workplace safety

June is National Safety Month (ROSENBERG, Texas) – While June may mark National Safety Month, highlighting safety topics including musculoskeletal disorders and slips, trips and falls, Andrea Skinner-Creeks, a Texas State Technical College Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance instructor, focuses on workplace safety year-round. Leveraging her industry background, Skinner-Creeks helps train the next generation of...

News TSTC HVAC students connect with Mustang CAT-Energy Rental Solutions reps

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Two representatives from Mustang CAT-Energy Rental Solutions recently visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County to share with TSTC HVAC Technology students what their company does. Dedicated to the specialty rental business, Mustang CAT-Energy Rental Solutions has one of the largest equipment rental fleets of temperature control, compressed air...

News TSTC alumnus finds career success with area HVAC company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has produced many skilled workers that instill an integrity into their work ethic, such as those in the HVAC Technology program. TSTC alumnus Mathew Mendoza is representative of that effort. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC Technology from TSTC’s Harlingen campus in May. He...

News TSTC program proud of its ‘power moves’

(WACO, Texas) – The process of making sure that students have jobs before they graduate from Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Power and Controls program begins as early as the first semester. Michael Cooper, a program instructor at TSTC’s Waco campus, said students entering the program typically enroll because they know someone who is in...

News TSTC to host one-day course for HVAC, plumbing license renewal

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Licensed plumbers and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians in West Texas sometimes have to travel hundreds of miles to earn their required continuing education units for license renewals. Texas State Technical College is providing an opportunity to take the required classes closer to home. TSTC’s Breckenridge campus will host a...

News Increased enrollment in TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology program will benefit workforce

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Instructors in the Mechatronics Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus are looking forward to Aug. 28, the first day of the fall semester, because the college’s recruitment efforts have resulted in an enrollment increase in the program. Carlos Reyes, TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology program director in Harlingen, said the number...

News TSTC graduate enjoys challenges in HVAC field

(WACO, Texas) –  Wyatt Bruce, of Waxahachie, is a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus, where he earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC Technology. Bruce joined Engineered Air Balance (EAB) in Richardson in 2018. He began as a technician in training and passed the Testing, Adjusting and Balance (TAB) technician...

News TSTC alum brings HVAC knowledge and experience to current students

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For nine years, Jorge Cabrera has been bringing his vast experience and knowledge of heating, ventilation and air conditioning to the classrooms of Texas State Technical College. The military veteran graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC Technology from TSTC in 2007 before serving in the U.S. Marines for...

News TSTC Electrical Power and Controls student hopes to bring diversity to field

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Helena “Lani” Orr does not look like a typical electrical technician. But once she earns her Associate of Applied Science degree in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Power and Controls program, she hopes she can help change that — particularly since the industry resonates with her and comes with an added bonus...

News TSTC HVAC instructor offers tips on keeping AC units cool in summer heat

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Nobody wants to experience the nightmare of an air conditioning unit failure right in the heat of summer. Pricey system replacements and ongoing supply chain issues could prolong the misery. That is why Texas State Technical College HVAC Technology instructor Keith Klix urges all homeowners to utilize the services of professional HVAC...

News TSTC students, alumni network with potential employers at Industry Job Fair

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently welcomed more than 380 students and alumni as they filled the Industry Job Fair at TSTC’s Harlingen campus Thursday, Nov. 10. The attendees were ready with their resumes and networked with more than 60 business and industry representatives from across Texas and the United States. The companies...

News Alvarado’s automotive knowledge expands in internship at area electric company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Utility companies depend on highly skilled automotive technicians to keep their fleet vehicles ready for everything from routine service calls to emergencies. Alex Alvarado, of San Benito, is a fourth-semester Automotive Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, where he is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree. He...

News TSTC Mechatronics Technology students learn about job opportunities with major manufacturer

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A group of Mechatronics Technology students at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus recently heard about job opportunities at the new Samsung Austin Semiconductor production facility in Taylor. During the recruitment visit, representatives from Samsung Electronics discussed the company’s job outlook and work culture. Brian Reckart, master technician for Samsung Electronics, said...

News TSTC Mopar CAP students ready for graduation and work

(WACO, Texas) – The time is coming closer for students in Texas State Technical College’s Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) to graduate and go to work at dealerships throughout the state. “This is a really good group of students,” said Matthew Mills, a TSTC instructor in the Automotive Technology program’s Mopar CAP program. “Most of...

News TSTC instructor gives tips on how to maintain AC units during summer months

(RED OAK, Texas) – May 26 is recognized as National Heat Awareness Day. Douglas McCuen, lead instructor for Texas State Technical College’s HVAC Technology program at the North Texas campus, recently gave some tips for how best to handle air conditioning systems during summer months and rising temperatures.  What are some of your tips for...

News Garcia’s confidence grows as student in TSTC’s Industrial Systems program

(ABILENE, Texas) – Lucas Garcia has become more confident in what he is able to do, thanks to his time studying Industrial Systems at Texas State Technical College. Working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree, Garcia admits that he was nervous when he began the program. But any nervousness quickly turned into confidence because...

News Four TSTC students look to strengthen diversity of automotive industry

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Many women have changed the dynamic of the Texas workforce by the technical educations they acquired from Texas State Technical College, and Dulce Cruz, Beatriz Loa, Joselyn Ramirez and Crystal Santoyo want to join their ranks. The four women are students in the Automotive Technology program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. According to...

News TSTC Graduate Finds Career Calling

(WACO, Texas) – Annie Briggs sees big-city challenges but still has her small-town grit. Briggs, a master technician at TA Truck Service near Atlanta, Georgia, got her professional start at TravelCenters of America in Hillsboro after graduating in 2014 from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. “Atlanta is crazy,” Briggs said. “It was like exponential...

News TSTC drafting and design give students their blueprint to success

Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics graduates from Texas State Technical College are finding that the demand for their skills is increasing as highway, road and subdivision developments are growing across the state. TSTC Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics statewide Department Chair Samuel Pizano said students are being recruited across the Rio Grande Valley and statewide,...

News A veteran’s success has reached new heights at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As a U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veteran Jeromy Jeffries has lived across the United States and overseas, but he now calls the Wind Energy Technology program at Texas State Technical College home. After more than two decades, the 44-year-old decided it was time to return to college and earn a degree....

News A veteran’s success has reached new heights at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As a U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veteran Jeromy Jeffries has lived across the United States and overseas, but he now calls the Wind Energy Technology program at Texas State Technical College home. After more than two decades, the 44-year-old decided it was time to return to college and earn a degree....

News Ambulances lead to TSTC classroom for new EMS instructor

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – From ambulances and sirens to a classroom setting, Crystal Espinoza is Texas State Technical College’s newest Emergency Medical Services instructor. Completing her sixth week on campus, the 32-year-old said this is a dream come true. “Since stepping foot into my paramedic class, I knew I wanted to teach,” said the McAllen native....

News TSTC Automotive Technology student learning more than he expected

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Joseph Fredericks, of Ballinger, admits that he is learning more than he expected in Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology program. Fredericks, a second-semester automotive student, is already setting his sights on furthering his education at TSTC. He is currently studying for a basic automotive certificate and plans to earn an automotive...

News TSTC Health Information Technology program ready to fill Valley jobs

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Health information technology enables people to work wherever they want to do their part to keep patients’ health care records organized. Beyda Ramirez, an instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Health Information Technology program in Harlingen, said graduates do more than handle billing and coding. They also maintain the accuracy of electronic...

News Crowley student balances work, classes to study Automotive Technology at TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – Brayan Plascencia, of Crowley, is an Automotive Technology student at Texas State Technical College. He is scheduled to graduate in December with a certificate of completion in Automotive Technician and continue on toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology at the Waco campus. He commutes to and from classes...

News TSTC alumnus pursues childhood passion in TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus and current student Alfonso Juarez, of Weslaco, was captivated at an early age by how things work. He could not have dreamed that one day he would have a job with aerospace manufacturer SpaceX. “I was very curious how things worked mechanically,” he said. “I was that...

News TSTC graduate thrives in career at city of San Benito

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – U.S. Army veteran Omar Cano sought a career that would offer meaningful service to a community. The Harlingen resident graduated with a certificate of completion in HVAC Technician from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus in 2021. Later Cano accepted a job at the city of San Benito. “I am a water...

News TSTC graduates start careers with renewable energy company, get reacquainted with safety training

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology graduates Adrian Gallegos and Chase Woolery were elated when they were offered full-time wind turbine technician jobs at Deriva Energy in Rio Grande City last month. Deriva Energy is one of the nation’s leading independent power producers, owning and operating over six gigawatts of electric...

News TSTC’s Solar Energy Technology program radiating with job possibilities for graduates

(WACO, Texas) – Julian Rodriguez’s future in the solar industry looks to be as bright as the sun shining on the panels generating energy in Texas. Rodriguez, 18, of McCamey in Upton County, is in his second semester at Texas State Technical College, studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Solar Energy Technology...

News TSTC students learn how to find air leaks in homes

(WACO, Texas) – Some Texas State Technical College students are learning how consumers can save money for their residences by making them more energy-efficient.  Students in the Residential Building Performance Consulting class used a vacant home on campus on Monday to perform a series of tests to find out where outside air leaked in, and...

News TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology students prepare for career in shop environment

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The Diesel Equipment Technology lab at Texas State Technical College is filled with future mechanics. The new students are putting the finishing touches on the first semester of the program with thoughts of what the future holds. “I cannot wait to get started working on the engines,” said John Mendez, who is...

News Konner Hand: a TSTC student who never says, ‘I can’t’

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students learn quickly that their education requires a lot of hard work and determination, but the rewards are more than worth it. Henderson native and TSTC student Konner Hand has proven time and time again that he refuses to let anything hold him back.  Hand has been hard...

News TSTC’s North Texas campus hosts Texas High School Welding Series competition

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College hosted over 300 students from 24 high schools at its North Texas campus for the Texas High School Welding Series competition on Friday, Oct. 27. “We are thrilled that these students traveled to our campus to compete and learn more about the career opportunities at TSTC,” Marcus...

News TSTC student achieves the American dream

(HUTTO, Texas) – After waiting 14 years to come to the U.S., the American dream is alive, well and within reach for Andrew Doan. Doan is in his final semester in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program at the East Williamson County campus in Hutto. He immigrated to Austin from Bien Hoa, Vietnam,...

News Army veteran, now TSTC student, sets sights on cyberattackers

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For six years Samuel Steele served in the U.S. Army, and the talent that he developed as a network communications systems specialist has led him to an education at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. “I relocated to the Rio Grande Valley after my military career and looked for a job in...

News Women set example in TSTC Electrical Construction program

(WACO, Texas) – It is an achievement that Letha Novosad, lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Construction program, is happy to see happen. For the first time since she began teaching at TSTC in 2010, Novosad will see three women complete the Electrical Construction certificate program this summer. Chrystal Robinson of Killeen is...

News TSTC hosts students for FFA tractor competition

(WACO, Texas) –  Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program hosted on Thursday the Texas FFA Association Tractor Technician Career Development Event featuring 10 high schools from North and Central Texas. In the Texas FFA Association’s Area 5 consisting of North Texas schools, Wolfe City High School placed first while Denton High School finished...

News TSTC HVAC graduates to experience smart technology in the workplace

(HUTTO, Texas) – Today’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians need to know more than basic electrical theory and refrigeration processes. As technology evolves, so does the need to be familiar with how smart technology is being used in HVAC systems. Curtis Christian, a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology instructor at Texas State Technical...

News TSTC student gains hands-on skills in Automotive Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Rey Rocha has always had an interest in gears, transmissions and engines. Now he is gearing up to receive his Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from Texas State Technical College this fall, and he already has a full-time job lined up. Rocha is currently working part time at Boggus...

News TSTC student follows family tradition of entering medical field

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Seth Johnston is following other members of his family’s career path into the medical field. The 18-year-old is a first-year student in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program. Johnston plans to join his mother, who is a registered nurse, father, a computerized tomography technician, and brother, an X-ray technician, in...

News Mechatronics Technology at TSTC teaches skills needed for growing industry

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Mechatronics Technology program equips students with the essential skills needed to succeed in a career that is expected to grow through 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mechatronics, whose name derives from combining the words mechanical and electronics, is the study and use of multiple...

News Lance continues to learn after earning associate degree at TSTC

TSTC grad finds success with Champion Stone Co. (ABILENE, Texas) – Marcus Lance has done a lot in a short period of time at Texas’ largest limestone quarry. After earning an associate degree in Industrial Systems at Texas State Technical College in 2020, Lance began working for Champion Stone Co. in Lueders. The maintenance technician...

News Graduates of new TSTC program will help companies be safe, environmentally compliant

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is known for adapting its technical programs to fit the needs of industry. Starting this fall, a new degree will enable students to learn to protect the health and safety of others. The Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance combines two previous degrees...

News TSTC and Phillips 66 celebrate relationship with scholarship donation, campus visit

(WACO, Texas) – Representatives from Texas State Technical College and Phillips 66 gathered on TSTC’s Waco campus on Thursday to celebrate a relationship that not only benefits TSTC students through scholarships provided by Phillips 66, but also benefits the energy giant with a reliable source of skilled technicians in the form of TSTC graduates. Rachel...

News Job market promising for TSTC Automation and Controls graduates

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The 10 letters that make up the word “automation” carry a lot of weight in how we work now and will in the future. Automation is the ability to transform raw material into a finished product with very little human interaction, said Douglas Clark, lead instructor in TSTC’s Automation and Controls Technology...

News TSTC Wind Energy Technology student overcomes fear of heights

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Josiah Otto has overcome a fear of heights while preparing for his first climb inside a wind turbine. Otto, who moved to West Texas from Illinois, admitted he had to overcome his fear to begin studying Wind Energy Technology at Texas State Technical College. Later this month, he will be climbing TSTC’s...

News Women in Technology virtual event to showcase female success in nontraditional careers

Women in Technology will feature three TSTC alumnae (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Emily Bollig might be short in stature, but she stands tall when it comes to taking pride in her career as a diesel equipment technician. “I’m 4 feet, 11 inches, so sometimes customers are surprised to see me, but then they see I can...

News TSTC robotics students highly trained for in-demand careers

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College instructor Charles Sparks would like to help you reframe what you picture when you think of robotics — specifically in the context of TSTC’s Robotics Technology program. “When most people think of robotics, they envision consumer-based items such as drones, robotic vacuums, cars, trucks, boats and even ‘battle...

News TSTC and The Manufacturing Institute partner for virtual reality workforce training pilot program

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College and The Manufacturing Institute are partnering to pilot a remote virtual reality workforce training initiative aimed at helping transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses prepare for and excel in careers in modern manufacturing. The first cohort is scheduled to start on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. The institute’s...

News TSTC’s Emergency Medical Services program enhances experience with educational manikins

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Imagine a scenario of being placed on a call in a fast-paced, life-changing situation to save a patient’s life. The Emergency Medical Services program at Texas State Technical College recently introduced three Lifecast medical manikins to provide a new sense of realism for educational purposes and training. Previously students had to use...

News TSTC student hopes to make workplaces safer with degree

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Lack of fall protection, hazard communication standards and respiratory protection. Those are the top three violations most frequently cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following worksite inspections for the 2020 fiscal year. While accidents can happen in the workplace, many are preventable with safety standards already in place. Texas...

News TSTC student wants to help others with Welding Technology certification

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Austin Barnhart has set a goal for his life. The Brownwood native is studying Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College with a purpose. He wants to help others, as well as his younger brother. Barnhart suffered from Chiari I malformation, a brain disorder, after discovering that he could not feel the...

News Gene Haas Foundation gives $80,000 statewide through The TSTC Foundation to support Precision Machining program 

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Anyone can dream up an idea, but it takes manufacturing to bring that dream to life. “Without manufacturing, nothing gets made,” said Matt Sykora, a representative for Haas Automation. Such a crucial facet of the economy requires highly trained workers, which Texas State Technical College works to provide with its Precision Machining...

News With goal to protect environment, Rios enrolls in TSTC program

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Raquel Rios wants people to be less wasteful in order to help protect the environment. That is one reason she is studying Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance at Texas State Technical College. She is in her third semester of the Associate of Applied Science degree program and has enjoyed each aspect of...

News TSTC Electrical Power and Controls instructor grounds students’ lessons in real-life experience

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – An open field on Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County recently served as a classroom for a hands-on project. A group of 12 fifth-semester students in TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls program conducted two industry-relevant tests during the project: a four-point soil resistivity test and a fall-of-potential test with...

News PMG Manufacturing Services visits TSTC Welding, Precision Machining students

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Representatives from PMG Manufacturing Services recently visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County to discuss potential career opportunities with students from TSTC’s Welding Technology and Precision Machining Technology programs. TSTC students learned about the benefits and opportunities at PMG and saw examples of success from other TSTC graduates who...

News TSTC students celebrate success at statewide SkillsUSA contests

Gold medalists will go on to compete on the national level at SkillsUSA (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students earned a total of 47 medals — 18 gold, 15 silver and 14 bronze — during the recent statewide SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference in Houston. The three-day competition ended Saturday, April...

News TSTC student gains extra experience at area collision center

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Many automobile aficionados recall how they first grew an admiration for the automobile industry. For Kevin Cantu, of Pharr, the oil change he performed on his grandfather’s vehicle as a teenager would lead to an education at Texas State Technical College. After that moment, Cantu’s interest in automotive knowledge spread like a...

News Top three things to know about TSTC’s Industrial Systems program

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program is a powerful tool for anyone looking for a high-demand, great-paying career across countless industries. “We fix very complicated pieces of equipment when they break,” said TSTC Industrial Systems lead instructor Brian Weakley. “We’re not focused on any one industry because the skills learned here...

News TSTC graduate helps community at local hospital, clinic

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – U.S. Army veteran Alfredo Casillas, of San Benito, always had a desire to people the community in health care. He served as a certified combat medic in the military. The Texas State Technical College alumnus learned about TSTC’s Surgical Technology program after a transition to civilian life. “I researched TSTC’s allied health...

News TSTC Industrial Systems students benefit from instructor’s years of experience

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – When Brian Weakley was driving the 45 miles between Needville and Houston in his former role as a maintenance manager, he would pass the current site of Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County every day. “I watched it being built,” he said. In 2019, Weakley was hired as a...

News TSTC robotics program helping to supply demand for workers

(WACO, Texas) – Justin Meckel is already getting valuable work experience even though he is in his third semester in the Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. He works as a warehouse technician and robot supervisor at Sherwin-Williams Co.’s distribution service center in Waco. He said experiencing the...

News TSTC Electromechanical Technology students learn about oil field job opportunities

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls, Electromechanical Technology, and Industrial Systems students recently learned about careers in the oil field from representatives of Alamo Pressure Pumping during employer spotlights presented on the Abilene and Sweetwater campuses. Alamo Pressure Pumping representatives Ian Brown and Landon Burton told students about jobs and...

News TSTC HVAC Technology program offers tips for having clean indoor air

(WACO, Texas) – Texans adore their air conditioning and heating systems, and they will do whatever is needed to ensure that they work properly. February is National Care About Your Indoor Air Month, a time to check ducts, filters and vents to make sure that there are no hindrances in generating air. Tim Snyder, lead...

News Loe says TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program will lead him to new heights

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The thought of working as a wind turbine service technician is intriguing for Ezekiel Loe. The Austin native said he altered his career path in order to achieve that goal. Loe said Texas State Technical College’s Wind Energy Technology program will provide him with the unique opportunity of having a career that...

News TSTC Biomedical Equipment Technology students start careers with Houston-based medical company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s mission is to place more Texans in great-paying jobs, and now three of its Biomedical Equipment Technology students are the recipients of new career opportunities. Juan Aguilar, Eber Trejo and Joseph Ybarra, each of whom is working on an Associate of Applied Science degree, recently were hired as...

News Altec manager praises quality of TSTC graduates

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – John Sherman knows that Texas State Technical College graduates will give their best in the workforce. The Altec talent pipeline development manager gave students advice on how to enter the workforce and be good employees. He spoke to students at the Sweetwater and Abilene campuses about job opportunities and what Altec provides...

News TSTC hosts Samsung Austin Semiconductor staff for student recruitment visit

(WACO, Texas) – Representatives of Samsung Austin Semiconductor visited Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus on Tuesday, April 11, to talk to students in the Cybersecurity, Electrical Power and Controls, Instrumentation Technology, and Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology programs. Sookyung Kim, the company’s event coordinator for the talent acquisition team, said the visit’s goal was...

News TSTC Electromechanical Technology instructor answers call to teach

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – James Simonetti plans to use his knowledge and skills to mentor Texas State Technical College Electromechanical Technology students. An ordained pastor who felt that he was being called to teach, Simonetti recently was hired to be an instructor in the program. He will draw on his years of experience in a variety...

News TSTC’s Career Services department hosts industry panels for students

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Services department hosted three industry panel discussions for TSTC students on Wednesday, May 31. Company representatives spoke to students in the Industrial Systems, Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology programs. The panel discussions were held in the Industrial Technology Center on the Waco campus. Josh Beck, a...

News US Med-Equip donates equipment to TSTC’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Innovations in medical equipment technology are leading to life-changing results for patients, and that is how Texas State Technical College is raising the bar for one of its allied health programs. Recently US Med-Equip donated more than 25 pieces of medical equipment to be used by students in the Biomedical Equipment Technology...

News TSTC grad trains teachers with creative educational technology at area school district

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Mark Anthony Pinon is proud of the trajectory that his life has taken, from working in the construction industry to currently working with instructional technology at the Lyford Consolidated Independent School District. “I collaborate with each campus’s administration about the planning of instructional technology that I design,”...

News New building planned for TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus as college expands its offerings

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The need for highly skilled technicians in the workforce continues to grow. Additionally, Fort Bend County is one of the fastest-growing counties not only in Texas, but in the entire country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Texas State Technical College looks to grow alongside the population and deliver technical education and...

News TSTC student aims to thrive in commercial HVAC work

(HUTTO, Texas) – Adrianna Contreras, of Killeen, is a student in Texas State Technical College’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology program at the East Williamson County campus. She is working toward an associate degree and is scheduled to graduate in late 2024. What factored into your decision to attend TSTC? I already knew...

News TSTC Surgical Technology graduate earns second degree, is offered job with area hospital

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Recent Texas State Technical College graduate Celestial Martinez decided to study Surgical Technology after her own positive experience as a patient at DHR Health in McAllen, where she has been offered a full-time job as a surgical technician pending completion of her internship there and passing the required certifying examination. “I used...

News TSTC Wind Energy Technology program hosts employer spotlight with wind turbine manufacturer

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology students recently learned about potential careers that they might pursue after they graduate. During an employer spotlight at TSTC’s Harlingen campus, Eva Gonzalez and Kera Grigsby of the Nordex Group, a manufacturer of wind turbines, discussed the company’s job outlook, top achievements, culture, training...

News Apprenticeships offer extra training for TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology students

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The Diesel Equipment Technology instructors at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus regularly team up with local companies to offer apprenticeships in off-road diesel equipment to their students.  “Apprenticeship programs have been out there since the industry began,” Ralph Cottrell, one of the program’s instructors, said. “It’s one of the ways that...

News TSTC student and former employee takes on new challenge in electrical power and controls field

(WACO, Texas) – A trip to Indiana during the pandemic led Harlingen native and Navarro County resident Matthew Machner to reassess his future. Machner and his wife, Jordan Campbell, a senior enrollment coach in the HVAC Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus, had traveled to Indiana to see her grandfather. “We went...

News Air Force veteran and TSTC graduate finds job success with state military organization

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Juan Dominguez knew he would find his niche in the Texas workforce after serving for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, but first he had to figure out what he wanted to do. Dominguez said he became interested in the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning after being introduced to...

News TSTC degrees lead husband and wife to jobs with wind turbine manufacturer

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Ruben Lopez and Reyna Cardenas-Lopez are not a typical married couple. Not only did they recently graduate together from Texas State Technical College with associate degrees in Wind Energy Technology, but they also found jobs before they graduated with German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex Group and are helping with its installation of...

News Total Site Solutions partnership provides jobs for‬ ‭TSTC computer networking students‬

(HUTTO, Texas) – Total Site Solutions Inc. (TSS) recently partnered with Texas State Technical College to allow students to start working at the company while they earn Computer Networking and Systems Administration degrees at TSTC’s East Williamson County campus. TSS is a company in Round Rock, Texas, that helps businesses acquire and deploy high-performance computing...

News TSTC Biomedical Equipment Technology graduate finds new ways to give back to students, patients

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College took Felicia Pruitt on a journey she never could have imagined. It began when she traded her patient care technician job to begin studying Biomedical Equipment Technology. “I decided I couldn’t do patient care because I got too attached to the patients. I wanted to help them in...

News TSTC Surgical Technology student’s internship leads to job offer at area medical facility

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Zoe Betancourt, a Surgical Technology student at Texas State Technical College, recently began an internship at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, where she has been offered a full-time job as a surgical technician pending completion of her internship there and passing the required certifying examination. “As an intern, some of my...

News TSTC in Sweetwater partners with local high schools

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – It’s time to start the engines and drive toward the future for many area high school students. Thanks to a partnership between their schools and Texas State Technical College, students can earn early college credit. TSTC established a dual enrollment Automotive Technology program for Brownwood and Snyder high school sophomores, juniors and...

News TSTC HVAC program sees need to fill jobs

(WACO, Texas) – The last few weeks have been busy for the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program at Texas State Technical College. David Brannen, the program’s lead instructor, said several companies have visited the campus to recruit HVAC students for jobs. Brannen is happy about this because the program has a very high...

News TSTC Workforce Training offers new allied health courses

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jobs, of all levels, are in demand in the health industry, especially in the medically underserved Rio Grande Valley, and Workforce Training at Texas State Technical College is helping employers meet their needs and fill a skills gap with its new Allied Health courses being offered. This is the first time that...

News TSTC HVAC Students Encourage Preventive Maintenance on Air Conditioning Units

(WACO, Texas) – Though the 2019 calendar says the first day of summer is June 21, Texas residents know that hot days and the comfort of air conditioning started much earlier. On Thursday, June 20, students in Texas State Technical College’s Air Conditioning Troubleshooting class were simulating cold and hot situations on air conditioning systems....

News Texas land commissioner emphasizes value of TSTC

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush toured the Texas State Technical College campus in Fort Bend County on Wednesday, June 26, to learn not only about technical education, but also how TSTC and its students contribute to the Texas economy and meet industry demand for skilled technicians. Bush visited with students and...

News TSTC HVAC Technology program aims to provide workers for growing region

(HUTTO, Texas) – As the Austin area continues to grow with residential housing and high-rise buildings, so does the need for qualified heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians. “This is a really high-tech area, but just because you live in a town for high-tech, not everybody is,” said Curtis Christian, an HVAC Technology instructor...

News TSTC Debuts Updated Programs This Fall in Marshall

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Students attending Texas State Technical College this fall have found two programs that have been updated and renamed, and a third that replaces an older program.  “This is evidence of TSTC’s ongoing efforts to tailor our programs to the precise skill sets Texas employers need,” said Barton Day, TSTC’s provost in Marshall....

News TSTC automotive student gets to practice his skills for AEP

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology student Hugo Villanueva never thought college would be in his future, much less a cooperative (co-op) education learning experience with American Electric Power (AEP). The San Benito native who expects to earn his certificate in Automotive Technology in Spring 2020 is working 20 hours per week...

News Automotive students get taste of life in field

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology students are getting a feel for what it will be like in the shop. With TSTC going to online classes, the students enrolled in the program are now working remotely. According to lead instructor Miguel Zoleta, this could be what students experience in the workforce. “The...

News East Texas industrial systems jobs are ready for TSTC graduates

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Rush Harris, executive director of the Marshall Economic Development Corp., said the need for industrial systems workers is being seen right now.  Harris said he recently has spoken with two companies that need new workers. He said more than 20 companies in Harrison County and surrounding counties are searching for industrial systems...

News TSTC, Cameron ISD team up for dual enrollment classes

(HUTTO) – Students at C.H. Yoe High School in Cameron recently ended their first semester taking dual enrollment classes through Texas State Technical College. Twelve students completed the Principles of Accounting I class as part of the Business Management Technology certificate. And, more than 30 students took the online Medical Terminology class under the Medical...

News TSTC Student Builds on Work Ethic in Welding

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Dakota Smith of Gladewater learned early on the importance of a good work ethic, especially in a welding booth. “Once I have something to do, that’s all I focus on until it is completed, and I do it to the best of my abilities,” she said. Smith is scheduled to receive an...

News TSTC Health Information Technology students benefit from online classes

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Medical office specialists are often among the first faces that patients see as soon as they enter a clinic. Compassion, care and a genuine desire to help others are a few of the traits that define those in this profession. Remote learning at Texas State Technical College has made earning a Medical...

News Quest for job stability leads Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology student to TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – Dominic Abeyta, of Hewitt, is working toward a Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology certificate at Texas State Technical College. He is scheduled to graduate in December. What inspired you to study Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology at TSTC? I was working as an armed security guard, but I was looking for a new challenge...

News Rodriguez working toward degree at TSTC to boost career

(ABILENE, Texas) – Balancing a full-time job, family and school is nothing new to Alfred Rodriguez. The 2020 Texas State Technical College graduate is back in the labs, studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems. Rodriguez previously earned a certificate in Diesel Equipment Technology from TSTC, but he wanted to add...

News TSTC set to welcome Hutto High School dual enrollment students this fall

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County is offering Hutto High School students two new technical programs for dual enrollment in the new academic year. Students can take classes to work toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Robotics Technology or a certificate of completion in Structural Welding. Some students...

News Auto body knowledge motivates Ortiz for career in family’s shop

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Trinity Ortiz, of Harlingen, gained hands-on mechanics knowledge during her teenage years when she assisted her father in his auto shop.  That passion led to her enrolling at Texas State Technical College’s campus in Harlingen and pursuing a certificate of completion in Auto Collision Refinishing.  In the past year, her father and...

News TSTC programs see high enrollment, promising job market for graduates

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Construction and Solar Energy Technology programs are seeing their highest enrollment numbers ever at the Waco campus. Hugh Whitted, lead instructor in the Solar Energy Technology program, said more than 100 students are enrolled in the two complementary programs, with the spring semester being on track to...

News TSTC’s male Vocational Nursing students embrace passion for patient care

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As the medical field has evolved over the decades, so has the diversity of its nurses. As more males are pursuing nursing, Texas State Technical College is seeing an increase in the number of men enrolling in its nursing program. Alex Zuniga, of Harlingen, shares a common interest among his other male...

News TSTC Welding Technology student strives to do her best

(ABILENE, Texas) – Tatum McFarland is striving to become the best welder she can by watching and learning from everyone. McFarland, of Abilene, is studying for a certificate of completion in Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College with the hope of starting a career. Her venture into welding is nothing new for her, but...

News Welding Technology grad looks back on TSTC experience

De La Cruz recommends prospective welding students pursue degree, certificate (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Omar De La Cruz Jr. is a third-generation welder — two of his uncles and his grandfather were in the industry. “I still remember the time when my grandpa was welding right in front of me,” De La Cruz said. “I enjoyed...

News TSTC Electrical Lineworker student climbs toward goal of hands-on job

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – DaVyion Ellis already has a degree in electrical engineering. However, the New Caney resident is currently working to earn a certificate of completion in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program. “I didn’t want to sit behind a desk, so I was looking for some more physical work — and possibly...

News TSTC Electrical Lineworker student ready to face whatever Mother Nature dishes out

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Whether being hoisted high above the ground in a cherry picker to clear tree limbs from power lines, or climbing an electrical pole to help restore power, heights are no problem for Texas State Technical College student Joe Rodriguez. Now close to finishing his certificate of completion in Electrical Lineworker and Management...

News TSTC in Marshall holds Summer 2022 Commencement

(MARSHALL, Texas) – More than 100 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Summer 2022 Commencement held Thursday at Memorial City Hall Performance Center in downtown Marshall. Barton Day, provost of TSTC’s Marshall campus, said the graduating class was the largest in recent memory. “It’s...

News TSTC in North Texas holds Summer 2022 Commencement

(RED OAK, Texas) – More than 25 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Summer 2022 Commencement held Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the Waxahachie Civic Center.  Marcus Balch, provost of TSTC’s North Texas campus, said he was excited for the graduates. He said the...

News Footballs help TSTC Electrical Lineworker students conquer fear of heights

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For many first-semester Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology students at Texas State Technical College, trusting their safety equipment and overcoming a fear of heights are important fundamentals for success in the program. “The importance of safety is always discussed with the students,” said Angel Toledo, a TSTC Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology...

News State plumbing board staff gives demonstration to TSTC plumbing students

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology program hosted staff from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners for a student demonstration on Wednesday. Students learned about cross-connection and how this can result in backflow, which is a flow of liquid opposite to the usual or desired direction. Terry Parham, who...

News TSTC honors West Texas graduates at commencement ceremony

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored 115 graduates representing the four West Texas campuses during its Fall 2022 Commencement on Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Abilene Convention Center. Students received Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates of completion in programs offered at the Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater campuses. Andy Weaver, provost...

News Age is no barrier for TSTC Welding Technology student

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Jose Garcia decided that he wanted to learn more about welding. He did not let his age, 47, stop him from enrolling in Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College. Now in his second semester studying for a certificate of completion in Structural Welding, Garcia is pleased that he made the choice...

News TSTC and South Texas ISD to offer Computer Programming dual enrollment classes

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A new dual enrollment partnership between Texas State Technical College and South Texas Independent School District will offer online Computer Programming Technology classes for Science Academy high school students through the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program next fall. Vanessa Rivera, Career and Technical Education director for South Texas...

News Female lineworker student is enjoying her education at TSTC

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Kelly Gomez is a Houston native attending Texas State Technical College at the Fort Bend County campus. Her family has a history in the technical job field, a legacy that she hopes to continue. She is a second-semester student studying Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology. When Gomez was looking for a place...

News TSTC to spotlight Vocational Nursing during upcoming open house

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Vocational Nursing certificate of completion program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 31, at the Lucio Allied Health Technologies Building at the corner of North Loop 499 and Jasmine Street. Prospective students who are interested in...

News TSTC honors West Texas graduates during Spring Commencement

(ABILENE, Texas) – Ninety-eight graduates are ready to enter the workforce after earning Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates of completion from Texas State Technical College on Thursday, April 27. TSTC honored graduates from the Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater campuses during the Spring Commencement at the Abilene Convention Center.  Andy Weaver, provost of...

News Medical codes add up to dream job for TSTC grad

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Maria Morales remembers the happiness that she felt when she was awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology during Texas State Technical College’s recent Spring Commencement. That happiness increased exponentially two days later when Morales accepted a full-time job offer as a medical records clerk at South Heart...

News Area high school students experience TSTC’s Precision Machining Summer Camp

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Around 20 area high school students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties are participating in a free Precision Machining Summer Camp hosted by Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department. Myra De Leon, TSTC’s executive director for Workforce Training and Continuing Education, said the camp is intended to educate...

News TSTC Nursing alumnus gives back to area hospital

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jesus Herrera will never forget when his young daughter was being treated in the intensive care unit at Valley Baptist Medical Center for a rare medical condition. His daughter improved, and the patient care provided by the nurses inspired Herrera to pursue an education in health care at Texas State Technical College’s...

News TSTC hosts Summer 2023 commencement ceremony for Marshall campus graduates

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Over 100 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus, along with their proud friends and families, attended TSTC’s Summer 2023 Commencement ceremony on Aug. 29 at Marshall’s Memorial City Hall.  Because of the large number of graduating Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology students, the event was divided into two separate ceremonies:...

News TSTC says farewell to summer graduates

(WACO, Texas) – More than 400 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Summer 2023 Commencement held Thursday, Aug. 31, at the BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco. “This night is truly magical,” said Beth Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Waco campus. “A lot of...

News TSTC Vocational Nursing student follows in husband’s footsteps

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A commitment to patient care is something that Martha Arellano is familiar with not only as a former dental assistant, but also as the wife of a registered nurse. That dedication to helping others led her to the Vocational Nursing program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, where she is studying...

News TSTC graduates celebrate culmination of college journey at fall commencement

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Cheers rang out at the South Padre Island Convention Center for more than 240 graduates as they walked across the stage and received certificates of completion or associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2023 Commencement held Tuesday, Dec. 5. David Campos, interim provost at TSTC’s Harlingen campus, welcomed the graduates...

News Benivamondez embraces mother’s advice while attending TSTC

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Summer Benivamondez always remembered the advice that her mother gave her when she began Texas State Technical College’s Vocational Nursing program. “I remember my mom telling me that there would be dark times during school, but at the end of it all, it would be worth it,” Benivamondez said. “I knew I...

News TSTC holds Spring 2024 Commencement in Fort Bend County

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County location and their families and friends attended TSTC’s Spring 2024 Commencement held Wednesday, April 24, at the Stafford Centre in Stafford. Each of the 102 graduates received either an Associate of Applied Science degree or a certificate of completion in their program. John...

News TSTC student becomes technology director for Elysian Fields ISD

(MARSHALL, Texas) – For Marshall resident Deanna Anders, graduating from Elysian Fields High School was only the beginning of her history with the Elysian Fields Independent School District. She returned to the school district to teach, but she knew that she could push her career further. “I am a big fan of the user end...

News TSTC’s Marshall location honors 46 graduates at commencement

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Marshall’s Memorial City Hall was filled with applause on Friday, May 3, as 46 students from Texas State Technical College’s Marshall location became graduates. Each one received either their certificate of completion or their Associate of Applied Science degree. “I look forward to seeing you become the best in your chosen career...

News TSTC graduate and professional machinist says his kids are his driving force

(MARSHALL, Texas) – When Rolando Trevino was laid off from his job in railroad manufacturing, he decided to find a new way to provide for his family. So he joined the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall location. “I’ve always seen that the people who went for machining were paid more,...

News TSTC graduate continues grandfather’s lineworker legacy

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The Career Services department at Texas State Technical College recently estimated that Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) has hired about 90 of the college’s Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology graduates in the last 10 years. One of those graduates is Marshall native Ryan Hall, who followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and became...

News TSTC alumnus flourishes in career at area auto body shop

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Daniel Ledesma has turned his love of automobiles into a fulfilling career. Ledesma became interested in the automotive field after being introduced to it by his father, who had studied Automotive Technology at TSTC. Ledesma followed his father’s lead and graduated with a certificate of completion in...

News TSTC welcomes Abilene campus’s newest program

(ABILENE, Texas) – A September rainstorm did not stop Texas State Technical College from beginning its newest program at the Abilene campus. The Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program has more than 20 students enrolled, and many of them are eager to train for their new career. The students were scheduled to make their first...

News Mother, inspired by sons’ college success, pursues medical career pathway at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Maria Compian was elated when two of her sons, Brian and Brandon, graduated from the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s summer commencement in Harlingen two months ago. Their achievement emboldened Compian to pursue a career that she had often thought about: emergency medical services. “I have...

News TSTC Holds Fall 2019 Commencement

(WACO, Texas) – More than 400 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement held Friday, Dec. 6, at the Waco Convention Center. Many of the graduates already have jobs. Spencer Brown of Austin came to TSTC after working in automotive and construction jobs. He received the Associate of...

News TSTC grad finds career in booming medical industry

Vilze Gamboa didn’t think college was in the books for him, but nearly eight years later he graduated from the Biomedical Equipment Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen making him the first in his family to graduate from college. After graduating from Harlingen High School in 2011, the Harlingen native immediately enlisted...

News TSTC’s EMS program turns experience Into college credit

(ABILENE, Texas) – Time for an upgrade? The Emergency Medical Services program at Texas State Technical College in Abilene recently created a program that brings more opportunity to current and future students. The EMS program now gives certified paramedics and emergency medical technicians college credit for some certifications they already have. The certifications are transferred...

News Houston Company Representatives Visit TSTC’s EPC Program

(ABILENE) – Representatives of a Houston company recently spoke to Electrical Power and Controls program students at Texas State Technical College about industry growth and the jobs outlook. “We want TSTC students because we know that what they’re learning in the class is what we need in the field. We’ve hired students from TSTC before...

News Student Success Profile – Daniel Rodriguez

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Daniel Rodriguez, 21, is a Computer Maintenance Technology student at Texas State Technical College and maintains a 3.7 grade-point average. The Harlingen native already holds an associate degree from TSTC in Computer Networking and Security Technology, which he earned in Spring 2018. Rodriguez volunteers at the Harlingen Public Library for the children/teen...

News TSTC, Valley Regional Medical Center receive grant to fund customized training

(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College and Valley Regional Medical Center have recently formed a partnership to provide workforce training and development to more than 100 employees at the hospital. And, to ensure that every employees receives the customized training needed for advancement and success, the Texas Workforce Commission and Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez,...

News Women in TSTC Instrumentation Technology program hope to inspire others

(WACO, Texas) – The city of Glen Rose in Somervell County has proven to be an inspirational place for Texas State Technical College student Iris De La Fuente. De La Fuente, an Instrumentation Technology major, once worked as a painting foreman at Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant in Glen Rose. Hearing the success stories of...

News TSTC was the answer to biomedical equipment alum’s prayers

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Eric Interiano graduated from high school in the top ten percent of his class, but with no college plans or career path to follow. For the now 20-year-old, who recently earned his associate degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology, this was concerning on many levels. As a top 10 percent, general academics dual-enrollment...

News TSTC Wind Energy Technology changes alum’s outlook on life

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Froilan Gaitan began his college career at Texas State Technical College with the idea of transferring to pursue a bachelor’s degree. But somewhere between dream and reality, he realized that a technical education could pay off big and chose to pursue Wind Energy Technology. “This was a huge move for me,” said...

News TSTC alum electrifies his career

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Jerry Nieto sold the business he co-owned and he wanted to travel the world, but a life surprise led him to Texas State Technical College.  The Brownsville native graduated with an associate degree from TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls program in Spring 2019, and since then has found success within his chosen...

News TSTC Biology students discover a whole new world

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Pursuing an associate degree in Biology from Texas State Technical College can lead to a number of career possibilities in a field that is growing rapidly. TSTC Biology program chair Paul Leonard said that with advances and more opportunities in technology moving into the Rio Grande Valley and the state, such as Space...

News TSTC Active-Duty Student Hopes to Save Lives

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – After 20 years of serving his country in the military, Paul Cuellar is ready to continue serving his community as a civilian.    Cuellar is both an active-duty member of the National Guard and a full-time student at Texas State Technical College in the Emergency Medical Services Emergency Medical Technician program.   ...

News TSTC alumnus uses curiosity to progress in career

(HUTTO, Texas) – Edreich Torres grew up in Georgetown taking broken items and putting them back together. “I believe that my love for knowing how things work and wanting to fix them has always driven me to pursue the next big challenge that awaits me,” he said. Torres graduated in 2016 with an Associate of...

News TSTC Hosts Students for FFA Tractor Competition

(WACO, Texas) –  Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program hosted on Thursday the Texas FFA Association Tractor Technician Career Development Event, which featured 12 high schools from North and Central Texas. In the Texas FFA Association’s Area 5, Sam Rayburn High School placed first, Wolfe City High School placed second and Campbell High...

News TSTC HVAC Graduates to Experience Smart Technology in the Workplace

(WACO, Texas) – Today’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians need to know more than basic electrical theory and refrigeration principles. As technology evolves, so does the need to be familiar with how smart technology is being used in HVAC systems. “It’s been around for quite a few years and keeps improving,” said Tim Snyder,...

News TSTC alumnus ‘made to turn wrenches’ at hometown auto dealership

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Robert Schneider said he was “made to turn wrenches.” After a career in the military and oil field, Schneider wanted to settle down and looked for a college that offered Automotive Technology. He learned of the Texas State Technical College program and graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in 2018....

News TSTC Electrical Power and Controls instructor’s goal is for students to join workforce

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls instructor Kevin Staton has one goal for his students. “We are training Texans to work in Texas,” he said. “When students graduate from our program, they can work in almost any state or foreign country. Anywhere there is control work, there is a job...

News TSTC Mechatronics Technology offers degree for thriving job market

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Digital circuits, manufacturing robotics and electromechanical systems are only a few of the hands-on courses that students will take when they study Mechatronics Technology at Texas State Technical College. Lead mechatronics instructor Eldwin Leija, who has taught at TSTC for nine years, talked about the importance of mechatronics. “Mechatronics is the study...

News TSTC Design Program Gets New Name, Curriculum

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology program has a new name and focus for the fall. The program will shift to an all-online format with virtual labs. Josh Stampley, a program instructor, said faculty will use TSTC’s Moodle platform and Microsoft Whiteboard for teaching and interacting with students....

News TSTC Alumnus provides environmental safety needs

(WACO, Texas) – Chadwick Cole of Lorena took his mother’s advice to heart when he was a teenager growing up in Bryan. “My mother told me to never stop learning,” he said. After graduating from high school, Cole pursued psychology at a two-year college but did not find the classes enjoyable. He needed a change,...

News TSTC Aims to Guide Johnson County Graduates Into Technical Careers

(RED OAK, Texas) – Some Johnson County college students are looking to Texas State Technical College to shape their futures. During the fall semester, more than 60 county residents are attending TSTC’s campuses in North Texas, Marshall, Sweetwater and Waco. “The hiring potential in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Ellis County and Johnson County areas is increasing...

News TSTC aims to guide Johnson County graduates into technical careers

(RED OAK, Texas) – Some Johnson County college students are looking to Texas State Technical College to shape their futures. During the fall semester, more than 60 county residents are attending TSTC’s campuses in North Texas, Marshall, Sweetwater and Waco. “The hiring potential in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Ellis County and Johnson County areas is increasing...

News TSTC Industrial Systems program aims to prepare students for work in East Texas

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Students graduating from Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems – Electrical Specialization program in Marshall leave with knowledge about commercial wiring, electrical theory, hydraulics, pneumatics and other topics. “There is actually big money locally if the students want to stay local,” said Edward Chaney, a TSTC program instructor. Texas had more than...

News TSTC Industrial Systems program meets job needs

(WACO, Texas) – Graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program in Waco should know that work opportunities are out there when they graduate. “The program in Waco is designed to provide our students with a wide range of valuable skills, from basic machining to boiler maintenance and even programmable logic controllers, which are...

News TSTC instructor presents at national conference

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Biomedical Equipment Technology instructor Garrett Seeley recently made two presentations at a nationwide conference for biomedical and health technology managers. Seeley gave talks on managing cyberattacks and an introduction to digital imaging and communications in medicine at the MD Expo in Tampa, Florida. He said the topics have...

News TSTC listens to industry partners to make students work-ready

(RED OAK, Texas) – While people pursuing the heating and air conditioning industry need to know how electricity and refrigeration flows work and how a meter functions, interpersonal skills are just as important to have. Texas State Technical College’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program has a statewide advisory board made of industry professionals...

News Carthage resident secures job before TSTC graduation

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Micah Johnson, of Carthage, looks forward not only to graduating this semester from Texas State Technical College, but also to starting work shortly thereafter as an instrumentation technician at Phillips 66’s Sweeny Refinery in Brazoria County. “I’m excited for sure,” Johnson said. “It is something new. It is going to take me...

News Hands-on approach leads Ramos to TSTC Automotive Technology

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Noe Ramos likes to work with his hands — especially on automobiles. After graduating from Mercedes High School in 2020, Ramos wanted to pursue a career in criminal justice but decided to change his career path. He learned about Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology program and is now pursuing an Associate...

News TSTC’s Office of Information Technology guided by the work of women

(WACO, Texas) – It is a woman’s world in Texas State Technical College’s Office of Information Technology. Sixteen women work in a range of roles statewide to keep the college functioning, from serving as applications administrators to help-desk technicians. Gladia Escobar and April Falkner have roughly three decades of combined service to TSTC. Both are...

News TSTC Wind Energy Technology student accepts a job midair

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – It started like any other Wednesday for Rebecca Fortuna. The Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology student was at the top of a wind turbine when her cellphone rang. On the other end of the call was a FieldCore representative, who offered Fortuna a job as an electrical wind technician. “The...

News TSTC Wind Energy Technology student looking for adventure

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Grant Cusenbary likes to explore nature and go on adventures. Cusenbary’s sense of adventure led him to Texas State Technical College’s Wind Energy Technology program. Nearing the completion of his second semester in pursuing an associate degree, he is ready to explore more of the program. “I am naturally curious. I like...

News Lifeguard Ambulance Service EMTs travel similar paths to TSTC

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Two Lifeguard Ambulance Service emergency medical technicians began their medical careers in similar fashion. Michelle Bates and Brittney Evans did not immediately begin studying to become EMTs. Now the two first responders are completing their third semester in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services Paramedic program. Bates, of Fort Worth, earned...

News TSTC Mechatronics Technology program offers range of skills for students

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The word mechatronics comes from two words: mechanical and electronics, creating a powerful combination of skill and detail for workers. The career field of mechatronics combines computer-controlled systems, electrical systems, instrumentation and robotics. Texas State Technical College’s Mechatronics Technology program in Harlingen requires students to have an ability to do hands-on work,...

News TSTC Instrumentation Technology Program brings new technology to students

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Instrumentation Technology program is preparing students for a digital world once they graduate. “You need hands-on work to be a good technician,” said Mickle Peine, an instructor in TSTC’s Instrumentation Technology program. The program has added new equipment to its labs, including eight Emerson AMS Trex Device Communicators....

News TSTC alumnus applies Biomedical Equipment Technology skills to successful career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Armando Galvan Jr., a biomedical technician II at Fresenius Kidney Care, credits his degree from Texas State Technical College to his current success in his position. “The Biomedical Equipment Technology program at TSTC really helped me gain the skills and knowledge that I needed to choose a great career path,” he said....

News TSTC’s newest program to be on display in Breckenridge

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s newest program in Breckenridge will be on display Friday, Aug. 6. A spotlight event for the Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Breckenridge campus, located at 415 N. Breckenridge Ave. To register for the event, visit https://tstc.secure.force.com/events/targetX_eventsb__events#/esr?eid=a1L2M0000061mHmUAI. The...

News TSTC prepares Wind Energy Technology students for gust of future growth in industry

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Wind Energy Technology program offers students the chance to reach the very top of their potential. “The wind program takes you to new heights because you’re literally climbing 300 feet in the air,” TSTC Wind Energy Technology instructor Patrick Zoerner said. “If you’re interested in learning about electronics...

News TSTC instructor’s experience to benefit future auto mechanics

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – William Parker will bring his professional experience in the automotive shop to Texas State Technical College this fall. Parker, who will be an Automotive Technology instructor at TSTC’s Sweetwater campus, is no stranger to teaching. In addition to his 30 years of working at Ford dealerships, Parker was an automotive instructor at...

News Stephenson hopes to set trend in TSTC program

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Sammi Stephenson hopes to become a trendsetter. Stephenson hopes that more nurses like her enroll in Texas State Technical College’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program. She admitted that she began the program because it interested her but quickly learned that it was more than she expected. “The program did interest me....

News New TSTC instructor embraces winds of change

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology program is welcoming back one of its own. David Wheelock worked on wind farms since 2014 — shortly after he graduated from the program at TSTC. This semester, he returned to TSTC to start teaching as the program’s newest instructor. “It’s a good experience,”...

News TSTC’s Industrial Systems program leads to diverse opportunities

(ABILENE, Texas) – Colten Butts wanted to pursue an electrical career. When he learned about the Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College, he knew that would be his best route to begin his career. “This program will give me so many different opportunities,” he said. “I was amazed when I walked into the...

News Instructor: TSTC safety, compliance students have ‘vast opportunities’ in Houston area

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A group of three Texas State Technical College Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance students peered into a dumpster tucked behind the Industrial Technology Center on TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus. While wearing personal protective equipment, they plucked trash from the receptacle, examining the material and condition of each item before photographing them...

News TSTC perfect fit for Electromechanical Technology student

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Jeremy Denton found his educational niche at Texas State Technical College. Denton, of Colorado City, is in his final semester of the Electromechanical Technology program. He hopes that the Associate of Applied Science degree leads to a lifelong career. “At first I wanted to be an animator, but school did not go...

News Friend’s success leads Klein to TSTC

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – A friend’s career success was all Reid Klein needed to hear about prior to enrolling at Texas State Technical College. Klein hopes to be another success story when he completes the Electromechanical Technology program this year. “A friend told me about the Wind Energy Technology program and how he was able to...

News George West resident pursues two associate degrees at TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – Ethan White, of George West, is working on associate degrees in Instrumentation Technology and Electrical Power and Controls at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus and is scheduled to graduate in summer 2022. He is also an online tutor at TSTC, working with students in Instrumentation Technology classes.  White, a graduate of...

News STEM job growth honors for Houston bring TSTC’s technical mission into focus

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Houston was recently named a city on the rise for STEM-related jobs — and Texas State Technical College plays an essential role in training students for many types of those careers. “TSTC is the primary state agency responsible for preparing Texans for high-paying technical jobs,” said Randy Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Fort...

News Business venture prospect motivates brothers in TSTC’s HVAC Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – David Cardenas is a former member of the United States Navy. He enrolled in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus with the goal of someday launching a business with his brother, Armando, who is also a student in the program. David Cardenas is...

News TSTC graduate highlights apprenticeship success to current students

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College graduate Kaitlin Sullivan recently returned to TSTC to tell a group of current students about her successful internship in Germany with printing press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer that led to her current job at the company’s Dallas facility. During a recent industry spotlight at the college, Sullivan, who...

News POWER Engineers begins informational series at TSTC

Current Power employee and TSTC student organized event (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls students recently experienced the first session in a new series aimed at more closely connecting classrooms and careers. POWER Engineers Inc., an engineering and environmental consulting firm with offices across North America, is behind the series...

News HVAC career outlook entices TSTC student

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Lucero Gonzalez recalled a memory of an HVAC technician troubleshooting the refrigeration machines when she served as a crew member at a fast-food restaurant. That sparked her interest in the field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, so she logged on to the Texas State Technical College HVAC Technology program’s webpage to...

News TSTC alumnus builds rapport at local auto collision shop

Texas State Technical College alumnus Philip Saldana’s interest in automotive repair was piqued at a young age. That was the starting point that guided him toward a future career path. Saldana, of Harlingen, earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology from TSTC’s Harlingen campus in December 2019. He furthered...

News TSTC Electromechanical Technology student strives for career in fixing things

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Alayna Botts enjoys taking things apart and putting them back together. After researching the best place to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, Botts, of Lufkin, said Texas State Technical College ranked high on her list. Now in her second semester of the Electromechanical Technology program at TSTC’s Sweetwater campus, Botts...

News Instructor aims to ignite ‘sparks’ in TSTC Robotics students

Robotics Technology instructor Charles Sparks has a wealth of industry experience (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Robotics Technology instructor Charles Sparks has been interested in electronics since he was a teenager. That interest took him through six years of active duty with the U.S. Navy where, as an electronic warfare technician, he was...

News TSTC student perseveres through challenges

(WACO, Texas) – Amanda Williams, of Belton, is an Instrumentation Technology student at Texas State Technical College who is scheduled to graduate this spring. She grew up in Hawaii and has lived in Texas for the last few years. How did you choose TSTC and your program of study? My fiance, Timothy Daniels Sr., was...

News TSTC Emergency Medical Services students benefit from visit by Pharr EMS recruitment team

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Emergency Medical Services students from Texas State Technical College recently learned about some of the career paths available to them during a visit by members of the city of Pharr’s Emergency Medical Services recruitment team, some of whom are also TSTC alumni. The EMS professionals from Pharr discussed new equipment that their...

News Community leaders to experience TSTC’s environmental safety program

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will showcase its Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program lab to the public on Thursday, May 5. During the Lunch and Learn event, school and community leaders will learn more about the program and the state-of-the-art equipment that students are able to use. A catered lunch by Beehive...

News TSTC Electrical Power and Controls student wants reliable career

(ABILENE, Texas) – Larry Walders knows that he will have some reliable career options when he completes the Electrical Power and Controls program at Texas State Technical College. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and in industrial maintenance, Walders wanted a less physically demanding job. He turned to TSTC and is working toward an...

News Breckenridge leaders learn about importance of TSTC program

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Community and business leaders in the Breckenridge area learned firsthand how important safety is on the job. Texas State Technical College recently hosted a lunch-and-learn event to spotlight the Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program available at the Breckenridge campus.  One local business executive knows how important having the program available locally...

News TSTC Computer Networking alumna thriving in career

Computer Networking degree from TSTC helped Davis grow in career (ROSENBERG, Texas) – When Natasha Davis first started working at a major phone and internet provider, there were some things about the company’s operations that she just did not understand. “I started to see our services going down,” Davis remembered. “My network engineers were trying...

News Top 3 things to know about TSTC’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program gives students the experience and training they need to pursue successful careers in a variety of industries. After all, companies both big and small need professionals on hand to help maintain the safety of their employees and compliance of their operations. These...

News TSTC student says vigilance key to making workplaces safer

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Michael Martin has spent much of his professional life in industrial settings, working offshore and in warehouses. He decided to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Texas State Technical College’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program to help ensure workplace safety — and grow in his career. “I was always...

News Dedication for caring leads student to TSTC’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Linda Sanchez has always been passionate about taking care of other people — and planet Earth. In the 1980s, she lived at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, where scientific and medical evidence showed an association between exposure to contaminants in the drinking water and the development of certain diseases....

News TSTC Wind Energy Technology student helps keep Lake Trammell beautiful

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology student Axel Torres likes to take a break from his studies by sitting on the banks of Lake Trammell in Nolan County. The peacefulness of the lake is calming for the Arlington, Texas, native. Because he does not have cellphone service there, he can be...

News Fairbanks Morse Defense reps visit TSTC students

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Representatives from Fairbanks Morse Defense recently visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County to connect with more than 30 students from TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, and Industrial Systems programs. “Our objective for being here today is to tell you about our company, opportunities, our growth...

News Award recognizes TSTC graduate’s efforts to maintain workplace safety

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College graduate Annabelle Simons recently received a STEP Platinum Safety Management System award for her work at Locke Solutions, a precast concrete manufacturer in Pearland. The award is designed to recognize companies that put in the work to prevent workplace accidents, train employees and complete inspections. “To be honest,...

News Desire to advance in career motivates TSTC Robotics student

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Lionel Silva is originally from Mexico, but he moved to Rosenberg in 2009 because of its proximity to a wide range of opportunities in petrochemical and other industries. When Silva decided to start an apprenticeship in the robotics maintenance department at his workplace, a global manufacturer of pipes and related services, he...

News Student overcomes personal obstacles to succeed in TSTC’s Emergency Medical Services program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Destiny De La Fuente became interested in the health care field when she saw the career success of a close friend who is a paramedic. “(He) spoke about the rush of patient care through various high-intense situations in an ambulance,” she said. “I felt that it was...

News TSTC student excited about future in aviation

(WACO, Texas) – Nathan Jordan, of Alvin, wants to stay on the ground as he pursues his career in the aviation industry. He will soon begin his third semester pursuing an associate degree in the Avionics Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. He is also a resident advisor at the on-campus Village...

News Brentz completes TSTC environmental safety program despite distance factor

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Quentin Brentz made a commitment to himself to complete his college degree, even if it meant enduring a grueling commute. Driving weekly to Texas State Technical College’s Breckenridge campus to study Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance, Brentz reached his goal of graduating this summer with an Associate of Applied Science degree. It...

News TSTC recognizes its own on National IT Professionals Day

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In schools, offices and businesses around the world, whenever anything computer-related goes haywire, it is the IT — information technology — professional who often comes to the rescue. In observance of National IT Professionals Day on Sept. 20, Texas State Technical College recognizes two of its IT professionals, Armando Hernandez and Justin...

News Eighth grade students learn value of renewable energy at TSTC Wind Awareness Day

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – They climbed. They rappelled. They toured. They created energy. For 133 eighth grade students from the Floydada, Hamlin and Roscoe school districts, they learned the importance of renewable energy during Texas State Technical College’s inaugural Wind Awareness Day on Wednesday, October 5. “This is part of our Texas Regional Pathway Network grant,...

News Hands-on learning benefits TSTC Electromechanical Technology student

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Phillip Taylor grew up learning how to wire and fix things around his parents’ house. It was only natural for him to look for a career with a hands-on approach to repairs. His path to Texas State Technical College’s Electromechanical Technology program started when he suffered an injury that ended his collegiate...

News TSTC students, alumni meet prospective employers at Fall 2022 Industry Job Fair

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – At least 180 Texas State Technical College students and alumni attended TSTC’s Fall 2022 Industry Job Fair held Thursday on the Fort Bend County campus. Representatives from more than 70 companies were available in the Brazos Center and Industrial Technology Center on campus to talk with attendees about possible job openings. “It’s...

News Oncor supervisors say TSTC provides quality employees

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Maintenance and construction supervisors at Oncor Electric Delivery Co. know that Texas State Technical College provides the company with quality employees. During a recent employer spotlight, Jerry Murphree, a 42-year veteran of the company, told TSTC Electromechanical Technology and Wind Energy Technology students about the company’s benefits and job opportunities. Several students...

News Paredez nears program completion after overcoming hardships

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Challenges are the obstacles in life that demonstrate a person’s ability to thrive through any hardship. Felix Paredez, of Harlingen, desired a career that would lead to a better life. Unfortunately he experienced financial and transportation challenges when his college education first began at Texas State Technical College nearly a decade ago....

News TSTC environmental safety program moves to Abilene campus

(ABILENE, Texas) – Beginning with the spring semester, Texas State Technical College’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program will be offered in Abilene. The program will be taught at the U.S. Highway 80 campus by Teresa Purcell. Since the move from the Breckenridge campus was announced, Purcell said the news has been well received by...

News Turrubiates accepts job opportunity with Houston based medical equipment company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Siblings often have a powerful influence on each other’s lives, and that can correlate to a professional career. Texas State Technical College Biomedical Equipment Technology student Saul Turrubiates became interested in the health care field after he saw the career success that his older brother has achieved as a biomedical equipment technician....

News TSTC instructor shares his experiences in the classroom

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Robert Shields is a Texas State Technical College instructor in the Electrical Power and Controls program at the Fort Bend County campus. With a passion for all things mechanical and electrical, Shields has years of experience working in the field, as well as instructing students in the classroom.   Tell us a...

News Jauregui hopes TSTC education inspires her children

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Sierra Jauregui decided to show her three children what hard work can accomplish. She also hopes to inspire others, as well. Jauregui began Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program this fall, and before she knew it, her third child was born. During the first few weeks of class, Jauregui gave...

News TSTC graduate stays close to home to work in solar industry

(WACO, Texas) – Juvencio Perez, of Waco, is glad to be working in a growing field without leaving Central Texas. Perez graduated in 2022 from Texas State Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Solar Energy Technology. Within a few weeks after graduating, he began work early last fall as a solar...

News TSTC Nursing program hosts area hospital for employer spotlight

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some Texas State Technical College Nursing students recently learned about potential careers that await them after they graduate. Representatives from Harlingen Medical Center discussed the company’s job outlook, culture, employee turnover rate, tuition reimbursement and other key topics. “Our hospital employs more than 600 people for professions such as electricians, radiology technicians,...

News Dashiell Corp. reps say TSTC program provides well-prepared employees

(ABILENE, Texas) – No matter what source of energy powers a home, an office building or other structure, it will have to be tied into an electrical grid. Representatives from Dashiell Corp. recently told Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls students about the importance of their company and how it benefits people on...

News POWER Engineers officials know TSTC provides quality employees

(ABILENE, Texas) – Receiving well-trained electrical technicians is why POWER Engineers looks to hire Texas State Technical College graduates. Jeff Caraway, a senior project manager for the engineering and environmental consulting firm, recently told TSTC Electrical Power and Controls students about the many opportunities they can have after earning an Associate of Applied Science degree....

News TSTC alumni return to campus for recruitment visit

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Wind Energy Technology program is known for providing the wind industry with graduates who are ready to work on day one. Two graduates of the program recently returned to the Sweetwater campus to discuss their roles at NextEra Energy Resources with current students. Aaron Chavarria and Gage Rodgers...

News TSTC alumna finds artistic outlet at area company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Mari Cruz Montoya was captivated by drawing, painting and sculpting at a young age. Little did she know that her creativity would lead to a degree from Texas State Technical College’s Drafting and Design program and eventually to a job at Cruz-Hogan Consultants, a civil engineering consulting firm. “In middle school, I...

News TSTC Instrumentation Technology students confident in job market

(WACO, Texas) – Michael Mims, of Big Spring, already has a job that he will start after he walks across the stage at Texas State Technical College’s graduation ceremony in May. Mims is a candidate for graduation for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Instrumentation Technology. He has accepted an automation specialist position at...

News Building Safety Month: Protecting buildings from mold

(WACO, Texas) – Mold — that pesky, fungal nuisance — can be gotten rid of with vigilance and, if needed, professional help. Tony Montoya, an instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology program, said one of the most common places to find mold is in the bathrooms of residences. “Mold has to...

News TSTC’s Industrial Systems training works for wide range of jobs

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – “The Industrial Systems program used to be sold as a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ program. In reality, we are teaching people to be experts in all technical fields.” So said Brian Weakley, lead instructor for the Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus. Weakley has been teaching the program for...

News TSTC’s Career Services department hosts HVAC Expo for students

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Services department and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program hosted an HVAC Expo on Wednesday, May 24. Representatives of four employers spoke to students in hourlong time blocks. The companies represented were Evergreen Heating and Cooling and T.E.A.M. Solutions Inc., both of Waco; Trane Technologies of...

News Helping others instilled in TSTC Paramedic program student at early age

(ABILENE, Texas) – Growing up in Hawley, Kyle Nichols was taught to care for others and to pay it forward. He decided to follow a family tradition by entering the medical field. Nichols is in his first semester of Texas State Technical College’s Paramedic program and is excited about what he has learned and accomplished...

News TSTC alums find success with business venture as independent contractors

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When professional heating, ventilation and air conditioning services are requested by businesses, Javier Garcia and Carlos Ortega are ready to provide their skills. The two graduates of Texas State Technical College’s HVAC Technology program founded Apex Automation LLC in 2022. The company offers industrial and commercial automation that is used in such...

News Chevron personnel visit TSTC for recruitment visit

(WACO, Texas) – Students from several of Texas State Technical College’s technical programs attended a presentation by staff from Chevron Corp. on Thursday, May 25. “Because we need you is why we are here,” said Sergio Urias, a Chevron Mid-Continent Business Unit talent acquisition specialist based in Midland. Urias said he was looking for students...

News Father follows in son’s footsteps in TSTC’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – U.S. Army veteran Adrian Yanez worked as a truck driver for more than 20 years. After a career on the open road, he pursued an education at Texas State Technical College, where he graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Security Technology in 2012. “I helped people...

News TSTC instructors discuss automation and robotics

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The demand for robotics and automation specialists is growing. As of May 2022, Texas sat as the third highest employer of robotics and automation technicians in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But what does that mean for students looking to get into the industry? Additionally, what is...

News What to know about TSTC’s Surgical Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A surgical technician has a respected role as the “backbone” of a surgical team. Prospective students who want to become one of these vital team members can develop hands-on technical skills in the Surgical Technology program at Texas State Technical College. Students learn how to assist nurses and surgeons in preparation for...

News HVAC Technology student reflects on time at TSTC

(RED OAK, Texas) – U.S. Navy veteran Roger McClellan, a student in the HVAC Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus, said he originally began the program because the air conditioning in his apartment never worked. “It got to the point where I was like, ‘Fine, I’m going to learn how to...

News TSTC prepares students for workplace writing

(WACO, Texas) – The thought of finding the right words to form sentences to create cohesive paragraphs can be a daunting task for some people, especially in the workplace. Students at Texas State Technical College have the option of taking Technical and Business Writing, a class included in several of the college’s technical programs. More...

News Samsung visits TSTC for employer spotlight

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Representatives from Samsung Semiconductor visited with some Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls students during an employer spotlight at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus on Aug. 3. The students are in their final semester of the program. The Samsung Semiconductor representatives highlighted the benefits of working at their company, covering...

News TSTC Automotive Technology student finds synergy between school and job

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – One might say that Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology student Jesus Quintero comes by his love of automobiles naturally. While growing up he was intrigued by watching his father, a mechanic, resolve automotive issues. Quintero took the initiative to learn more about the automotive industry by getting hired as a retail...

News TSTC student enjoys benefit of online learning in automotive education

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Nathan Weaver recalls the moment when his father, a military veteran, first introduced him to repairing the family’s automobiles during his junior year of high school. The clatter of tools and the revving of a restored automobile engine would inspire Weaver to pursue a certificate of completion in Automotive Maintenance and Light...

News TSTC Career Services department welcomes companies for student visits

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Services department hosted staff this week from two companies looking to meet, and possibly, hire students. Representatives of M&S Engineering and Texas Instruments talked to students from the Avionics Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, and Instrumentation Technology programs. M&S Engineering has offices throughout the state, including Beaumont,...

News Mother and daughter enroll in TSTC program together

(RED OAK, Texas) – Mother and daughter Alexia Baca and Victoria Baca are working together through the Electrical Power and Controls program at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus. Alexia Baca was a stay-at-home mom who had been considering going back to school for some time. “When (Victoria) graduated(from high school), we were like,...

News TSTC’s HVAC Technology program emphasizes value of efficient heating and cooling systems

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The HVAC Technology program at Texas State Technical College educates students about not only the basics of electricity and principles of refrigeration, but also how improperly installed or inefficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can be troublesome. Valentin Lopez is an HVAC Technology student at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. He became interested...

News Austin, College Station companies hold information sessions for TSTC students

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students recently had the chance to hear from representatives of two companies and learn about their employment needs. TSTC Electrical Power and Controls students met with staff from McCord Engineering Inc. of College Station and Samsung Austin Semiconductor (SAS). Students in the Instrumentation Technology and Robotics and Industrial...

News TSTC automotive students learn about Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships during Waco campus visit

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Services department hosted a representative from the Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships who spoke to students on the Waco campus on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Tom Gammon, a partner in the Nyle Maxwell dealerships, talked to students in the Auto Collision and Management Technology and Automotive Technology programs....

News TSTC Automotive Technology instructor shares tire lifespan tips

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Automobile tire safety is crucial for drivers who commute on Texas roadways, and knowledge about an aging tire can help prevent an automobile accident. Miguel Zoleta is the Automotive Technology program director at Texas State Technical College’s campus in Harlingen. Recently he shared how tire efficiency can improve a driver’s safety. “An...

News Escobar finds purpose for helping others by pursuing TSTC Biomedical Equipment Technology degree

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College offers a broad range of programs of study that military veterans can choose from to gain the technical skills they need for a high-paying job. Javier Escobar Jr., a U.S. Army veteran and Texas Army National Guard specialist, learned about TSTC’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program from a program...

News Falls accepts internship with German-based automotive supplier company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Chipman Falls, who is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics Technology at Texas State Technical College, recently accepted an internship at Vitesco Technologies in Seguin. His decision to apply for an internship started when he met some Vitesco representatives during a recent employer spotlight at TSTC. “Their presentation...

News TSTC Automation and Controls Technology students tour STEMCO

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Automation and Controls Technology instructors Douglas Clark and Troy Powledge recently took 10 of the program’s students on a field trip to STEMCO in Longview, Texas. “Some of these students have never even been in a manufacturing facility in any way,” Clark said. “We wanted them to see...

News TSTC graduate enhances electrical knowledge with apprenticeship at German company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Recent Texas State Technical College graduate Manuel Banuelos could not be happier with his decision to get experience as a technician apprentice with German printing press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer at the company’s facility in Dallas. Banuelos graduated from TSTC with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics Technology last fall,...

News TSTC student embarks on new career path

(WACO, Texas) – Life is an adventure for Daniel Liu. Liu, of Hewitt, has spent time walking across New Zealand and long-term backpacking in Europe. Now he is living out a new adventure as an Instrumentation Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. Liu is in his fifth semester of the program. He...

News Donation to TSTC promotes HVAC student success

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s HVAC Technology program in North Texas recently received a donation, through the TSTC Foundation, of an AAON rooftop unit (RTU) that will be used for teaching purposes. The unit was donated by Rusty Vaughn, a partner at Texas AirSystems and a TSTC Foundation Council of Advocates member....

News Navy veteran gets multifaceted education in TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – U.S. Navy veteran Emanuel Torres developed a connection with Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus when he was a teenager. “I went on a field trip to TSTC when I was in middle school,” he said. “A program that we visited was Precision Machining Technology. I had the opportunity to input a...

News Kodiak Robotics rep talks to TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology students about helping to drive industry growth

(RED OAK, Texas) – Autonomous technology manufacturer Kodiak Robotics recently sent representative Matt Cearnal, its head of service and support, to speak with Diesel Equipment Technology students at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus about the growing autonomous trucking industry and open and upcoming positions within the company. Kodiak Robotics, based in Mountain View,...

News TSTC student adds to skill set in HVAC Technology

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When he was in high school, Texas State Technical College student Sergio Godina acquired hands-on technical skills in welding, carpentry and plumbing. But with high school graduation approaching, he was unsure which career pathway he wanted to take — until he saw an HVAC technician at work. “My friend’s brother-in-law is an...

News Four TSTC students in West Texas qualify for SkillsUSA national event

(ABILENE, Texas) – Four Texas State Technical College students in West Texas claimed gold medals at the recent SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary State Leadership and Skills Conference in Houston. Aulton Lira, Kimberly Lozano-Ryman and the team of Joshua Rains and Hunter Spohn won their respective events and have the opportunity to represent TSTC at the SkillsUSA...

News Godfrey embraces student activities at TSTC

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – If there is a pool tournament or a friendly game of pickleball happening at Texas State Technical College’s Student Center, then Ethan Godfrey will probably be there. The Electromechanical Technology student from Frankston said he was surprised to learn that TSTC has activities for students to enjoy at the Sweetwater location during...

News TSTC Career Services department hosts industry panels for students

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Services department hosted four industry panel discussions for TSTC students on Wednesday, June 5. Company representatives spoke to students from the Industrial Systems, Precision Machining Technology, Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance, and Welding Technology programs. The panel discussions were held at the Industrial Technology Center on the...

News Want to know about to-go boxes? Just ask these TSTC Industrial Systems grads

(MARSHALL, Texas) – When restaurant customers are handed to-go boxes for their leftovers, most do not know where the boxes come from.  But Texas State Technical College Industrial Systems graduates Hunter Burney and Matthew Ham know all about them. Both are employees at food service packaging manufacturer Genpak’s Carthage plant, which ships out an average...

News TSTC students ready to represent West Texas at SkillsUSA national conference

(ABILENE, Texas) – When college students begin competing at the 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference on Monday, June 24, Texas State Technical College’s West Texas locations will be well represented. Five students, representing TSTC’s Abilene, Breckenridge and Sweetwater locations, will be in Atlanta, Georgia, along with fellow state gold medalists. TSTC’s students are...

News TSTC degree helps alumnus achieve career dream at HOLT CAT

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Autry Adams knew that he wanted to work on Caterpillar machinery since high school, but attending Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus showed him that getting there could be half the fun. In 2007, Adams graduated with not only an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology, but also a...

News With demand for workers increasing, TSTC Biomedical Equipment Technology students train for important roles in health care

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Every hour of every day, in hospitals and doctors’ offices everywhere, patients trust that the equipment being used to diagnose, prevent and treat their illnesses is working properly. More and more, however, there are not enough technicians who can calibrate, troubleshoot and repair that equipment to go around. The Biomedical Equipment Technology...

News TSTC alumnus returns to TSTC, finds his ‘why’ in helping future students

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As a full-time admissions advisor at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, TSTC alumnus Carlos Ortega helps prospective students find career pathways. But his own path to his current job was somewhat circuitous. “I started this job when I was a work-study student,” the Harlingen resident said. After earning his Associate of...

News TSTC instructor’s experience includes helicopter maintenance for former president

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Long before he was an Industrial Systems instructor at Texas State Technical College, Clifton Woodgate was a Marine Corps aviation maintenance technician with Marine Helicopter Squadron One during the Reagan administration. Woodgate’s high score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test had resulted in an offer for him to work on...

News TSTC students float idea into three-dimensional reality

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – When it was time for three Texas State Technical College Electromechanical Technology students to make a final design decision for a 3D printing project, they hoped it would not hold water. First-semester students Rachelle Arthur, Gerardo Carrillo and Shawn Couet chose to make a small-scale boat, complete with mechanical features to make...

News Flores’ wish to help others leads him to TSTC

(ABILENE, Texas) – From a young age, Joseph Flores knew he wanted to help people. The Abilene High School graduate had hoped to enroll in his high school’s emergency medical services (EMS) class, but it was canceled. His uncle Nathan Loflin, the program team lead for Texas State Technical College’s aviation maintenance programs in Abilene,...

News Cybersecurity demand gives TSTC student options

(HUTTO, Texas) – Adair Briones knows which career path he wants to travel. And with just over a semester left in his college education, recently he was fielding multiple offers to get there.  Briones is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus. He attended...

News TSTC HVAC graduate returns to program as new instructor

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The HVAC Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus recently welcomed back one of its own. Roberto Frausto, who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC Technology at TSTC in 2021, returned at the beginning of the fall semester as the program’s newest instructor. “I wanted to give...

News Hall says TSTC gave him lifetime of memories

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – When Thomas Hall walks across the stage at the Texas State Technical College fall commencement on Dec. 5, he plans to take with him a lifetime of memories from his time at the school. Hall is a candidate for graduation with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electromechanical Technology. “You hear...

News Brownwood firefighters further education in TSTC EMS program

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Not all heroes wear capes, but some do arrive in big red fire trucks. Three Brownwood firefighters, Ron Groom, John Hendrix and Justin Prince, volunteered to further their education and attend the Texas State Technical College Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program in Brownwood to become paramedics. It almost requires superhuman strength for...

News McGregor students find their passion for learning at TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – Christina Pace is elevating her creativity through digital art. Pace, 23, of McGregor designs fliers for Texas State Technical College in Waco’s Visual Art Society, which includes other TSTC Visual Communication Technology majors. It is practice for her future career in graphic design. As she pursues her endeavors and studies, Pace finds...

News Student Success Profile – AnaDi Arispe

(HARLINGEN, Texas) -AnaDi Arispe is a student at Texas State Technical College, taking the prerequisite courses she needs to apply for TSTC’s Vocational Nursing program this fall. The 34-year-old has worked as a licensed pharmacy technician for eight years and said that’s where her passion for nursing began. She expects to earn her certificate in...

News TSTC in East Williamson County hosts spring counselors update

(HUTTO, Texas) – About 70 area educators learned Tuesday how Texas State Technical College’s technical programs can support the state’s economy. The TSTC Spring Counselors Update held at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto featured talks from TSTC staff about the registration process, dual enrollment and certificate and associate degree options. Josh...

News TSTC student uses military discipline in studies

(WACO, Texas) – Discipline acquired from military service plays an important role in Texas State Technical College student Edward Hernandez’s day. “I know I need to wake up at 5 a.m. so I’m not late,” said Hernandez of Killeen. “I work everything around school.” Hernandez grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was a...

News HVAC student finds her new career at TSTC

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Camille Martinez thought she had settled on her life-long career right out of high school, but after more than a decade and realizing she was no longer growing without a degree, she took her life in a different direction. The 39-year-old is now a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) student at Texas...

News TSTC alumnus motivated by career choice in Austin

(WACO, Texas) – Jacob Johnson’s career is in the fast lane. Johnson, 20, of Austin graduated in August from Texas State Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cloud and Data Center Management. He is an associate systems engineer at Austin-based Accruent, a worldwide physical resources management and planning company. “This is...

News TSTC welding grad celebrates a fiery career choice

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Yordan Rueda has gone from confused young man undecided about his future to successful business owner – all in a matter of three years. The 24-year-old graduated from TSTC Welding Technology with a certificate in 2016. “I had no idea what I wanted to do. I didn’t even have a prior interest...

News From university to technical college, TSTC grad finds lifelong career

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Brian Bradley was once a Texas State University Bobcat, yet he never graduated. But now, at 29 years old, he can call himself a graduate of Texas State Technical College. The Fulshear native graduated Thursday night as a Board of Regents honors graduate, with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and an associate...

News Hurricane Harvey helped one TSTC student find a career

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Two years ago when Hurricane Harvey devastated the Gulf Coast, Texas State Technical College student Nolen Maraman and his family lost their home to flooding, forcing them to start over, yet through it all he also found a new career. “We had to evacuate north, in the middle of the storm,” said...

News Breckenridge Native Named New TSTC Welding Instructor

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – A familiar face will be helping to educate the next generation of welders at Texas State Technical College in Breckenridge this fall. Stephen Hope, a Breckenridge native, is ready to serve his community as a welding instructor for the TSTC Welding Technology program. “This is my way of giving back. I am...

News New training station at TSTC brings greater opportunity for welding program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Built from the ground up by Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructors and students, the program has a new pipe fitting training station for its Advanced Layout and Fabrication course. The course, taken during a student’s third semester in the program, focuses on layout design, build and processes, blueprint reading and...

News TSTC hosts back-to-school bash

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College held its Back-to-School Bash on Thursday at its North Texas campus in Red Oak. Students, faculty and staff were treated to hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and sodas. Those attending gathered at tables arranged in the first floor hallway of the Jim Pitts Industrial Technology Center. Marcus Balch,...

News Groesbeck Students Look to TSTC for Career Goals

(WACO, Texas) – Jake Pringle and Fernando Venegas have known each other for as long as they can remember. They grew up together attending Groesbeck schools and now are attending Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus where they are in the Welding Technology program. Pringle is working toward a certificate, and Venegas is studying for...

News TSTC business program creates office professionals

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Graduates from Business Management Technology at Texas State Technical College can work in a variety of industries, some even becoming entrepreneurs or business owners. TSTC Business Management Technology lead instructor Edna Claus said that in order to prepare the program’s students for successful careers, faculty focus on hands-on training that will allow...

News TSTC student ready for his future upon graduation

(RED OAK, Texas) – Working with large diesel equipment is in Cesar Vazquez’s blood. “I like the noise,” he said. “I have always been in the diesel world. It pays well. There is a shortage of mechanics, so there is job security.” Vazquez is a candidate for graduation at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019...

News TSTC students inducted into prestigious honor society

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In a night of fellowship, scholarship and honor, Texas State Technical College recognized more than 20 students in an induction ceremony for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society on Dec. 11. “This night is a testament to these students’ dedication and excellence in the classroom,” said TSTC Executive Director of Student Learning...

News TSTC grad passes education values on to his son

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Harlingen’s Juan Garcia knows the value of an education. He passed that value on to his son, who is now attending Texas State Technical College. Garcia obtained his GED through TSTC and was thankful the college staff showed him different career options. But he did not stop after earning his first associate...

News More TSTC Programs to Expand Into Evenings This Fall

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is expanding the number of programs that will offer night classes this fall.  Nathan Cleveland, TSTC’s associate provost, said the goal is to attract more nontraditional  students to the campus to study in programs that can help them update their skills or learn new ones. He said potential...

News TSTC programs ready to welcome night students this fall

(HUTTO, Texas) – Students interested in learning after the sun goes down can pursue two technical programs at Texas State Technical College’s Williamson County campus. Offering more opportunities to take classes at TSTC means that students can increase their opportunities in the marketplace and earn higher wages, said Lissa Adams, TSTC’s associate provost. “We believe...

News TSTC Welding Technology Program in Marshall Ready to Welcome Students This Fall

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program will continue to teach in a hybrid format this fall. Students will listen to lectures online and participate in hands-on labs on campus. “Welding is by far one of our most popular programs, and it’s easy to see why,” said Barton Day, provost at TSTC’s...

News TSTC Graduate Profile: Miranda Perez

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Wanting to follow in her mother’s footsteps, Miranda Perez is ready to become a nurse. The compassion and caring that she witnessed her mother give to her patients inspired her to complete her certificate in Vocational Nursing at Texas State Technical College. Later, she hopes to obtain her Associate of Applied Science...

News TSTC Graduate Profile: Marisela Ferrer

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Succeeding in a predominantly male field is nothing new for Marisela Ferrer. After taking welding courses in high school, the Beasley native wanted to further her skills in another surprising industry, and she chose to attend Texas State Technical College to receive a certificate in Diesel Equipment Technology. The 20-year-old is ready...

News TSTC student grateful for online Health Information program

(ABILENE, Texas) – Jamie Nowotny is taking advantage of Texas State Technical College’s online Health Information Technology program this fall. The first-semester student said she wanted to pursue a certificate in the medical records field but did not have time to be in the classroom. “The only way I would be able to attend school...

News TSTC student finds blessing from life-changing situation

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Ronald Jones, of Hamlin, was laid off in the spring. He took the advice of his wife and enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program. “At that time it was hard for people to get a job. My wife said I should take the opportunity and pursue the welding program,”...

News Summer graduate returns to TSTC to expand learning

(ABILENE, Texas) – After earning a certificate in Diesel Equipment Technology from Texas State Technical College last summer, Alfred Rodriguez, of Knox City, wanted to continue his education this fall. The 39-year-old is now pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in TSTC’s Industrial Systems program. He began classes in Abilene knowing that his oil...

News AEP Foundation grant benefits TSTC Lineworker program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Representatives from AEP Texas paid a visit to Texas State Technical College at the end of October to present a check for $300,000 to The TSTC Foundation on behalf of the AEP Foundation. The gift will make a difference for deserving students who are pursuing a degree or certificate in Electrical Lineworker...

News TSTC Dual Enrollment prioritizes student success after high school

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently welcomed representatives from the Mercedes Independent School District to tour its Automotive Technology and Precision Machining Technology program facilities. Several Mercedes Academic Academy students are currently enrolled in TSTC’s Dual Enrollment program, which teaches them the skills needed to excel in their careers after high school. Mercedes...

News TSTC Solar Energy Technology program ready to meet job needs

(WACO, Texas) – As the old saying goes, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.”  That can also include solar farms. Invenergy, a worldwide private sustainable energy company, plans to build what it claims will be the largest solar farm in the United States. The 1,310-megawatt Samson Solar Energy Center facility will be located in Northeast Texas and...

News TSTC student perseveres despite medical condition

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Crystal Neudigate-Sharp did not want a medical condition to stop her from earning an Emergency Medical Technician certificate at Texas State Technical College. “I wanted to teach my children that once you start something, you need to complete it, no matter the obstacles,” said Neudigate-Sharp, a candidate for graduation this semester. After...

News TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program and AEP Foundation celebrate financial pledge

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Leaders from Texas State Technical College and Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) recently gathered in Marshall to celebrate a financial pledge made through The TSTC Foundation to TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program. The American Electric Power Foundation has pledged $100,000 to the program to help ease the financial burdens of students in...

News TSTC Electrical Power and Controls program filling area jobs

(RED OAK, Texas) – Electricity drives not only productivity, but also job creation. Warren Ketteman, president and chief executive officer of the Waxahachie Economic Development Corp., said the availability of electricity is a key factor for prospective companies interested in the city. The Waxahachie EDC and Texas State Technical College in North Texas work together...

News Recent winter weather provides TSTC plumbing students with real-life lessons

(WACO, Texas) – February’s winter weather experienced in Texas is giving Texas State Technical College’s Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology students plenty to think about. “There’s a lot of money in plumbing right now,” said Austin native Jack Guerrero, who is scheduled to graduate in December with a Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology certificate. “A lot of...

News TSTC Welding Technology student eyes oil fields

Welding student is working with TSTC staff on career placement (SWEETWATER, Texas) – James Martin, of Mason, has always liked to work with his hands. After four years of welding classes in high school, Martin is furthering his education in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program. He is planning to obtain a certificate of...

News Vess likes pace of TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program

Diesel program student showing promise, instructor says (SWEETWATER, Texas) – Working on vehicles is not new to Snyder’s Kaden Vess. Vess wanted to expand his knowledge by enrolling in Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program. Now nearing the end of his first semester studying for a certificate, Vess has not been disappointed. “I...

News Desire to adopt child and help others motivates TSTC Emergency Medical Services student

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Vanessa Hurtado had a special reason to reenroll at Texas State Technical College. The San Benito native’s desire to adopt a child inspired her to want to help others, and she hopes that a certificate of completion in Emergency Medical Services that she is working on, along with the biology degree that...

News Del Toro’s welding confidence grows at TSTC

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Like some Welding Technology students, Rogelio Del Toro did not have much welding experience before enrolling at Texas State Technical College. His inexperience did not stop him from setting a goal of earning a certificate and finding a job, however. “My father did some welding, and I tried it in middle school,”...

News TSTC graduate shows mettle in pursuing plumbing career

(WACO, Texas) – Jude Gonzales has learned that the positive people with whom he surrounds himself both personally and professionally can be motivational in creating a career and life to be proud of. Where plumbing is concerned, Jude Gonzales knows that there is always more to learn — and he is not afraid to try....

News TSTC students see career opportunities in Industrial Systems program

(ABILENE, Texas) – One of the first things students learn in Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program is that many job opportunities await them after graduation. That was the reason why Jacob Nelson, Levi Taylor and Dalton Tiner decided to enroll in the program. What they have learned over their first two semesters is...

News Bordelon has military plans after graduating from TSTC

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Cage Bordelon wants to be the first in his family to accomplish two milestones. First, he wants to be the first person in his family to graduate from college. Second, he plans to enlist in the U.S. Army.  Bordelon’s first goal will happen later this year when he earns a certificate of...

News Nelson drawn to TSTC by friend’s experience

(ABILENE, Texas) – A friend led Jacob Nelson to Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program. Nelson, who is studying for a certificate of completion, hopes to join his friend in the workforce when he completes the program in December. “One of my best friends completed the program and got a job really quick,” Nelson...

News TSTC summer 2021 graduates celebrated for hard work

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College celebrated its summer 2021 graduates Thursday evening, lauding Harlingen campus students for their achievements during a virtual ceremony streamed on Facebook Live. “As provost for the Harlingen campus, I had the privilege to welcome you to our TSTC family when you first started this journey,” Cledia Hernandez said...

News Pacheco finds career pathway after touring TSTC

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Ricardo Pacheco found a passion for electronics and electricity after touring Texas State Technical College. With one semester left in the Electromechanical Technology program, Pacheco said he made the right decision to attend TSTC.  “I came for a tour of the Wind Energy Technology program and told (instructor) Billie (Jones) what I...

News TSTC HVAC graduates’ services in demand for work-from-home professionals, office reopenings

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – When the pandemic first struck and many businesses closed for safety purposes, a few graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technology program called TSTC instructor Keith Klix to let him know that their hours had been cut. “That lasted about a week or two,” he said,...

News TSTC lineworker program trains students to be tough in high-risk, high-reward industry

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – What does it take to be a successful Electrical Lineworker Technology student at Texas State Technical College? According to TSTC lineworker instructor Troy Eads, a lot of common sense, drive, self-assuredness and athleticism, to name a few qualities. “I tell my students, first of all, this job isn’t for everybody — you...

News CDL training at TSTC shapes safe, successful drivers

Certificate of completion from CDL training opens many avenues for drivers (ROSENBERG, Texas) – The semitrailer pulls forward and reverses under the midmorning sun before pulling forward again. And reversing. Again. Paul Hildebrandt, a Texas State Technical College workforce trainer for the Fort Bend County campus, watches, shielded with a bucket hat and shades.  “Do...

News TSTC adds four programs to Money-Back Guarantee

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has added four statewide programs to its Money-Back Guarantee, reflecting the needs of employers. Students in their first semester pursuing associate degrees or certificates of completion in the Industrial Systems, Precision Machining Technology, Process Operations Technology and Robotics Technology programs can now feel confident about finding employment soon...

News TSTC’s Fort Bend County welding program continues to grow

Campus welding lab is home to 160 booths (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Sparks flew as students practiced their craft recently in the welding lab at Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County. Lead instructor Jerroll Hodge walked from booth to booth, straightening strip curtains and answering questions from students. With an expansion completed in...

News TSTC Electrical Lineworker Technology students welcome AEP safety presentation

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – “Safety first” was one of the messages that representatives from utility company American Electric Power had for students in the Electrical Lineworker Technology program at Texas State Technical College during a recent visit to TSTC’s Harlingen campus. The visitors from AEP stressed that the electric power industry is physically demanding and high-risk,...

News TSTC Nursing student excited about program completion after overcoming hardships

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Wearing her heart on her sleeve and helping others is what Esmeralda Sosa, of Harlingen, has planned for her medical career. She is pursuing a certificate of completion in Vocational Nursing at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. Her medical journey began in 2017 after she became a certified nursing assistant. “I...

News TSTC student takes advantage of second chance to study nursing

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Abbey Demere was not discouraged when her first attempt to study nursing did not go as expected. Demere enrolled in a registered nursing program but quickly realized that she was not ready for the rigorous schedule. After taking some time to think about her options, she learned about the Texas State Technical...

News Reyes first in TSTC’s Cybersecurity program to achieve ACE certification

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Claudia Reyes, of Harlingen, is a 2019 graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Computer Networking and Security Technology (now Computer Networking and Systems Administration) program. An admiration of working with computers, analyzing crime documentaries and advocating against cyberbullying led her to return to TSTC to pursue an advanced technical certificate in Digital...

News Machining, industrial maintenance jobs ripe for picking in Austin area

(HUTTO, Texas) – Central Texas businesses are seeking people now to fill available machining and industrial maintenance positions. “Many companies are experiencing turnovers due to natural attrition or retirement and are having trouble finding technicians to fill those spots,” said Edward Chaney, Texas State Technical College’s statewide chair of the Industrial Systems department. During the...

News TSTC Nursing graduate expands career at home health agency

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Kimberly Munoz, of Harlingen, found success as a vocational nurse after she completed the Vocational Nursing certificate of completion program in summer 2019 at Texas State Technical College. Recently she added to her credentials when she graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing from TSTC. The experience she gained...

News TSTC honors Marshall campus graduates during commencement

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored its Marshall campus fall graduates during a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 10. It was TSTC’s first in-person commencement event since fall 2019. Provost Barton Day said it was good to see students honored during the ceremony. “It’s truly a thrill to have both students and families join...

News TSTC grad continues family’s lineworker legacy

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Working on electric power lines is a family affair for Jalen Larkins. His father has been a lineworker since before Larkins can remember. “He took me one time when I was young, and I said, ‘Yo, I want to do this’ — and now I’m doing it,” Larkins said. “It’s always been...

News TSTC Vocational Nursing graduate credits family for success

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Family support was the key to Blaine Tucker’s success in Texas State Technical College’s Vocational Nursing program. Tucker, of Westbrook, said having her entire family present when she received her nursing pin and diploma was important. She earned her vocational nursing certificate this month and plans to return to TSTC to begin...

News TSTC graduate finds success in lineworker career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Matias Jimenez, of San Benito, grew up working alongside his father, a master electrician. He also served as a sergeant and engineer in the U.S. Army for four years and is currently in the Army Reserve. With that electrical knowledge, Jimenez decided to pursue the Electrical Lineworker Technology program at Texas State...

News TSTC grad finds drive, focus in welding

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Carlos Ulin Jr. may have just earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College’s recent fall 2021 commencement ceremony, but he already has his sights set on what comes next: a certificate of completion in Structural and Pipe Welding from TSTC. The Sugar Land resident...

News TSTC student hopes longtime interest in computers leads to career

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Matthew Turney has always been interested in computers and decided to make working on them a new career. Turney is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration at TSTC with a goal of beginning his new career. “I was seeking a higher-paying career, and that...

News TSTC Industrial Systems student plans to continue family businesses

(ABILENE, Texas) – Colter Denson wants to take over his family’s businesses someday. To help him prepare for the future, Denson is working on a certificate of completion in Industrial Systems at Texas State Technical College.  His father owns two businesses in the Abilene area, and Denson wants to be his successor. “I plan to...

News New TSTC Electrical Lineworker Technology instructor eager to help students achieve

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Cody Case, of Tyler, began teaching this semester in the Electrical Lineworker Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Marshall. He grew up in Big Sandy and has an Electrical Lineworker Technology certificate of completion  from Kilgore College.   What made you decide to pursue teaching in TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology...

News TSTC alumna’s passion for manufacturing leads her to Toyota

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumna Kari Alonso, of Brownsville, recalled her childhood memories of observing her father work on auto body repair projects outside their home. Little did she realize that would steer her toward a prosperous career in manufacturing. She grew a keen interest in the medical field after graduating from...

News TSTC student finds future in welding

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – After joyless experiences working in retail and restaurants, Joshua Reyes has finally found something he loves: welding. The Rosenberg resident will earn a certificate of completion this semester in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program. Afterward, he looks to continue his studies and training to complete an Associate of Applied Science...

News Couple trains together in TSTC’s diesel program

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Alfredo Calderon and Alexandra Santos are more than just classmates in Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program. They are also husband and wife. Calderon and Santos are getting accustomed to balancing their training at TSTC with work — and raising their two children. The Needville couple are pursuing certificates of...

News Soto’s confidence grows in TSTC’s Welding Technology program

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Manuel Soto has seen a big difference in his welding skills over the past year. Soto, of Newcastle, Texas, is completing his certificate of completion in Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College. As each day goes by, he thinks about returning to school when he graduates. Now in his third semester...

News Vocational Nursing student ready to represent TSTC at SkillsUSA contest

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Drew Young is ready to show his pride for Texas State Technical College at next month’s SkillsUSA state contest in Houston. Young, a Vocational Nursing student, will represent TSTC in drug administration and dosing while also supporting some of his classmates, who will compete in medical terminology. “We are working to motivate...

News TSTC students treated to SpaceX tour

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some 50 students from Texas State Technical College’s Mechatronics Technology, Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology programs at the Harlingen campus experienced a tour of aerospace manufacturer SpaceX’s launch facility in Brownsville Wednesday, March 16. They were greeted with a spectacular view from outside the facility of a Stargate base and three...

News TSTC Welding Technology student decides on career path during campus tour

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – It only took one stop during a tour of Texas State Technical College’s Sweetwater campus for Noemy Diaz to realize that she had found her career. After seeing the Welding Technology lab and hearing what she could learn from instructor Taylor Elston, Diaz was captivated. She is now studying for a certificate...

News From Hungary to Harlingen, TSTC Vocational Nursing student finds fulfillment in helping others

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Although Erzsebet Pigler-Guerra had worked as a registered nurse for 12 years in her native Hungary and in England, she discovered that her nursing qualifications differed from those required in America when she started a new life in Harlingen with her husband, who had been stationed overseas in the U.S. Air Force....

News Diesel Equipment Technology students credit TSTC for career opportunities

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Brandon DeLeon and Chris Llanas credit Texas State Technical College for preparing them for the workforce. The two Diesel Equipment Technology students are scheduled to receive their certificates of completion in Heavy Truck Specialization on Thursday, April 28, when TSTC hosts a commencement ceremony for graduates of its four West Texas campuses...

News TSTC in Marshall holds Spring 2022 Commencement

(MARSHALL, Texas) – More than 40 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Spring 2022 Commencement held Wednesday  at Memorial City Hall Performance Center in downtown Marshall. “What an exciting evening,” said Barton Day, provost of TSTC’s Marshall campus. “We are excited for our graduates....

News TSTC celebrates grads at Spring 2022 Commencement

Commencement included music, joy, dancing (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County celebrated the achievements of around 90 graduates during the Spring 2022 Commencement held Thursday, April 28, at the Stafford Centre. Cheers filled the air as music pumped through the auditorium, with graduates dancing through the aisle and waving...

News TSTC in North Texas holds Spring 2022 Commencement

(RED OAK, Texas) – More than 30 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Spring 2022 Commencement held Monday at the Waxahachie Civic Center in Waxahachie. Before the ceremony began, Marcus Balch, provost of TSTC’s North Texas campus, commended the graduates for their perseverance...

News TSTC Welding Technology student works to expand business opportunities

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Samuel Valdez wants to expand his business opportunities. The Welding Technology student is studying for a certificate of completion in Structural Welding at Texas State Technical College in order to add to the list of work that he can perform in his construction business. “I am self-employed and wanted to expand my...

News TSTC student motivated by family to flourish at area utility company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For some Texas State Technical College students, having a strong support system is their motivation for success. For Fabian Rodriguez, of Los Fresnos, the family he has started is his inspiration to succeed in his pursuit of a certificate of completion in Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. He...

News TSTC student grows landscaping background into lineworker success

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Heights are not a problem for Christian Perez. The Fresno, Texas, resident works for a landscaping company and often climbs to trim tall trees and plants, like palms. The skill translates nicely to Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program. “For me it’s almost the same thing,” Perez said....

News TSTC Welding Technology student sets foundation for future automotive business

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Ricardo Flores is in pursuit of an entrepreneurial goal: to establish an automotive restoration and modification shop. The Harlingen resident is aligning that path through an education at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. “I earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from TSTC in 2021,” Flores...

News TSTC Precision Machining Technology program to incorporate new equipment

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Great things are happening at Texas State Technical College, and the Precision Machining Technology program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus will incorporate some of the latest equipment into its curriculum for the fall 2022 semester. A new Haas UMC-500 computer numerical control (CNC) 5-axis machine, and two new lathe mechanisms, will be utilized...

News TSTC summer graduates ready to make their mark on West Texas and beyond

(ABILENE, Texas) – The newest members of the state’s workforce were honored during Texas State Technical College’s Summer Commencement on Friday, September 2. TSTC honored 88 graduates representing the four West Texas campuses in the exhibit hall at the Abilene Civic Center.  Andy Weaver, provost of the West Texas campuses, congratulated the college’s newest alumni....

News TSTC in East Williamson County holds Summer 2022 Commencement

(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 30 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Summer 2022 Commencement held Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott Conference Center in Pflugerville. Lissa Adams, provost of TSTC’s East Williamson County campus, said she was honored to have representatives...

News TSTC celebrates graduates at Summer 2022 Commencement

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The Stafford Centre in Stafford was filled with excitement as Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County celebrated the accomplishments of more than 100 graduates during the Summer 2022 Commencement held Friday, Sept. 9. Each graduate shone with a sense of accomplishment as they walked across the stage, waved to...

News TSTC’s Nursing program honors National Child Health Day

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Children are the world’s future, and nowhere is their health emphasized more than in the Nursing program at Texas State Technical College — especially on National Child Health Day on Monday, Oct. 3. Judy Medrano, a TSTC Nursing instructor, said the students are educated about the development of a child from birth...

News TSTC Industrial Systems program ready to provide graduates for jobs

(WACO, Texas) – A high school speech class assignment was what convinced Chance Mulanax, of Fort Worth, to attend Texas State Technical College. The project involved researching and talking about a college of his choice. Mulanax chose TSTC for his subject, and ultimately he decided that the Waco campus was the place to be. After...

News Vigil balances work, school while studying Diesel Equipment Technology at TSTC

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Jacob Vigil has always been mechanically inclined. While working full time at The Auto Clinic in Snyder, Vigil is broadening his skills by studying Diesel Equipment Technology at Texas State Technical College. He hopes that his certificate of completion specialization in Heavy Truck will lead to more career opportunities. Vigil spent his...

News Challenges do not stop Delao from completing TSTC’s Vocational Nursing program

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – When life presented a challenge, Melina Delao did not let it deter her. It did take time for her to steer her life back into a career that she always wanted, however. Delao, who once worked for the Sweetwater Reporter newspaper and later with the Sweetwater Independent School District, always wanted to...

News TSTC’s North Texas campus holds Fall 2022 Commencement

(RED OAK, Texas) – More than 40 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Fall 2022 Commencement held Monday, Dec. 12, at the Waxahachie Civic Center. “Every time we do one of these, it seems to get bigger and better,” said Marcus Balch, provost...

News TSTC’s Waco campus holds Fall 2022 Commencement

(WACO, Texas) – More than 350 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Fall 2022 Commencement held Wednesday, Dec. 14, at The BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco. Jerome Mendias, associate provost of TSTC’s Waco campus, said the gathering of relatives and friends during...

News TSTC grad gains valuable work experience with area utility company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When people make their daily commutes, they sometimes see electrical lineworkers working on power lines to help restore power. Texas State Technical College Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology alumnus Dustin Sanchez finds it rewarding to provide that service as a lineman apprentice with the Brownsville Public Utilities Board. “My neighbor is an...

News TSTC grad gains valuable work experience with area utility company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When people make their daily commutes, they sometimes see electrical lineworkers working on power lines to help restore power. Texas State Technical College Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology alumnus Dustin Sanchez finds it rewarding to provide that service as a lineman apprentice with the Brownsville Public Utilities Board. “My neighbor is an...

News TSTC’s East Williamson County campus starts the spring semester

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus began the spring semester on Monday, Jan. 9. “With the increased career opportunities in technical jobs in this region, our students are well positioned to land high-paying, high-demand jobs by the time they graduate or while they are still in classes,” said Lissa Adams,...

News TSTC alumna on track to be nurse practitioner

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Nursing program has a reputation for producing top-quality nurses like Cassandra Borjas. Borjas has worked hard both academically and professionally to get where she is today, and now she is studying for a Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner degree at Baylor University. “As a person, I...

News TSTC uses unique approach to receiving state funding

(WACO, Texas) – When graduates walk across the stage at a Texas State Technical College graduation ceremony, they do more than receive an associate degree or certificate of completion. Once they start working and contributing to the Texas economy, TSTC gets paid.  Once they start working, they help the college get paid by the Texas...

News TSTC Vocational Nursing student inspired by nurse and mother to pursue nursing education

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Erin Gordon recalled a moment during the pandemic when she was in a hospital for a procedure and a nurse provided her with comfort. “The nurse did a great job to ensure I wasn’t stressed,” she said. “Her job caught my interest because her approach was excellent. Additionally, my mother was enrolled...

News Bishop turns to TSTC to expand welding knowledge

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Tabitha Bishop is making her family proud by being its first person to attend college. The Gatesville native is planning to earn her certificate of completion later this year in Structural Welding at Texas State Technical College. “My family is so proud of what I am doing and learning here,” she said....

News TSTC grad climbs to new heights with job at area utility company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Restoring power caused by weather variables and other factors is a high-risk challenge, and it is a job that Texas State Technical College Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology alumnus Luis Polanco is committed to. The service that he provides as a lineman apprentice with the Brownsville Public Utilities Board gives him satisfaction....

News TSTC Welding Technology student impresses instructor, secures job

(ABILENE, Texas) – The welding quality displayed by Christopher Cumpton impressed one of his instructors so much that it led to a job opportunity. Cumpton, a candidate for graduation this month with a certificate of completion in Structural Welding from Texas State Technical College, has a career planned with Broadwind Heavy Fabrications in Abilene. That...

News Rio Hondo High School students get college head start at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s dual enrollment programs offer high school students an entrance to a college-level education and can prepare them with the skills they need for great-paying jobs. Rio Hondo High School dual enrollment students Julio Casas, Scott Payne and Bryan Rodriguez recently completed the second semester of TSTC’s Building Construction...

News TSTC honors graduates at Spring 2023 Commencement

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For more than 260 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, the sounds of friends and families cheering and applauding reflected the soul of the ceremony. The proud graduates walked the stage and received their long-awaited certificates of completion or associate degrees at TSTC’s Spring 2023 Commencement held May 2 at...

News High school students create art in TSTC’s Digital Media Design program

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – A love of creating their own art through digital media led two Roscoe Collegiate High School students to Texas State Technical College. Linnea Elmore and Patience Perez, both high school juniors, began their dual enrollment journey at different times but have developed an understanding of design through TSTC’s Digital Media Design program....

News Art of machining motivates student in TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – There is an artistry that goes into the job of a machinist, and that caught the eye of Rene Garay Jr. Garay is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. Two years ago he was first introduced to machining by...

News TSTC grad blessed by dream job at area utility company

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Lineworkers have a prime responsibility to uphold by guaranteeing that customers are provided with electricity year-round, and Texas State Technical College Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology alumnus Ernesto Hernandez finds great pride in that accountability. The effort that he provides as a lineworker apprentice in his dream job with Magic Valley Electric...

News TSTC Maritime Welding students benefit from instructor’s training, experience

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When Texas State Technical College Welding Technology alumnus Samuel Grimaldo accepted a job as the Maritime Welding instructor in TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education program, he did not anticipate the influence that his experience would have on the students. “I teach shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux core...

News TSTC student gains education to support his family

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – For many students at Texas State Technical College, their education comes as a way to further their careers and open new doors. Such is the case for Brandon Kopecky, a student in the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus. After working for many years, Kopecky began...

News Alcozer returns to TSTC, intrigued by science of building construction

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Ensuring that structures are safe and align with specific building codes is an essential part of Duvie Alcozer’s job as a building official with the town of Laguna Vista. While on the job, she once observed a woman who was remodeling her home. Alcozer became intrigued by the renovation process, and that...

News TSTC students wow onlookers at Lineworker Rodeo

(WACO, Texas) – If the blazing summer sun was bothering them, 17 teams of five students each did not let it show as they climbed practice utility poles to show off their skills and toughness at Texas State Technical College’s second Lineworker Rodeo at the Waco campus on Tuesday, July 25.   The students —...

News TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program trains next generation of machinists

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Few people know that multiple machines all over the world are used to create each of their cellphone’s components, along with nearly everything else that society uses. But those machines cannot do the job alone, and that is where machinists come in. “Everything you interact with every day would not exist if...

News TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program helps fill demand for machinist jobs in Central Texas

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Manufacturing jobs are an integral part of the Texas economy, and recently the Central Texas region has experienced an increase in machinist jobs. This job outlook is a key motivator for students who are enrolled in the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College. The program is known for training...

News TSTC auto collision program hosts students for end-of-semester luncheon

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Auto Collision and Management Technology program held an end-of-semester taco luncheon for its students on Thursday, Aug. 17 at the Waco campus. The lunch was held in a program lab and catered by Taqueria Los Cuates of Lacy Lakeview. Students and faculty members ate street-style tacos with pork,...

News TSTC’s North Texas campus celebrates summer 2023 graduating class

(RED OAK, Texas) – Sixteen students celebrated their graduation from Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus on Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the Waxahachie Civic Center, receiving associate degrees or certificates of completion. James Stewart, a graduate of the Diesel Equipment Technology program, received a certificate of completion and said he was ready to start...

News TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology: Developing the world in a hands-on program

(MARSHALL, Texas) – As a child, Damon Barker was fascinated by engines and Texas’ seemingly endless truck population. “I’ve always looked at the semis going down the road and wondered how they worked,” Barker said. “That’s what started it all for me.” Today, Barker is studying for a certificate of completion in Texas State Technical...

News TSTC instructor says program offers students variety of career opportunities

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – With the need for network and computer systems administrators growing statewide, Texas State Technical College is the place many individuals turn to for training in this field. At the Brownwood campus, TSTC provides students with different options to earn a degree or certificate in Computer Networking and Systems Administration. Students may choose...

News TSTC Electrical Lineworker graduate happy to blaze trail for other women

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Summer graduation at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus has come and gone, but it will be one remembered forever by those present in no small part thanks to Kelly Gomez. Cheers poured in from everyone in attendance on graduation night as they announced Gomez as the first female student...

News Quezada credits TSTC for welding career path

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Oscar Quezada credits Texas State Technical College for helping him find his career path. Quezada is a candidate for graduation in Welding Technology at TSTC and will begin working with an oil field company next month. He is scheduled to receive a certificate of completion in Structural Welding during the summer commencement...

News TSTC receives $100,000, joins 41 other schools as All Within My Hands’ Metallica Scholars Initiative expands

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Automotive Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, Welding Technology and Wind Energy Technology students at Texas State Technical College’s Sweetwater campus now are eligible to apply for scholarships funded by a foundation started by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Metallica. The campus was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive...

News TSTC honors West Texas summer graduates during commencement ceremony

(ABILENE, Texas) – More than 100 students were recognized during Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2023 Commencement ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Abilene Convention Center. Students were presented with Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates of completion in various programs offered at TSTC’s campuses in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater. Andy Weaver,...

News TSTC programs see rise in number of new students

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Construction, Energy Efficiency Specialist, and Solar Energy Technology programs have seen an increase in students for the fall semester. The programs have a combined 100 first-semester students, with the total enrollment for the three programs exceeding 150 students. “I have been here for four years, and this...

News Female students aim for new heights in TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The high-risk challenges that electrical lineworkers experience when working with electricity on utility poles would inspire Marisol Gonzalez and Jacqueline Mejia to pursue an education in Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. Gonzalez and Mejia recently recalled the moment in each of their lives when they...

News TSTC Welding Technology students learn about job opportunities with leading pipe manufacturer

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A group of Welding Technology students at Texas State Technical College recently learned about job opportunities that they might pursue at the EPIC Piping fabrication facility in San Marcos. During the recruitment visit, representatives from EPIC Piping discussed the company’s history, career outlook, job benefits and work culture. “The welding industry is...

News Welding Technology student planned to continue studying at TSTC

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Braxton Wade knew what he wanted to do after graduating from Breckenridge High School earlier this year. “I have always been interested in welding, and I lucked out that we have a (college) campus in my hometown,” he said of studying Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College. Wade is no stranger...

News TSTC hosts Marshall campus’ Fall 2023 Commencement

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Seventy-two Texas State Technical College graduates crossed the Marshall Memorial City Hall stage on Friday, Dec. 1, at the Marshall campus’ Fall 2023 Commencement.  Families and friends gathered to watch their proud graduates receive their certificates of completion or Associate of Applied Science degrees. “It’s always exciting to see our graduating students...

News TSTC graduate honored for hard work and helping others

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Barton Day, provost at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus, awarded Precision Machining Technology graduate Juan Cerda with the Provost’s Outstanding Achievement Award at the recent Fall 2023 Commencement. Cerda had also received his Associate of Applied Science degree that evening. “Winning the provost’s award was a big surprise,” Cerda said. “I...

News Personal bout with coronavirus is career catalyst for TSTC Vocational Nursing graduate

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Caitlyn Gonzales saw firsthand how important nurses are during the pandemic. “I was diagnosed with COVID-19 five different times during the pandemic,” she said. “It was a difficult time, but I turned those situations into a positive. I thank the team of nurses who took care of me. They motivated me to...

News TSTC graduate is now paramedic with area ambulance service provider

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Emergency medical technicians and paramedics are among the first responders at the scene of medical emergencies, and now Texas State Technical College Emergency Medical Services graduate Mackayla Ledezma is joining their ranks as a full-time paramedic with the South Texas Emergency Care (STEC) Foundation in Harlingen. Ledezma, who recently graduated with a...

News TSTC trains students to intercept and fend off cyberattacks

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Just as ancient castles had to be protected against invaders, modern computer networks are vulnerable to cyberattacks. That is where Texas State Technical College’s Cybersecurity program comes in. Alejandro Alcoser is a Cybersecurity instructor at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. He said the program can prepare students for a rewarding career. “Beginner students will...

News TSTC nursing students’ devotion to patient care highlighted during National Patient Recognition Week

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Students in the Vocational Nursing and LVN to RN Transition programs at Texas State Technical College are committed to treating patients as if they were members of their own families. That dedication is spotlighted each year from Feb. 1 to 7 during National Patient Recognition Week. Eleazar Leos, who is studying for...

News TSTC program advises about when to call an electrician

(WACO, Texas) – Working with electricity can be a highly charged task.  “People need to understand how electricity and currents work,” said Andy Pustejovsky, an Electrical Construction instructor at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus.  Some of the problems that people have with electricity include faulty outlets, outdated electrical setups and tripped breakers. “I would...

News TSTC student finds perfect fit in Precision Machining Technology

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Selena Gomez knew that she wanted a better life after experiencing several unfulfilling jobs. “I was an insurance adjuster at my last job,” the Mercedes resident said. “I wanted a career that would be hands-on.” Her brother recommended looking into Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College. “I scheduled a tour...

News TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program brings out best in student

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Precision Machining Technology student Adrian Munoz developed a fascination with engineering at a young age. “My dad and I worked on a project where he wanted to fuse two jeeps together and make it an eight-seater,” he said. “During that process, I loved working on the automobile’s engine.”...

News Maldonado finds renewable energy education a right fit

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It is never too late to consider college. That is the encouragement Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology student Joey Maldonado received from his family and friends so he could have a rewarding career. “(They) wanted me to find something to fall back on because I have the potential to do...

News Tour leads Constancia to TSTC’s Welding Technology program

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Sebastian Constancia found a career path after touring Texas State Technical College. As a senior at Early High School, Constancia made sure to stop by the Welding Technology lab during his class’s tour of the Brownwood location. He knew immediately he wanted to enroll in the program and is currently studying for...

News TSTC students balance night classes with day jobs

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Steven Williamson, a Precision Machining Technology instructor at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall location, recently described one of the benefits of taking college classes at night: “You work during the day and then you come to school, and you still have time with family and friends.” Several TSTC students are benefiting from...

News TSTC event spotlights matching skills to jobs

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some Texas State Technical College Automotive Technology and Wind Energy Technology students recently learned how their skills could relate to jobs at Altec Inc. during an employer spotlight at TSTC’s Harlingen location. Altec is a leading equipment and service provider for the electric utility, telecommunications, lights and signs, and contractor markets. John...

News TSTC’s North Texas location celebrates new graduates

(RED OAK, Texas) – More than 50 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s North Texas location received associate degrees or certificates of completion at TSTC’s Spring 2024 Commencement held Monday, April 29, at the Waxahachie Civic Center. “A large number of our students are choosing to participate in this ceremony to really take the opportunity...

News TSTC’s Waco campus holds Spring 2024 Commencement

(WACO, Texas) – More than 400 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received associate degrees or certificates of completion at TSTC’s Spring 2024 Commencement held Thursday, May 2, at the BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco. “Graduation represents the culmination of all the hard work of our students,” said Beth Wooten, campus...

News TSTC mothers support and cheer on their children

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – “Texas State Technical College is a family.” This phrase often is repeated by its staff, instructors and students. And in some cases, the statement is literal. Many fathers, mothers, sons and daughters attend, teach and work at TSTC, creating a legacy of learning in technical fields. One such mother, Stephanie Basurto, is...

News TSTC Nursing student follows in mother’s career pathway

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A pledge to patient care is a bond that Illiana Rodriguez shares with her mother, Celina Romo, as Rodriguez pursues a medical education at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen location just as her mother did. Their dedication to health care is one of the reasons why they and others like them are...

News Caldwell Machine and Gear holds its first employer spotlight at TSTC

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Caldwell Machine and Gear recently held its first employer spotlight for the Precision Machining Technology students at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall location. Wesley Cameron, an engineer for Caldwell Machine and Gear, said that for many years the Mount Pleasant-based company sought local high school students to work as machinists. “They don’t...

News TSTC to start training next generation of electrical lineworkers at Abilene location

(ABILENE, Texas) – When the fall semester begins at Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Technology Center in Abilene, people will see something new. TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program will welcome its first class in West Texas, and students will start climbing practice utility poles within weeks of the semester beginning.  The program will...

News TSTC program draws students from varied backgrounds

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Although Swenson Benavides and Kentrell Smith come from different backgrounds, the two Texas State Technical College Diesel Equipment Technology students have one goal in common: to advance in their careers. Benavides, who is from Hamlin and works at Kirby-Smith Machinery in Abilene, has been working on diesel engines for years, while Smith,...

News TSTC names Mike Anderson as New Braunfels campus provost

(NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has named Mike Anderson as provost of its New Braunfels campus. “Mike Anderson is a seasoned educator and the founding executive in charge of our New Braunfels campus,” TSTC Chancellor and CEO Mike Reeser said. “His leadership is a key reason why his campus is growing.” Anderson...

News TSTC Electrical Lineworker student climbs high in pursuit of new career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After working in quality control for 10 years, Benigno Galvan was ready for a challenging new career. Fate stepped in when he talked to his wife’s cousin who is not only employed with an area utility company, but also a graduate of the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program at Texas State...

News TSTC student strives for excellence in welding

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In a roundabout way, Gabriel Garcia’s path to Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program started with a barbecue pit. When he was a teenager, Garcia became fascinated with welding while watching his uncle use welding to build a barbecue pit. Later, his cousin convinced Garcia to join him in the welding...

News TSTC’s East Williamson County campus sends off new graduates to the workforce

(HUTTO, Texas) – As summer completes, so does the education of 38 students at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus. Students graduated with associate degrees or certificates of completion during TSTC in East Williamson County’s Summer 2024 Commencement held Monday, Aug. 19, at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock. Tiffany Tremont,...

News Former TSTC student worker receives Provost’s Outstanding Achievement Award

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology graduate Jason Gryder received the Provost’s Outstanding Achievement Award at the recent Summer 2024 Commencement. “The award recognizes students who go above and beyond high-level academic performance,” Bart Day, TSTC’s Marshall campus provost, said. “During his tenure as a student worker, there wasn’t...

News TSTC holds Summer 2024 Commencement in Fort Bend County

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus and their families and friends attended TSTC’s Summer 2024 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 23, at the Stafford Centre in Stafford. Each of the 124 graduates received either an Associate of Applied Science degree or a certificate of completion in their program. Bryan...

News TSTC student leaves banking industry to focus on new career

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Brent Fox made a decision that he says can lead to many career opportunities. After earning his bachelor’s degree in 2012, Fox worked in the banking industry. After several years spending time in an office, the Hamlin native decided it was time for a change. “I was tired of working in an...

News Website ranks TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker program best in US

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – College Factual recently placed Texas State Technical College at the top of its list of Best Lineworker Associate Degree Schools in the United States for 2024. According to its website, collegefactual.com, the company was created to help students research colleges and careers. It gathers data from public and private sources, including the...

News TSTC partners with South Texas ISD’s Science Academy for new dual credit welding program

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College and the South Texas Independent School District’s Science Academy in Mercedes have partnered to offer a dual credit program in Welding Technology. Classes, which are taught at the high school, started this semester. “The dual credit program pairs well with our hands-on approach to the engineering program of...

News TSTC student makes career U-turn

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Brenda Valdez Prosise wanted a career change, and she found that pathway at Texas State Technical College. “I used to work in the accounting field and moved up doing several jobs, such as a clerk, data entry, bookkeeping, staff accountant and an escrow officer, for more than 20 years,” Valdez Prosise said....

News TSTC student ‘RC drifts’ into precision machining

(HUTTO, Texas) – Garrett Roeder always liked hands-on hobbies. But when he tried machining, he found his passion.  Roeder is in his third semester of Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus in Hutto. He discovered machining in high school in Austin. “I went to an arts magnet high school...

News Student’s love for gunsmithing turns into passion for machining at TSTC

(HUTTO, Texas) – Aidan Parker came to Texas State Technical College to prepare for a career in gunsmithing and found a passion for machining along the way.  Parker, a Thrall native, is in his third semester of working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology at TSTC’s East Williamson County campus....

News Industry Job Fair gives TSTC students, alumni chance to find right career fit

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some 350 Texas State Technical College students and alumni had a chance to talk about their job skills, qualifications and professionalism during interactions with representatives of 48 companies during the fall semester Industry Job Fair at TSTC’s Harlingen campus on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Alumnus Daniel Campos and current student Caitlon Gonzalez shared...

News TSTC’s Vocational Nursing program in Harlingen sees increased male student enrollment

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Instructors in the Vocational Nursing program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus have seen an increase in the number of male students enrolled in the program this year. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2023, men represent nearly 12% of all licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and nurse...

News TSTC Welding Technology student feels at home on Breckenridge campus

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Osbaldo Pacheco said he felt welcome at Texas State Technical College’s Breckenridge campus beginning with his first visit. Pacheco, 17, graduated one year early from Graham High School so he could start studying for a certificate of completion in Welding Technology at TSTC. He said the TSTC staff’s support has helped him...

News TSTC adds night classes to Precision Machining Technology

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus is expanding offerings of Precision Machining Technology courses to accommodate nontraditional learning schedules.  New Precision Machining Technology students will be able to begin their education at night beginning in the upcoming spring semester.  Apolinar Ruiz, the program’s team lead, said the school recognized that...

News Like father, like son: TSTC Precision Machining Technology student inspired by father’s machinist career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When Texas State Technical College student Michael Diaz was young, he was curious about what his father’s job was at a manufacturing company. “I remember going to my dad’s work with some family when I was six years old,” Diaz said. “I saw the production floor area and found it interesting. I...

News Biomedical Equipment Technology program embraces new workspaces at TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program is undergoing a renaissance at the Waco campus. Boxes are slowly being unpacked and labs organized in new, larger renovated learning spaces in the Electrical Electronics Center. A new addition to the program is the “hospital room” with electrocardiograms, incubators, infant warmers, operating room...

News U.S. Senator announces legislation to benefit TSTC

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – United States Sen. Ted Cruz toured Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County recently after announcing new legislation that will benefit students who pursue a technical education.   Cruz introduced the special legislation cited as the “Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act” to TSTC leadership and Fort Bend County industry leaders....

News TSTC holds Spring Commencement in Marshall

(MARSHALL, Texas) – More than 70 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Spring 2019 Commencement held Friday, April 26, at the Marshall Convention Center. David Golden, human resources manager at Norbord in Jefferson, told graduates to always be prepared in the workplace and set others up for success. “It’s important...

News TSTC grad fabricates success despite challenges

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – At an early age, Abel Garcia was responsible for supporting his mother and brother. But with his learning disorder, not many people believed he could become a college graduate and earn gainful employment. But this Friday, the 23-year-old will prove his naysayers wrong and earn a certificate in Machining from Texas State...

News TSTC meets statewide nursing shortage demands

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With the aging of baby boomers and with a population with an overall longer life span, the need for health care services is growing, increasing the demand for vocational nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau Labor Statistics, vocational nursing is projected to grow faster than any other occupation by 2026. Texas State...

News TSTC Holds Summer 2019 Commencement

(MARSHALL, Texas) – More than 30 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2019 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 16, at the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel at Wiley College in Marshall. Rush Harris, director of business services at the Marshall Economic Development Corp., was the ceremony’s guest speaker. He talked...

News Veteran finds new career at TSTC

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – On Friday, Jackie Cook joined nearly 100 other Texas State Technical College graduates who received a certificate or an associate degree during the college’s commencement ceremony at the Stafford Centre. The 31-year-old walked across the stage to receive his associate degree in Cybersecurity Technology as his family and friends witnessed the graduate’s...

News TSTC holds Fall 2019 Commencement

(RED, OAK, Texas) – More than 20 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement held Monday, Dec. 9, at the Waxahachie Civic Center. Several graduates already have jobs, while others are making plans for the future.  Demarcus Evans and Donna Floyd both graduated with the Associate of Applied...

News TSTC in East Williamson County holds Fall 2019 Commencement

(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 40 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement held Friday, Dec. 6, at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto. Several graduates either already have degree-related jobs or are looking for such work opportunities. Jonathan Guzman of Hutto received an Associate...

News Alumnus returns to TSTC to help train area workers

(ABILENE, Texas) – While attending Snyder High School in 1985, Terry Steelman was impressed with Texas State Technical College. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years and the private sector for several more, Steelman still remembered his visit to the Sweetwater campus. “When I got out of the Marine Corps, I knew...

News TSTC Electrical Lineworker, Welding programs preparing for growth

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker Technology and Welding Technology programs at the Fort Bend County campus are expanding. “Those have been two of the hottest trades in the region for several years,” said Jeremy Heath, executive director of the Rosenberg Economic Development Corp. “Everyone who goes through either program has a...

News Sparks fill TSTC Welding Technology lab this summer

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Sparks from welding torches were a daily occurrence this summer at Texas State Technical College’s Breckenridge campus. Students have been completing labs in preparation for entering the workforce when they receive their certificates. But the work does not stop once the torches are laid down. For Ethan Hammond and Zane Fitch, a...

News Harlandale ISD and TSTC Partner in Dual Enrollment Classes

(WACO, Texas) – Students at Dillard McCollum High School in San Antonio are starting the year learning in new dual enrollment classes through Texas State Technical College in Waco – a first for TSTC and the Alamo City. Eight juniors and seniors are taking Introduction to Automotive Technology and Automotive Suspension and Steering Systems in...

News TSTC Alumnus Boosts Wind Energy Production

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – There is change in the air: a change toward renewable energy. And Texas State Technical College alumnus John Nichols is a driving force behind that change. Nichols graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology from TSTC in Sweetwater in 2010. He is now employed by North Dakota-based...

News TSTC, Eaton partnership provides first-class training

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A new partnership between Texas State Technical College and power management company Eaton is giving TSTC Electrical Power and Controls students an invaluable training opportunity. Eaton, a global technology leader in electrical systems, and TSTC have been working closely for a year to create a program that would open the doors of Eaton’s Experience Center...

News TSTC in Marshall hosts Industry Job Fair

(MARSHALL, Texas) – More than 160 Texas State Technical College students and alumni met potential employers from throughout Texas and Louisiana on Thursday at its Industry Job Fair. Students trekked through TSTC in Marshall’s South Building to talk to more than 30 companies looking to fill jobs in cybersecurity, fleet maintenance, education, software development, construction...

News TSTC in Waco earns gold medals at Texas SkillsUSA Postsecondary Conference

(WACO, Texas) – Cicilia Bunting has felt this feeling before. Bunting, a Culinary Arts student at Texas State Technical College, won first place for the second consecutive year in Commercial Baking at the SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary State Leadership and Skills Conference held in mid-April in Waco. “I know what to expect and what the judges...

News TSTC agricultural program introduces drone technology

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Drone technology is revolutionizing the field of agriculture, and to ensure that students’ skills meet industry standards, Texas State Technical College’s Agricultural Technology program recently implemented drone training into its curriculum. “Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, are transforming the way work gets done out in the field,” said TSTC Agricultural Technology instructor...

News TSTC hosts spring counselors update

(RED OAK, Texas) – More than 40 educators on Friday learned about Texas State Technical College’s mission to help students earn certificates and associate degrees that could lead to great-paying jobs. The Spring Counselors Update focused on dual enrollment, in-demand jobs and other components of TSTC. The gathering’s goal was to arm educators with new...

News Student Success Profile – Flora Guerrero

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Flora Guerrero is majoring in Mathematics at Texas State Technical College and expects to earn her associate degree this semester. The Los Fresnos native holds a 3.75 grade-point average and is a work-study employee with TSTC’s enrollment management. When the 20-year-old isn’t busy on campus, she serves as a teacher for second...

News Austin company and TSTC build welding relationship

(HUTTO, Texas) – Lauren Caprio got her first welding job in 2016 shortly after graduating with a certificate from the Welding Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Williamson County. Caprio, 33, of Pflugerville is a level III ultra-high-purity welder at Dynamic Manufacturing Solutions in Austin, where she works in a humidity-controlled clean room...

News TSTC instructors present at national conference in Washington

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Two Education and Training program instructors from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen recently garnered some national attention in Washington, D.C., when they made a presentation at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference. “This was our chance to share all of the things that make our program...

News TSTC students able to find opportunities in Diesel Equipment Technology

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Supervisors at the Sabine Mining Co. in Hallsville see little turnover in its mobile equipment department. The more than 40 employees, some being graduates of Texas State Technical College, work on bulldozers, forklifts, hydraulic cranes and other heavy equipment for mining operations. The company currently has one full-time diesel equipment mechanic opening....

News TSTC student exemplifies dual enrollment success

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Education means opportunity, and no one values that more than Alan Acosta, a Welding Technology student at Texas State Technical College in Brownwood.   Acosta plans to be the first member of his immediate family, who immigrated from Mexico when he was 6, to earn a college degree. He started working on...

News New TSTC scholarship available for Hutto High School graduates

(HUTTO, Texas) – Members of Hutto High School’s Class of 2019 will be the first to benefit from a new scholarship to attend Texas State Technical College that was created by the city of Hutto, the Hutto Education Foundation and The TSTC Foundation. The three entities are contributing money to help Hutto graduates pay for...

News TSTC program partners with Walker Sayle Unit to combat substance abuse

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Chemical Dependency Counseling program and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Walker Sayle Unit, a substance abuse felony punishment facility, are working together to change lives and fill a need in the Texas workforce. A report filed by the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services to...

News TSTC to host annual Open House

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County invites all prospective students, community leaders and neighbors to its annual Open House. The open house will be Friday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at TSTC’s Brazos Center located at 26706 Southwest Freeway in Rosenberg. “This is an opportunity for us...

News TSTC nursing student prepares for three-peat at SkillsUSA

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Winning is so nice, she did it twice. Now Kacee Merrifield wants it again, and so does one of her classmates. Merrifield is a nursing student enrolled in the associate degree program at Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater. She has competed at SkillsUSA two years in a row, winning state both...

News TSTC helps alum fulfill childhood dream

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Ivette Cruz started her journey at Texas State Technical College as a biology major with the dream of becoming a nurse. And while it’s been a long road for the single mother, t she can finally call herself a licensed vocational nurse. “Aside from the program being demanding, I had the challenge...

News TSTC in North Texas employees recognized with statewide award

(RED OAK, Texas) – Two employees at Texas State Technical College in North Texas have been honored for their work and skills. Thomas Betik, a building maintenance supervisor, and Leslie Monk, an Industrial Maintenance instructor, are recipients of the Chancellor’s Excellence Award. The Chancellor’s Excellence Award began in 2001 and has been given to more...

News TSTC’s Industry Job Fair places students, helps meet industry demand

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College was created to place more Texans in great-paying jobs, fill the middle-skills gap and meet industry demand, and it leads numerous initiatives throughout the year to accomplish its mission. One of these initiatives is the biannual Industry Job Fair, where TSTC students and alumni can meet potential employers....

News TSTC in Marshall PMT program adding night classes this fall

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program in Marshall will offer its first night classes starting this fall. “The goal of this is to try and help those who are working during the day to have an option for taking classes in the evening and to try to grow the PMT...

News TWIC recognizes five TSTC technical programs

(WACO, Texas) – Five technical programs at Texas State Technical College were recently recognized by the Office of the Governor’s Texas Workforce Investment Council at a ceremony in Austin. Associate of Applied Science degree programs for Biomedical Equipment Technology, Electrical Lineworker Technology, Process Operations, Solar Energy Technology and Wind Energy Technology were recognized for merging...

News Two TSTC Alumni Recognized For Outstanding Service as TSTC Employees

(Sweetwater) – The journey from student to employee has come full circle for two Texas State Technical College alumni who have been honored for their dedication and skills as employees at TSTC in Sweetwater. Maria Aguirre, statewide senior executive director of Communication and Creative Services, and Elizabeth Reyes, graphic designer, have received TSTC’s Chancellor’s Excellence...

News TSTC candidate for graduation turns interest into job

(RED OAK, Texas) – Miguel Gutierrez of Burleson is fascinated by Volvos and engine overhauling. The Texas State Technical College student has combined his interests through hands-on training and getting a job in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Gutierrez is a candidate for graduation with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology-Heavy Truck...

News TSTC Holds Spring 2019 Commencement

(ABILENE, Texas) – More than 100 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Spring 2019 Commencement held Friday, April 26, at the Abilene Convention Center. Graduates from TSTC’s West Texas campuses in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater were recognized. For Mary Madden, an instructor in Electromechanical Technology at TSTC in Sweetwater,...

News TSTC’s mock disaster drill prepares first responders for mass casualty incidents

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A two-car accident, flashing emergency lights, first responders and patients with simulated traumatic injuries set the scene earlier this week at Texas State Technical College during the first mock disaster drill hosted by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program on campus. “This drill served as a training for our students and to...

News TSTC candidate for graduation striving to keep Goodwill Industries’ employees safe

(WACO, Texas) – Roxann Buzbee is already transitioning from student to educator in her new job as a human resources training developer. Buzbee is a candidate for graduation for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Environmental Technology Compliance and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety Compliance Technology. She and more than...

News TSTC recognizes Board of Regents honor grads with medallions

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Board of Regents honor graduates are recognized every semester for maintaining perfect grade-point averages. Recently 10 of these students attended a dinner hosted in their honor by the TSTC Board of Regents at the college’s Cultural Arts Center in Harlingen and were awarded medallions to commemorate their outstanding...

News TSTC in East Williamson County holds spring Commencement

(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 20 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Spring 2019 Commencement held Friday, May 3, at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto. Guest speaker Terry Cook, the Williamson County commissioner for Precinct 1, cited a 2018 manufacturing skills report from Deloitte indicating there...

News TSTC holds Spring Commencement in Waco

(WACO, Texas) – More than 500 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Spring 2019 Commencement held Tuesday, May 7, at the Waco Convention Center. Many of the graduates already have jobs. David De La Hoya of Italy, Texas, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology and...

News TSTC joins Ben Barber Innovation Academy for National Signing Day 2019

(WACO, Texas) – Representatives of Texas State Technical College and the Ben Barber Innovation Academy in Mansfield honored two students on Wednesday during National Signing Day 2019 co-sponsored by SkillsUSA and Klein Tools. Nick Crook, a senior at Legacy High School in Mansfield, and Juan Vela, a senior at Summit High School in Arlington, both...

News TSTC Veterans Center receives donation from American Legion

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In a new partnership, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 205 recently presented Texas State Technical College with a check for veteran student scholarships. The check, in the amount of $1,000, is the first donation in what will become an annual gift for the college and its veteran population. “We have seen, first-hand, the...

News TSTC Profile of Excellence – Cristobal Davila

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Cristobal Davila, 41, is a two-time Texas State Technical College graduate. In 2015 he earned an associate degree in Business Management Technology and a certificate in Automotive Technology in 2018. The single dad of two boys worked mostly as a security officer before attending TSTC, and said he finally found his dream...

News TSTC student to compete for third time at SkillsUSA Nationals

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The saying goes that all good things come in threes, and Texas State Technical College nursing student Kacee Merrifield hopes that saying will ring true for her. Merrifield will represent Texas and TSTC for the third time at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, in late June. A...

News TSTC grad turns obstacle into a career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It was May 2009 in the neonatal intensive care unit when life changed for Texas State Technical College vocational nursing alum Jesus Herrera and he realized nursing was his life’s passion and path. The 35-year-old’s eldest daughter was born with gastroschisis, a birth defect of the abdominal wall in which the baby’s...

News TSTC earns first Military Spouse Friendly designation

(WACO, Texas) – For the first time Texas State Technical College has been recognized as a Military Spouse Friendly school for 2019-2020 by Viqtory. Viqtory is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, education and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse and Military Friendly brands. TSTC Veterans...

News Three TSTC Building Construction Technology scholarships awarded

(WACO, Texas) – Two future Texas State Technical College students and one current TSTC student were recently awarded Building Construction Technology scholarships. Recent Belton High School graduates Jose Delgado and Isaac Collazo Garcia each received $6,000 SkillsUSA scholarships to attend TSTC. Both students plan to major in Building Construction Technology this fall. Delgado said he...

News TSTC Cyber Security Reinforces Importance of Protection in Health Care Industry

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Just like illnesses invade the body, so can viruses of a more technical kind invade digital devices. The health care industry is entrusted with sensitive patient information, and Texas State Technical College’s Cyber Security program trains technicians to diagnose vulnerabilities and protect data from intrusion in digital systems such as those maintained...

News TSTC introduces new program to meet state need

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Computer Programming Technology is being introduced at Texas State Technical College Fall 2019 and is already accepting new students. Computer programming is the process of creating instructions that a computer can carry out. Programmers use coding languages to write and test code that allow a computer to function properly, and they write...

News TSTC Cyber Security Center of Excellence training the future of industry

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – According to website cyberseek.org, there is a dangerous shortage of cybersecurity workers with more than 100,000 job openings, with about 24,000 of those jobs available in Texas. TSTC Cyber Security lead instructor Cesar Ibarra said the supply of skilled cybersecurity workers is low in Texas and as a Department of Homeland Security...

News TSTC Welding Program Meets Industry Need

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The welding program at Texas State Technical College is training and educating highly skilled welders quickly to continue to meet industry demand.  Texas has the highest employment level for welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in the nation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. And demand is expected to keep growing....

News TSTC Career Services hosts mock interview sessions for students

(RED OAK, Texas) – Thirteen students in the Diesel Equipment Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus had the opportunity Wednesday morning to sit down with industry representatives to practice interview skills. TSTC’s Career Services department hosted mock interviews in timed sessions for students to learn about their weaknesses and strengths and...

News TSTC holds Summer 2019 Commencement

(RED OAK, Texas) – More than 40 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2019 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 16, at the Waxahachie Civic Center. “As we come to the close of another semester, it is exciting to witness yet another group of students-turned-graduates talk about job offers and opportunities...

News TSTC holds Summer 2019 Commencement

(WACO, Texas) – More than 500 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2019 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 16, at the Waco Convention Center. Adam Hutchison, provost of TSTC’s Waco campus, led a moment of silence at the start of the ceremony for Mary Williams, a TSTC faculty member who...

News TSTC in East Williamson County holds Summer 2019 Commencement

(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 40 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2019 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 9, at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto. Celina Estrada-Thomas, superintendent of the Hutto Independent School District, gave the commencement address. She told graduates to celebrate their accomplishments and...

News TSTC Welding Student Lands New Job Before Graduation

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Nicholas Delaurelle of Longview is relieved that he has been hired for a job before he graduates from Texas State Technical College. “It is reassuring making some money, because I have bills to pay,” he said. “I’ll be moving into an apartment the day after graduation.” Delaurelle is one of more than...

News TSTC Industrial Systems program sees largest female cohort

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus has three women enrolled this semester in its Industrial Systems – Electrical Specialization program, the largest female cohort for that program in the campus’ history. Biatris Arevalo of Red Oak and Abby Ramsey of Maypearl are pursuing associate degrees, while Tiquila Dawson of Dallas...

News TSTC building construction lays a foundation of success for students

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The construction industry is booming and continuing to add jobs, but with growth comes the need for a skilled workforce. And Texas State Technical College’s Building Construction Technology is diligently working to fill the skills gap. TSTC Building Construction Technology lead instructor Rick Vargas said the industry demand is so high that...

News TSTC Welding Technology Graduates in Demand in East Texas

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology students are finding a need for their skills regionally and throughout the country. The demand for brazers, cutters, solderers and welders is projected to increase up to 439,100 workers by 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency attributes this to replacing the...

News TSTC machining program receives large donation for scholarships

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Precision Machining Technology students at Texas State Technical College are celebrating this week thanks to a generous donation from the Gene Hass Foundation. The foundation, with a mission of increasing the number of skilled computer numerical control (CNC) machinists out in the workforce, awarded the program $15,000 to use for scholarships to...

News TSTC Culinary Arts: Cooking up success

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Cooking and baking are only a couple of the skills students learn in Culinary Arts at Texas State Technical College. Emma Creps, TSTC Culinary Arts lead instructor, said with an industry that is growing, graduates from the program can find opportunities to begin their careers. “Many of our graduates are placed in...

News TSTC to offer paramedic program in spring

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will offer a certificate and an associate of applied science degree in Emergency Medical Services Paramedic at the Brownwood campus beginning next semester.  “We are very excited to offer the paramedic program at the Brownwood campus and believe this will be a great opportunity for local community members,”...

News TSTC machining program shapes careers

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With manufacturing on the rise, the number of skilled machinists needed in the industry is also increasing. And Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College is working to produce the machinists needed to meet the demand. TSTC Precision Machining Technology lead instructor Isaac Gonzalez said he receives phone calls very often...

News TSTC machining program introduces evening classes

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College will offer evening classes starting in Spring 2020 for the first time. TSTC Precision Machining Technology lead instructor Isaac Gonzalez said this change came about because of student and industry demand. “This change is going to allow for more student flexibility,” said Gonzalez. “There...

News TSTC automotive student races toward career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In one year, Texas State Technical College student Christopher Machado will earn an associate degree in Automotive Technology, making him the first in his family to graduate from college. But the 19-year-old also has one other thing to be proud of: He already has a full-time job in his chosen career field....

News TSTC student soon to be well-rounded graduate

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – On Friday, Texas State Technical College student David Krenek will walk across the stage at the Stafford Centre and receive his associate degree in Industrial Systems. “It feels great knowing that I’m done and about to graduate,” said the 20-year-old. “It’s time to move forward and get my life started. That’s exciting.”...

News TSTC Vocational Nursing graduates welcomed into profession

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Alyssa Parker spoke about overcoming her struggles and getting a second chance in her speech as salutatorian of the Texas State Technical College Vocational Nursing class of Fall 2019. She spread her message during the program’s Vocational Pinning Ceremony hosted Thursday night at the TSTC Cultural Arts Center. “Trust yourself, have confidence...

News TSTC teaching program prepares students for an A-plus career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Thinking about a career in education? Texas is third in the nation in employment for hiring paraprofessionals, and Texas State Technical College is working to meet the demand with its Education and Training program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more than 55,000 jobs nationally through 2028,...

News TSTC Holds Fall 2019 Commencement

(MARSHALL, Texas) – More than 30 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement held Friday, Dec. 6, at the Julius S. Scott Sr. Chapel at Wiley College in Marshall. Several graduates already have jobs, while others are making plans for the future.  Trevor Dammeir grew up in California...

News First-generation college student set to become TSTC grad

For Jasmine Munoz, there has been a lot of pressure to succeed as a first-generation college student, but Friday night all of her hard work will pay off when she graduates with an Associate of Science degree in Biology from Texas State Technical College. Not only has she earned her degree, but she is also...

News TSTC helps first-generation college student realize her dream

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For Esthela Hernandez, becoming a college graduate seemed like a dream that would never come true. But on Friday night, the Texas State Technical College Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics student earned her associate degree. “This point in time seemed like it would never be possible,” said the 23-year-old. “I didn’t know...

News TSTC graduate clears hurdles in pursuit of degree

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The road to commencement was no easy journey for recent Texas State Technical College Mechatronics Technology graduate Hugo Gamboa, but he overcame the hurdles and received his associate degree on Friday night. The 20-year-old was one of nearly 300 students who received a certificate or associate degree during TSTC’s Commencement at the...

News Teacher Watches Former Student Graduate at TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – Alicia Hayes was not going to miss this night. Hayes, a middle school English teacher in the Wortham Independent School District, once taught students in Teague. One of those students, Gerardo Calixtro, was in her fifth-grade mathematics and sixth-grade science classes in Teague. Now, Calixtro can call himself a graduate of Texas...

News TSTC first in Texas to join Tesla START Program

(WACO, Texas) – Starting in March, Texas State Technical College will become the first college in Texas to host the Tesla START training program.  Tesla START is an accelerated 12-week training program designed to equip students with the skills necessary to become electric vehicle technicians. Following completion of the program, Tesla will work with successful...

News TSTC Student Encourages Class Tutoring

(WACO, Texas) – Brandon Hazlett of College Station grew up with a fascination for technology. “I did all the computer classes in high school,” the A&M Consolidated High School graduate said. “And, my father works in information technology.” Hazlett’s mother encouraged him to pursue Cybersecurity at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. He learned the...

News California Company Gives Money for TSTC Wind Energy Scholarships

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Carlsbad, California-based BayWa r.e. Wind has given $157,500 to Texas State Technical College’s Sweetwater campus to provide scholarships to students in three area counties. Fifteen students graduating this year in Fisher, Kent and Stonewall counties — five from each county — will be eligible for the $10,500 Amadeus Wind Energy Scholarship to...

News New TSTC Electrical Lineworker Technology Pole Lab Taking Shape in Harlingen

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – More than 40 poles have been installed at Texas State Technical College’s outdoor lab for the new Electrical Lineworker Technology program to debut this fall in Harlingen. The program is benefiting from the construction of the 12-acre, 100-pole yard at the corner of Rio Hondo Road and 29th Street. Eric Carithers, TSTC’s...

News Davila helping fellow veterans at TSTC

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Cristobal Davila served his country for eight years. Today, he is helping veterans transition to civilian life at Texas State Technical College. On a daily basis, Davila, who is a Department of Veterans Affairs school certifying official at TSTC’s Harlingen campus, processes college applications, as well as showing veterans how to apply...

News Zoerner sees opportunities for wind energy students

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – One job need that is not going away anytime soon is that of wind energy technician. Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology instructor Patrick Zoerner said that in light of today’s headlines, more people may look to change careers. “I think what is happening today (with COVID-19) will open up everybody’s...

News TSTC Alumni Share Brotherhood, Career in Dallas

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Alvaro and Andy Juarez have more than a family tie; they also share an alma mater and workplace. The brothers are graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, and both have an Associate of Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology. Alvaro graduated in 2015 and Andy in 2017. “I feel...

News Alvarado receives TSTC Chancellor’s Excellence Award

(ABILENE, Texas) – Terra Alvarado has been a team player at Texas State Technical College for the past 14 years. This year, Alvarado was honored with the Chancellor’s Excellence Award for going out of her way to help students who struggle with math. “The teammates who win this award model excellence for us all and...

News TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology instructors preparing for enrollment surge

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – When oil prices decline, eventually they will increase. The biggest question is when. When oil production increases, the demand for diesel specialists also increases. Texas State Technical College’s Sweetwater campus offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in heavy truck specialization and two certificates in heavy truck specialization. “We are looking for...

News TSTC Automotive Technology instructors bring experience to the program

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Students in the Automotive Technology program on the Texas State Technical College campus in Sweetwater listen when their instructors talk. Mike Myers and Gerod Strother use their different backgrounds to teach the students what to expect on the job. Myers worked in the automotive industry for more than three decades, while Strother...

News TSTC welding alum shares expertise with students

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Having earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology and a certificate in Structural and Pipe Welding from Texas State Technical College in 2018, Juan Avila is now back at his alma mater, imparting his wisdom and expertise to the current cohort of welding students as a lab assistant. “When...

News TSTC Hosts Drive-In Celebration for Spring Graduates

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored its spring graduates Saturday morning with a drive-in celebration. Instructors lined up on both sides of the entrance to TSTC to cheer graduates and their relatives as they drove by in decorated vehicles.   Barton Day, provost of TSTC’s Marshall campus, read off the names of graduates and...

News TSTC Environmental Technology Program Gets New Decontamination Trailers

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Environmental Technology program has purchased two mobile decontamination trailers for students to use in labs at the Fort Bend County and Waco campuses. The trailers will be used in the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Training and Related Topics class offered in the fifth semester of...

News Industrial Systems program offers a diversity of classes for TSTC students

(ABILENE, Texas) – The Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Technology Center in Abilene offers a diverse curriculum for students. Instructor Daniel Diaz said students learn different aspects of industrial systems, from hydraulics and electronics to welding and small engine repair. “We have had students get jobs with the wind industry, prisons...

News TSTC hosts drive-in celebration for spring graduates

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus  honored its spring graduates Friday with a drive-in celebration. “Our students have persevered through a very hard situation, so we wanted to commend them for their efforts,” said Tara Odom, TSTC’s campus enrollment executive. “We are so proud of each one of them.” Instructors...

News TSTC hosts drive-in celebration for spring graduates

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored its spring graduates Friday with a drive-in celebration. Instructors and staff members lined up at the entrance to the East Williamson County Higher Education Center and cheered graduates and their relatives as they drove onto campus in decorated vehicles. Participating graduates were eligible for a drawing to...

News TSTC Hosts Spring Graduate Parade

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored its spring graduates Friday with an on-campus graduate parade. “This is a celebration of endurance, hard work and dedication by our students and the entire Waco campus that has supported these students through this time,” said Rebeca Villanueva-Hernandez, TSTC’s campus enrollment executive. Graduates checked in with TSTC...

News First Cohort of Tesla START Program Students Graduate at TSTC

(WACO, Texas) – The Tesla START training program at Texas State Technical College held a graduation ceremony earlier this month for its first cohort of graduates. The TSTC students began the 12-week training program in March to learn the skills necessary to become electric vehicle technicians at Tesla. As a Tesla paid hourly internship, the...

News Retired lineworker finds new adventure as TSTC instructor

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After spending 22 years with the Brownsville Public Utilities Board as a certified lineworker, Candelario Deanda is ready to climb to new heights as an Electrical Lineworker Technology instructor when Texas State Technical College introduces the program at its Harlingen campus this fall. “We are still in the process of getting everything...

News Rosenberg native serves veterans at TSTC

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Kenneth Buford served his country as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army for eight years, during which time he traveled to such places as the Middle East and South Korea. Recently the Rosenberg native’s worldly experience brought him back home to serve fellow veterans as director of veteran recruitment at Texas...

News TSTC Electrical Construction Program Launches Graduates Into Work

(WACO, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Construction program have an array of opportunities for work after graduation. TSTC offers an Electrical Construction certificate at the Waco campus. Students learn about basic electrical theory, electrical codes, safety regulations, wiring and other topics. “As your (TSTC’s) students are concerned, what gives them a...

News TSTC Business Management Technology instructor brings experience into the classroom

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – You might say that Texas State Technical College Business Management Technology instructor Duston Brooks brings some practical experience of a bovine nature into the classroom. Prior to becoming an instructor at TSTC, Brooks worked on the financial side of his family’s dairy farm. He now brings that knowledge to his students as...

News TSTC Nursing instructor wants graduates to be equipped, passionate

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Nursing instructor Lisa Van Cleave has one goal for graduates of the program in Sweetwater. “We want to turn out safe RNs who are highly equipped and passionate,” she said. TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing at its Sweetwater and Harlingen campuses, and Van...

News Midlothian residents to benefit From TSTC scholarships

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus is using the generosity of two donors to help Midlothian-area residents further their education. The Midlothian Economic Development Corp. recently made the final contribution in a three-year giving cycle to fund the Midlothian Workforce/Careers Scholarship. The $30,000 scholarship fund will be divided into $1,000...

News TSTC Welding Technology student finds career path by chance

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – A chance conversation while helping his father at a construction site led Anthony Gutierrez on a career path. Gutierrez asked a welder about his profession and immediately wanted to learn more. He knew Texas State Technical College had a Welding Technology program close to his hometown of Colorado City and began taking...

News TSTC Workforce Training helps businesses during pandemic

(ABILENE, Texas) – During a pandemic, the workforce still needs training. Texas State Technical College workforce trainer Terry Steelman has not seen a decline in requests for training over the past few months. Some area companies have been able to use federal funds to provide employee training through TSTC, he said. “A lot of the...

News TSTC helps unemployed workers get trained faster with RISE programs

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The new coronavirus has impacted more than just social gatherings. In Texas, nearly 1.3 million people are unemployed because of the current pandemic, and that number continues to climb. To help Texans get back to work, Texas State Technical College is deploying the Rapid Industry Skills and Employability (RISE) program that will...

News TSTC to welcome students to several night classes this fall

(RED OAK, Texas) – Students interested in learning in the evenings this fall can pursue a range of technical programs at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus. The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program’s daytime and evening students can finish a certificate in three semesters or an associate degree in five semesters.   “The...

News TSTC Cybersecurity program ready to teach new students this fall

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Cybersecurity program at the East Williamson County campus is shifting all teaching and labs online this fall. The prospect of reaching prospective students in the Austin area and beyond to teach them about computer systems forensics, digital forensics, routers and other topics is proving exciting to Joshua Schier,...

News TSTC student helps people at hometown treatment facility

(ABILENE, Texas) – Abilene’s Ashli Arispe wants to give people a second chance. That is why she attended Texas State Technical College’s Chemical Dependency Counseling program in Abilene. She is on track to graduate later this month with a certificate of completion from TSTC. “I think everyone deserves a second chance,” she said. “My nature...

News TSTC Nursing graduates celebrated in socially distant pinning ceremony

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently celebrated 25 of its Nursing graduates in a special and socially distant way. Smiles were noticeable despite mandatory facial masks as family members participated in the tradition of “pinning” the graduates. Parked cars honked for joy as loved ones received their pins, which signify completion of the...

News TSTC Welcomes Back Students for Fall Semester

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus kicked off the new academic year on Monday. TSTC students, faculty and staff are following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in wearing masks, not gathering in groups, and sanitizing hands and work areas. All of this is being done due to the COVID-19 pandemic....

News TSTC Graduate Profile: Frederico Luna

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Frederico Luna knew he wanted to become a lineman after seeing the disaster brought on by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. This semester, he graduated from Texas State Technical College with a certificate of completion in Electrical Lineworker Technology. What was your experience like at TSTC? My experience at TSTC was amazing. The...

News TSTC instructors prepare for new EMT, paramedic students

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is preparing for the next group of emergency medical technician and paramedic students. TSTC Emergency Medical Services instructor Richard Sharp said students who recently completed the program had a 100 percent passing rate on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification exam, and each graduate found employment....

News TSTC gifts graduates during Grad Swag Pickup

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some enthusiastic Texas State Technical College summer 2020 graduates recently made their way back to campus to celebrate their achievement with a Grad Swag Pickup. They drove up to a designated area to receive a diploma cover, as well as a TSTC-branded face mask and yard sign. “We are proud of our...

News Couple strengthens bond in TSTC’s Welding Technology program

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Taylor and Jason Bigbie are spending a lot of time together. The Bigbies are enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program in Brownwood. For Jason Bigbie, he wants to use his education to open a business, while Taylor Bigbie wants to help him when she is not working as a...

News Culinary Arts at TSTC ready to fill jobs

(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...

News TSTC Culinary Arts student worker gains career experience before graduation

(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...

News TSTC student not letting setback stand in his way

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Like many people, Wesley Kite did not let a work layoff stand in his way. Kite enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program this fall to increase his “workmanship.” The Brownwood native has stayed in touch with his former employer, saying his prospects of being rehired after completing the program...

News TSTC student juggles school, job and family

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – “Chaotic” is the best way Mandy Barker can describe her life right now. Not only is Barker, who lives in Dublin, a student in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program, but she also is the general manager of a fast-food chain in Stephenville and a mother of two children. “You can...

News TSTC to Offer Online Software Engineering Boot Camp

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will offer, starting in March, a statewide online software engineering boot camp for people who want to learn new skills to move into the technology field. The rigorous 20-week boot camp is being organized by TSTC’s Workforce Training department to meet industry demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor...

News Dual enrollment opportunity leads Heatley to continue education at TSTC

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Breckenridge High School senior M.T. Heatley does not want to stop studying Welding Technology when he graduates in May. Heatley plans to continue his education at Texas State Technical College, where he is a dual enrollment student, to pursue an associate degree. He said that will set him up for a brighter...

News TSTC Welding Technology student honored with campus award

(WACO, Texas) – Edward Sanchez, of Hubbard, is proud to be a third-generation welder. “I come in and do the best I can do every day,” he said. Sanchez graduated this month with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. He is also the fall semester’s...

News TSTC student reaches goal of completing Nursing program

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Gabrianna Pena had her goal in sight, only it took longer than she expected to reach it. The 2014 graduate of Winter High School is a candidate for graduation from Texas State Technical College’s Nursing program. She expects to receive a certificate in vocational nursing this month. “After I graduated high school,...

News Automotive Technology at TSTC drives students toward thriving career

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The revving of engines is music to the ears of students and  instructors alike in Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for automotive service technicians are expected to continue to rise through 2026. TSTC’s Automotive Technology program utilizes a hands-on method of...

News TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology program adapts to teaching during pandemic

(WACO, Texas) – Erik Trujillo worked with two other students on a recent morning assembling an engine in Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Engine Testing and Repair II class. Trujillo, of Elgin, is in his second semester working on a certificate in the Diesel Equipment Technology program at the Waco campus. He is optimistic about...

News Students travel different paths to TSTC’s Welding Technology program

(ABILENE, Texas) – Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College is one of the more popular programs offered statewide. Students enter the program for different reasons, from seeking a career change to learning more about a craft they dabbled in during a weekend project. TSTC instructors will teach students how to hone the craft in...

News TSTC’s RISE program sees success with first cohorts

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Last year, Texas State Technical College deployed the Rapid Industry Skills and Employability (RISE) program to allow students to quickly learn the skills needed to help get them started on the path to a new career. The courses were introduced to help combat the impact that the coronavirus has had on employment...

News Smashed pumpkin leads Building Construction Technology student to TSTC

(WACO, Texas) -Vanessa Loredo, of Waco, is working toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology at Texas State Technical College. She is scheduled to graduate in December. What inspired you to study Building Construction Technology at TSTC?  My mother surprised us with a pumpkin for Halloween when I was seven years...

News TSTC Welding Technology student makes dad proud

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Lacey Watson, of Coleman, is now able to show her father some of the latest welding techniques. Watson, a Welding Technology student at Texas State Technical College, is working toward a certificate in the program, but she is most pleased with showing what she has learned to her father, a longtime welder....

News TSTC Culinary Arts to host virtual information sessions for prospective students

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Prospective students who have dreams of whipping up meals on a stove and baking decadent pastries in the oven can be one step closer to making them a reality when the Texas State Technical College Culinary Arts program hosts a series of virtual information sessions from Feb. 26 through April. The sessions...

News Amos enjoys challenges of TSTC’s Welding Technology

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Comanche’s Caden Amos likes the challenges he faces in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology classes. He is working toward a certificate and looking forward to the day when he has a job. With instructor Daniel Aguirre providing his own work experience, Amos knows he will be well prepared when he graduates....

News TSTC Precision Machining Technology program ready to meet area job needs

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – From airplane landing gears to smartphones, precision machining is a critical component of our lives. “Everything comes from an actual machine shop making the products you are going to need for later use,” said Isaac Gonzalez, lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program in Harlingen.  Gonzalez said it...

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