Search results for:
"software engineering bootcamp" (609 results)

Across nearly every industry, cybersecurity skills are in demand to ensure the secure handling of data online and protect it from attacks, amongst other essential duties.

Get Autodesk AutoCAD Certified! AutoCAD is one of the most in-demand software programs in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries.

Adobe Photoshop is the premier tool for graphic designers.

CompTIA’s A+ certification is the top credential for associate-level IT professionals.

Want to get a head start on your college education? Dual Credit may be for you! Dual Credit gives high school students a head start toward their futures. Take college courses to earn college and high school credit at the same time.

Dual Credit courses are available at some high school campuses, on-site at a TSTC campus, and through distance learning classes taught by TSTC instructors.

Dental assistants play a valuable role in any dental care team, often handling a variety of tasks from assisting with treatment procedures to administrative duties.

“This course used real life examples and different learning materials that still help us operate a business,” Kay P., United Tribe Logistics

This program combines the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant program with training in electronic health records and medical terminology to give you a competitive edge in the healthcare field. You will learn the professional traits and responsibilities to become a vital part of the healthcare team. You will also be prepared for the national certification exams.

Administrative healthcare workers are in high demand. Whether you are just starting your career or transitioning into a different field, there has never been a better time to become a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant or work in medical billing and coding.

Helping students succeed while meeting the needs of industry

Regardless of the industry, all businesses can benefit from using QuickBooks to organize in their finances, stay on top of invoices, pay bills on time and track expenses efficiently.

Our value-priced courses provide the perfect opportunity to continue your education or retrain in a new field without drowning in debt. We are so confident in the quality of our technical education that with some of our high-demand, Money-Back Guarantee programs we guarantee you will find a job within six months of graduation—or your money back.

Growth, Upcoming Expansions and Improvements

Every gift received by The TSTC Foundation introduces the possibility of transformation for TSTC students. Thank you to every person and organization that believes in our mission of placing more Texans in great-paying jobs.

Embark on a journey of exploration and STEM career discovery at TSTC Challenger, where the sky’s not the limit—your imagination can take you anywhere. Unleash the power of teamwork at Challenger Learning Center, where communication and problem-solving skills meet STEM education.

Harlingen

West Texas
Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater

Being different is part of who we are.

Meet Daniella. She’s a pageant winner.

She’s also a TSTC Welding Technology graduate.

The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a component of the accreditation process. It reflects and affirms our commitment to enhance student learning.

North Texas

Waco

Fort Bend County

East Williamson County

TSTC Online

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently welcomed some Rio Grande Valley high school-age students to TSTC’s Harlingen campus for the America’s Cutting Edge (ACE) computer numerical control machining training bootcamp. The no-cost, one-week bootcamp was conducted by TSTC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education program in partnership with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will offer, starting in March, a statewide online software engineering boot camp for people who want to learn new skills to move into the technology field. The rigorous 20-week boot camp is being organized by TSTC’s Workforce Training department to meet industry demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Faculty members and students in Texas State Technical College’s Process Operations Technology program started working with a new virtual reality software system this summer. PetroSkills Simulation Solutions’ Distillation VR is in the early stages of use this summer in the Process Technology III – Operations and Process Troubleshooting classes. Students can  access...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Process Operations Technology program in Marshall are getting the most out of some new virtual reality software. The program’s faculty members and students began using PetroSkills Simulation Solutions’ Distillation VR software last summer. The software can be used in classes focusing on process instrumentation, troubleshooting and...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Cybersecurity jobs have been increasing over the years. With an estimated 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs expected in the United States by 2021, according to Cybersecurity Ventures, Texas State Technical College has scheduled two different fast-paced boot camps to fill those positions. A Cybersecurity Analytics online boot camp, which will be conducted...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Engineering department at Texas State Technical College will prepare a student for advancement in the workplace with a mathematics- and physics-based curriculum that will improve and increase problem-solving skills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of engineering is expected to grow as much as 10% in the...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Computer Programming Technology is being introduced at Texas State Technical College Fall 2019 and is already accepting new students. Computer programming is the process of creating instructions that a computer can carry out. Programmers use coding languages to write and test code that allow a computer to function properly, and they write...

(WACO, Texas) – Jeremiah Stones was born in Houston and grew up in Waco. He graduated in 2017 from Texas State Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Programming Technology. Before graduation, Stones was hired at Citigroup in Irving as an intermediate-level Java programmer. He worked at the company for three...

(ABILENE, Texas) – A new program will allow Computer Networking and Systems Administration students at Texas State Technical College to work on equipment virtually. TSTC will use the NetLab program for virtual lab sessions, instructor Adrian Medrano said. “NetLab is very popular for remote training,” Medrano said. “The benefits are amazing.” Students will use the...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – For the first time, Texas State Technical College in Marshall is hosting a group of Texas A&M University College of Engineering students who are taking summer classes as part of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s Bachelor’s+ Program. Students are taking nine weeks of classes in the Process Operations and Basic Welding...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Computer Programming Technology program can be confident about the job market for years to come. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected there will be more than 741,000 jobs for computer user support specialists and more than 1.7 million jobs for software developers by 2029....

(WACO, Texas) – Travis Pitrucha grew up in Temple and graduated in 2018 from Texas State Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Programming Technology. He was hired after graduation at Citibank in Irving, where he is a senior software engineer. Pitrucha’s work involves developing and maintaining a series of small...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Jacob Usery, a Computer Networking and Systems Administration instructor at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus, recently answered some questions about what it means to clean up your computer, how to do it, and why it is important.  What does it mean to clean up your computer?  Cleaning up your...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will offer a fast-paced Workforce Training boot camp in Cybersecurity. The first cohort will begin in February, and the curriculum will feature eight industry-grade foundational courses that will equip students with the knowledge they need to get their foot into the world of cybersecurity. TSTC interim director of...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Alan Sulak has been quietly imparting his vast knowledge of cybersecurity to Texas State Technical College students for a little over four years. His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Recently he was named a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence, a recognition given to TSTC staff and faculty who have shown...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Cybersecurity program prepares students for a life of digital safety and protection. Not only does the curriculum equip students for a vastly growing occupation, but the program at the Harlingen campus is also recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as one of...

(WACO, Texas) – It is a woman’s world in Texas State Technical College’s Office of Information Technology. Sixteen women work in a range of roles statewide to keep the college functioning, from serving as applications administrators to help-desk technicians. Gladia Escobar and April Falkner have roughly three decades of combined service to TSTC. Both are...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Before enrolling at Texas State Technical College, Melissa Wykes studied criminal justice and became a licensed esthetician. But she said she needed to make a career change for financial security.  The Round Rock resident chose to attend TSTC’s East Williamson County campus in Hutto to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – After his family relocated from Dallas to Longview, Christian Brannon started researching local colleges. He turned to Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus to exercise his love for computers. “I started off in Cybersecurity,” he said. “But in that first semester I was introduced to programming, specifically Python, and that got me...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Services department recently organized a virtual event to connect TSTC students with a potential employer: M&S Engineering. M&S Engineering is a Texas-based engineering firm whose scope of services includes electrical engineering; civil engineering; mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP); and survey projects through its sister company, Sherwood Surveying...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Waco is hosting several Texas A&M University College of  Engineering students who are taking summer classes at TSTC. Students are participating in the Basic Electromechanical Automation (PLC), Integrated Manufacturing Processes, Basic Machining, and Welding – Multiple Processes occupational skills achievement award programs. The students are taking classes...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology program has a new name and focus for the fall. The program will shift to an all-online format with virtual labs. Josh Stampley, a program instructor, said faculty will use TSTC’s Moodle platform and Microsoft Whiteboard for teaching and interacting with students....

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – In college, Phyllis Hollingshead was studying to become a teacher when her own teacher opened a door to computer programming. “I realized it was this logical process you go through of telling the computer what to do,” she recalled. “It’s fascinating — you can control that machine. I would’ve thought it was...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County is hosting three Texas A&M University engineering students taking classes this summer. Jacob Algaze, Preston Hackney and Grant Stinson are taking nine weeks of classes in the TSTC Welding Technology program in Hutto. The students are part of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Abilene will offer a new program of study starting this fall: Computer Programming Technology. Students who successfully complete the five-semester program will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. “We brought the CPT course to Abilene because industries are moving forward to digital and electronic-based needs. This...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Computer Programming instructor Shelby Coffman said he is encouraged about the future of this new program. TSTC introduced the Associate of Applied Science degree program at the Harlingen campus in the fall of 2019 to help meet the needs of the state’s workforce. “The first year of our...

(WACO, Texas) – Protecting data today is not just a concern for large companies. “The hackers are now starting to go after more of the mom-and-pop places because ransomware is used, and they make them pay money to get their network back,” said Daniel Follis, a Cybersecurity program instructor at Texas State Technical College. The...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In today’s digital world, hackers are developing extraordinary methods to access consumer data. Data Privacy Week begins Jan. 22 and not only educates consumers about how to better protect themselves, but also highlights how Texas State Technical College students are being prepared for their future careers. Daniel Follis, a Cybersecurity instructor at...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The average person clicks on a computer icon or taps a phone app every day without thinking much about it. However, without computer programmers, those icons and apps would do absolutely nothing. Texas State Technical College’s Computer Programming Technology program recently was described by Kathryn Wilganowski, its online program team lead, as...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Twenty-four hours after he was born, Eloy Hernandez suffered a stroke.  It was December 1, 2000,  and his parents had a new reality to deal with. The right side of their son’s body was partially paralyzed, the rest of his life shrouded in uncertainty.  Twenty years later, there can be no doubt...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program is experiencing double the fun, times two. Alejandra and Galilea Puente, of Waco, and Sam and Tim Winters, of Colleyville, are students at Texas A&M University in College Station. The students are taking nine weeks of welding classes this summer at TSTC’s Waco campus as...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A July 22 tour of the facilities at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus may have, at first glance, seemed simple. In reality, however, it represented a wealth of possibilities for partnerships between TSTC and some Texas A&M Engineering programs to benefit the region. “The TSTC you were working with...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County is hosting three Texas A&M University College of Engineering students who are taking summer classes at TSTC. Angus Blakely, of Georgetown, and Logan Davis, of Leander are taking classes in TSTC’s Welding Technology program. Seo Bae, of Austin, is taking classes in the Drafting...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The 2022 summer session at Texas State Technical College has been rewarding for three Texas A&M University engineering seniors who are receiving hands-on training at TSTC. Hector Guzman, Eric Martin and Jesus Perez are enrolled in the Mechatronics Technology program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus through their university’s Bachelor’s+ Program, a professional education...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Ulises Perez recalls when at a young age he would observe his grandfather’s craftsmanship as a homebuilder in Mexico. “I found his homebuilding process fascinating,” he said. That fascination, combined with Perez’s interest in fixing household objects when he was growing up, informed his later interest in...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Luis Escobedo, who is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Architectural/Civil Drafting Technology at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, recently started an internship at Guzman & Munoz Engineering and Surveying Inc. in Mercedes. “I was introduced to the software they use and their team,” Escobedo said about the...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is hosting a group of engineering students from Texas A&M University in College Station who are taking classes this summer in Waco. The students are taking nine weeks of courses focusing on AC and DC circuits and basic programmable logic controllers. The classes are being taught by TSTC’s...

(WACO, Texas) – Students from Texas A&M University’s College of Engineering are wrapping up a summer of hands-on learning at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. More than 30 students in the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s (TEES) Bachelor’s+ Program began taking hybrid and online classes in late May and finished at the end of...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – International Women in Engineering Day, observed annually on June 23, not only honors the achievements of women in engineering-related fields, but also celebrates the young women who will follow in their footsteps or blaze trails of their own. Two such young women are Texas State Technical College students Ana Garcia and Taylor...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – There are many life lessons that a father can teach his son. For Jesse Carrizales, some of those lessons included instruction about the use of firearms. “My father educated me about the importance of hunting to provide a meal for the family,” he said. “The other was how to ensure your family’s...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Great things are happening at Texas State Technical College, and the Precision Machining Technology program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus will incorporate some of the latest equipment into its curriculum for the fall 2022 semester. A new Haas UMC-500 computer numerical control (CNC) 5-axis machine, and two new lathe mechanisms, will be utilized...

Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics graduates from Texas State Technical College are finding that the demand for their skills is increasing as highway, road and subdivision developments are growing across the state. TSTC Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics statewide Department Chair Samuel Pizano said students are being recruited across the Rio Grande Valley and statewide,...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – As a mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University, James Hingle focuses on designing parts and drafting blueprints for their manufacture. As a Precision Machining Technology student at Texas State Technical College this semester, Hingle is getting hands-on with the actual making of the parts he usually just designs. “I think it...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – More than 160 Texas State Technical College students and alumni met potential employers from throughout Texas and Louisiana on Thursday at its Industry Job Fair. Students trekked through TSTC in Marshall’s South Building to talk to more than 30 companies looking to fill jobs in cybersecurity, fleet maintenance, education, software development, construction...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The state and national shortage of registered nurses is increasing, with 203,000 job openings projected nationally through 2026, according to onetonline.org. And the Dallas Observer recently reported that Texas will have the second-largest shortage in the country. TSTC’s Director of Nursing Shirley Byrd said most of the program’s grads are hired before...

From independent body shops to high-profile dealerships – auto technicians, repairers and painters are in demand, with Texas’ projected job openings to be at more than 14,000 by 2026 according to O*Net Online. And TSTC, with its Auto Collision & Management Technology program, is ready to meet industry demand. TSTC Auto Collision & Management Technology...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Consumers need to keep personal security in mind when transitioning to new mobile phones. Amy Hertel, an instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Cyber Security program in Marshall, said people need to know that information on their mobile phones does not disappear. She advised people not to sell their old phones themselves...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Graduates from Business Management Technology at Texas State Technical College can work in a variety of industries, some even becoming entrepreneurs or business owners. TSTC Business Management Technology lead instructor Edna Claus said that in order to prepare the program’s students for successful careers, faculty focus on hands-on training that will allow...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – A fascination with chemistry, environmental science, health and safety can lead to jobs in Texas for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators. Graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Process Operations program in Marshall can pursue these jobs, along with those at chemical, gas and petroleum plants. The program exposes students...

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – You might say that Texas State Technical College Business Management Technology instructor Duston Brooks brings some practical experience of a bovine nature into the classroom. Prior to becoming an instructor at TSTC, Brooks worked on the financial side of his family’s dairy farm. He now brings that knowledge to his students as...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training department is offering a second round of online Microsoft Office courses, this time for statewide residents. “I think employers should view this course as a cost-effective and time-conscious way to provide training to their employees on software that they are likely already using,” said Haley Chapman,...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s online Business Management Technology program prepares students for a wide range of career options. Graduates of the program have worked in different areas of business, from accounting to business management. Earning an associate degree or certificate has opened doors for many of the program’s graduates. Ron Howard is...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Coding, JavaScript, and Python may seem like foreign languages to some, but for Texas State Technical College students enrolled in Computer Programming Technology, they are as easy as the alphabet. The program, which is taught online, prepares students to become problem solvers behind the scenes while not forgetting other vital components of...

(WACO, Texas) – The hands-on experience that Texas State Technical College’s Computer Programming Technology students have now will help them tomorrow in the job market. “For every business in Texas today, there is a need for a programmer or a team of programmers,” said Shannon Ferguson, TSTC’s statewide lead instructor in the Computer Programming Technology...

(ABILENE, Texas) – A new wave of computer technicians is learning to keep the world connected at Texas State Technical College. Adrian Medrano, a Computer Networking and Systems Administration instructor, said the program’s goal is to produce a graduate who is knowledgeable in all areas of information technology. “We do not focus on one area,...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College continues to meet students’ needs through online technical education. “We are always in a state of continuous improvement,” said Cindy Kimbrell, TSTC’s associate provost for online learning. “We are always looking at things to improve our programs online.” Thursday, Sept. 15, is National Online Learning Day, which brings...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is giving first-semester Automotive Technology students opportunities to learn using virtual reality. The program began using TRANSFRVR headsets and hand controllers this semester in the Introduction to Automotive Technology class at the Harlingen, Sweetwater and Waco campuses. Students are prompted to take virtual lessons in how to do...

(WACO, Texas) – As the boundaries are pushed in manufacturing, it is critical to do so in a way that is mindful of the environment. Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program continues to look for sustainable ways to teach students. The program at the Waco campus has been working to be more sustainable...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is proud to have graduates who have gone on to start their own businesses. However, there is one key person who those graduates need in order to get their businesses off the ground, and that is someone to help them manage them. That is why TSTC offers Business...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Corey Bryant earned his bachelor’s degree in biology, but always wanted to work with computers. After graduating, he immediately began saving money to go back to school, not aware of how close he was to Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus. “I went to work for probably six to seven years, saving...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Adair Briones knows which career path he wants to travel. And with just over a semester left in his college education, recently he was fielding multiple offers to get there.  Briones is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus. He attended...

(WACO, Texas) – Tiffani Cortez’s advice is simple for females figuring out what careers they want to pursue after college. “Always try new things,” said Cortez, a graduate of Texas State Technical College. “Don’t let anyone tell you something is ‘for females.’” Cortez teaches engineering classes at the Harmony School of Innovation in Waco and...

(WACO, Texas) – Drafting and design involves creating technical drawings, plans and models used for the construction and creation of products and structures in architecture, engineering and manufacturing. Texas State Technical College offers its Drafting and Design program online and in a hybrid format at the Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas and Waco campuses. “The online...

(WACO, Texas) – A student from Midway High School and a team from a Waco private school were the top winners in the 63rd annual Central Texas Science and Engineering Fair held Tuesday and Wednesday at Texas State Technical College. Midway High School junior Sophie Kearney, 17, along with Live Oak Classical School sophomores Caleb...

(ABILENE, Texas) – With structural growth continuing in West Texas, the need for electrical and electronic engineering technologists in the region is increasing. Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls instructors Cody Davis and Kevin Staton have seen a trend over the past two years. “The level of students we put out is tremendous,”...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Virtual reality has transformed many technical industries, and the Drafting and Design program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus will incorporate the technology into its curriculum next fall. The program will introduce the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality simulator to be used during lab sessions by students who are pursuing one...

(WACO, Texas) – Students from Texas State Technical College’s Facilities Management Technology and Industrial Systems programs toured Merrick Engineering Inc. in Waco on Friday. The tour occurred on Manufacturing Day, which is observed nationwide on the first Friday in October. “We want them to understand the manufacturing fundamentals,” said Ali Jawady, the company’s operations manager....

(WACO, Texas) – Kaylee George and John Singer, both from McGregor High School, along with Ezra Stegemoller  from Classical Conversations home school in Waco, were the top winners in the Central Texas Science and Engineering Fair held Tuesday and Wednesday at Texas State Technical College. The students are eligible to represent Central Texas in the...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Tristan Matthew seemed destined to become an engineer like his father. The two frequently teamed up to fix things around their house throughout Matthew’s childhood in The Woodlands, Texas, leading him to join his high school’s robotics team.  Today Matthew is studying for an Associate of Applied...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Students in the Drafting and Design program at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus recently traveled to Tyler to visit Samuel Engineering Inc., a multidisciplinary engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction company. “I organize these field trips for my students to broaden their perspectives, reinforce the value of their education and give them...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – What do well-known companies such as American Electric Power, National Oilwell Varco, Schlumberger and Toyota have in common? Each has hired a graduate from the Mechatronics Technology program at Texas State Technical College. The term mechatronics combines “mecha” for mechanical and “tronics” for electronics. TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology program combines basic skills in...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For people who work during the day and are interested in pursuing a postsecondary education in an engineering-related field during evening hours, Texas State Technical College will make available night classes in Mechatronics Technology and Precision Machining Technology beginning with the fall semester. “There is a big demand right now for mechatronics...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Students attending Texas State Technical College this fall have found two programs that have been updated and renamed, and a third that replaces an older program.  “This is evidence of TSTC’s ongoing efforts to tailor our programs to the precise skill sets Texas employers need,” said Barton Day, TSTC’s provost in Marshall....

(WACO, Texas) – With a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in hand, Kory Dyer of Bellville wanted to make himself more marketable. “I went home and just wanted to weigh out what all my options were. During the internship (for the degree), I came to realize that engineers are expected, going into the field coming...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – From airplane landing gears to smartphones, precision machining is a critical component of our lives. “Everything comes from an actual machine shop making the products you are going to need for later use,” said Isaac Gonzalez, lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program in Harlingen.  Gonzalez said it...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College instructor Charles Sparks would like to help you reframe what you picture when you think of robotics — specifically in the context of TSTC’s Robotics Technology program. “When most people think of robotics, they envision consumer-based items such as drones, robotic vacuums, cars, trucks, boats and even ‘battle...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College representatives connected with Abilene Independent School District students and their parents during the ribbon-cutting of the Leadership and Innovation in Future Technologies (LIFT) Center. TSTC dual enrollment representatives and recruiters will maintain a presence at the LIFT Center, Abilene ISD’s newest facility. During the Sept. 7 event, Abilene...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College recently held its annual Industry Job Fair at the Harlingen campus, where more than 400 TSTC students and alumni utilized their networking skills and handed out resumes to representatives from some 68 companies. “The job fair helps elevate that partnership that TSTC and our business and industry partners...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – A bridge is easier to cross with a friend or loved one by your side, just as father and daughter Matt and Brooke Linthicum learned when they attended Texas State Technical College together.  The two earned their Associate of Applied Science degrees from TSTC’s Automation and Controls Technology program at the Marshall...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – More than 400 Texas State Technical College students and alumni recently discussed their job skills and qualifications with representatives from some 70 companies at TSTC’s Industry Job Fair at the Harlingen location on Thursday, April 4. Business and industry representatives described their company cultures, job benefits, and the qualifications they are looking...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After working in some unfulfilling jobs, Carlos Nunez sought a career that would give him a better life. So he contacted an enrollment coach at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen location. “I wanted to know which programs were associated with computers to take in the evening,” Nunez said. “I met an instructor...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Isise Flores was working on homework one late night in June when he got hungry, went to the kitchen and stepped in a puddle of water. For the 20-year-old Texas State Technical College student this puddle turned into knee-deep water that flooded an entire part of his family’s home, leaving a humble...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It is captivating to marvel at what inspires a child’s creative curiosity and observe them draw that in a sketchbook. For Texas State Technical College Drafting and Design alumna Mariela Ramirez, that talent for drawing began at an early age. “I found a connection to architecture when I watched the TV show...

(HARLINGEN) – Ten-year-old Cassidy Martinez watched the effects of erosion with amazement during the “Explore Science: Earth and Space” event recently hosted at Texas State Technical College. The event, organized by TSTC’s Challenger Learning Center, was popular among families in the community for children in kindergarten to sixth grade, with a turnout of more than...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With manufacturing on the rise, the number of skilled machinists needed in the industry is also increasing. And Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College is working to produce the machinists needed to meet the demand. TSTC Precision Machining Technology lead instructor Isaac Gonzalez said he receives phone calls very often...

(WACO, Texas) – Daniel Gormley and Travis Kight have known each other since they were in middle school in Boerne. Now they are in their fourth semester as Texas State Technical College students studying Welding Technology. The students are completing a special project that is sure to make Dorman Vick, their former welding instructor at...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – It takes a process, with trained people overseeing it, to make sure water stays clean and wastewater gets treated. “There is an increase in demand for wastewater treatment process operators, but the number of jobs in this career field is less than jobs available in chemical plants and oil refineries,” said Nicholas...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Many Rio Grande Valley high schoolers are taking advantage of Texas State Technical College’s dual enrollment program this school year. TSTC has active dual enrollment partnerships for the 2021-22 school year with Brownsville ISD, Harlingen CISD, La Feria ISD, Los Fresnos CISD, Lyford CISD, Mercedes ISD, Raymondville ISD, Rio Hondo ISD and...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jose Rodriguez, of Brownsville, developed an interest in precision machining when he was a student at Hanna Early College High School. His former high school had offered both precision machining and welding in the same shop, and he was intrigued by the demonstrations of how things were made. Now he is pursuing...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Leaders from Texas State Technical College and the Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation Inc. (RSTEF) gathered Thursday, Sept. 30, at TSTC’s Harlingen campus to celebrate a $310,250 grant to The TSTC Foundation for TSTC’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program and The TSTC Foundation’s Goal Line Assistance Scholarship. The RSTEF has pledged...

Christopher Biello gained relevant training through TSTC’s Precision Machining Technology program (ROSENBERG, Texas) – An automated machine shop in a U.S. Air Force base in Okinawa, Japan, gave Christopher Biello an idea of what he would do after his military career. “I was thoroughly impressed with what they were doing in there,” he recalled. Once...

(HUTTO, Texas) – For Peter Wilson, of Georgetown, it is the best maintenance job he said he has ever had. “It’s something new every day, and we are constantly learning,” he said. Wilson, a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems – Mechanical Specialization program in East Williamson County, is a mechanic at ICU...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Bill Goss began teaching this semester in the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County. Goss grew up in Houston and moved to Austin after graduating from high school. He completed a four-year precision machining apprenticeship sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and went on...

Competition draws 83 cars from classic to modern (ROSENBERG, Texas) – On a recent weekend at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus, dozens of cars — both classic and cutting-edge — filled the parking lot.  Their owners propped open hoods, trunks and doors, showcasing polished interiors or outer patinas. Many displayed rows of...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Jose Palacios, of Waxahachie, is already making history at Texas State Technical College in North Texas. Palacios will be the first student to represent the campus when he advances to the 58th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference being held June 20-24 in Atlanta, Georgia. He will compete in the...

Electromechanical Automation one of several courses to choose from (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas A&M University student Bahaa Alhaj was eager to get back to in-person learning when he decided to enroll in Electromechanical Automation at Texas State Technical College. “It gave me experience in electrical circuits. Especially with COVID-19, we were doing all of our...

Architectural-Mechanical Drafting is one of several courses available this summer (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Kayla Boettcher might not be 100% sure of exactly what she wants to do with her Industrial and Systems Engineering degree from Texas A&M University, but she is keeping her options open with a broad range of experiences this summer. One experience...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education program recently held a graduation ceremony for its third cohort of welding students. Eight students embraced the challenging eight-week training program. Each individual earned a Maritime Welding Level 1 certificate from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) under the direction...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Services department hosted staff this week from two companies looking to meet, and possibly, hire students. Representatives of M&S Engineering and Texas Instruments talked to students from the Avionics Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, and Instrumentation Technology programs. M&S Engineering has offices throughout the state, including Beaumont,...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The Texas State Technical College Welding Technology program recently hosted the Texas FFA Association’s Area 6 Applied Agricultural Engineering Career Development Event at the Marshall campus. “We’re trying to showcase what TSTC is willing to do for the local schools, students, and Texans as a whole,” Russell Hutcherson, a TSTC welding instructor, said....

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Drone technology is revolutionizing the field of agriculture, and to ensure that students’ skills meet industry standards, Texas State Technical College’s Agricultural Technology program recently implemented drone training into its curriculum. “Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, are transforming the way work gets done out in the field,” said TSTC Agricultural Technology instructor...

(RED OAK, Texas) – More than 40 educators on Friday learned about Texas State Technical College’s mission to help students earn certificates and associate degrees that could lead to great-paying jobs. The Spring Counselors Update focused on dual enrollment, in-demand jobs and other components of TSTC. The gathering’s goal was to arm educators with new...

(WACO, Texas) – Jacob Johnson’s career is in the fast lane. Johnson, 20, of Austin graduated in August from Texas State Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cloud and Data Center Management. He is an associate systems engineer at Austin-based Accruent, a worldwide physical resources management and planning company. “This is...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Three Longview companies are utilizing Texas State Technical College for training employees in new technical skills. Komatsu Mining Corp., Stemco and Westlake Chemical Corp. have scheduled training on-site and at TSTC’s Marshall campus in recent weeks. “We are now approaching businesses to assist them in identifying training gaps and coming up with...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Two employees at Texas State Technical College in Marshall have been honored for their work and skills. Neal Andrews, an electrician, and Amy Hertel, a Cyber Security instructor, have received TSTC’s Chancellor’s Excellence Awards. “We’re incredibly proud of both Amy and Neal,” said TSTC Provost Barton Day. “Both of these great teammates...

(Sweetwater) – The journey from student to employee has come full circle for two Texas State Technical College alumni who have been honored for their dedication and skills as employees at TSTC in Sweetwater. Maria Aguirre, statewide senior executive director of Communication and Creative Services, and Elizabeth Reyes, graphic designer, have received TSTC’s Chancellor’s Excellence...

(WACO, Texas) – Henry Herring of Temple has gone from serving and defending our country to protecting technology networks throughout Texas. Herring, a 2018 graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Cyber Security and Digital Forensics Specialist programs in Waco, is director of security operations at Sentinel Cyber Intelligence in downtown Waco. “This is not just...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Just like illnesses invade the body, so can viruses of a more technical kind invade digital devices. The health care industry is entrusted with sensitive patient information, and Texas State Technical College’s Cyber Security program trains technicians to diagnose vulnerabilities and protect data from intrusion in digital systems such as those maintained...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With the aging of baby boomers and with a population with an overall longer life span, the need for health care services is growing, increasing the demand for vocational nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau Labor Statistics, vocational nursing is projected to grow faster than any other occupation by 2026. Texas State...

(WACO, Texas) – The city of Hillsboro has more than 20 computer servers spread among city-owned buildings. And, two people with the important role of keeping the city’s technology functioning are Texas State Technical College graduates. Antwon Gude is director of Hillsboro’s Management Information Systems (MIS) Department, and Nathan Stroud is anMIS technician. For Gude...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The construction industry is booming and continuing to add jobs, but with growth comes the need for a skilled workforce. And Texas State Technical College’s Building Construction Technology is diligently working to fill the skills gap. TSTC Building Construction Technology lead instructor Rick Vargas said the industry demand is so high that...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – As East Texans adapt to an uncertain future of self-isolation and businesses reducing hours or temporarily closing, online shopping is becoming the way for consumers to acquire what they want. And for those people who do not shop online much, they could be a prime target for scammers. “From a security perspective,...

(WACO, Texas) — Shannon Hudson of Riesel grew up with an interest in drawing and fashion, and she had a vision of starting a T-shirt business. She realized she did not have the technical skills to make her a plan a reality. “So, I decided to learn about something that I was really passionate about,”...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Three graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus are helping to keep the city of Longview safe and technologically advancing. “There are a lot of positive aspects to working in the public sector,” said Amy Hertel, an instructor in TSTC’s Cybersecurity program. “Government jobs not only allow for great work experience,...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Medical office specialists are often among the first faces that patients see as soon as they enter a clinic. Compassion, care and a genuine desire to help others are a few of the traits that define those in this profession. Remote learning at Texas State Technical College has made earning a Medical...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Culinary Arts program worked in late March to accommodate a campuswide shift to online teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Until that time the program used Moodle, the college’s open-source learning platform, on a limited basis. But Michele Brown, lead instructor of TSTC’s Culinary Arts program in Waco,...

(WACO, Texas) – As doctors and nurses battle the COVID-19 pandemic, biomedical equipment technicians are alongside them keeping devices and machines functioning. CardioQuip in College Station has two Texas State Technical College alumni encountering the most serious work they have done so far in their careers. David De La Hoya is a training associate and...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration program and Cybersecurity program at the North Texas campus will move to an all-online format this fall. For the 2020-21 academic year, TSTC’s health protocols have caused changes in how many classes are delivered. Some programs are moving to a hybrid format...

(WACO, Texas) – Joshua Dickens grew up in Clifton and studied music at a two-year community college. “I still enjoy music,” he said. “But for me, now it’s something I enjoy doing with friends, with my family, that type of thing. It is not something I am trying to make money on in a career.”...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has embraced remote learning, and despite studying off campus, students are still assured the same hands-on guidance that TSTC provides to students studying on campus. Department chair JJ Vavra discussed the fundamentals of TSTC’s Visual Communication Technology program, its benefits, and what students will learn during their five...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Nursing students in Harlingen and Sweetwater will be able to use simulators that will help them in the future. TSTC was recently awarded Nursing Innovation Grant Program grants totaling $153,205. The program is facilitated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is funded through the Texas Tobacco...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For Texas State Technical College Business Management Technology instructor Cynthia Mata, the last three decades seem to have flown by. “It does not feel like 35 years,” she said. “I was between jobs, and my parents mentioned that I should apply at TSTC. I started as an instructor in the Business Skills...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Health Information Technology instructor Sarah Brooks has taught at Texas State Technical College for 17 years. Her excitement upon discovering the many opportunities available in health information guided her to a career as department chair at TSTC. Brooks discussed the advantages of earning a Medical Office Specialist certificate online, as well as...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The future of Texas State Technical College’s Computer Programming Technology program is shining as bright as a laptop screen. Last spring, the program moved all of its classes online. Due to this, the college’s programs that were physically on five of TSTC’s campuses combined into one statewide unit. This means instructors are...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Computer Networking and Systems Administration at Texas State Technical College brings the digital world to life for students enrolled in the program. Instructor Emanuel Palacios discussed the highlights of the field, as well as what students can expect during their time in the online program and beyond. “This program will provide students...

Marketing, photography, illustration among Digital Media Design career paths (WACO, Texas) – Recent graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Digital Media Design program have an impressive array of career options. Pleasanton native Hannah Selby works at a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary as a marketing coordinator and real estate photographer. Abilene resident Arabel Mullen aspires to be...

(WACO, Texas) – Alissa Foss grew up in Central Texas and is a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Visual Communication Technology program in Waco. She is a graphic designer at National Sign Plazas in Cedar Park. What inspired you to study Visual Communication Technology at TSTC? I have always loved art and drawing but...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Claudia Reyes, of Harlingen, is a 2019 graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Computer Networking and Security Technology (now Computer Networking and Systems Administration) program. An admiration of working with computers, analyzing crime documentaries and advocating against cyberbullying led her to return to TSTC to pursue an advanced technical certificate in Digital...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – In our increasingly connected world, headline-grabbing cyberattacks are becoming more frequent — especially when they wreak havoc on things like the supply chain, paychecks and access to online services. One type of attack in particular has caused headaches worldwide. “Of cyberattacks, ransomware is probably the nastiest of them all,” said Texas State...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – You could be the most qualified applicant for a job posting. But unless your resume conveys that, you may be overlooked for the position. “In a nutshell, the entire purpose of a resume is to get you to an interview,” said Hunter Henry, a Texas State Technical College Career Services associate. “Think...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For one Texas State Technical College alumnus, the need for a career change from automotive technology to cybersecurity happened almost overnight. Mario Graciani, of Raymondville, earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from TSTC in 2002. He then was hired as a diesel mechanic for a San Benito construction...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As the health care field introduces the latest advancements in medical technologies, Texas State Technical College implements similar resources to prepare its students for real-world careers. The Surgical Technology program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus recently introduced a new PeriopSim surgical simulator to be used by students during lab sessions. The software was...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In schools, offices and businesses around the world, whenever anything computer-related goes haywire, it is the IT — information technology — professional who often comes to the rescue. In observance of National IT Professionals Day on Sept. 20, Texas State Technical College recognizes two of its IT professionals, Armando Hernandez and Justin...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Although the word “hack” has been around since the 13th century, today many think of it as having something to do with gaining access to someone else’s computer — and not in a good way. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the Cybersecurity program at Texas State Technical College prepares its students...

(RED OAK, Texas) – About 80 sophomores, juniors and seniors from Red Oak High School are taking dual enrollment classes this year through Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus. Some of the high school students are taking Automotive Technology classes taught by a TSTC-credentialed teacher at Red Oak Middle School, where some of the...

(WACO, Texas) – Garrett Lederman, of McGregor, has played online games for as long as he can remember. “I typically play for a couple of hours a day during the week,” said Lederman, a second-semester Cybersecurity student at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. “I go crazy on the weekends, about four hours a day...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus participated in the Taylor Chamber of Commerce’s Trades Day Career Fair on Wednesday, March 1, at the Williamson County Expo Center. Tia Rae Stone, the chamber’s president and chief executive officer, said the event’s purpose was to have area students think about their career...

(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 40 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Spring 2023 Commencement held Tuesday, April 25, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock. “This group persevered,” said Lissa Adams, the campus’ provost. “This was a more engaged graduating...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A lot of work goes into creating a great website. From search engine optimization, graphics, caches, cookies and more, developing a website that can meet everything a company needs is daunting. That’s where web developers come in. The Web Design and Development program at Texas State Technical College teaches students the skills...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored 58 employees from the four West Texas campuses for their service during the summer Employee Appreciation Day last month. Employees and their families enjoyed a cookout prepared by faculty and staff, several inflatable bounce houses and slides, and a visit to the Abilene Zoo. Door prizes were...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – U.S. Army veteran David Murillo worked under contract as a security guard with the Department of Homeland Security for nearly two decades. Last year his former employer experienced a critical situation when the pandemic limited the team’s work. That led Murillo, of Brownsville, not only to search for ways to supplement his...

(WACO, Texas) – Paul Roberts, of Leander, is a regional safety director at Rogers-O’Brien Construction in Austin and a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. Roberts graduated in the early 1990s from what was then Texas State Technical Institute with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health and a...

(WACO, Texas) – The thought of finding the right words to form sentences to create cohesive paragraphs can be a daunting task for some people, especially in the workplace. Students at Texas State Technical College have the option of taking Technical and Business Writing, a class included in several of the college’s technical programs. More...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Manufacturing jobs are an integral part of the Texas economy, and recently the Central Texas region has experienced an increase in machinist jobs. This job outlook is a key motivator for students who are enrolled in the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College. The program is known for training...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Five Texas State Technical College Cybersecurity students will participate in a national competition during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which is observed during October. Ricardo de Leon, Cesar Herrera, Brandon Martinez, David Murillo and Anna Reyes will represent TSTC during the National Cyber League (NCL) event. NCL, a virtual training ground that features a...

(WACO, Texas) – By the time high schoolers reach their junior or senior year, most of them are dreaming of their future independence. Texas State Technical College’s dual enrollment program can help them get a jump-start on their college education, giving them an early taste of that independence. TSTC partners with several high schools across...

(ABILENE, Texas) – What started out as four television monitors on top of a vehicle dashboard is now the first complete ambulance simulator in North America. Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Services program hosted area first responders at the unveiling of the simulator, a multinational project between the college, Echo Healthcare, and SimLeader, a...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Students in the Dental Hygiene program at Texas State Technical College are about to have a new tool to help prepare them for careers in the Texas workforce. The program will introduce a new HTC VIVE Focus 3 virtual reality simulator next spring that will be used by students in the third-semester...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus opened for the spring semester on Monday, Jan. 8. “I’m really excited about the semester,” said Hunter Henry, a campus Career Services coordinator. “TSTC is experiencing so much growth in our region and our employer relationships have not been stronger.” Henry is proud of...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Cybersecurity program is expanding its dual enrollment offerings to two high schools in the San Antonio Independent School District. “This opportunity not only prepares students for lucrative careers in cybersecurity, but also fosters our mission of placing more Texans and securing a technologically adept workforce,” said Megan Hanson,...

(RED OAK, Texas) – More than 10 students from Texas State Technical College’s North Texas location are preparing to put their skills to the test. The students will compete at the 2024 SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference taking place from Thursday, April 18, to Saturday, April 20, in Houston. “Our students and faculty...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Marshall native Henry Wells joined the Drafting and Design program at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall location after opening his family’s dream business, Wells Enterprises Unlimited LLC. “We wanted to build affordable houses,” he said. “That’s where TSTC came into play.” Wells had already graduated from TSTC before, earning an Associate of...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Twenty students from Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County location are preparing to showcase their knowledge and skills. The students will compete at the 2024 SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference taking place from Thursday, April 18, to Saturday, April 20, in Houston. “It (SkillsUSA) helps you build your success,”...

(WACO, Texas) – More than 400 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received associate degrees or certificates of completion at TSTC’s Spring 2024 Commencement held Thursday, May 2, at the BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco. “Graduation represents the culmination of all the hard work of our students,” said Beth Wooten, campus...

(HUTTO, Texas) – National Dapper Your Data Day is an annual event on July 18 that raises awareness about cybersecurity and protecting personal information on devices. More than 353 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2023, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, with more than 349 million of those victims the result...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Last year, Texas State Technical College’s Process Operations program was awarded a $637,000 grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Division of Undergraduate Education.  “The idea behind the grant was to provide additional skill sets for our Process Operations students in the area of liquified natural gas (LNG),” Katie Robinson, TSTC’s associate...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Total Site Solutions Inc. (TSS) recently partnered with Texas State Technical College to allow students to start working at the company while they earn Computer Networking and Systems Administration degrees at TSTC’s East Williamson County campus. TSS is a company in Round Rock, Texas, that helps businesses acquire and deploy high-performance computing...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Victoria “Tori” Lynn jumped into the workforce after earning her general education diploma. She held several jobs before enrolling at Texas State Technical College, but they all had one thing in common. “Whether it was my job at the newspaper or my job at the vet or my job working at hotels,...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The construction of the new Transportation Center of Excellence at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus is progressing smoothly. On track to open by the fall 2025 semester, the building will house two new automotive programs in addition to an expanded Diesel Equipment Technology program. While the diesel program is...

David Peña is an Engineering major at Texas State Technical College. He expects to graduate this semester with an associate degree. The 22-year-old, who also works as a work-study employee as a mentor with the TSTC Office of Student Success, said he is excited about his future and happy that he’s been able to grow...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For the first time, Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology will expand its offerings with evening classes beginning Spring 2020. TSTC Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics statewide department chair Samuel Pizano said the change comes at a time when students are seeking flexibility, and evening and online courses are growing in popularity....

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Luiz Ramirez of Boerne is motivated by providing for his family and seeing what he has helped create come to life. Ramirez, a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, is a computer-aided design (CAD) technician at Matkin Hoover Engineering in Boerne. He said his job is fast-paced and involves a...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The word mechatronics comes from two words: mechanical and electronics, creating a powerful combination of skill and detail for workers. The career field of mechatronics combines computer-controlled systems, electrical systems, instrumentation and robotics. Texas State Technical College’s Mechatronics Technology program in Harlingen requires students to have an ability to do hands-on work,...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Mari Cruz Montoya was captivated by drawing, painting and sculpting at a young age. Little did she know that her creativity would lead to a degree from Texas State Technical College’s Drafting and Design program and eventually to a job at Cruz-Hogan Consultants, a civil engineering consulting firm. “In middle school, I...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Many Texas State Technical College students find jobs before graduation, thanks to the college’s specialized education and the school’s caring staff. However, Vanessa Martinez’s employers at Republic Elite recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue a degree at TSTC while still working for them.  Martinez is a Drafting and Design student...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students recently had the chance to hear from representatives of two companies and learn about their employment needs. TSTC Electrical Power and Controls students met with staff from McCord Engineering Inc. of College Station and Samsung Austin Semiconductor (SAS). Students in the Instrumentation Technology and Robotics and Industrial...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Alejandra Sanchez does her best to balance motherhood, a college education and being an assistant manager at a pizza restaurant. Sanchez is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Engineering Graphics and Design Technology at TSTC, and she finds it interesting how some instances in...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – To earn a spot at this year’s SkillsUSA national competition, Texas State Technical College Mechatronics students and teammates Ricardo Vera and Maria Lara worked diligently for six hours building, wiring and programming their programmable logic controller, or PLC, during the SkillsUSA state competition earlier this month at TSTC in Waco. “The competition...

Welding is one of several choices for summer courses (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Vanessa Perez is getting some advice during her summer welding program at Texas State Technical College from an unusual source: her grandfather. “My grandpa was a welder in the Port of Brownsville for many years, so he would always tell me about it,”...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – If you can imagine yourself standing in the center of a shopping mall — say, for example, the Galleria in Houston, with its corridors full of hundreds of stores and eateries — then you are already on your way to visualizing how many career opportunities Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Power and...

(WACO, Texas) – Brandon Bozarth, of San Antonio, did not know when he logged in to Texas State Technical College’s Virtual Industry Job Fair last spring that it would lead to an internship and, later, a full-time career. Bozarth, an online Engineering student at TSTC, is a testing supervisor and project manager at POWER Engineers...

Current Power employee and TSTC student organized event (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls students recently experienced the first session in a new series aimed at more closely connecting classrooms and careers. POWER Engineers Inc., an engineering and environmental consulting firm with offices across North America, is behind the series...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Cristie Massey is a maintenance manager at AAON Coil Products in Longview, where she oversees more than 40 employees ranging from facilities technicians to janitorial staff. Massey is a graduate of Texas State Technical College in Marshall, where she earned two associate degrees, one in Environmental Health and Safety and the other...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus and current student Alfonso Juarez, of Weslaco, was captivated at an early age by how things work. He could not have dreamed that one day he would have a job with aerospace manufacturer SpaceX. “I was very curious how things worked mechanically,” he said. “I was that...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some 50 students from Texas State Technical College’s Mechatronics Technology, Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology programs at the Harlingen campus experienced a tour of aerospace manufacturer SpaceX’s launch facility in Brownsville Wednesday, March 16. They were greeted with a spectacular view from outside the facility of a Stargate base and three...

(WACO, Texas) – Representatives of Texas State Technical College and the Baylor University School of Engineering and Computer Science joined Axtell residents on Thursday, July 21, for the dedication of a wheelchair-accessible swing at Axtell Community Park. “It’s one of those things where you see us (TSTC and Baylor) as these big brands,” said Jerome...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Precision Machining Technology student Adrian Munoz developed a fascination with engineering at a young age. “My dad and I worked on a project where he wanted to fuse two jeeps together and make it an eight-seater,” he said. “During that process, I loved working on the automobile’s engine.”...

(WACO, Texas) – One has an affinity for clothing in earth tones. The other likes to wear Hawaiian-style shirts. Carter and Samuel Marek, of Dripping Springs, are twins attending Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. Carter Marek is studying Building Construction Technology, and Samuel Marek is a student in the Precision Machining Technology program. Both...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Guehovany Hernandez and his father have always had a strong bond. His dad, who worked as a contractor, introduced him to the construction field when he was a teenager. “As I grew older, I developed an interest in industrial construction,” Hernandez said. “I realized there was a demand for a drafter in...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Mia Segueda experienced a rewarding academic journey as a teenager that would be the roadmap for her future career. Segueda was first introduced to engineering in the robotics club at Berta Cabaza Middle School in San Benito, followed by graduating as valedictorian at Triumph Public High Schools....

Esperanza Velazquez is an Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics student at Texas State Technical College. The San Benito native boasts a 3.75 grade-point average and expects to graduate with an associate degree in Spring 2020. The 21-year-old is also active on campus as a work-study employee for Student Life and Engagement and the Student Government...

(WACO, Texas) – Not everyone can claim to have received a U.S. patent. But Cecil C. Rhodes Jr., who received his degree from Texas State Technical Institute (now Texas State Technical College), can. Last year, he and his team at Texas A&M University were awarded U.S. Patent 9,957,035 for Un-Manned Aerial Vehicle Having Adjustable Wing...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Jerry Nieto sold the business he co-owned and he wanted to travel the world, but a life surprise led him to Texas State Technical College.  The Brownsville native graduated with an associate degree from TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls program in Spring 2019, and since then has found success within his chosen...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With no intention to go to college, Texas State Technical College Mechatronics Technology alumnus Matt Lashbrook is now thankful that he did, because he said college took him from rags to riches. The Rio Hondo native always put effort into his schooling, even taking dual enrollment courses while in high school, yet...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As a first-generation college student, Marisol Arias is proving to herself and others that she can break barriers for herself and her family. The Brownsville native is an Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology student at Texas State Technical College, where she is expected to graduate in Spring 2020 with an associate...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For Esthela Hernandez, becoming a college graduate seemed like a dream that would never come true. But on Friday night, the Texas State Technical College Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics student earned her associate degree. “This point in time seemed like it would never be possible,” said the 23-year-old. “I didn’t know...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Students graduating from Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems – Electrical Specialization program in Marshall leave with knowledge about commercial wiring, electrical theory, hydraulics, pneumatics and other topics. “There is actually big money locally if the students want to stay local,” said Edward Chaney, a TSTC program instructor. Texas had more than...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Aron Guajardo grew up in Donna, Texas, and is a graduate of the South Texas High School for Health Professions in Mercedes. He also has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics Technology from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen. Guajardo has a maintenance position at PVC pipe manufacturer JM Eagle...

(ABILENE, Texas) – When Lucas Robirds returns to Texas A&M University this fall, he will be able to tell his friends that he learned a new skill. Robirds, an aerospace engineering student at Texas A&M, is spending his summer break studying Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College. He is participating in the Bachelor’s+ Program,...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Joshua Schott, an instructor at Texas State Technical College, provides his students with powerful tools based on his unique experience at TSTC. “I’ve been through what they’re doing, I see the problems that they have, and I can actually instruct them in ways that few other instructors can because they haven’t come...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Kaylee Jimenez, of Rio Hondo, hopes to have a career in the medical field with a connection to engineering in a hospital setting. Her choice to pursue the Biomedical Equipment Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus has been a rewarding one. The program teaches students how to inspect, calibrate,...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Helena “Lani” Orr does not look like a typical electrical technician. But once she earns her Associate of Applied Science degree in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Power and Controls program, she hopes she can help change that — particularly since the industry resonates with her and comes with an added bonus...

Jose Reyes, of Harlingen, grew up with a unique connection to electronics, from building basic electronic kits as a child with his father to observing the robotics club events at his former high school. Those interests in mechanical and electronic engineering led him to enroll at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, where he is...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Cybersecurity program is training students to seize opportunities in the growing field. Even with historic female contributions in information technology, there is still room for more women in the male-dominated field. Cybersecurity instructors Norma Colunga-Hernandez, Amy Hertel, Jan Nesmith and Carol Scheler, who share decades of teaching experience...

Robotics Technology instructor Charles Sparks has a wealth of industry experience (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Robotics Technology instructor Charles Sparks has been interested in electronics since he was a teenager. That interest took him through six years of active duty with the U.S. Navy where, as an electronic warfare technician, he was...

Hands-on HVAC training has boosted Chalhoub’s experience (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Gus Chalhoub is no stranger to a career change. He first set his heart on becoming a nurse. But when the birth of his twins — and the stress of caring for his toddler — closed the door on that path, Chalhoub instead decided to...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Sparks sprayed and popped in the Welding Technology lab at Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County.  Texas state Rep. Jacey Jetton (R-Richmond) was applying what he learned from TSTC Welding Technology instructor Alex Deibert in a hands-on lesson. Jetton grinned as he raised his welding helmet to check out...

(WACO, Texas) – Four fall candidates for graduation in the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus have been hired by a Texas-based producer of machined products and assemblies for the aerospace and defense industries. Universal Machining Industries Inc., in Muenster in Cooke County, has hired Calvin Golden, of Temple, Dylan...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Robert Shields is a Texas State Technical College instructor in the Electrical Power and Controls program at the Fort Bend County campus. With a passion for all things mechanical and electrical, Shields has years of experience working in the field, as well as instructing students in the classroom.   Tell us a...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – James Simonetti plans to use his knowledge and skills to mentor Texas State Technical College Electromechanical Technology students. An ordained pastor who felt that he was being called to teach, Simonetti recently was hired to be an instructor in the program. He will draw on his years of experience in a variety...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – “The Industrial Systems program used to be sold as a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ program. In reality, we are teaching people to be experts in all technical fields.” So said Brian Weakley, lead instructor for the Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus. Weakley has been teaching the program for...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Instructors in the Mechatronics Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus are looking forward to Aug. 28, the first day of the fall semester, because the college’s recruitment efforts have resulted in an enrollment increase in the program. Carlos Reyes, TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology program director in Harlingen, said the number...

(WACO, Texas) – Eric Beckman, of Frisco, was recently appointed to Texas State Technical College’s Board of Regents by Gov. Greg Abbott for a term expiring on Aug. 31, 2029. “I couldn’t be more than happy to be appointed to this position,” Beckman said. “Education, particularly in the areas TSTC is involved in, is something...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Recent Texas State Technical College graduate Manuel Banuelos could not be happier with his decision to get experience as a technician apprentice with German printing press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer at the company’s facility in Dallas. Banuelos graduated from TSTC with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics Technology last fall,...

(WACO, Texas) – Life is an adventure for Daniel Liu. Liu, of Hewitt, has spent time walking across New Zealand and long-term backpacking in Europe. Now he is living out a new adventure as an Instrumentation Technology student at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. Liu is in his fifth semester of the program. He...

(RED OAK, Texas) – As a second-semester Texas State Technical College student, mother of two, and shift lead for a Target distribution center, Brianna Heckard has worked to find balance while pursuing her goal of working in a male-dominated career field. Heckard’s interest in pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems at...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The summer semester is coming to a close at Texas State Technical College. Students work hard in their labs and programs, finishing up their final projects and assignments. And some anticipate the end of their classroom studies — and graduation. Such is the case for two students in the Electrical Power and...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Representatives from Johnson & Pace Inc., a company specializing in engineering, architecture and surveying, recently visited Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus to give TSTC Drafting and Design students a glimpse of what it would be like to work for their firm. Johnson & Pace project manager Ken Rust, a TSTC Drafting...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Garrett Roeder always liked hands-on hobbies. But when he tried machining, he found his passion.  Roeder is in his third semester of Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus in Hutto. He discovered machining in high school in Austin. “I went to an arts magnet high school...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Orlando Chavez of Red Oak did not look far to make his college decision. Chavez is a Precision Machining Technology major at Texas State Technical College, which is next door to Red Oak High School, where he graduated in 2018. “I have enjoyed getting to learn how to use the milling...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Mariela Ramirez, 20, is pursuing an associate degree in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics at Texas State Technical College. The Harlingen native maintains an impressive 3.9 grade-point average while working as a mentor with the TSTC Office of Student Success. What are your plans after graduation? This month I will begin an...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Students who pursue industrial maintenance careers play a critical role in keeping their workplaces operational. “I feel like a student that will do well will be curious in nature and want to learn,” said John Walker, an instructor in Texas State Technical College in North Texas’ Industrial Maintenance program. Walker said...

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Leaders from Texas State Technical College, the Texas Workforce Commission and 3M Brownwood gathered Thursday to commemorate a $78,771 Skills Development Fund grant aimed at improving 35 workers’ skills at the 3M Brownwood facility. The grant will provide customized training for 33 incumbent and two new 3M Brownwood employees that will take...

(WACO, Texas) – Six recent Texas State Technical College graduates have been hired by National Field Services based in Lewisville, Texas. Seth Culver, Ashley Denton, James Fisher, Daniel Garmon, Luke Sanchez and Stephen Wheir all received their Associate of Applied Science degrees in Electrical Power and Controls at TSTC’s Spring 2019 Commencement in early May...

(WACO, Texas) – The city of Glen Rose in Somervell County has proven to be an inspirational place for Texas State Technical College student Iris De La Fuente. De La Fuente, an Instrumentation Technology major, once worked as a painting foreman at Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant in Glen Rose. Hearing the success stories of...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Harlingen will host its first of four registration rallies for the summer on Wednesday, June 12. The event, to be held at the Engineering Technology Center on Airport Drive, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. will focus on programs: Architectural Design & Engineering Graphics, Biomedical Equipment Technology,...

(HARLINGEN) – Blueprint reading, coding and design is what Texas State Technical College students Eduardo Ortiz and Gabriel Flores have been focused on in preparation for the upcoming SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. SkillsUSA is a professional organization teaching technical, academic and employability skills that help high school and college students pursue successful careers....

By Amanda Sotelo (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Madison Freeman is a long way from her hometown of Sulphur Springs, Texas, and her move to the Rio Grande Valley was inspired by TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology program.  As a woman who grew up in the foster care system, being a college student is...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The demand for electrical power and controls technicians is high and continuously increasing, which is why Texas State Technical College and its Electrical Power and Controls program are working diligently to produce highly skilled graduates. “The industry is growing by leaps and bounds around the industrial centers in the Gulf Coast region,”...

(WACO, Texas) – More than 400 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2019 Commencement held Friday, Dec. 6, at the Waco Convention Center. Many of the graduates already have jobs. Spencer Brown of Austin came to TSTC after working in automotive and construction jobs. He received the Associate of...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Physics is a study of matter, motion and behavior through space and time related to energy and force. In Texas State Technical College’s Physics program, students receive the building blocks to support technical programs and educational goals. TSTC Physics campus department chair Jose Alvarez said that the mastery of physics can lead...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training office wants to bring welding to you. The office recently finished creating a mobile welding training lab inside a 42-foot enclosed gooseneck trailer. The training lab features four welding bays, one being wheelchair accessible, along with multipurpose welding machines, a fume extraction system and a hydraulic...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus continues to strengthen relationships with municipalities throughout Ellis County. Midlothian, in the northwest part of the county, has proven to be a supportive partner in promoting technical education to residents. “There has been a lot of collaboration with Midlothian,” said Marcus Balch, TSTC’s provost....

(RED OAK, Texas) – Students interested in learning in the evenings this fall can pursue a range of technical programs at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus. The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology program’s daytime and evening students can finish a certificate in three semesters or an associate degree in five semesters.   “The...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has been selected as one of four colleges nationally to take part in a program aimed at producing more workers for the automotive collision repair industry. Enterprise Holdings, with funding from its philanthropic arm the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation, and Missouri-based Ranken Technical College have launched the Automotive Collision...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Micah Johnson, of Carthage, looks forward not only to graduating this semester from Texas State Technical College, but also to starting work shortly thereafter as an instrumentation technician at Phillips 66’s Sweeny Refinery in Brazoria County. “I’m excited for sure,” Johnson said. “It is something new. It is going to take me...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Electricity drives not only productivity, but also job creation. Warren Ketteman, president and chief executive officer of the Waxahachie Economic Development Corp., said the availability of electricity is a key factor for prospective companies interested in the city. The Waxahachie EDC and Texas State Technical College in North Texas work together...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Hutto High School students with an interest in culinary arts have a quicker pathway to earning an associate degree at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus through dual enrollment classes. “Dual enrollment students have the benefit of seeing the culinary world before having to pay,” said Brian Bohannon, a Culinary...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program teaches students the skills they need to walk into any company that hires precision machinists and begin work. “If it’s man-made, we (machinists) made some or all of it in the process of its production,” said Darren Block, statewide lead instructor for TSTC’s...

Tesla START graduates look forward to working for company (WACO, Texas) – The Tesla START training program at Texas State Technical College recently held a recognition ceremony for its third cohort of graduates. The TSTC students began the 12-week training program in January to learn the skills necessary to become advanced electric vehicle technicians at...

(RED OAK, Texas) – From smartphones to the hubcaps on vehicles, precision machining is a critical component of our lives. “(Many human-made things would) not exist without a machine and its components,” said Nathan Cleveland, acting statewide lead in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program and associate provost at TSTC in Marshall. Cleveland...

(WACO, Texas) – Representatives from Texas State Technical College and Phillips 66 gathered on TSTC’s Waco campus on Thursday to celebrate a relationship that not only benefits TSTC students through scholarships provided by Phillips 66, but also benefits the energy giant with a reliable source of skilled technicians in the form of TSTC graduates. Rachel...

Other TSTC instructors’ children have also studied on campus (HARLINGEN, Texas) – When Horam Ardalani begins his studies for an Associate of Science degree in Mathematics this fall at TSTC, he will be the third of his siblings to study at the college. He decided to follow the same path of success as his older...

Opportunities gets college-level learning in gear for younger students (HARLINGEN, Texas) – After so much time spent learning virtually, GEAR UP student Lila Quintero is looking forward to being back in the classroom — even if it is the middle of summer vacation. The rising sophomore at Santa Rosa ISD was on campus at Texas...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Rosenberg is seeing a high demand for housing as growth moves south and west in the city. As housing is built, the city attracts businesses of all sizes.  Jeremy Heath, director of economic development for the city of Rosenberg, said the city’s western side is seeing industrial growth, while commercial and retail...

Drive-thru recruitment event showcases many programs on campus (HARLINGEN, Texas) – A relentless sun and heat index in the triple digits were not enough to deter applicants, prospective students and community members from attending Texas State Technical College’s drive-thru recruitment event Thursday on the Harlingen campus.  Vehicles began lining up 30 minutes before the event’s...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College, which has 10 campuses statewide, has been ranked first in Texas and third nationally among two-year institutions by Niche.com, an online market leader focused on education. TSTC received high marks in six categories: diversity, location, professors, safety, student life and value. The technical college was lauded for its...

TSTC alumnus works in drafting at SpaceX (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumnus Gaddison GiuocoSchlaefer is a part of history, working as a drafter at SpaceX in Boca Chica. “It’s awesome,” he said. “It’s like, am I dreaming? It’s amazing. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” While drafter is GiuocoSchlaefer’s official title,...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – About 110 local high schoolers are taking advantage of the dual enrollment program at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus this semester. The number of students participating this year is nearly double that of last year, said Joann Flores, a TSTC dual enrollment recruitment representative. She recently took on the...

(WACO, Texas) – Sean Vanderveer, of Sherman, is a graduate of Texas State Technical College in Waco, where he earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, which is now known as Precision Machining Technology. He was recently named executive director of the Sherman Housing Authority and oversees 298 units.  At Southeastern...

TSTC student finds outlet for passion through Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Connor Burke has a passion for the environment. When he earns his degree next summer in TSTC’s Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance program, he will have an opportunity to protect the environment through the...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Automation and Controls Technology program is providing students with new opportunities to learn valuable job skills. “The buzzwords in the industry are smart devices, the internet of things and also Industry 4.0,” said Douglas Clark, the program’s lead instructor. “There are big things surrounding this new push in...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – When Roland Leija graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, the alumnus never imagined that his passion for technology would bring him back as an instructor to the same location. He is thrilled to celebrate 10 years as a Mechatronics Technology instructor at TSTC....

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Houston was recently named a city on the rise for STEM-related jobs — and Texas State Technical College plays an essential role in training students for many types of those careers. “TSTC is the primary state agency responsible for preparing Texans for high-paying technical jobs,” said Randy Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Fort...

(WACO, Texas) – Jonathon Houston, of Killeen, takes pride in his attention to detail, which comes in handy in his field of study. Houston is a fall candidate for graduation for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College in Waco. “I like being hands-on and mechanically inclined;...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Fairbanks Morse Defense is hiring in the Houston area, and Joe Tomaskovic, the company’s general manager, hopes that Texas State Technical College Diesel Equipment Technology students in Fort Bend County will consider the opportunity. The storied military and industrial contractor has over 125 years in the business, building engines for the U.S....

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – As the bell sounded around 8 a.m. on a recent morning, high school students who were dressed in chef’s jackets, medical scrubs, automotive work shirts and other uniforms filled the hallways of Fort Bend ISD’s James Reese Career and Technical Center in Sugar Land. Senior Ryan Watassek was among them, on his...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students have the opportunity to be part of something big. TSTC’s Career Services department hosted a virtual industry spotlight event Wednesday, Dec. 1, alongside Texas Instruments, which hopes to hire for a number of careers. “We hope that you find something that interests you,” said Katie Peebles, an...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The Mechatronics Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus has produced many graduates who have made their mark on the industry. One such alumnus is AJ Tijerina. He has been employed as a meter lab electrician with American Electric Power in Corpus Christi for five years and resides in Brownsville....

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Anyone can dream up an idea, but it takes manufacturing to bring that dream to life. “Without manufacturing, nothing gets made,” said Matt Sykora, a representative for Haas Automation. Such a crucial facet of the economy requires highly trained workers, which Texas State Technical College works to provide with its Precision Machining...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Jerroll Hodge is not sure where he would be today had one of his Agriculture Mechanics classmates not invited him to help build a trailer during his sophomore year of high school in Huntsville. “Those guys saw my work ethic when we were in class, and they asked if I wanted to...

SkillsUSA gives students chance to hone technical skills (ROSENBERG, Texas) – The Welding Technology lab at Texas State Technical College was cold and quiet on a recent morning, with several of its 180 booths occupied by high school welding students absorbed in their work. All of the students concentrated intently on the projects in front...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In celebration of International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8, Texas State Technical College’s Advocacy and Resource Center will host a webinar titled “Women in Technology” that will showcase some of its current and former students in technical programs and nontraditional careers. The free event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to...

(WACO, Texas) – Jasmine Watch, of Dallas, graduated in 2021 from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Power and Controls. She now works in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for Oncor Electric Delivery, where she is an electrical design associate. How did you decide to major in...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Jessica Krause, of Round Rock, left her job as a pet groomer to enroll at Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County to study Welding Technology. The first-semester student said she was not expecting such a fast pace of teaching. Besides adapting to new skills, Krause had not been in a...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Rebekah DeLeeuw, of Hutto, stands out for more than one reason. She is currently the only female in the Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus. She is in her second semester. “I don’t notice I am the only girl here that often,” DeLeeuw said. “I think...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Larry Walders knows that he will have some reliable career options when he completes the Electrical Power and Controls program at Texas State Technical College. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and in industrial maintenance, Walders wanted a less physically demanding job. He turned to TSTC and is working toward an...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – DaVyion Ellis already has a degree in electrical engineering. However, the New Caney resident is currently working to earn a certificate of completion in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program. “I didn’t want to sit behind a desk, so I was looking for some more physical work — and possibly...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Luis Chavira admits that he did not have much welding experience when he began Welding Technology classes at Texas State Technical College. Chavira had not taken welding classes at ATEMS High School in Abilene, but he wanted to learn the trade to save money for a second career. “I want to work...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Among the life-changing decisions that Texas State Technical College alumna Dora Vasquez has been satisfied with was her choice to transition from being a call center supervisor to enrolling in the Mechatronics Technology program at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. Vasquez, a former Harlingen resident who now resides in McKinney, earned an Associate of...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – This fall, Texas State Technical College’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration, Cybersecurity, and Drafting and Design programs will offer students the choice to complete their training either fully online or in a format that combines online learning with in-person lab time — opportunities that have not been available in these programs since...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Representatives from Fairbanks Morse Defense recently visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County to connect with more than 30 students from TSTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, and Industrial Systems programs. “Our objective for being here today is to tell you about our company, opportunities, our growth...

(WACO, Texas) – Justin Meckel is already getting valuable work experience even though he is in his third semester in the Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. He works as a warehouse technician and robot supervisor at Sherwin-Williams Co.’s distribution service center in Waco. He said experiencing the...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – There is growing demand for jobs for machinists and welders in modern engineering and manufacturing. This offers an excellent career outlook for students at Texas State Technical College who seek to fill those positions. In observance of Manufacturing Day on Friday, Oct. 7, TSTC recognizes its Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Aydra Vasquez, a former California resident who now lives in Harlingen, has fond memories of being in the robotics club at her middle school near San Diego. Those memories would influence her decision to enroll in the Mechatronics Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, where she is studying for...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students had one mission during the Industry Job Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the college’s Industrial Technology Center. “The students came dressed to impress with their resumes in hand,” said Brittany Wilson, a TSTC Career Services representative in West Texas. “This has been a great opportunity for...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With each graduating class, Texas State Technical College lives up to its nickname: the Get-a-Job College. Now one of its Wind Energy Technology students is on an exciting career pathway that will take her halfway around the world. Monika Bodner recently accepted a job opportunity with German printing press manufacturer Koenig &...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – At least 180 Texas State Technical College students and alumni attended TSTC’s Fall 2022 Industry Job Fair held Thursday on the Fort Bend County campus. Representatives from more than 70 companies were available in the Brazos Center and Industrial Technology Center on campus to talk with attendees about possible job openings. “It’s...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Learning about aviation pioneers such as the Wright Brothers, along with Charlie Taylor, the mechanic who helped build and maintain some of the Wrights’ engines and airplanes, provided the initial spark that got Texas State Technical College student Carlos Garcia interested in aircraft and flying. Little did the San Benito resident know...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – In a recruiting effort to identify potential qualified employees for Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, company representatives recently visited the Mechatronics Technology program at Texas State Technical College. Students who had already completed a written assessment by the company were given a hands-on test in the areas of mechanical drives, motor controls/electrical wiring,...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – While every student at Texas State Technical College is exceptional, occasionally there are one or two students who go above and beyond what is expected of them. Ethan Brasseaux and Philip Haas are two such students. Brasseaux and Haas are both in the Electrical Power and Controls program at the Fort Bend...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Hannah Whitehead admits that she needed to slow down her life. Balancing motherhood and working at T&B Mechanical in Baird, Whitehead decided to drop out of engineering school. She wanted to return to a program that offered more of a hands-on approach to learning. Researching her options, Whitehead found Texas State Technical...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – While it is true that Texas Instruments is known for making calculators, some Texas State Technical College students recently learned that the Dallas-based company does much more than that. “Our calculators are the only thing that says Texas Instruments on the outside,” said Katie Peebles, a technician supervisor for the company. Students...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas Instruments recently sent representatives to talk to Texas State Technical College students about the possibility of a career at Texas Instruments and what that would look like. Texas Instruments, a manufacturer of semiconductors and integrated circuits, sent a team of representatives to talk with TSTC students on Feb. 7. They...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A group of Mechatronics Technology students at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus recently heard about job opportunities at the new Samsung Austin Semiconductor production facility in Taylor. During the recruitment visit, representatives from Samsung Electronics discussed the company’s job outlook and work culture. Brian Reckart, master technician for Samsung Electronics, said...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Receiving well-trained electrical technicians is why POWER Engineers looks to hire Texas State Technical College graduates. Jeff Caraway, a senior project manager for the engineering and environmental consulting firm, recently told TSTC Electrical Power and Controls students about the many opportunities they can have after earning an Associate of Applied Science degree....

(MARSHALL, Texas) – A new Drafting and Design instructor recently joined the faculty at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus. Suzy Kirkpatrick has had about 19 years of experience in the industry, working in both pipe and residential design. She said she loves drafting and hopes to share that enthusiasm with her students. “I’m excited...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Representatives from Saber Power Services LLC visited with more than 30 students at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus on Wednesday, March 29. Most of the students in attendance were from the Electrical Power and Controls program, with a few from the Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology program. The representatives...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jeremy Gaytan, who is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics Technology at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, recently accepted an internship opportunity at Oncor Electric Delivery in Dallas that he will start in May. He had met some Oncor company representatives during a recent employer spotlight held...

(WACO, Texas) – Employees from Alvarado-based Magna Mechanical visited Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program Thursday, April 6, to talk to students. Magna Mechanical provides industrial and commercial services to industries including beverage and food, oil and gas, manufacturing, paints and polymers, and semiconductor in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company has divisions for...

(AUSTIN, Texas) – An Austin company is utilizing Texas State Technical College as a resource to fill critical positions needed to keep operations running smoothly. Flex is a multinational contract manufacturer that partners with many different companies across multiple industries. Flex pioneers within industries such as automotive, aerospace, computer hardware, medical devices, and renewable/solar. One...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College prides itself on instructors with years of practical experience and industry knowledge in their fields. One of the college’s newest instructors in its Electrical Power and Controls program, Ismael Diabate, fits that bill exactly. Diabate worked in the electrical industry for more than 10 years. He started his...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Imagine a world where all structures are at risk of collapsing at any second. Buildings creak with every step, a slight gust of wind could knock down a bridge, and airplanes and space exploration are nothing but fantasy.  Luckily, the world is a much more secure place — thanks to welders. “We’ve...

(WACO, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Power and Controls program learn a range of high-powered information, from how transformers work to circuits and motor control. The work that students do now prepares them for what they will learn and encounter in their careers. More than 20 students in the Electrical Power...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – While working on a robot, Cameron Dirickson realized he wanted to change career paths. Dirickson was studying Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College when a different program caught his attention. He is now pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electromechanical Technology. “I have always been interested in technology and...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Mother and daughter Alexia Baca and Victoria Baca are working together through the Electrical Power and Controls program at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus. Alexia Baca was a stay-at-home mom who had been considering going back to school for some time. “When (Victoria) graduated(from high school), we were like,...

(WACO, Texas) – The TSTC Foundation, the support arm of Texas State Technical College, has received a significant gift to help students in specific programs on the Waco campus. The $1 million cash gift to create the David and Valerie Fallas Scholarship was announced at the TSTC Board of Regents meeting and quarterly dinner on...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Chipman Falls, who is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechatronics Technology at Texas State Technical College, recently accepted an internship at Vitesco Technologies in Seguin. His decision to apply for an internship started when he met some Vitesco representatives during a recent employer spotlight at TSTC. “Their presentation...

(WACO, Texas) – Two students at Texas State Technical College are scheduled to be the first ever to graduate with degrees in the college’s newest Auto Collision and Management Technology specialization at the upcoming Fall 2023 Commencement in Waco. Bryam Herrera, of Rosebud, and Carlos Rincon, of Jacksonville, Texas, are on track to receive Associate...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – More than 900 high school students and visitors, including some from as far away as San Antonio, toured Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus during Discovery Day on Thursday, Nov. 30, to learn more about the career pathways and state-of-the-art technologies that are available at the college. Stephanie Garcia, TSTC’s student recruitment...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Automation and Controls Technology instructors Douglas Clark and Troy Powledge recently took 10 of the program’s students on a field trip to STEMCO in Longview, Texas. “Some of these students have never even been in a manufacturing facility in any way,” Clark said. “We wanted them to see...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Barton Day, provost at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus, awarded Precision Machining Technology graduate Juan Cerda with the Provost’s Outstanding Achievement Award at the recent Fall 2023 Commencement. Cerda had also received his Associate of Applied Science degree that evening. “Winning the provost’s award was a big surprise,” Cerda said. “I...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The instructors and staff of Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus have been asked before how they introduce digital tools in the learning environment. TSTC knows that as technology continues to evolve, the classrooms’ resources must evolve as well. Throughout their previous careers, Automation and Controls Technology instructors Douglas Clark and Troy...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The recruitment team of Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus recently traveled to Quitman High School to present information to a group of 21 students and parents about what the college offers. The high school’s CTE (career and technical education) director, Sherrie Callahan, and engineering teacher, David Cross, have taken students to...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus hosted more than 80 high school welding students for the Texas High School Welding Series on Saturday, Feb. 17. It marked the first time that the campus had hosted the series, which gives students opportunities to improve their employability and technical skills in welding....

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – U.S. Navy veteran Emanuel Torres developed a connection with Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus when he was a teenager. “I went on a field trip to TSTC when I was in middle school,” he said. “A program that we visited was Precision Machining Technology. I had the opportunity to input a...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – 1988 was a good year for Arturo Martinez. That was when he earned his associate degree in Electronics Technology at Texas State Technical Institute, now Texas State Technical College. Since then, Martinez has gone on to enjoy a 25-year career at Qorvo, a semiconductor manufacturer, at the company’s location in Richardson, Texas....

(RED OAK, Texas) – Aaron Mershawn, of Corsicana, is an Electrical Power and Controls student at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas location in Red Oak. He is also an industrial electrical apprentice at Owens Corning, a worldwide construction and building materials producer, in Waxahachie. Mershawn recently talked about learning and working in the electrical...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The Drafting and Design program instructors at Texas State Technical College’s Marshall location took their students on a tour of the joint-use administration and engineering firm TechServ in Tyler on Wednesday, March 27.  “I want (our students) to be able to see these companies for themselves, that way they know that there...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The month of April promises to be a thrilling and competitive challenge for more than 80 students from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen location. The students are preparing for the 2024 SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference, which will be held April 18-20 in Houston. SkillsUSA is a professional organization focused...

  (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some Texas State Technical College students from the Harlingen location medaled at the recent 2024 SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary State Leadership and Skills Conference in Houston. Winning gold medals were Allison Agundiz, of Donna, in Welding Sculpture; Mohamed Deyab, of Harlingen, in Sheet Metal; Rene Garay Jr., of Brownsville, Matthew Muniz, of...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Leonel Perez, a Mechatronics Technology student at Texas State Technical College, recently began an internship with Oncor Electric Delivery in Big Spring. Perez, who is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree, said the internship supplements what he is learning at TSTC. “I’ve learned how to monitor the performance of electrical switches...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – If there is a pool tournament or a friendly game of pickleball happening at Texas State Technical College’s Student Center, then Ethan Godfrey will probably be there. The Electromechanical Technology student from Frankston said he was surprised to learn that TSTC has activities for students to enjoy at the Sweetwater location during...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Service department hosted two industry spotlights for students on Wednesday, May 29, at the Waco campus. Trisha Cantu, a recruiter at ST Engineering – San Antonio Aerospace, talked to students in the Aircraft Airframe Technology, Aircraft Powerplant Technology and Avionics Technology programs. Cantu said the company has...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – As a child, Joshua Joel Anstead was fascinated with doing hands-on projects in his backyard. Years later, he was introduced to welding by a friend and it would spark a career interest. Anstead, who earned a certificate of completion in Welding Advanced Pipe Specialization from Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen location in...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College graduate Nathan Cleveland seemed destined to be a machinist from an early age. No one could have predicted that someday he would become associate provost at the college’s Marshall campus. Cleveland said growing up in a family interested in science, technology, engineering and math gave him and his...

(ABILENE, Texas) – The lights will be on during the evenings at Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Technology Center in Abilene. Night classes will be offered in Electrical Power and Controls, Industrial Systems, and Welding Technology this fall. The fall semester begins Tuesday, Sept. 3. “We have talked to many of our industry partners about...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Toby Toney’s 21-year career in truck driving ended after he had a seizure. “It’s stated clearly: you have one seizure, you’re done,” Toney said. “They take your CDL (commercial driver’s license) away. I basically lost everything overnight.” The Longview resident struggled with medical issues for almost a year and a half while...

(WACO, Texas) – Wesley Good learned several lessons in the U.S. Navy that have helped him at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. “The military was definitely a huge change of lifestyle,” he said. “I learned a ton about personal responsibility. There is punctuality, and you have a duty to do the best that you...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Eric Gonzalez, a Mechatronics Technology student at Texas State Technical College, recently began an internship with HGG Profiling Equipment Inc. in Houston. According to HGG Profiling Equipment’s website, hgg-group.com, the company designs and builds 3D profiling machines for a manufacturing process that uses advanced technology to cut three-dimensional forms on metal pipes,...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Jeremy Fabinski was ahead of the curve when he enrolled in Texas State Technical College’s Drafting and Design program. “I took (drafting) in high school all four years,” the Whitehouse native said. “I grew up in the construction world. My dad builds houses and remodels them.” At TSTC, Fabinski earned an Associate...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College and the South Texas Independent School District’s Science Academy in Mercedes have partnered to offer a dual credit program in Welding Technology. Classes, which are taught at the high school, started this semester. “The dual credit program pairs well with our hands-on approach to the engineering program of...

(WACO, Texas) – More than 450 Texas State Technical College students and alumni from the East Williamson County, North Texas and Waco campuses attended the first day of TSTC’s Fall 2024 Industry Job Fair held Tuesday, Sept. 24, in Waco. Representatives of more than 80 companies focused on electrical utility, engineering and manufacturing filled the...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus held its Fall 2024 Industry Job Fair on Thursday, Oct. 3. A total of 41 companies presented job opportunities to 233 TSTC students and alumni. Janzen Baldwin, a first-semester Automation and Controls Technology student, said he attended the job fair looking for any and all opportunities....

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – When it was time for three Texas State Technical College Electromechanical Technology students to make a final design decision for a 3D printing project, they hoped it would not hold water. First-semester students Rachelle Arthur, Gerardo Carrillo and Shawn Couet chose to make a small-scale boat, complete with mechanical features to make...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some 350 Texas State Technical College students and alumni had a chance to talk about their job skills, qualifications and professionalism during interactions with representatives of 48 companies during the fall semester Industry Job Fair at TSTC’s Harlingen campus on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Alumnus Daniel Campos and current student Caitlon Gonzalez shared...

(WACO, Texas) –  Zane Schubert, of Harper, Texas, basks in the small-town life he grew up with. “(Harper) is very close-knit, like everyone knows everyone and is willing to help whenever someone needs help,” he said. Schubert said moving to Waco to attend Texas State Technical College did not bring a state of culture shock,...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jonathan Collins is an Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics student at Texas State Technical College. The 30-year-old spent five years in the Marines, with a deployment to Afghanistan before returning home to Harlingen. The father of two expects to earn his associate degree this semester and is active on campus, serving as...

(WACO, Texas) – Christina Pace is elevating her creativity through digital art. Pace, 23, of McGregor designs fliers for Texas State Technical College in Waco’s Visual Art Society, which includes other TSTC Visual Communication Technology majors. It is practice for her future career in graphic design. As she pursues her endeavors and studies, Pace finds...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) -From student to instructor, Jerroll Hodge is back at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County and is ready for his new role. Hodge graduated from TSTC in Waco in 2016 with an associate degree in Welding Technology and said he never imagined he would return to the college in this capacity....

(HUTTO, Texas) – Lauren Caprio got her first welding job in 2016 shortly after graduating with a certificate from the Welding Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Williamson County. Caprio, 33, of Pflugerville is a level III ultra-high-purity welder at Dynamic Manufacturing Solutions in Austin, where she works in a humidity-controlled clean room...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) -Texas State Technical College recently hosted its fifth annual Empowerment Conference focused on getting students industry-ready. Mary Morales, a TSTC Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics student, was one of nearly 50 students who attended the event. The 30-year-old said that as a nontraditional student there are challenges she will face, and this event...

(WACO, Texas) – Hipolito Galan is already putting a spark in his future career. Galan, 18, is a senior who spends mornings at Waco High School and afternoons at the Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy, or GWAMA. His days are a combination of textbooks and hands-on learning with welding equipment. “It’s something different every day,”...

(AUSTIN, Texas) – Lawmakers in both chambers of the 86th Texas Legislature honored Texas State Technical College today with resolutions declaring Feb. 27, 2019, as “TSTC Day at the Capitol.” TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser noted that TSTC is different from all other colleges in Texas. “TSTC is all tech, all the time,” he said. “At...

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Education means opportunity, and no one values that more than Alan Acosta, a Welding Technology student at Texas State Technical College in Brownwood.   Acosta plans to be the first member of his immediate family, who immigrated from Mexico when he was 6, to earn a college degree. He started working on...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – There is change in the air: a change toward renewable energy. And Texas State Technical College alumnus John Nichols is a driving force behind that change. Nichols graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology from TSTC in Sweetwater in 2010. He is now employed by North Dakota-based...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A new partnership between Texas State Technical College and power management company Eaton is giving TSTC Electrical Power and Controls students an invaluable training opportunity. Eaton, a global technology leader in electrical systems, and TSTC have been working closely for a year to create a program that would open the doors of Eaton’s Experience Center...

With Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education a focus in K-12 and institutions of higher education, Texas State Technical College Mechatronics Technology students are stepping up and doing their part to encourage middle schooler’s interest in STEM-related fields. Recently, Mechatronics Technology Club officers and students volunteered with the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District STEM2...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – In line with its of mission of placing more Texans in high-paying jobs, Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County will be hosting its first Industry Job Fair for TSTC students and alumni. The job fair will be hosted at the TSTC campus located at 26706 Southwest Freeway in Rosenberg with...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Yordan Rueda has gone from confused young man undecided about his future to successful business owner – all in a matter of three years. The 24-year-old graduated from TSTC Welding Technology with a certificate in 2016. “I had no idea what I wanted to do. I didn’t even have a prior interest...

(HUTTO, Texas)  – Texas State Technical College recently received an in-kind equipment donation from a Georgetown company. Trendsetter Electronics gave capacitors valued at more than $19,800 to the East Williamson County campus in Hutto. Capacitors are two-terminal electrical components that store energy used in circuits. “You have a great school, and it is our honor...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Two employees at Texas State Technical College in North Texas have been honored for their work and skills. Thomas Betik, a building maintenance supervisor, and Leslie Monk, an Industrial Maintenance instructor, are recipients of the Chancellor’s Excellence Award. The Chancellor’s Excellence Award began in 2001 and has been given to more...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – More than 180 Texas State Technical College students and alumni attended the TSTC Industry Job Fair in Sweetwater on Tuesday, April 2. They had the opportunity to meet representatives from some 50 local, national and international companies. TSTC provided free transportation to the Sweetwater campus for students coming from the Abilene, Breckenridge...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College was created to place more Texans in great-paying jobs, fill the middle-skills gap and meet industry demand, and it leads numerous initiatives throughout the year to accomplish its mission. One of these initiatives is the biannual Industry Job Fair, where TSTC students and alumni can meet potential employers....

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program in Marshall will offer its first night classes starting this fall. “The goal of this is to try and help those who are working during the day to have an option for taking classes in the evening and to try to grow the PMT...

(WACO, Texas) – Five technical programs at Texas State Technical College were recently recognized by the Office of the Governor’s Texas Workforce Investment Council at a ceremony in Austin. Associate of Applied Science degree programs for Biomedical Equipment Technology, Electrical Lineworker Technology, Process Operations, Solar Energy Technology and Wind Energy Technology were recognized for merging...

(ABILENE, Texas) – More than 100 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Spring 2019 Commencement held Friday, April 26, at the Abilene Convention Center. Graduates from TSTC’s West Texas campuses in Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater were recognized. For Mary Madden, an instructor in Electromechanical Technology at TSTC in Sweetwater,...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – From an early age, Destiny Stoker knew she was passionate about technology. “I have been working with computers since I was 12,” Stoker said. “It was always something I was interested in.” Stoker is a graduate of Texas State Technical College and is a computer network technician for the Waskom Independent School...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After two decades of working in construction as a surveyor, Ismael Gaitan Sr. is looking forward to a new career as a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Wind Energy Technology program. The San Benito native earned his associate degree on Friday during TSTC’s Commencement Ceremonies at the Harlingen Convention Center, joining...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Rene Escobar was the only student at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County to earn a gold medal at the SkillsUSA state competition held recently at TSTC in Waco. “When I heard my name, I could not believe it,” said the 24-year-old. “I know I worked hard preparing for the...

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – A familiar face will be helping to educate the next generation of welders at Texas State Technical College in Breckenridge this fall. Stephen Hope, a Breckenridge native, is ready to serve his community as a welding instructor for the TSTC Welding Technology program. “This is my way of giving back. I am...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It was a first-of-its-kind event for Texas State Technical College as the college welcomed two high school seniors with a signing day and scholarship presentation in a ceremony at Harlingen High School (HHS) on Wednesday. Sadat Gutierrez, 18, and Anyssa Huerta, 17, are both masonry students at HHS and next fall will...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Built from the ground up by Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructors and students, the program has a new pipe fitting training station for its Advanced Layout and Fabrication course. The course, taken during a student’s third semester in the program, focuses on layout design, build and processes, blueprint reading and...

The Dallas native, who moved to the Rio Grande Valley to attend TSTC and whose father is also a TSTC alumnus from the engineering program, said the move was worth it because shortly after graduating he received a job offer from Collision Stop in Harlingen, where he is still employed. He began as a detailer...

(WACO, Texas) – Three instructors in Texas State Technical College’s Cloud Computing program were recently named Amazon Web Services (AWS) Educate Cloud Ambassadors. Andy Kroll, Clint Pate and Rus Teston went through an application process and created a video explaining their philosophy in promoting cloud computing education. “It’s an honor to be accepted,” Teston said....

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Yvette Vaughan is one of Texas State Technical College’s newest instructors with only three months on the job.  But she has big goals for her program and students. Her bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Environmental Science, both from Tarleton State University, and her extensive experience in the field,...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Why learn just one skill when you can learn multiple? The Industrial Maintenance Technology program at Texas State Technical College in Abilene is commonly known as the jack-of-all trades program; something both students and instructors says is one of the best selling points of their chosen career field. “My favorite thing about...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – A gallon of gas was $1.10, a movie ticket was $2.50 and Dan Bodnar was beginning his career at Texas State Technical College. The year was 1984. As a witness to the college’s transition from typewriters to computers, Bodnar was recently recognized for his 35 years of service during TSTC’s Employee Appreciation...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – It was 1991 when Ester Bodnar began her career at Texas State Technical State College as a work study employee, never imagining it would be a place she still calls home 30 years later. Bodnar was recently recognized for her three decades of service to the college during TSTC’s Employee Appreciation Day...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – This summer more than 60 Rio Grande Valley students from kindergarten to third grade participated in Texas State Technical College’s Challenger Learning Center’s exciting new Atomnaut Academy. This summer program was developed show children that they are never too young to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. The Atomnaut...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College showed East Texas residents on Saturday why their future can be brighter with a technical education. The first TSTC Future Fair in Marshall highlighted 11 technical programs on campus, many of which serve industries in need of qualified workers. Visitors of all ages did hands-on demonstrations, such as...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus has three women enrolled this semester in its Industrial Systems – Electrical Specialization program, the largest female cohort for that program in the campus’ history. Biatris Arevalo of Red Oak and Abby Ramsey of Maypearl are pursuing associate degrees, while Tiquila Dawson of Dallas...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Monica Raumaker, a senior at Cinco Ranch High School and Miller Career and Technology Center in Katy, was one of nearly 200 local high school juniors and seniors who attended Manufacturing (MFG) Day at Texas State Technical College on Friday. The 17-year-old, said the event was an eye opener for her in...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – National Manufacturing (MFG) Day is around the corner and Texas State Technical College, in partnership with the Central Fort Bend Chamber, will be celebrating with a community event. MFG Day, traditionally held on the first Friday in October, will be hosted October 4, 2019, from 9 a.m. to noon at the TSTC Brazos...

(WACO, Texas) – More than 1,000 Texas State Technical College students met potential employers from Texas and throughout the nation on Thursday at its semiannual Industry Job Fair on the Waco campus. Students lined up to register about a half hour before the 9 a.m. start of the event at the Murray Watson Jr. Student...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With commencement only a few months away, Texas State Technical College student Gabriel Flores still can’t believe that he’ll become a college graduate at only 19-years-old. The Precision Machining Technology student said college was always the only option in his home, but when got to his senior year in high school panic...

(ABILENE, Texas) –  Texas State Technical College has partnered with the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council to help create the newest addition to the Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden in Abilene.  Three metal panels of sculptural vines standing about 7 feet tall and titled “Cardinal Vines” will be added to the garden in 2020. On the vines will...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Being a full-time student is no easy task. Add working full time and caring for a family, and you might start to wonder how there could be enough hours in a day.  But Texas State Technical College student veteran Andrew Rowlette wouldn’t have it any other way. Rowlette is an Air Force...

(WACO, Texas) – Michael Mojica has the products you need to go on your next adventure.  Mojica, a graduate of Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus now living in Centennial, Colorado, has invented products and owns a company combining his appreciation for the outdoors and design. “If we have unique, novel ideas that have true...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Edreich Torres grew up in Georgetown taking broken items and putting them back together. “I believe that my love for knowing how things work and wanting to fix them has always driven me to pursue the next big challenge that awaits me,” he said. Torres graduated in 2016 with an Associate of...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – On Friday, Texas State Technical College student David Krenek will walk across the stage at the Stafford Centre and receive his associate degree in Industrial Systems. “It feels great knowing that I’m done and about to graduate,” said the 20-year-old. “It’s time to move forward and get my life started. That’s exciting.”...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Thinking about a career in education? Texas is third in the nation in employment for hiring paraprofessionals, and Texas State Technical College is working to meet the demand with its Education and Training program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more than 55,000 jobs nationally through 2028,...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The road to commencement was no easy journey for recent Texas State Technical College Mechatronics Technology graduate Hugo Gamboa, but he overcame the hurdles and received his associate degree on Friday night. The 20-year-old was one of nearly 300 students who received a certificate or associate degree during TSTC’s Commencement at the...

(WACO, Texas) – Javier Arroyo, the die casting process manager at Anderton Castings in Troy, is proud to show off the future to visitors. This fall, the company will finish installing new equipment to increase production of aluminum high-pressure die castings for the automotive industry. The expansion aligns with the company’s mission to embrace lean...

(WACO, Texas) – Two new members of the Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents were sworn in Wednesday, Feb. 5, during a ceremony led by board chairman John K. Hatchel. Kathy Powell and Ron Widup, who were appointed to serve as TSTC regents along with returning regent Keith Honey by Gov. Greg Abbott...

(HUTTO, Texas) – A Leander company recently gave a $10,000 gift to Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus for student scholarships. One Source Manufacturing is a contract manufacturer specializing in precision machining for the aerospace, semiconductor, gas and oil industries. The company has about 100 employees. “We are in the business of machining...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Rodie Woodard, president of Maximum Industries in Irving, said finding qualified machinists depends on the timing of market conditions. “There is plenty of talent in the pool, but when things are strong with Lockheed, Raytheon, Bell Helicopter, they nab every single experienced multi-access machinist there is,” he said. “They are able...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Astro Mechanics in Round Rock is one of the few manual machining shops in the Austin area, said Carrie Stemp, the company’s president. “I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars looking in Texas, and I just don’t get anybody,” she said. “I may get one or two (potential employees), but they...

(WACO, Texas) – In Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program, the issue of safety is as hot as the sparks flying off welding torches. The program has an orientation during the first semester before classes start for students to learn how to prevent injury to the hands and eyes, along with other topics, said...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking all had one thing in common: their love for physics.  Two Texas State Technical College instructors enjoy exploring the complexities that physics has to offer while passing them along to TSTC students.  Physics department chair Jose Alvarez began working at TSTC in 2011 and initially...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Jaime Romo is not your average physics instructor. With a background in bioengineering and astronomy, his livelihood includes bringing stellar learning straight into the classroom at Texas State Technical College. “I have always been curious about nature,” he said. “I wanted to know how things work and why things work. This initially...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker Technology and Welding Technology programs at the Fort Bend County campus are expanding. “Those have been two of the hottest trades in the region for several years,” said Jeremy Heath, executive director of the Rosenberg Economic Development Corp. “Everyone who goes through either program has a...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Billy Potts has a passion for auto racing. The 1997 Texas State Technical College graduate is passing that passion to the next generation, but not through a lot of horsepower. Potts is president of the Bobcat Solar Racing Team composed of students at Byron Nelson High School in Trophy Club. Each year,...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – “Space missions” at Texas State Technical College’s Challenger Learning Centers in Harlingen and Waco are as close to becoming an astronaut as you can get without flying into the galaxy. The centers provide engaging experiences for students of all ages that allow them to take their curiosity for space exploration to the...

(RED OAK, Texas) – More than 20 miles separate the city of Ennis from Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus in Red Oak in Ellis County. Ennis can count more than 3.6 million workers within a 60-mile radius of the city. This means there is an array of area jobs, from machining to welding,...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – After serving his country for nearly 10 years in the U.S. Navy, Richard Gabriel Garcia took on a new role as a student at Texas State Technical College. The Houston native is getting ready to wrap up his time in the Electrical Power and Controls program, and he is ready to dive...

(ABILENE, Texas) – The Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Technology Center in Abilene offers a diverse curriculum for students. Instructor Daniel Diaz said students learn different aspects of industrial systems, from hydraulics and electronics to welding and small engine repair. “We have had students get jobs with the wind industry, prisons...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Some recent graduates of Texas State Technical College are in-demand by several area companies despite the current economic climate.   Hunter Henry, a TSTC Career Services associate at the East Williamson County campus, said some companies within a 100-mile radius of Hutto have contacted him about multiple open positions they have available. He...

(WACO, Texas) – The construction industry needs well-trained workers who have a safety-first mentality. Texas State Technical College prepares them for that.  “We are short on workers and losing them regularly due to the retirement age,” said K. Paul Holt, president and chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America’s Central Texas Chapter...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Sheryl Givens turned a lifelong passion into a career. Since graduating from Texas State Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology in 2018, Givens has worked as a designer for SCS Technologies in Big Spring. “I have always been interested in construction,” Given...

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Computer Programming Technology and Drafting and Design instructors are gearing up for a different way to offer classes. The two programs will be offered completely online this fall, and TSTC instructor Julie Rhoades welcomes the opportunity.  She is no stranger to teaching Computer Programming online. It was previously...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Students interested in learning after the sun goes down can pursue two technical programs at Texas State Technical College’s Williamson County campus. Offering more opportunities to take classes at TSTC means that students can increase their opportunities in the marketplace and earn higher wages, said Lissa Adams, TSTC’s associate provost. “We believe...

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Sparks from welding torches were a daily occurrence this summer at Texas State Technical College’s Breckenridge campus. Students have been completing labs in preparation for entering the workforce when they receive their certificates. But the work does not stop once the torches are laid down. For Ethan Hammond and Zane Fitch, a...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program will continue to teach in a hybrid format this fall. Students will listen to lectures online and participate in hands-on labs on campus. “Welding is by far one of our most popular programs, and it’s easy to see why,” said Barton Day, provost at TSTC’s...

(WACO, Texas) – A Texas State Technical College student has received a scholarship from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.  Joseph Rowan of Waco has been awarded the AAMI Foundation Michael J. Miller Scholarship. He is a TSTC candidate for graduation this month and will earn associate degrees in Biomedical Equipment Technology and...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Students attending Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus will see differences in how they learn and interact as they start the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 31. “I think the exciting part of the fall to me is we have new students coming to campus to begin their educational journey,”...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County has been diligently preparing for the fall semester. The coronavirus has brought about many challenges, including the way students are receiving curriculum. Even with the necessary changes, TSTC is ready to safely continue its hands-on technical education. “All departments were tasked with devising innovative...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Stanley Harris recently received his Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology from Texas State Technical College. The job security that comes from a career in welding is what motivated him to pursue welding technology, and he is thankful for the education he received while at TSTC. What was your experience...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program at the North Texas campus this fall has started using a supplemental curriculum from the National Tool & Machining Association to teach students. Darren Block, TSTC’s statewide lead program instructor, said the curriculum will give students a more thorough education in machining. That,...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program has started using a supplemental curriculum from the National Tool &Machining Association this fall to teach students. Darren Block, TSTC’s statewide program lead, said students will get a more thorough education in machining, combined with the professional knowledge that faculty members bring to labs...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Companies looking to move to cities need an available workforce and job training options. Warren Ketteman, president and chief executive officer of the Waxahachie Economic Development Corp., said Texas State Technical College is important to the city’s economic development because of its training and technical programs. “Without TSTC and other partners,...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training department is providing a 10-month customized industrial maintenance academy for Mars Wrigley employees in Waco. “The training program is a prime example of the mission of TSTC to prepare students for great-paying jobs in Texas,” said Adam Barber, interim director of TSTC’s Workforce Training department. The...

(HUTTO, Texas) – The Texas aviation and aerospace industry is responsible for creating more than 778,000 jobs and a payroll of more than $30 billion, according to the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2018 Texas Aviation Economic Impact Study.  “Aviation is a huge, growing field,” said Michael Smith, senior field development officer for The TSTC Foundation...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students will meet potential employers virtually on Thursday, Oct. 29. Due to COVID-19 recommendations covering social distancing, TSTC will host its annual Industry Job Fair virtually this year. More than 100 businesses will have representatives available to meet with TSTC students statewide. Six West Texas companies are among...

(WACO, Texas) – Students from Texas State Technical College campuses across the state can take advantage of scholarship funds donated by energy company Phillips 66. The TSTC Foundation was recently awarded $50,000 from Phillips 66 to assist students with scholarships and student aid funds.  “The Phillips 66 scholarship is an example of an ideal partnership...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Some Johnson County college students are looking to Texas State Technical College to shape their futures. During the fall semester, more than 60 county residents are attending TSTC’s campuses in North Texas, Marshall, Sweetwater and Waco. “The hiring potential in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Ellis County and Johnson County areas is increasing...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Some Johnson County college students are looking to Texas State Technical College to shape their futures. During the fall semester, more than 60 county residents are attending TSTC’s campuses in North Texas, Marshall, Sweetwater and Waco. “The hiring potential in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Ellis County and Johnson County areas is increasing...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Workforce Training department has $15,000 available for workforce training at qualifying East Texas businesses. . The department has about six months to use the money from the Texas Workforce Commission’s Skills for Small Business program, or it will be returned to the state. “With the financial opportunities that...

(WACO, Texas) – The TSTC Foundation has received $100,000 from Vistra, an Irving-based company that specializes in retail electricity and power generation, to establish a scholarship fund for Texas State Technical College students in select programs. “Our hope is that these scholarships are the support TSTC students need to cross the finish line – not...

(WACO, Texas) – Samuel Esqueda, of George West, began welding when he took his first agriculture class as a high school sophomore.  “It stuck with me more than anything else,” he said. “I wanted to turn it into a career.” Esqueda is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology at Texas State...

(WACO, Texas) – Graduates of Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program in Waco should know that work opportunities are out there when they graduate. “The program in Waco is designed to provide our students with a wide range of valuable skills, from basic machining to boiler maintenance and even programmable logic controllers, which are...

(WACO, Texas) – As the old saying goes, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.”  That can also include solar farms. Invenergy, a worldwide private sustainable energy company, plans to build what it claims will be the largest solar farm in the United States. The 1,310-megawatt Samson Solar Energy Center facility will be located in Northeast Texas and...

(WACO, Texas) – The Tesla START training program at Texas State Technical College held a recognition ceremony earlier this fall for its second cohort of graduates. The TSTC students began the 12-week training program in August to learn the skills necessary to become advanced electric vehicle technicians at Tesla. As a Tesla-paid hourly internship, the...

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Breckenridge High School senior M.T. Heatley does not want to stop studying Welding Technology when he graduates in May. Heatley plans to continue his education at Texas State Technical College, where he is a dual enrollment student, to pursue an associate degree. He said that will set him up for a brighter...

(WACO, Texas) – Edward Sanchez, of Hubbard, is proud to be a third-generation welder. “I come in and do the best I can do every day,” he said. Sanchez graduated this month with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. He is also the fall semester’s...

(WACO, Texas) – Representatives of Texas State Technical College and L3Harris Technologies recently gathered to celebrate a new company employee at a recognition ceremony. Tyler Rochelle, of Whitney, was hired by L3Harris as a computer numerical control machinist for its manufacturing department in Waco. He began in November as a part-time employee, but his work...

(WACO, Texas) – Janson Teal was exposed to the construction field early on as relatives built homes and managed projects. Now Teal is forging his own path in the industry, thanks to Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. This month he graduated from TSTC with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology....

(WACO, Texas) – Colton Machart said growing up in Shiner instilled the work ethic he has today. “I was always outside,” he said. “I would haul hay in the summer, build fences and things like that.” Machart received this month an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Lineworker Technology at Texas State Technical College’s...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Travis Miller, of Georgetown, is happy to start the next stage in his professional life. He received this month an Associate of Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology from Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus. “I could not be more excited to be learning and growing in the field,”...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Quincy Butler has set a goal for himself. Butler, who completed his first semester in Welding Technology this fall, wants to be a traveling welder. He is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in order to achieve his goal. “I have seen most of Texas...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Among the drywalling and framing tasks she was doing with her father for a barn project last spring at the family home in Granger, Mikayla Larremore picked up an affinity for welding she did not know she had. “I got into it because everything I had done in my life before, I...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College is one of the more popular programs offered statewide. Students enter the program for different reasons, from seeking a career change to learning more about a craft they dabbled in during a weekend project. TSTC instructors will teach students how to hone the craft in...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Leaders from Texas State Technical College and Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) recently gathered in Marshall to celebrate a financial pledge made through The TSTC Foundation to TSTC’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program. The American Electric Power Foundation has pledged $100,000 to the program to help ease the financial burdens of students in...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Jarriet Durham is fascinated by electricity. And he is eager to instruct as many people about it as possible. Durham began teaching in the Industrial Systems program at Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus in December 2019. Initially he was looking for a second job since he was already working...

(ABILENE, Texas) – U.S. Navy veteran James Johnson had some downtime in his life. “I decided I wanted to go back to school. I knew I could use my GI Bill,” said Johnson, a student in Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program. In fact, Johnson already knew some of the things he would learn...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Rush Harris, executive director of the Marshall Economic Development Corp., said the need for industrial systems workers is being seen right now.  Harris said he recently has spoken with two companies that need new workers. He said more than 20 companies in Harrison County and surrounding counties are searching for industrial systems...

(ABILENE, Texas) – With construction projects increasing in West Texas, the need for welders will only grow. Greg Nicholas, Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology instructor in Abilene, said the number of area job postings for welders increases on a weekly basis, and that means construction is underway. “Currently there are more jobs available than...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Red Oak High School students do not have far to go for dual enrollment classes. All they have to do is walk across a parking lot to Texas State Technical College’s North Texas campus. Dual enrollment enables high school students to take college-level courses as they work toward high school diplomas...

Real-life experience valuable to learning for construction students (HARLINGEN, Texas) – Hands-on work with lumber is essential to Texas State Technical College’s Building Construction Technology program. And as students hammer, nail and saw to create a range of projects, program instructors are keeping an eye on the dollars and cents of lumber. “We use the...

Welding student is working with TSTC staff on career placement (SWEETWATER, Texas) – James Martin, of Mason, has always liked to work with his hands. After four years of welding classes in high school, Martin is furthering his education in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program. He is planning to obtain a certificate of...

(HUTTO, Texas) – The majority of instructors in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program at the East Williamson County campus happen to be women. Kristin Burke, Samara Flener and Charli Wright bring decades of professional experience to teach their students to be the best welders they can be. “Three of the five welding instructors...

Dual enrollment offers powerful opportunities for younger students (MARSHALL, Texas) – Marshall High School juniors and seniors are being encouraged to think about their futures beyond graduation. Dual enrollment classes through Texas State Technical College and the Marshall Independent School District’s Mav Tech program are one way to do that. “Our main focus is to...

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Like some Welding Technology students, Rogelio Del Toro did not have much welding experience before enrolling at Texas State Technical College. His inexperience did not stop him from setting a goal of earning a certificate and finding a job, however. “My father did some welding, and I tried it in middle school,”...

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Welders are naturally competitive. Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor Stephen Hope decided to use a competition to promote the program and offer scholarships. High school students from New Castle and Trent competed on March 24 for a chance to win a welding scholarship. On March 31, the competition will continue...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Hector Ramirez is glad to continue going to college while working in East Texas.  Ramirez, a Gilmer resident, graduated from Texas State Technical College in 2018 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems – Electrical Specialization. He returned to TSTC’s Marshall campus to earn an associate degree in Automation...

(WACO, Texas) – Shawn Avelar, of West, and John Sprague, of Clifton, have in common the year 2008 at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. That was the year Avelar began teaching at the campus and the year Sprague graduated. Avelar did not get an opportunity to teach Sprague in what is now the Occupational...

(WACO, Texas) – Utex Industries Inc. in Houston has two Texas State Technical College graduates working daily to keep its employees safe. Michael Houlihan is the company’s health, safety and environmental – maintenance manager at the company’s Weimar plant, which makes high-pressure gaskets for the oil and gas fracking industry. Dawn Swofford is the corporate...

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – Scott Rosignol, a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Army, dabbled in welding on weekends while living in Harker Heights.  But it was not until he moved to Breckenridge and toured the Welding Technology program at Texas State Technical College that he began to think of welding as a career option. After talking...

(BRECKENRIDGE, Texas) – When Monty Moeller learned that Texas State Technical College was hosting a high school welding event, he knew his students would be in attendance. Moeller, the Rolling Plains Technical School coordinator and welding instructor, wanted his students to see TSTC’s facilities. Two of his students finished in the top three at the...

(ABILENE, Texas) – One of the first things students learn in Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program is that many job opportunities await them after graduation. That was the reason why Jacob Nelson, Levi Taylor and Dalton Tiner decided to enroll in the program. What they have learned over their first two semesters is...

TSTC grad finds success with Champion Stone Co. (ABILENE, Texas) – Marcus Lance has done a lot in a short period of time at Texas’ largest limestone quarry. After earning an associate degree in Industrial Systems at Texas State Technical College in 2020, Lance began working for Champion Stone Co. in Lueders. The maintenance technician...

(WACO, Texas) – Instrumentation plays a critical role in the operation of oil refineries, petrochemical facilities, and power generation plants. Workers use programmable logic controllers, calibrate equipment, and maintain the control of flows, levels, temperatures, and pressures for production. Many of Texas State Technical College’s Instrumentation Technology graduates either have jobs before they graduate or...

(HUTTO, Texas) – From computer tablets to soft drink cans, precision machining is a critical component of our lives. “When the economy is down, the first place that comes back is the machining world,” said Tim Hemesath, an instructor in the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County campus. “Everything...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Balancing a full-time job, family and school is nothing new to Alfred Rodriguez. The 2020 Texas State Technical College graduate is back in the labs, studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems. Rodriguez previously earned a certificate in Diesel Equipment Technology from TSTC, but he wanted to add...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The most recent expansion project in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program involved adding 40 new welding stations and a new metal building for advanced fabrication.  The growth was needed to accommodate students in a field that is booming in the Rio Grande Valley as companies expand and other companies relocate...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is known for adapting its technical programs to fit the needs of industry. Starting this fall, a new degree will enable students to learn to protect the health and safety of others. The Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance combines two previous degrees...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Working in the industrial systems field does not just involve manufacturing. Jarriet Durham, lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems – Electrical Specialization program in North Texas, said graduates’ skills are also needed in the oil and gas and alternative energy fields. Workers can also go into electrical distribution...

(ABILENE, Texas) – A friend led Jacob Nelson to Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program. Nelson, who is studying for a certificate of completion, hopes to join his friend in the workforce when he completes the program in December. “One of my best friends completed the program and got a job really quick,” Nelson...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Kevin McLaughlin grew up in DeBerry in Panola County and graduated in 2019 from Texas State Technical College in Marshall with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Process Operations Technology. He works at Plastipak Packaging Inc. in Garland, where he is a production supervisor overseeing day-to-day operations of production lines. He...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Terry Steelman found his passion when he became Texas State Technical College’s newest Industrial Systems instructor. The Snyder native plans to use his U.S. Marine Corps experience during lab sessions. He brings knowledge as a technician and supervisor in manufacturing and utility fleet service to the Abilene campus. He knows his experience...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – The 10 letters that make up the word “automation” carry a lot of weight in how we work now and will in the future. Automation is the ability to transform raw material into a finished product with very little human interaction, said Douglas Clark, lead instructor in TSTC’s Automation and Controls Technology...

(RED OAK, Texas) – In the welding field, it helps to be diverse in one’s skills. Ashley Yezak, statewide lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program, said the need for welders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has not slowed down as the country continues to grapple with the pandemic. “With energy production,...

Recruitment event to be first in-person opportunity since pandemic (HARLINGEN, Texas) – If you make tracks to Texas State Technical College’s drive-thru recruitment event Thursday, July 29, you have a chance to roll out with a $1,500 scholarship. Any prospective student who swings by campus to meet instructors, learn more about hybrid and online programs,...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Instrumentation Technology program is preparing students for a digital world once they graduate. “You need hands-on work to be a good technician,” said Mickle Peine, an instructor in TSTC’s Instrumentation Technology program. The program has added new equipment to its labs, including eight Emerson AMS Trex Device Communicators....

(WACO, Texas) – Seven U.S. Army soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, completed on Thursday the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America program taught for the first time at Texas State Technical College. The 12-week program enabled soldiers to travel to Waco four days a week to take classes in mechatronics, with a focus on electrical systems,...

(WACO, Texas) – The Tesla START training program at Texas State Technical College recently held a recognition ceremony for its fourth cohort of graduates. The TSTC students began the 12-week training program in May to learn the skills necessary to become advanced electric vehicle technicians at Tesla. As a Tesla-paid hourly intern, the students developed...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Levi Taylor is learning more than he expected to in Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program. Taylor, who is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree, knew he would learn different systems and how they work. He also found out that it provided him a depth of knowledge to begin...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Night owls who are good at math and excited about programming and technology are needed to fill machining jobs in East Texas. “Some companies are just looking for a well-rounded individual to work for them,” said Danny Nixon, lead instructor in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program in Marshall. “One...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in North Texas will work with four high schools, a charter school and two affiliates of the Texas Home School Coalition to offer dual enrollment classes in the upcoming academic year. Students will take classes at TSTC’s North Texas campus in Red Oak, at their home campuses...

(WACO, Texas) – Luke Markham, of Belton, grew up with an appreciation for automobiles, but he also liked diesel equipment.  The students with whom he interacted during his time in home school thought he would pursue mechanical engineering. But Markham said the field did not interest him. “I don’t mind standing out,” he said. Markham...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is known for its Welding Technology program. Greg Nicholas, an instructor at the Abilene campus, said the program is thriving, with new students eager to learn and show off their skills. “If this group of students remain committed, which I think they will, we are going to be...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in Marshall is offering more dual enrollment opportunities this year for high school students. Some of TSTC’s technical programs that were previously taught in person on select campuses are now available in online formats. Some of TSTC’s programs that high school students are taking include Architectural Design and...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Austin Hargett makes roses bloom from metal — thorns and all. The Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor can also get scorpions to skitter out of aluminum, bees to buzz around a honeycomb of hex nuts, and many other feats of metalworking. A co-worker who became a friend showed Hargett the...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – More welding torches are being used in the Welding Technology lab at Texas State Technical College’s Sweetwater campus. Instructor Taylor Elston is excited to see 26 new students, including two women, beginning their journey to a career as a welder. Elston said the new group is the largest he has had in...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College and The Manufacturing Institute are partnering to pilot a remote virtual reality workforce training initiative aimed at helping transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses prepare for and excel in careers in modern manufacturing. The first cohort is scheduled to start on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. The institute’s...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Pick an industry — any industry — and with a degree in Industrial Systems from Texas State Technical College, you have the opportunity to thrive, says TSTC lead instructor Ray Smith. “For this program, you are not bound by a particular skill or trade,” he said. “You name an industry, and you...

(HUTTO, Texas) – ICU Medical Inc., a company in Austin specializing in pure-play infusion therapy, has partnered with Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County’s Industrial Systems program to offer apprenticeships to selected students. “It’s really huge for our program,” said Lance Antilley, lead instructor in TSTC’s Industrial Systems program at the East Williamson...

Precision machinist students gain experience on relevant equipment (ROSENBERG, Texas) – You may understand what goes into manufacturing a car or an airplane, but do you know how the machines to make those vehicles are manufactured themselves? That is the role of a precision machinist. “We make all the mechanics to put your vehicles together,”...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Students in Texas State Technical College’s Process Operations Technology program are using a new fractional distillation column in classes this semester. The equipment separates chemicals based on boiling point. It is made of glass so that students can view the distillation process. “Products come off the column at different points and are...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Anali Cantu, who is a student at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, is pursuing an online associate degree in Education and Training. She is employed as a work-study with TSTC’s Advocacy and Resource Center and is committed to their “culture of caring” approach. She, like other students at the technical college,...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – With a natural aptitude, drive and interest in machining, Ryan Stehle fits right in to the Precision Machining Technology program at Texas State Technical College. “He does not wait for the instructor to tell him to go to the next step,” said Deogratias Nizigiyimana, lead instructor for the program on TSTC’s campus...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College has added four statewide programs to its Money-Back Guarantee, reflecting the needs of employers. Students in their first semester pursuing associate degrees or certificates of completion in the Industrial Systems, Precision Machining Technology, Process Operations Technology and Robotics Technology programs can now feel confident about finding employment soon...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Robotics Technology program is on the move. The program is slowly relocating from its longtime campus location in the Electronics Center into space being remodeled in the Dr. Roy G. Dugger Center, which is next door. The move is scheduled to be complete by the end of the...

Campus welding lab is home to 160 booths (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Sparks flew as students practiced their craft recently in the welding lab at Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County. Lead instructor Jerroll Hodge walked from booth to booth, straightening strip curtains and answering questions from students. With an expansion completed in...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – When Wesley Robert was laid off from his automotive job at the onset of the pandemic, he decided to reshape his prospects by returning to school. Now, Robert expects to graduate from Texas State Technical College in spring 2022 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Robotics Technology. What initially got...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Jason Tong, a Welding Technology instructor at Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus, is full of pieces of advice for students in the program. “Pretty doesn’t pass,” for instance, encourages students to get over the notion that their welds have to look like popular videos on Instagram. Clean welds are...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A group of three Texas State Technical College Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance students peered into a dumpster tucked behind the Industrial Technology Center on TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus. While wearing personal protective equipment, they plucked trash from the receptacle, examining the material and condition of each item before photographing them...

Staying relevant with technology helps precision machining students become more marketable (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Many people recognize the feeling of starting a new job and not knowing what to do. In spite of previous experience and education, training is still required upon hiring. Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program is looking to reduce...

(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College and a Waxahachie insulating glass manufacturer are in the early stages of building a partnership to bolster the career possibilities for Industrial Systems students at TSTC’s North Texas campus. “They have been great about working with us,” said Lily Connolly, Cardinal IG Co.’s recruiting manager in Waxahachie....

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Life takes us in various directions, and for former U.S. Marine Christopher Torres, the Welding Technology program at Texas State Technical College caught his interest. Torres served as a CH-53E helicopter engine mechanic with the Marine Corps for two years. He said that while he is proud of his Hispanic heritage, he...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Jeremy Denton found his educational niche at Texas State Technical College. Denton, of Colorado City, is in his final semester of the Electromechanical Technology program. He hopes that the Associate of Applied Science degree leads to a lifelong career. “At first I wanted to be an animator, but school did not go...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Jayden Hummel has always been fascinated with technology. The son of a former Air Force mechanic, Hummel is hoping to honor the memory of his late father by earning Associate of Applied Science degrees in Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology at Texas State Technical College. “I know that he is...

Around 300 welding students participate in event (ROSENBERG, Texas) – When Jose Perez Jr. was in high school, he competed in welding competitions like the Texas High School Welding Series event hosted Friday, Oct. 29, at Texas State Technical College. During his senior year, Perez even met TSTC lead welding instructor Jerroll Hodge at an...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – A friend’s career success was all Reid Klein needed to hear about prior to enrolling at Texas State Technical College. Klein hopes to be another success story when he completes the Electromechanical Technology program this year. “A friend told me about the Wind Energy Technology program and how he was able to...

(WACO, Texas) – Ethan White, of George West, is working on associate degrees in Instrumentation Technology and Electrical Power and Controls at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus and is scheduled to graduate in summer 2022. He is also an online tutor at TSTC, working with students in Instrumentation Technology classes.  White, a graduate of...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Central Texas businesses are seeking people now to fill available machining and industrial maintenance positions. “Many companies are experiencing turnovers due to natural attrition or retirement and are having trouble finding technicians to fill those spots,” said Edward Chaney, Texas State Technical College’s statewide chair of the Industrial Systems department. During the...

Area company looking to staff industrial maintenance technicians, among other positions (ROSENBERG, Texas) – The 15 Texas State Technical College Industrial Systems students who attended a recent industry spotlight event with Leedo Cabinetry walked away from the experience with more than just a brand-new Stanley tape measure. They also came away with valuable insights on...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College graduate Kaitlin Sullivan recently returned to TSTC to tell a group of current students about her successful internship in Germany with printing press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer that led to her current job at the company’s Dallas facility. During a recent industry spotlight at the college, Sullivan, who...

Welding processes fascinating TSTC student (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Cameron Weaver grew up around an uncle who welded whatever was needed. “He wasn’t the type to go out and buy tables and racks,” Weaver recalled. “He built all the stuff. I was just really fascinated by all of that.” After 13 years in the Army and...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Luz Puente is something of a trailblazer. The San Benito resident is currently the sole female student in the Precision Machining Technology program at the Texas State Technical College campus in Harlingen. Before Puente enrolled, she had met with Precision Machining Technology instructors and toured the program. Its state-of-the-art lab equipment, especially...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Omar Escalon, of La Feria, served as a U.S. Border Patrol agent for 11 years. Afterward, he was in search of a personal challenge that would be out of his comfort zone. He enrolled at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus to begin that educational career change and earned an Associate of...

(RED, OAK, Texas) – More than 30 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2021 Commencement held Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Waxahachie Civic Center. Marcus Balch, provost of TSTC’s North Texas campus, was excited for the first in-person ceremony held since fall 2019. “It feels like forever,” he said....

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored its Marshall campus fall graduates during a commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 10. It was TSTC’s first in-person commencement event since fall 2019. Provost Barton Day said it was good to see students honored during the ceremony. “It’s truly a thrill to have both students and families join...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College graduates agreed that hard work paid off after receiving their diplomas during the West Texas commencement ceremony Monday, Dec. 13, at the Abilene Convention Center. More than 100 fall 2021 graduates walked the stage to receive their diplomas during the first in-person TSTC commencement ceremony since fall 2019....

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – In an evening that felt special in both its normalcy and its revelry, about 100 Texas State Technical College students from the Fort Bend County campus became TSTC graduates Tuesday, Dec. 14, in a commencement ceremony at the Stafford Centre. In the crowd, families cheered on their graduates, shouting out encouragement and...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Carlos Ulin Jr. may have just earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology at Texas State Technical College’s recent fall 2021 commencement ceremony, but he already has his sights set on what comes next: a certificate of completion in Structural and Pipe Welding from TSTC. The Sugar Land resident...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Glen Cusack III, of Kyle, graduated this fall from Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology. He is working at DJO Global in Austin, where he uses machining to create surgical implants.  What factored into you choosing Precision Machining Technology...

(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...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Richie Cooper, of Hutto, realized early on that he could use his hands and mind to be the technically skilled worker that a company wants. Cooper recently started his second semester at Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County in the Industrial Systems – Mechanical Specialization program, where he is working...

Automation offers enhanced safety, efficiency and control (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Oil and gas drilling contractor Nabors Industries made history in October 2021 as the company announced that its PACE-R801, the first fully automated land drilling rig, reached total depth on its first well, located in Midland, Texas. While the company retained a similar number of...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Ruby Steptoe’s family has a welding streak that runs three generations long. But the Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor’s family did not know she was going to school for welding until she brought her plate and pipe home to show her grandfather. “They had no clue,” Steptoe recalled. “They thought...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – The game of chess is known to require the utmost patience, preparation and strategy. Those same principles are comparable to the welding industry. Four TSTC alumni have established the direction of their program into a cohesive Welding Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus. Manuel Ahumada, Isaac Rivas, Raul Saldivar...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – When he earned his degree in December 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic nearly derailed Texas State Technical College Precision Machining Technology graduate Andrew Butschek’s plans for his career. But a few months — and a quick refresher course from a TSTC machining instructor — later, the Katy resident got hired and started succeeding...

(BROWNWOOD, Texas) – Sparks will fill Texas State Technical College’s welding labs next week in West Texas. High school students will compete for scholarships during welding competitions at the college’s Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater campuses. This is the second consecutive year that TSTC is hosting the scholarship competition. “We are expecting 50 students at each...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College alumna Kari Alonso, of Brownsville, recalled her childhood memories of observing her father work on auto body repair projects outside their home. Little did she realize that would steer her toward a prosperous career in manufacturing. She grew a keen interest in the medical field after graduating from...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – After joyless experiences working in retail and restaurants, Joshua Reyes has finally found something he loves: welding. The Rosenberg resident will earn a certificate of completion this semester in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program. Afterward, he looks to continue his studies and training to complete an Associate of Applied Science...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – The TSTC Foundation recently received a $28,000 donation from Saber Power Field Services LLC, a NETA Accredited Company serving the electric utility, petrochemical, municipal, industrial/commercial, renewable, and oil and gas industries, on behalf of Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Power and Controls (EPC) program. Of the donation, $18,000 is an in-kind gift...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – An open field on Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County recently served as a classroom for a hands-on project. A group of 12 fifth-semester students in TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls program conducted two industry-relevant tests during the project: a four-point soil resistivity test and a fall-of-potential test with...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Representatives from MEYER, an oil well testing equipment and well control system manufacturer, visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County on Friday, Feb. 18, to tell TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology students about the opportunities available to them. Dave Key, CEO of MEYER, discussed the importance of the training that...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Valerie Robin, of Austin, grew up learning from her father how to do basic work on cars.  Now she is blazing her own path in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program at the East Williamson County campus. Robin is the lone female in the program, working toward an associate degree...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Team members from Frito-Lay visited Texas State Technical College Industrial Systems students on TSTC’s campus in Fort Bend County to share a new opportunity: maintenance internships. The initiative will offer flexible, well-paid positions at the company’s nearby Rosenberg plant for students currently enrolled in maintenance courses, like TSTC’s Industrial Systems program. “It’s...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program in Marshall gives students the hands-on experience they need to fill many East Texas jobs.  The program’s courses include basic electrical theory, blueprints, commercial wiring, compressors and hydraulics. Edward Chaney, an instructor in TSTC’s Industrial Systems program, said instructors look at new students as blank...

(ABILENE, Texas) – With the volatility of jobs in the oil field, Sean Spear was looking to make a career change. Some fellow employees at the company where Spear worked told him about Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Power and Controls program. He began researching the program and is now studying for an Associate of...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Mario Granados’ dream job involves manufacturing his own firearms, something the veteran has been interested in since he transitioned from the U.S. Army. The Missouri City resident is already closer to realizing that dream through working at Stafford-based Radical Firearms and training in Texas State Technical College’s Precision Machining Technology program. How...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College was a proud sponsor and supporter of the recent FIRST Robotics District Competition held at the Extraco Events Center in Waco. “TSTC is the premier provider of technical training for Texas, with 10 campuses across the state,” said Brian Reeves, an instructor in TSTC’s Robotics Technology program and...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some 300 students from nine area high schools visited Texas State Technical College during an open house held on the Harlingen campus Thursday, March 10. The participating schools included Grulla, La Feria, Lopez Early College, PSJA Sonia M. Sotomayor Early College, Raymondville, Rio Grande City, Rio Hondo, Santa Maria, and Vanguard Beethoven...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – When it comes to welding, Matthew Bakus has just about seen and done it all. The Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor — and graduate — has worked everywhere from fabrication shops to power plants and pipelines. “You throw something at me, I can weld it, but I think my strong...

TSTC’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration program is offered completely online (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Renee Blackshear’s first experience with computers and technology was in junior high school, writing a program that made a virtual robot do jumping jacks on the screen. By the time she was using a computer to design a yearbook in high...

(WACO, Texas) – Several hundred Texas State Technical College students and alumni attended TSTC’s Industry Job Fair on Tuesday on the Waco campus, the first in-person job event held since 2019. For the first time, the event was spread out across campus to include the Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center, the Industrial Technology Center...

(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 30 students from Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County rode a chartered bus on Tuesday  to attend the Industry Job Fair hosted by TSTC’s Waco campus. For the first time, the event was spread out on the Waco campus to include the Col. James T. Connally Aerospace Center,...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) visited Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus Wednesday, March 23, experiencing firsthand the hands-on training that TSTC offers to students. “It’s incredible what TSTC is doing here on the Fort Bend campus and systemwide for our state and our country,” Kolkhorst said. “They are...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Career Services department recently held a virtual Interview Practicum aimed at offering TSTC spring 2022 candidates for graduation a real-life interview experience. In addition, Big Interview (biginterview.com), a virtual interview platform, was introduced. It helps users sharpen their interview skills and allows them to interview virtually, wherever they...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Hundreds of local high school students and their counselors visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County on Thursday, March 24, for an open house celebration. “Everyone’s here to have a good time,” said Melissa Morman, a director of TSTC’s Student Recruitment team. A festive atmosphere enhanced by red and...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Representatives from PMG Manufacturing Services recently visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County to discuss potential career opportunities with students from TSTC’s Welding Technology and Precision Machining Technology programs. TSTC students learned about the benefits and opportunities at PMG and saw examples of success from other TSTC graduates who...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College is quickly becoming home to state-level welding competitions. The Texas FFA Area IV held its inaugural applied agricultural engineering career development event at TSTC’s Industrial Technology Center in Abilene earlier this month. Organizers said TSTC will continue to host the event on an annual basis. “This is the...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Graduates of Texas State Technical College‘s Welding Technology program are well positioned to fill welding jobs that are being vacated by retiring baby boomers. Jesus Gonzalez, of Harlingen, will graduate from the program this semester with an Associate of Applied Science degree and is excited about the promising job opportunities that await...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Although the cybersecurity field is still dominated by male workers, two female graduates from Texas State Technical College are finding their place in the data security and tech world. Claudia Reyes, of Harlingen, has always been interested in computers. “Even now, if it has buttons on it, I want to push them,”...

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Alayna Botts enjoys taking things apart and putting them back together. After researching the best place to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, Botts, of Lufkin, said Texas State Technical College ranked high on her list. Now in her second semester of the Electromechanical Technology program at TSTC’s Sweetwater campus, Botts...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – More than 300 Texas State Technical College students and alumni, ready with their resumes and networking abilities to make an impression on business and industry representatives, filled the Industry Job Fair at TSTC’s Harlingen campus Thursday, April 7. It was the first in-person job fair to be held on the campus since...

Gold medalists will go on to compete on the national level at SkillsUSA (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College students earned a total of 47 medals — 18 gold, 15 silver and 14 bronze — during the recent statewide SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference in Houston. The three-day competition ended Saturday, April...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Marshall campus hosted a visit Tuesday by state Rep. Jay Dean, R-Longview, who represents the newly redrawn District 7 at the state Capitol. Dean’s visit was his first to the Marshall campus. “It has been a very impressive trip to visit the facilities and visit the faculty and...

(WACO, Texas) – Amanda Williams, of Belton, is an Instrumentation Technology student at Texas State Technical College who is scheduled to graduate this spring. She grew up in Hawaii and has lived in Texas for the last few years. How did you choose TSTC and your program of study? My fiance, Timothy Daniels Sr., was...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Landon Rodriguez’s father was the person who first ignited a spark in him when it came to welding. The current Texas State Technical College Welding Technology student has been welding — and loving it — ever since. “He’s proud of me,” Rodriguez said of his father. “He’s happy to see that I’m...

Hillger teaches night classes in the Welding Technology program (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Welding is not something that is in Daniel Hillger’s blood. His father was not a welder and neither was his grandfather. “I just kind of started doing it on my own,” he said. If anything, the Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – More than 170 high school seniors, including those who completed a dual enrollment pathway and chose to matriculate to pursue a technical education at Texas State Technical College, were recently honored at the National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Signing Day event held Thursday, April 14, at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. Area school...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some Texas State Technical College students are flying high because as SkillsUSA gold medalists they will advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference that will be held June 20-24, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. Alfredo Aldape, Omar Escalon, Carina Garcia, Caleb Garza, Carlos Lara, Adrian Nacianceno, Alfredo Martinez, Isela Munoz and...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Isaac Gonzalez, Texas State Technical College’s lead Precision Machining Technology instructor at the Harlingen campus and its SkillsUSA statewide coordinator, was recently recognized as State Advisor of the Year at the SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills Conference in Houston. “I was surprised when I heard my name called,” he said. “I...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College instructor Joshua Schott recently leapt at the chance to help judge the statewide FIRST Robotics Competition held in Houston and received a firsthand look at the kind of knowledge and technology that high schoolers have at their fingertips. “Listening to these high school students spout back the exact...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Hannah Balli has always liked to work with her hands — especially on cars with her father. Her father’s work in refineries also inspired her to take a technical path in Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology program. “I’ve always been close to my dad, so I was like, ‘I want to...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – “I made it!” and “my journey is over” were among the phrases heard by Texas State Technical College graduates at TSTC’s Spring 2022 Commencement held Tuesday, April 26, at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg. More than 270 graduates from TSTC’s Harlingen campus raised their diplomas with enthusiasm and accepted certificates of...

Commencement included music, joy, dancing (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County celebrated the achievements of around 90 graduates during the Spring 2022 Commencement held Thursday, April 28, at the Stafford Centre. Cheers filled the air as music pumped through the auditorium, with graduates dancing through the aisle and waving...

De La Cruz recommends prospective welding students pursue degree, certificate (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Omar De La Cruz Jr. is a third-generation welder — two of his uncles and his grandfather were in the industry. “I still remember the time when my grandpa was welding right in front of me,” De La Cruz said. “I enjoyed...

Recent TSTC grads share instructors who had biggest impact on them (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s instructors play a vital role in TSTC’s mission of placing more Texans in great-paying jobs. “They are our lifeline,” said John Kennedy, associate provost of TSTC’s campus in Fort Bend County. “One thing I’m always impressed with...

(WACO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College hosted the Texas High School Welding Series on Thursday at the Industrial Technology Center on the Waco campus. It was the first time that the campus had hosted the welding event. More than 200 students from more than 20 high schools from throughout Texas attended the daylong event....

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College had many triumphs during the busy spring semester on its Harlingen campus. Here is a look back at some of the semester’s highlights: SpaceX tour Some 50 students from TSTC’s Mechatronics Technology, Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology programs at the Harlingen campus experienced a tour of aerospace...

McNeil hopes to provide access, resources for students (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Shawn McNeil discovered his love for working with people through a program he participated in during college, a program that assisted low-income and at-risk youth. After college, the Katy resident transitioned from the Marine Corps to working for the Health and Human Services Administration...

(WACO, Texas) – For Texas State Technical College alumni Justin Lewis and Marshall Verette, there is nowhere they would rather be than working for Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) based in Johnson City. Lewis is a technical services technician based in Johnson City, and Verette is a regional operations supervisor based in Marble Falls. “A cooperative...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College will host a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) event at the Harlingen Public Library Wednesday, May 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event can help current and prospective TSTC students apply for financial aid to help with tuition and other costs related to their education....

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some 200 students from 14 area high schools will visit Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus for a Region One GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) campus tour Thursday, May 26. The participating high schools include Edcouch-Elsa, Harlingen, Harlingen South, La Feria, Lasara, La Villa, Los Fresnos, Monte...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Industrial Systems program is a powerful tool for anyone looking for a high-demand, great-paying career across countless industries. “We fix very complicated pieces of equipment when they break,” said TSTC Industrial Systems lead instructor Brian Weakley. “We’re not focused on any one industry because the skills learned here...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Adam Cox, of Pflugerville, is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Precision Machining Technology at Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County. He is scheduled to graduate in December. In April, Cox received a bronze medal in the CNC Milling competition at the SkillsUSA Texas Postsecondary Leadership and Skills...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – A representative from Crown Equipment visited Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus recently to share potential opportunities with students — and to conduct a workshop covering the importance of soft skills. Joe Razza, a Crown Equipment regional recruiter, met with TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology and Industrial Systems students during the...

(ABILENE, Texas) – Being able to put pieces of an electrical puzzle back together is intriguing to Kevin Smith. That has been one of the highlights for Smith while taking Electrical Power and Controls classes at Texas State Technical College. He is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree, which he knows can position...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – To help students at Texas State Technical College who want to work while attending school, the TSTC Career Services department recently held a part-time job fair on the Harlingen campus to connect students with potential employers. AutoZone, Dollar Tree, Eco Renewable Solutions, Express Employment Professionals, H&R Block, TSTC Human Resources, and Wing...

Both have excelled in statewide welding competitions (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Hector Guzman and Zitlaly Rangel, two recent graduates of Cleveland High School, each received an $11,000 scholarship to attend Texas State Technical College for welding training this fall. Jerroll Hodge, lead instructor for the Welding Technology program at TSTC’s campus in Fort Bend County, was...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – James Walker still remembers making an F on a second-grade mathematics test at his elementary school in Hughes Springs. Since then, Walker has not looked back in meeting academic obstacles. Today, he is an Automation and Controls Technology student at Texas State Technical College in Marshall scheduled to graduate in spring 2023....

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Three representatives from Houston-based Centerline Manufacturing recently visited Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County, meeting with Precision Machining Technology faculty and students — as well as TSTC Career Services representatives. “Here it’s not just teaching — it’s really like production,” TSTC Precision Machining Technology instructor Deogratias Nizigiyimana told the...

Industrial Systems instructor celebrates student’s work ethic (ROSENBERG, Texas) – Tommy Barrett used to watch — with great curiosity — when mechanics would disassemble and troubleshoot hydraulic pumps and motors in the cardboard balers that were used at a grocery store chain. It was enviably different from Barrett’s position: stocking shelves in the dairy section....

(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Electromechanical Technology instructor Arnoldo Soto has seen his students find success with a wide range of industries. The need for quality employees is high, Soto said, and he wants to continue TSTC’s tradition of placing Texans in great-paying jobs around the state. “Our graduates can go anywhere and...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – When Brian Weakley was driving the 45 miles between Needville and Houston in his former role as a maintenance manager, he would pass the current site of Texas State Technical College’s campus in Fort Bend County every day. “I watched it being built,” he said. In 2019, Weakley was hired as a...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College student Ricardo Flores is in pursuit of an entrepreneurial goal: to establish an automotive restoration and modification shop. The Harlingen resident is aligning that path through an education at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. “I earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from TSTC in 2021,” Flores...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Lionel Silva is originally from Mexico, but he moved to Rosenberg in 2009 because of its proximity to a wide range of opportunities in petrochemical and other industries. When Silva decided to start an apprenticeship in the robotics maintenance department at his workplace, a global manufacturer of pipes and related services, he...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – After a two-year hiatus, Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus will host its first in-person new student orientation Tuesday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is required for all new incoming TSTC students who have registered for fall 2022 courses. Amanda Posada, TSTC’s interim Harlingen campus provost and...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Career opportunities were a key message that representatives from semiconductor manufacturing company Texas Instruments had for students in the Aircraft Airframe, Aircraft Powerplant, Automotive and Mechatronics technology programs at Texas State Technical College during a visit to TSTC’s Harlingen campus Wednesday, July 20. The visitors from Texas Instruments also discussed topics such...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Biomedical Equipment Technology alumna Esmeralda Estrella developed a strong interest in helping people at a young age. Now she is helping to educate the next generation of biomedical equipment technicians as a new instructor at TSTC. The San Benito resident was introduced to the technical side of health...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Texas State Technical College Welding Technology student Maris Goode always thought that, in spite of her fascination with the craft, welding would only ever be a hobby for her. But then a friend — and TSTC graduate — convinced her to start earning a certificate of completion in TSTC’s Welding Technology program....

(HUTTO, Texas) – Alejandro Garcia Puente, of Round Rock, is excited about the career change he is making as a student at Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County. “Most of my jobs have been construction-related,” he said. “This will be more technical.” Garcia Puente is scheduled to graduate in December with an Associate...

(MARSHALL, Texas) – Aaron Sorenson, of Longview, credits representatives of Longview’s Eastman Chemical Co. visiting his high school in helping him choose his career path. “I was at a point in my life where I did not know what the heck I was going to do,” said Sorenson, a Process Operations Technology student at Texas...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Taylor Marze attended a four-year university for architecture, but his disappointment in the program led him to obtain a bachelor’s degree in 3D-focused art instead. The journey took him down a path of procedure, logic and creativity that eventually led to Texas State Technical College, where he is currently a Precision Machining...

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – Automation is the future for many industries, and welding is no exception. Texas State Technical College’s Welding Technology automation lab at TSTC’s campus in Fort Bend County recently received new equipment to help keep TSTC students on the cusp of emerging technology and practices. “We’ve got a submerged-arc machine, new orbital pipe...

(WACO, Texas) – Nathan Jordan, of Alvin, wants to stay on the ground as he pursues his career in the aviation industry. He will soon begin his third semester pursuing an associate degree in the Avionics Technology program at Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus. He is also a resident advisor at the on-campus Village...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – With the Texas State Technical College fall 2022 semester beginning Monday, August 29, TSTC students will have the opportunity to learn more about TSTC’s Harlingen campus when they engage in Welcome Week activities. Representatives from TSTC’s Advocacy and Resource Center will answer students’ inquiries at information stations. In addition, TSTC administration will...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – For many Texas State Technical College students, a great college journey begins with an engaging program experience, an enjoyable campus culture and a pleasant dormitory. Lorena Garza-Garcia, TSTC’s student housing director in Harlingen, said the TSTC student housing team does its best to ensure a comfortable living environment for new and returning...

(ABILENE, Texas) – The newest members of the state’s workforce were honored during Texas State Technical College’s Summer Commencement on Friday, September 2. TSTC honored 88 graduates representing the four West Texas campuses in the exhibit hall at the Abilene Civic Center.  Andy Weaver, provost of the West Texas campuses, congratulated the college’s newest alumni....

(ABILENE, Texas) – Eric Payne is no stranger to a welding torch. Payne worked in civil engineering for the U.S. Air Force for eight years, performing structural maintenance. Knowing that he and his wife would be moving from Idaho to West Texas, he began looking at earning his welding certification. That is where Texas State...

(HARLINGEN, Texas) – September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, an opportunity for libraries to educate lifelong learners about the value of library cards. At Texas State Technical College, a student ID functions as a library card. This enables students to gain access to many of the educational resources at TSTC’s Library Services. Julio Solis, of...

(HUTTO, Texas) – Alejandro Garcia Puente, of Round Rock, is an Industrial Systems – Mechanical Specialization student at Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County. He is scheduled to graduate in December. Garcia Puente is a graduate of Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park and is in the U.S. Navy Reserve. What did...