TSTC embraces safety, normalcy at start of spring semester

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A chilly but bright morning welcomed Texas State Technical College students to the Fort Bend County campus Monday, Jan. 10, on the first day of the spring 2022 semester.

It was El Campo resident Joshua Laslie’s first semester at TSTC, though he intends to finish his bachelor’s degree in emergency management from Louisiana State University this semester as well.

He hopes to expand his experience in TSTC’s Welding Technology program with a focus in Structural Welding.

“Honestly, I just want to learn a new skill,” he said. “I grew up farming, so I want to learn ag welding.”

Monday marked the start of TSTC welding student Daniel Alvarado’s second semester at TSTC.

“It’s been really fun,” he said. “I kind of sometimes wish I had more time. Toward the end of last semester, I was able to come in on different days, so I appreciated that.”

After he earns his Associate of Applied Science degree, the Sugar Land resident aims to start getting real-world welding experience. His dream job is to be an underwater welder.

Alvarado and Laslie are two of the 467 students registered for the spring semester at TSTC’s campus in Fort Bend County. As of Friday, Jan. 7, TSTC senior enrollment coach Georgeann Calzada counted 66 new students and 401 returning students for this semester.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to normalcy — whatever that looks like for 2022 — and having students on campus and continuing their education,” she said.

Jonathan Bonkoske, lead instructor for TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls program, also looked forward to welcoming students to classes and labs this semester.

“Having that interaction, being able to see their expressions — see their faces, see the learning going on — and working with them through problems, we’re slowly getting back to somewhat normal here,” he said.

Normalcy includes everything from relevant, hands-on training to the reopening of the campus snack bar, which had been closed due to the pandemic, TSTC Fort Bend County provost Randy Wooten said.

“We’re doing great things — and the same things that have made us successful in the past,” Wooten said, explaining that TSTC remains committed to its mission of placing more Texans in good-paying jobs.

TSTC encourages wearing masks, social distancing and staying home if students, faculty or staff feel ill — protocols that prioritize everyone’s health on campus, he added.

“We’re serious about keeping people safe,” Wooten said.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.