Some area high schools share why they visit TSTC

(MARSHALL, Texas) – In 2023 a total of 25 different high schools toured Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus — some more than once. Why do so many high schools bring their students to TSTC?

Elysian Fields High School in Waskom, Texas, has brought students to the Marshall campus for four years, oftentimes from welding or agriculture classes. Shannon Davidson, the high school’s dean of student services, believes that the rural setting, knowledgeable instructors and hands-on work that TSTC’s Marshall campus offers make it a perfect match for Elysian Fields’ students.

“A large portion of our student population doesn’t have anyone in their family that continued their education after high school, so they don’t know the opportunities that are out there,” Davidson said.

Several graduates of Quitman High School in Quitman, Texas, have become students at TSTC’s Marshall campus. Quitman High’s career and technical education director, Sherrie Callahan, takes every opportunity to promote TSTC to the school’s students. 

“Since our first visit to TSTC in Marshall many years ago, we were sold on the people, the campus, and the philosophy behind the programs,” Callahan said. “If all postsecondary schools were modeled after TSTC, there would be virtually no student debt and all graduates would be employable.”

Linden-Kildare High School in Linden, Texas, recently visited the Marshall campus for the third year in a row. Social studies teacher Tracie Arnold, who visited the campus for the first time, said Linden-Kildare students typically are interested in the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology and Welding Technology programs.

“We have a lot that are not four-year academic students,” Arnold said. “TSTC is really good so they can get hands-on training.”

To schedule a tour at TSTC, go to tstc.edu/visit-campus-form.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.