(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus had more than 190 online and in-person graduates receive certificates of completion and associate degrees at the Fall 2024 Commencement held Monday, Dec. 16, at the Waxahachie Civic Center.
Several graduates of the Diesel Equipment Technology program are already employed.
“This year’s graduating class was exceptionally engaged during all employer spotlight sessions and career readiness workshops, actively asking insightful questions and following up with Career Services for resume assistance and interview preparation tips,” said Regan Sembera, an associate manager in TSTC’s Career Services department at the North Texas campus.
Matthew Deleon, of Dallas, received a certificate of completion in Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck Specialization. He plans to return to TSTC in the spring to work on an associate degree in the program.
Deleon begins work later this week at Kiewit Corp. in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He said he learned about the company while attending TSTC’s Industry Job Fair events at the Waco campus.
“I liked the company and always wanted to work on anything heavy,” Deleon said.
He said he was glad to move into a new career.
“I thought it would take time before something would come my way,” Deleon said. “It’s a blessing.”
Bernardo Amador de Leon, of Fort Worth, received a certificate of completion in Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck Specialization.
Amador de Leon is already working as a helper at Basden Steel Corp., a steel fabrication company in Burleson. Some of his work includes cutting steel and checking forklifts. His father is a manager at the company.
“It was going to be that I would be a helper and transition into welding, but I wanted to do diesel,” Amador de Leon said.
Amador de Leon said he was introduced to TSTC during his senior year at Amon Carter-Riverside High School in Fort Worth.
Jake Kiper, of Mansfield, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck Specialization. He was also a TSTC Board of Regents honors graduate.
Kiper began working three months ago as a shop helper at the Altec Service Center in Waxahachie. He said he will be promoted to a technician at the company in January, with training taking place in Waxahachie and Kansas City, Missouri.
“What I do matters,” Kiper said. “When I leave work, I feel good.”
Registration continues for the spring semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
