(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some 540 students from 26 high schools in the Rio Grande Valley and Eagle Pass visited Texas State Technical College during an open house at the Harlingen campus on Thursday, March 10.
The participating schools included Brownsville Adult Continuing Education, Donna, Eagle Pass, Harlingen, Harlingen South, Keys Academy, La Feria, La Villa, Los Fresnos, Lyford, Mercedes, Mission, Mission Collegiate, Monte Alto, Progreso, PSJA Early College Alamo, PSJA Early College North Pharr, PSJA Early College San Juan, PSJA Sonia M. Sotomayor Early College, Raymondville Options Academy, Rio Grande City, Roma, San Benito, Santa Maria, South Texas ISD Health Professions and Vanguard Rembrandt Secondary.
The sophomores, juniors and seniors were greeted by 25 volunteers from various TSTC departments and programs for campus tours, and were able to visit with instructors to learn more about the curricula.
Jesus Cruz, a Monte Alto High School senior, said the campus tour was exciting.
“Everyone is nice and welcoming,” he said. “I have an interest in the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program. The idea of working with electricity fascinates me. I was introduced to the electrical lineworker field through a friend’s father who works for a utility company. He said the job is rewarding, pays well and I should consider it.”
Roni Saldana, a Lyford High School senior, said she enjoyed learning about the programs of study that are available.
“The Building Construction Technology program caught my interest,” she said. “I learned that some construction projects consist of building a rooftop, working on floor plans and other areas. I am considering this program after I graduate.”
Uvaldo Presas, an Audio-Visual Media Technology teacher at Lyford High School, said his students were impressed by the program instructors.
“My students visited Building Construction Technology, Digital Media and Design and the Cybersecurity programs,” he said. “They observed how passionate each instructor is about their respective field. That’s a result of their industry experience. That allows any high school student to know that they will receive a great college education at TSTC.”
Janet Alfaro, coordinator of Student Recruitment for TSTC’s Harlingen campus, said the open house is a great opportunity for prospective students to learn why TSTC is technically better.
“Representatives from high schools have enjoyed the passion displayed by our programs’ instructors and their students,” she said. “They have been impressed by the caliber of resources that our programs utilize. Most importantly, the services provided by the college’s Advocacy and Resource Center, Student Housing and Career Services plays a key factor for prospective students in choosing TSTC as their college choice.”
For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
