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(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The heartache of her aunt’s passing and coping with her own health struggles fueled Savannah Fuentes’ determination to pursue a career in health care. The Harlingen native, who is working toward a Vocational Nursing certificate of completion at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, has one goal in mind: to effect positive...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For Isaac Melendrez, restoring classic automobiles with his father was more than just a hobby and time for bonding. It was the spark that led Melendrez to enroll in the Auto Collision and Management program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. “My father had a lowrider that he built to ‘hop’...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – David Fonteno, of Big Sandy, enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Process Operations program after his brother-in-law recommended it. “My brother-in-law was there in 2014, and he got a job right after with Chevron,” he said. “All of what he said interested me.” Process operations workers ensure the safety and quality of...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – After Bryan Bagley earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from a four-year university but then found it hard to find a job in that field, he had to make a decision. “I had always heard that Texas State Technical College was really good about helping people find a job once they...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After spending years working atop wind turbines and inside their nacelles, Marcelo Davila realized that he wanted more than just to maintain the machines — he was driven by a curiosity to truly understand how they function. “I’ve enjoyed tinkering with objects since I was young and as an adult,” he said....

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For Jordannah Brown, growing up with a sketch pad in hand was only the beginning. Her love for drawing would continue to evolve as a student at Texas State Technical College. “I started drawing when I was around 11 years old,” Brown said. “I was inspired by my grandmother’s photography and videos....

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jose Loera, a recent graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Automotive Technology program, is now building on his technical expertise in the Precision Machining Technology program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. His continued education is part of a long-term dream of someday opening his own automotive shop. “Before I graduated last year, I...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Shawn Couet, an Electromechanical Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Sweetwater campus, received the silver medal in Electronics Technology at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held June 23-27 in Atlanta, Georgia. “It was amazing to see that he got second, but I wasn’t surprised,” said Toby Styron, an...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – After leaving Texas State Technical College for a career in the oilfield, Lewis Thomas has returned to the Marshall campus two decades later to pursue an associate degree in Precision Machining Technology. “I left TSTC because I saw dollar signs in the oilfield; it was booming back then,” the Marshall native said....

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The desire to help others can be a powerful motivation when pursuing a career. That can apply to a range of jobs, including nursing, teaching and therapy. But that also applies to being an electrical lineworker. Thomas Gully and Mike Gonzales, two students in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker and Management...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Valeria Gonzalez, a Welding Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, was first introduced to welding by her father when she was a teenager. With encouragement from her brother during high school, she discovered a natural talent for the trade that would shape her future. “I watched my father work...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Every night class that Samantha Trejo attends in the HVAC Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus brings her closer to her goal of becoming an HVAC technician — all while she balances a full-time job and motherhood. “I wanted to learn a trade, and the HVAC Technology program on...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus hosted its third annual Car Show on June 21, and some of the college’s students and instructors designed and manufactured the five trophies that were awarded at the event. Brendan Hills, a TSTC Precision Machining Technology student, said he teamed up with a fellow classmate to...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Fueled by skill, determination and pride, a student representing Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus proved her talent and earned a silver medal at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held last month in Atlanta, Georgia. Jillian Contreras, an LVN to RN Transition Nursing student at TSTC, medaled in the...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A career change can keep things fresh, especially when it helps align someone’s interests with their work. Paul Block, a third-semester student in the Cybersecurity program at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus, hopes to do just that. After 25 years in the oil and gas industry, he decided it...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – U.S. Army veteran Henry Tran, an Aircraft Airframe Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, recently began an internship with aircraft maintenance company STX Aero at the Mid-Valley Airport in Weslaco. Tran, who is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in the Aircraft Airframe program, said the internship gives...

(RED OAK, Texas) – After five years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Nathan McDivit decided to join the automotive industry. “I got a job at a (truck) dealership, and under their mentorship, my service manager told me that an associate (degree) is the way to go and Texas State Technical College is one of the...

(RED OAK, Texas) – When the air conditioning system in the information technology room at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus needed some repairs, HVAC Technology instructor Jarrod Tawney turned it into an assignment for two standout students, Elijahwah McCowan and Edward Wilds. “One of the goals is it gives the students real-world experience...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Sometimes sacrifice can make the rewards all the sweeter. Such is the case for Dario Lozano, a third-semester student in Texas State Technical College’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) Technology program. Living in Willis, Lozano makes an hour-and-a-half commute each morning and evening when he has classes at TSTC’s Fort Bend...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Aaron Munoz, an Automotive Technology student pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree at Texas State Technical College, is fine-tuning his auto repair skills as a lube technician at Gillman Honda in San Benito, with his sights set on opening his own automotive business venture someday. “I’ve been working part time at...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Giovanni Guerra, a recent Welding Technology graduate and a current Precision Machining Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, turned his challenge with dyslexia into motivation to prepare for a future job in the workforce. Guerra, a Mission native, made full use of the college’s academic resources during his time...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – U.S. Army veteran Mario Benavides and U.S. Navy veteran Jacob Mendoza are combining some of their military discipline and video gaming strategies in their education in the Cybersecurity program at Texas State Technical College. The two students are honing the skills necessary to prevent cyberattacks and meet the demands of today’s cybersecurity...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Mechatronics Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus prepares its students to think like engineers for future roles in complex electrical jobs. Students like Jalissa Alanis, Sophia Galvan and Erica Sanderson have been gaining expertise in areas such as troubleshooting, programming and control systems. Alanis and Galvan, former Mechatronics...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – At Texas State Technical College, Dental Hygiene students learn that their future jobs as dental hygienists extend far beyond providing teeth cleanings. They also serve as advocates for promoting oral health in the community and empower patients through education on proper oral hygiene, diet and disease prevention. Jocelyn Castaneda, who is working...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – When a storm swept through Jacob Knuckols’ hometown of Daingerfield, Southwestern Electric Power Co. rushed to the scene. Tired of working in the oil field, he asked one of SWEPCO’s lineworkers how he could join their field. “He said, ‘You’ve got to go to school and do it,’” Knuckols recalled. “I went...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Driven by a passion for sustainability and a strong job outlook, students in the Wind Energy Technology program at Texas State Technical College are training to harness the power of renewable energy to help shape a cleaner tomorrow. Students in the program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus can look forward to an expanded...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Carley Lopez is a young woman who knows what she wants to do and how to do it. Lopez, from Coupland, is a second-semester student in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program at the Williamson County campus. She discovered the program after attending an America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) Bootcamp, a...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After being captivated by paint jobs on vintage and modern automobiles at an area car show and in auto refinishing videos on social media, Jessica Reyna knew that she had found her calling. “I liked how enthusiastic vehicle owners are when they talk about their car or truck,” Reyna said. “I said...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When a powerful March storm swept through the Rio Grande Valley, six inches of rain flooded every room in the Harlingen home of U.S. Navy veteran Tomas Vasquez. Vasquez, a Building Construction Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, received support from some of his classmates in the program’s Future...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With nothing but a harness and grit holding them steady, Texas State Technical College Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology students learn that climbing is the foundation of building skills for the job at 40 feet above the ground. Benigno Galvan, Alex Mireles and Diego Viera are in their third semesters of the...