(WACO, Texas) – Six employees at Texas State Technical College in Waco have been honored for their skills and work.
Meagan Cooper, an instructor in the Electrical Power and Controls program; Kent Kahler, a senior instructor in the Diesel Equipment Technology program; Anju Motwani, senior accountant; Jana Polansky, student accounting coordinator; Raymond Silva, a Culinary Arts program lab assistant, and Caitlin Simmonds, a publication layout specialist, have received Chancellor’s Excellence Awards.
The Chancellor’s Excellence Award began in 2001 and has been given to more than 300 TSTC employees statewide. Recipients are nominated by their peers for their work toward advancing the technical college’s mission.
“The teammates who win this award model excellence for us all and are recognized for both their sound character and for advancing TSTC’s new direction,” said TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser. “Due to their caring and dedicated efforts, TSTC continues to make a difference in the employment success of our students.”
Cooper has taught for 12 years at TSTC and is being honored for her caring attitude toward students and her loyalty.
Kahler has been at TSTC for 42 years and teaches students about heavy-duty brakes, shop safety and other components of the diesel equipment field.
“The students’ curiosity and willingness to learn all they can about diesel technology keeps me motivated,” he said. “The most rewarding part of being an instructor is when you see the students learn from you and when they finally succeed after a million failures and feel really proud of what they have learned.”
Motwani has been at TSTC for two years. She works with TSTC departments to implement new accounting standards, prepare the institution’s annual financial report and assess and strengthen internal controls. She also processes and analyzes account changes.
“Accounting has always been my passion, but what motivates me are the people I work with,” Motwani said. “I am truly humbled and thankful to be part of such a wonderful team and an institution where I can make a difference.”
Polansky came to TSTC 25 years ago and started as a clerk in the financial aid office. She was previously an accounting assistant before being promoted to her current position in 2017.
One of the things Polansky is proud of in her work is learning and training employees on how to use TSTC’s communication module to correspond with students.
“A huge motivator for me is going to work and knowing that I can and will do whatever is needed to help my co-workers,” Polansky said. “Putting their needs first, along with the students’ needs, is what makes my job so rewarding.”
Silva, who has worked five years at TSTC, prepares the popular takeout meals and fulfills catering orders at the Greta W. Watson Culinary Arts Center. He also helps Culinary Arts students in there labs.
“I love that I can come to work every day and cook for people or even just help people out,” Silva said. “If I can make one person smile just from the food I serve, that means I have done my job.”
Simmonds who has worked for three years at TSTC. She works with graphic design, advertisements and special recruiting and enrollment projects.
She said that a good team environment makes her job a fun experience and that she gets to do work she is passionate about.
The honorees will join 29 other TSTC employees statewide who will be honored at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development’s Excellence Awards Dinner and Celebration in May in Austin.
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to www.tstc.edu.
