It's true: Texas employs the highest number of aviation mechanics in the country.
What keeps an aircraft in the air? Lift, thrust, and the skills of an Aviation Maintenance Tech.
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.
Some prefer to be behind the wheel, but you prefer to be under the hood.
A steady hand and eye for detail make you a classic in this industry.
There's no one more popular than an A/C repair person in the Texas summers.
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.
If you don't want to focus your talents on one subject, learn it all!
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.
The automation industry relies on technicians to maintain productivity and efficiency. What a powerful opportunity for you!
In this industry, you're only limited by how high you're willing to climb.
If you're into computers and tools, this will be the right fit for you. You'll cut, grind, shear and shape your way into a machining career.
You can help deploy solar energy to the masses, harnessing its power to lower operating costs, increase profits and protect the environment.
The world loves to eat. You love to cook. You've found the right kitchen.
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!
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.
Increasing bandwidth is just part of your job. You have a whole network that relies on you.
Warning: This page contains graphic information that may be suitable for your career.
A steady hand and attention to detail could land you a great career in an industry that's heating up the job market.
We have more than just technical degrees. You can also get your general academics here.
If you want to be a part of helping people change their lives and truly make a difference, this career is for you.
Train to use cyber security tools, analyze security events, and implement security measures.
Excellent computer skills + knowledge of anatomy + medical terminology equals great success.
You have the power to build a great life; with a career in Electrical Construction Technology.
A small leak can sink a great ship. A good plumber can save it.
The Computer Programming Technology program is 100% ONLINE!
Moving electricity, water, oil, gas, and data; all under your control.
Moving raw materials from production to distribution is a key component in process industries pumping out some great careers.
With an associate degree, you will be prepared to move into numerous science-oriented fields of study or industry.
When it counts, medical equipment can’t fail. No sweat. You got this.
You have the power to take control of your future with an education in the generation and management of electricity.
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.
HVACR is one of the most constant industries for new jobs, so there’s no better time to join.
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.
Patient care technicians play a critical role at healthcare facilities, assisting with inpatient treatment and helping provide quality of life.
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.
The Texas State Technical College Workforce Training & Continuing Education team is excited to share our Course Catalog with you! If you are looking to learn more about how TSTC can meet your training needs, this catalog will provide you with our foundational inventory and corresponding certifications.
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.
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.
Veterinary assistants take charge of making sure office visits and procedures go smoothly for animals under veterinary care.
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.
We provide testing services to assist you in assessing your knowledge and skills.
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.
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.
Earn your degree from TSTC, then transfer to one of our partner universities to further your education with a four-year degree. Interested in transferring? Talk to your enrollment coach to get started.
Texas State Technical College Testing Centers provide a professional and positive environment by adhering to the National College Testing Association (NCTA) Professional Standards and Guidelines. We offer comprehensive testing services to students, staff, and community members to support career and educational success.
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.
Want to get a head start on your college education? Dual Enrollment (DE) may be for you! Learn what the TSTC experience is like and explore your options before deciding on a technical program or a career.
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.
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.
This program combines the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant program with training in electronic health records and medical terminology to give you a competitive edge in the healthcare field. You will learn the professional traits and responsibilities to become a vital part of the healthcare team. You will also be prepared for the national certification exams.
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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
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 —...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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,”...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
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...
(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...
(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...
(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,”...
(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...
(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...
(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 &...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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%...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,”...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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”...
(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...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Bryce Block is taking the skills he is learning inTexas 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 order...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,”...
(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...
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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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,”...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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:...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
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...
(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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – More than 75 Texas State Technical College Nursing students made an impression with their resumes when they networked with area medical representatives recently at the TSTC Nursing Expo. Around 33 companies from across the Rio Grande Valley provided information on job opportunities, benefits and the qualifications they are seeking in potential candidates...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
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...
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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,”...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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....
(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....
(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...
(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...
(ABILENE, Texas) – Nicole King made a decision that changed her career path dramatically. The former educator/coach and social worker decided that she wanted to work in the medical field. King said Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program would lead her to a career in which she could continue to grow. “I did...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Frankie Gonzales said his educational experience at Texas State Technical College has exceeded all of his expectations. The Wind Energy Technology student will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in the spring, knowing he will be ready to work. “My time at TSTC has been so fulfilling,” he said. “It...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – In need of a career change, Israel Garcia thought that working on wind turbines would be his best option. Hearing about Texas State Technical College’s Wind Energy Technology program from graduates, he decided it would be the perfect fit for him. After a career in the oil field, Garcia, of Abilene, will...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Hugo Martinez did not have a career in mind when he started researching his college options. After looking at Texas State Technical College’s Electromechanical Technology program on the internet, Martinez, of Mason, said he could have many job opportunities in the future. “I always wanted to do something with my hands, and...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Julian Rodriguez found the college that would lead him to a specialized career after a few minutes. While searching for schools that offered Electromechanical Technology, Rodriguez said Texas State Technical College was at the top of his search results. After reading about what the program offers, the Lufkin native knew that TSTC...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Cale Otradovsky grew up riding in his family’s truck, eventually buying it from his mom around the age of 16. However, it took him breaking it — and, according to him, “somewhat fixing it” — to discover his passion for diesel engines. “After that, I said, ‘This is what I want to...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumna Lily Conde, a Rio Hondo resident, knew the medical field was her calling. She had a great high school experience as an active member of the Health Occupations Students of America. That interest led her to enroll in TSTC’s Dental Hygiene program. She earned a certificate of...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – A scholarship opportunity led Joshua Cabaniss, of Rotan, to Texas State Technical College. After learning of the Amadeus Wind Energy Scholarship from his high school principal, Cabaniss researched TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program and enrolled. He is now studying for his Associate of Applied Science degree in the program and hopes to...
(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,”...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumni Louie Munoz and Julio Hernandez recently conducted a seminar to TSTC Surgical Technology students. The purpose was to share with current students the proper procedures on how to apply an arm cast. This is the second year in a row that the graduates have offered their professional...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Jose Ortiz sees a bright future when he completes his Associate of Applied Science degree this fall at Texas State Technical College. The Wind Energy Technology student said he will have plenty of options for a career. He credits TSTC’s instructors and staff for helping him realize his potential. “Everyone at TSTC...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – In an evening that felt special in both its normalcy and its revelry, about 100 Texas State Technical College students from the Fort Bend County campus became TSTC graduates Tuesday, Dec. 14, in a commencement ceremony at the Stafford Centre. In the crowd, families cheered on their graduates, shouting out encouragement and...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The lab environment of the Wind Energy Technology program was one reason that Francisco Duran enrolled at Texas State Technical College. “It does not feel like a regular college. We are more like a family,” he said. “My classmates and the instructors are great. The instructors make us feel important and want...
(WACO, Texas) – As Texans prepare to beat the fall chill, their heating units could use some attention from qualified technicians. Texas State Technical College’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program and the Better Business Bureau serving the Heart of Texas in Austin have ways for consumers to save time and effort in having...
Craig Warnasch has worked in HVAC industry since age of 16 (ROSENBERG, Texas) – When he was 16 years old, Craig Warnasch got summer employment at a heating and air conditioning company to appease his parents — who told him he needed to “stop farming and get a job.” He was actually gaining his first...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Ryon Korenek chose to pursue Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus because it is cutting-edge technology. “It’s more important to our economy right now because of how backed up everything is,” said the El Campo resident. “We just need to get stuff moving rather...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Dylan Carrizales knew his decision to attend Texas State Technical College was right in one brief moment. Now studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology at TSTC, Carrizales recalled the time when he knew that he had made the right career choice during his first climb up...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – It seemed to be in the works at a young age for Tanner Tankersley to work on automobiles. “I grew up around people I like to call ‘vehicle heads.’ They always were working on cars together,” said Tankersley, who is studying for his certificate of completion in Automotive Technology at Texas State...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Tyler Scarbrough wanted a career in which he could travel. The Merkel native knows he can do that with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology from Texas State Technical College. Now in his third semester of the program, Scarbrough is excited about his career opportunities. “This program has...
(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...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – The COVID pandemic made Diego Morado look at other career paths. The Snyder native worked for a major oil company in Scurry County, but he noticed that a lot of his co-workers were being laid off when production slowed down. Morado looked into working in the wind industry when he remembered a...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Brothers Edgar and Paul Alcala, of San Benito, are enrolled in the Biomedical Equipment Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. Now in their third semester at TSTC, they continue to persevere in their college journey toward Associate of Applied Science degrees. What drew you to this program of study...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – When Josh Leath’s family moved from Alaska to Texas, Leath knew that a career in wind energy would be in his future. After seeing his father working in the wind industry, Leath enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Wind Energy Technology program to learn more. He graduated last month with an Associate...
(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...
(ABILENE, Texas) – Brittney Sims said she received a second chance at life for a reason. In 2005, Sims attempted to take her own life as a teenager and at one point was not responsive to paramedics trying to save her. Sixteen years later, Sims is now a student in Texas State Technical College’s Paramedic...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For one Texas State Technical College alumnus, the need for a career change from automotive technology to cybersecurity happened almost overnight. Mario Graciani, of Raymondville, earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from TSTC in 2002. He then was hired as a diesel mechanic for a San Benito construction...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Working with her grandfather on engines is something that Emily Carr has never forgotten. It made sense for her to enter a career where she can work on mechanical equipment. Carr, of Odessa, is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology at Texas State Technical College. “My...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – The scene: a neighborhood garage. The actor: an unresponsive elderly male. And — action. Texas State Technical College Paramedic students in Brownwood were not outside a home. They were on campus, in a classroom, with a 360-degree view of the garage. The students were performing their first scenario in TSTC’s newest technology...
(RED OAK, Texas) – Jose Palacios, of Waxahachie, is already making history at Texas State Technical College in North Texas. Palacios will be the first student to represent the campus when he advances to the 58th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference being held June 20-24 in Atlanta, Georgia. He will compete in the...
(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Scott Rosignol, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Army, dabbled in welding on weekends while living in Harker Heights. But it was not until he moved to Breckenridge and toured the Welding Technology program at Texas State Technical College that he began to think of welding as a career option. After talking...
(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...
Health Information Technology students, graduates input patient data during event (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Kayla Halmon, of Harlingen, was glad to volunteer during a recent morning at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Primera that was hosted by Cameron County Public Health. Halmon, a spring 2021 graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Health Information Technology program, input...
(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...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Antonio Ramirez wants to work at a bigger company. Jacob Ramirez wants a good job. And one day, Eujenio Rojo wants to own his own business. All three are hoping to put their dreams to work after earning their Associate of Applied Science degrees in HVAC Technology at Texas State Technical College....
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Career Services department at Texas State Technical College has a mission, and that is to help TSTC students and alumni find a great-paying career. That is a commitment that Drake Everett shares as the department’s new Career Services representative in Harlingen. He recently transitioned from a job as a student worker...
(ABILENE, Texas) – Oswaldo Nino wanted to learn more than one trade. For that reason he chose Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program and is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree. “I thought about going into welding, but a friend told me to look at Industrial Systems,” he said. “After looking at...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,”...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
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...
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...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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 —...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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...
(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...
(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...
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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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....
(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....
(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...
(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...
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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – There is always a need for skilled construction workers in Texas. And the skills that will make those workers successful are offered in the Building Construction Technology program at Texas State Technical College. Rick Vargas, TSTC’s Building Construction Technology lead instructor at the Harlingen campus, has 13 years of industry expertise from...
(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...
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...
(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...
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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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,...
(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...
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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(WACO, Texas) = Natalie Ozment looks forward to working in her hometown of Temple after she graduates from Texas State Technical College. Ozment, a third-semester Biomedical Equipment Technology student, eventually wants to work as an on-site technician at a hospital. “The biomedical field is definitely in need of women because the field is lacking,” she...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Environmental Technology at Texas State Technical College offers training for a diverse array of career opportunities, ranging from environmental field technician, environmental consultant and environmental specialist. The program is not only extremely hands-on, but it is also taught by instructors who are just as passionate about education as they are about the...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Ruby Steptoe’s family has a welding streak that runs three generations long. But the Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor’s family did not know she was going to school for welding until she brought her plate and pipe home to show her grandfather. “They had no clue,” Steptoe recalled. “They thought...
(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...
(WACO, Texas) – Luke Markham, of Belton, grew up with an appreciation for automobiles, but he also liked diesel equipment. The students with whom he interacted during his time in home school thought he would pursue mechanical engineering. But Markham said the field did not interest him. “I don’t mind standing out,” he said. Markham...
(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...
(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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It is fascinating to consider that a video gamer’s hand-eye coordination and response time could easily translate to the realm of a LapSim ST, a laparoscopic simulator used by students for lab purposes in the Surgical Technology program at Texas State Technical College. That is exactly the case for Celestino Salazar, who...
(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Robotics Technology program is on the move. The program is slowly relocating from its longtime campus location in the Electronics Center into space being remodeled in the Dr. Roy G. Dugger Center, which is next door. The move is scheduled to be complete by the end of the...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – When Wesley Robert was laid off from his automotive job at the onset of the pandemic, he decided to reshape his prospects by returning to school. Now, Robert expects to graduate from Texas State Technical College in spring 2022 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Robotics Technology. What initially got...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When Roland Leija graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, the alumnus never imagined that his passion for technology would bring him back as an instructor to the same location. He is thrilled to celebrate 10 years as a Mechatronics Technology instructor 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...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Steve Lopez, of Brownwood, is a fall candidate for graduation for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration at Texas State Technical College. He balances online classes with being a technician for an internet service provider in Brownwood. What factored into your decision to go to TSTC?...
(RED, OAK, Texas) – More than 30 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2021 Commencement held Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Waxahachie Civic Center. Marcus Balch, provost of TSTC’s North Texas campus, was excited for the first in-person ceremony held since fall 2019. “It feels like forever,” he said....
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Amiel Basave, of La Feria, began her career as a surgical technologist with Rio Grande Regional Hospital Outpatient Surgery Center a few months ago. She graduated in August 2021 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Surgical Technology from Texas State Technical College. When Basave was doing her student clinicals at...
(WACO, Texas) – Kenneth Davis, of Robinson, wore white earbuds to cancel out as much noise as possible at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2021 Commencement held Dec. 11 in Waco. Davis, who has autism, completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology last spring but chose to walk...
(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...
(WACO, Texas) – Seven U.S. Army soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, completed on Thursday the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America program taught for the first time at Texas State Technical College. The 12-week program enabled soldiers to travel to Waco four days a week to take classes in mechatronics, with a focus on electrical systems,...
(WACO, Texas) – Trinati Montes, of West, is in her fifth semester in the Biomedical Equipment Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Waco. The West High School graduate was hired last December by SPBS Inc., a clinical equipment services provider located in Lubbock, as a medical equipment technician. She is using the spring...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College keeps up to date with the latest technologies, such as those commemorated on Feb. 16 of each year on Innovation Day, that will benefit students for success. TSTC’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program recently incorporated into its curriculum a Stryker Tower, which provides visualization and documentation for various medical...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Rebecca Mendez is committed to completing Texas State Technical College’s Paramedic program. Living in Sweetwater, working in Abilene and taking classes in Brownwood is Mendez’s weekly routine. She said it takes support from everyone — from her family to co-workers, TSTC Emergency Medical Services instructor Tim Scalley and fellow students. “It has...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Randy Wooten, the former provost of Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County, will take on a new role with TSTC: executive director of Student Learning Capital Projects. Bryan Bowling, the former associate provost of TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus, will now serve as provost. For Wooten, the transition from...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In celebration of International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8, Texas State Technical College’s Advocacy and Resource Center will host a webinar titled “Women in Technology” that will showcase some of its current and former students in technical programs and nontraditional careers. The free event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Even though Misty Lane started a new job three days after graduating from Texas State Technical College, she wanted to do more. Lane, who is from Brownwood and currently lives in Cleburne, graduated from TSTC’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program in 2021. She has returned to the TSTC campus in Brownwood to...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Two representatives from Equipment Depot recently visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County to meet with Diesel Equipment Technology students and share possible job opportunities with them. The representatives fielded many questions from the students and discussed training and growth opportunities, as well as benefits and the company culture,...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For six years prior to the pandemic, Primitiva Martinez, of Harlingen, was a paralegal. When the pandemic became a reality, she sought a new, more engaging career direction. After she researched multiple educational options, the Surgical Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus appealed to her. “I really enjoyed what...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Navy veteran Lucia Zifko, of Harlingen, had an adoring relationship with her grandfather, who suffered from a heart problem. Since his death, her focus has been to honor his memory by earning an education related to health care at Texas State Technical College. Before she enrolled at TSTC, Zifko researched medical careers...
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...
(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...
Hands-on HVAC training has boosted Chalhoub’s experience (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Gus Chalhoub is no stranger to a career change. He first set his heart on becoming a nurse. But when the birth of his twins — and the stress of caring for his toddler — closed the door on that path, Chalhoub instead decided to...
(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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Surgical Technology instructor Yolanda Ramirez maneuvers her laparoscope carefully within a virtual patient’s gallbladder. Her mission? To find four gallstones as quickly and smoothly as possible. When she completes the exercise, Ramirez discovers that though she located all the specimens, her scope work needs some improvement. “I’m moving...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – The fast pace of the profession led April Stanke, of San Angelo, to begin her journey to becoming an emergency medical technician. The longtime certified nursing assistant is studying for her new career path in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program. “I enjoy the fast pace of the medical field....
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will host a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) event at the Harlingen Public Library Wednesday, May 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event can help current and prospective TSTC students apply for financial aid to help with tuition and other costs related to their education....
(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has been selected as one of four colleges nationally to take part in a program aimed at producing more workers for the automotive collision repair industry. Enterprise Holdings, with funding from its philanthropic arm the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation, and Missouri-based Ranken Technical College have launched the Automotive Collision...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(MARSHALL, Texas) – From an early age, Destiny Stoker knew she was passionate about technology. “I have been working with computers since I was 12,” Stoker said. “It was always something I was interested in.” Stoker is a graduate of Texas State Technical College and is a computer network technician for the Waskom Independent School...
(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...
(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students pursuing the Associate of Applied Science degree in Environmental Technology Compliance are given many opportunities for hands-on experience. The Environmental Sampling and Analysis class is no exception. Fourth-semester students taking that class recently were given the opportunity to go outside the classroom and apply what they have...
(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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After serving in the U.S. Army for seven years, Luis Garcia wanted to expand his aviation maintenance knowledge. Garcia earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in aviation maintenance from Texas State Technical College in 2018. The Brownsville native wanted to remain in the Valley, and Leo Guajardo, an aviation maintenance instructor...
(WACO, Texas) – The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provides Texas State Technical College with the means to help full- and part-time students who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly $4.9 million in funding has been received by TSTC for expenses related to the disruption...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – With more people working from home, the internet has been busy. Renee Blackshear, a Computer Networking and Systems Administration instructor at Texas State Technical College, said computer networkers have been the “unseen essential workers” during the past few months. “Computer networkers have been able to keep people in communication with each other,”...
(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...
(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...
(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...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Terry Kolb, of Comanche, admits he has always cared about people and their well-being. After spending the majority of his life in the construction industry, Kolb decided to help others in a different way. To show his young son what he can do if he puts his mind to it, Kolb enrolled...
(RED OAK, Texas) – Jarriet Durham is fascinated by electricity. And he is eager to instruct as many people about it as possible. Durham began teaching in the Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus in December 2019. Initially he was looking for a second job since he was already working...
Some EMS students had chance to help with COVID-19 vaccination clinic (HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Emergency Medical Services program at Texas State Technical College takes pride in preparing students for their futures in health care with hands-on training that will allow them to get to work on day one. Instructor Daniel Forbing discussed the emphasis...
(ABILENE, Texas) – Erik Duenes was asked a simple question while working in his hometown of Ozona. “I was working in maintenance at a nursing home, and the director of the EMS (emergency medical services) asked me if I wanted to drive an ambulance,” said the Texas State Technical College student. “I knew it was...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program are trained to be prepared for almost anything they might encounter in the field. By using the iSimulate REALITi simulator in lab sessions, instructor Tim Scalley can program various situations for students to address. The simulator also can mimic the cardiac monitors...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Computer Networking and Systems Administration at Texas State Technical College brings the digital world to life for students enrolled in the program. Instructor Emanuel Palacios discussed the highlights of the field, as well as what students can expect during their time in the online program and beyond. “This program will provide students...
(WACO, Texas) – Utex Industries Inc. in Houston has two Texas State Technical College graduates working daily to keep its employees safe. Michael Houlihan is the company’s health, safety and environmental – maintenance manager at the company’s Weimar plant, which makes high-pressure gaskets for the oil and gas fracking industry. Dawn Swofford is the corporate...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Students enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program are in good hands as they learn from instructors who not only have knowledge of the industry, but also have experienced working in the field themselves. TSTC Emergency Medical Services instructor Ruben Ramirez spends his days in the classroom while also...
TSTC affords veteran opportunity to pursue goal of teaching (WACO, Texas) – U.S. Navy veteran Jake Jordan wanted to expand his work skills. During his 17-year military career, Jordan was a welder. After retirement, he tried his hand at various jobs in the Austin area. “It was not a good fit for me,” he...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – From an early age, David Lopez-Cortez showed an interest in cars. The graduate of ATEMS High School knew by the age of five that he wanted to work on vehicles for a living. Lopez-Cortez said his passion started by playing with Hot Wheels toy cars at his childhood home. Lopez-Cortez wants to...
(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...
(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...
(MARSHALL, Texas) – Kevin McLaughlin grew up in DeBerry in Panola County and graduated in 2019 from Texas State Technical College in Marshall with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Process Operations Technology. He works at Plastipak Packaging Inc. in Garland, where he is a production supervisor overseeing day-to-day operations of production lines. He...
(ABILENE, Texas) – Terry Steelman found his passion when he became Texas State Technical College’s newest Industrial Systems instructor. The Snyder native plans to use his U.S. Marine Corps experience during lab sessions. He brings knowledge as a technician and supervisor in manufacturing and utility fleet service to the Abilene campus. He knows his experience...
(WACO, Texas) – For Texas State Technical College alumni Justin Lewis and Marshall Verette, there is nowhere they would rather be than working for Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) based in Johnson City. Lewis is a technical services technician based in Johnson City, and Verette is a regional operations supervisor based in Marble Falls. “A cooperative...
(WACO, Texas) – Five U.S. Army soldiers stationed in Kansas and Texas completed the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America program Thursday, Nov. 18, making up the second such cohort to attend classes at Texas State Technical College. The 12-week program enabled soldiers to travel to Waco four days a week to take classes in mechatronics,...
(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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Placing more Texans in great-paying jobs is the mission of Texas State Technical College, and TSTC’s statewide Career Services department is committed to offering students who are close to graduation the professional assistance that they may need to get hired. Sandra De La Garza and Kelly Guajardo share that commitment as TSTC’s...
(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 40 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Spring 2023 Commencement held Tuesday, April 25, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock. “This group persevered,” said Lissa Adams, the campus’ provost. “This was a more engaged graduating...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – An operating room is where miracles can happen, and Alejandra Rubio can attest to that. The Texas State Technical College alumna began her career in 2012 as a surgical technician at McAllen’s Rio Grande Regional Hospital, where she has flourished. Rubio, of Weslaco, graduated from TSTC in 2009 with an Associate of...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – When people think of Texas State Technical College’s Diesel Equipment Technology program, often the first thing that comes to mind is an image of big trucks on a highway. But some students are looking to take the skills they learn to a different industry. During a recent employer spotlight held at TSTC’s...
(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...
(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has partnered with Fort Worth-based aerospace manufacturer Bell Textron to provide learning and growth opportunities for some of its students through an apprenticeship program. The program will partner TSTC students in certain technologies at the North Texas campus with a senior Bell Textron technician who they will...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some Texas State Technical College Nursing students recently heard about some job opportunities that they might pursue after they graduate. During an employer spotlight held at TSTC’s Harlingen campus, representatives from Valley Baptist Medical Center discussed their company’s job outlook at the Harlingen and Brownsville locations, a nurse residency program, tuition reimbursement,...
(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...
(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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Her curious nature led Denice Acosta to the Wind Energy Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. A few years ago when she was an Agricultural Technology student at TSTC, Acosta accidently stumbled upon the back entrance of the campus’ Engineering Technology Center. “I immediately noticed high-tech equipment after I...
(WACO, Texas) – Hybrid and electric vehicles are becoming more prominent in the automotive and diesel equipment industries, and Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology programs have partnered to create a training class that will prepare students for that reality. Thomas Breshears, statewide department chair for TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program,...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – There is a shortage of skilled workers in construction and technical jobs. The Associated General Contractors of America found that around 89 percent of contractors are struggling to find workers to fill roles. Despite this shortage, there may be a brighter future on the horizon as more people look toward technical colleges...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Israel Lopez was inspired by his mother to return to school. At age 42, Lopez is completing his Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology at Texas State Technical College, all while thinking of his mother’s journey when she was 61. “My mother returned to school and earned her degree....
(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored 58 employees from the four West Texas campuses for their service during the summer Employee Appreciation Day last month. Employees and their families enjoyed a cookout prepared by faculty and staff, several inflatable bounce houses and slides, and a visit to the Abilene Zoo. Door prizes were...
(WACO, Texas) – Paul Roberts, of Leander, is a regional safety director at Rogers-O’Brien Construction in Austin and a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. Roberts graduated in the early 1990s from what was then Texas State Technical Institute with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health and a...
(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...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Graduation is right around the corner at Texas State Technical College, where it is seen not as a finish line, but as the starting line for a life of great accomplishments and high-paying careers. Thang Nguyen, a student in his final semester in the Industrial Systems program at TSTC’s Fort Bend County...
(WACO, Texas) – Programmable logic controllers, or PLCs, are the brains behind industrial automation. The digital computers can be found in industries such as automotive, chemical, mining, pharmaceutical, and water and wastewater treatment. PLCs can operate using five programming languages. “They (PLCs) sit patiently waiting for responses, which are called inputs, from integrated components to...
(MARSHALL, Texas) – When the newest blockbuster comes to theaters, the most attention is given to the ones at center stage: the actors. However, the work done behind the scenes can make or break a movie and be just as exciting, and the work these people do can take them all over the world and...
(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...
(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 20 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Summer 2023 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 25, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock. Jesus Mata, of Hutto, received the Provost’s Outstanding Achievement Award. He graduated with an Associate...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Pursuing a postsecondary education is a life-changing choice for many individuals that can lead to a better life — especially when that mastery in technical skills begins at Texas State Technical College. This year, National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. It is a celebration of the...
(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...
(ABILENE, Texas) – Steven McCaslin is no stranger to Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program. After several years in the field as a paramedic, McCaslin, who graduated from TSTC’s Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic programs, returned to the college in October 2021 as the program’s clinical coordinator. He now has a new...
(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College welcomed 27 high school seniors who committed to a technical education during National CTE (career and technical education) Letter of Intent Signing Day on Thursday, April 20. TSTC joined colleges from across the country to honor seniors who pledged to receive a technical education. At TSTC’s Industrial Technology...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Ulises Perez recalls when at a young age he would observe his grandfather’s craftsmanship as a homebuilder in Mexico. “I found his homebuilding process fascinating,” he said. That fascination, combined with Perez’s interest in fixing household objects when he was growing up, informed his later interest in...
(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...
(WACO, Texas) – William Graham, of Teague, began teaching in October 2022 in Texas State Technical College’s Auto Collision and Management Technology program at the Waco campus. Graham is a graduate of Teague High School and TSTC’s Auto Collision and Management Technology program. Recently Graham talked about his new role and what he hopes students...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Dezeray Collier remembers how first responders treated her grandmother each time they responded to a medical call. In choosing a career, Collier decided that working as a first responder would be the perfect choice. She is currently a first-semester student in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program, with plans to...
(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 20 students at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus are preparing to compete in the SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference scheduled for April 13-15 in Houston. SkillsUSA is a professional organization focused on employability, leadership and technical skills that help college students pursue successful careers and...
(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s faculty and staff pride themselves on helping military veterans transition to the civilian workforce. Annette Collins, TSTC’s Veteran Services program officer in Abilene, strives to make sure that veterans have everything they need to begin their college journey. She knows about the paperwork that veterans face while enrolling...
(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored several employees for their service to the college during a recent employee appreciation day celebration. Andy Weaver, provost of the West Texas campuses, thanked each employee for their contributions to the college. “The lives we are able to change every day when we come to work are...
(SWEETWATER, Texas) – With graduation scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15, Texas State Technical College’s Wind Energy Technology students were asked to leave their mark on the Sweetwater campus. Russell Benson, an instructor in the program, wanted students who completed the core of the program to sign the wind turbine blade that is on permanent display...
(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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s campus in Harlingen experienced many achievements during the busy fall 2022 semester. Here is a look back at some of the highlights: Prestigious award TSTC recognizes individuals every year who help achieve its mission of placing more Texans in great-paying jobs. Jessica Ybarra-Almaraz, Juan Lucio and Rebeca Villanueva-Hernandez...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It is captivating to marvel at what inspires a child’s creative curiosity and observe them draw that in a sketchbook. For Texas State Technical College Drafting and Design alumna Mariela Ramirez, that talent for drawing began at an early age. “I found a connection to architecture when I watched the TV show...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Luis Martinez recently completed his first semester of teaching in TSTC’s Emergency Medical Services program. When he was a child, the U.S. Navy veteran could hear the sirens of ambulances as they sped through the expressway in his hometown — a memory that would spur his initial...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Luis Martinez recently completed his first semester of teaching in TSTC’s Emergency Medical Services program. When he was a child, the U.S. Navy veteran could hear the sirens of ambulances as they sped through the expressway in his hometown — a memory that would spur his initial...
(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Craig Warnasch, before he became an HVAC Technology instructor at Texas State Technical College, was a dual enrollment student in the college’s HVAC program. In fact, he became the first TSTC dual enrollment student to graduate in HVAC after participating in the program. In 2008, back when Warnasch was entering his senior...
(NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas) – Texas State Technical College and the Texas Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (TX FAME) Lone Star Chapter announced a new job-training partnership on Thursday at the Central Texas Technology Center in New Braunfels. TSTC will provide advanced manufacturing technician training for students that will be sponsored by area companies. Students will...
(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...
(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The purpose of wind turbines is to turn wind into electricity to power homes and businesses. The process of how a wind turbine operates, who maintains the tall structure and how it is built caught the interest of U.S. Navy veteran Jessica Alaniz. It inspired her to pursue an Associate of Applied...
(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...
(RED OAK, Texas) – The TSTC Foundation recently received a $10,000 donation from Holcim Inc. for the purchase of 13 toolkits to be used by the Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus. The toolkits will provide most of the tools that an entry-level technician would need, including wrench and screwdriver...
(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Texas, Dustin Bostick had to pivot his career path. After earning a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, the Brownwood native had plans to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant. But the pandemic shut down clinical sessions, and he decided to become an emergency medical technician (EMT). Becoming...
(WACO, Texas) – Students in two Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology program classes at Texas State Technical College spent a recent morning building portable integration training units. The two student-built trainers were designed to complete a new lab that opened last fall. The lab is used for four of the program’s classes. “We are answering...