(ABILENE, Texas) – After working for Texas State Technical College a few years, Annette Collins knew it was going to be a career-defining opportunity.
Collins’ work with veterans in West Texas earned her a 2020 Chancellor’s Excellence Award.
“The teammates who win this award model excellence for us all and are recognized for both their sound character and for advancing TSTC’s mission,” said TSTC Chancellor & CEO Mike Reeser. “Due to their caring and dedicated efforts, TSTC continues to make a difference in the employment success of our students.”
Collins, a native of East Cleveland, Ohio, is the Veterans Program officer in West Texas. Her support of students is evident. She went as far as calling one student daily to make sure he made it to class on time.
“My top goal is a base residency establishment at Dyess Air Force Base that eventually will open doors for other military installations. I have set goals for myself, and one of them is to increase the veteran enrollment by 10 percent every semester,” she said.
Collins said TSTC offers an education beyond books and classrooms.
“We have an opportunity to gain hands-on training, and TSTC gets you prepared for employment on the outside,” she said.
That is one of the reasons Collins received the award.
“Each year TSTC employees have an opportunity to nominate fellow employees who display our core values on an ongoing and consistent basis. Regardless of their daily demands, these nominees have risen to the top through their dedication to TSTC customers, both internal and external,” said Rick Denbow, provost at TSTC in West Texas. “With multiple levels of vetting, only a small percentage of those nominated are awarded the Chancellor’s Excellence Award.”
Collins, a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant, credited her time in the military for the work she does helping veterans.
“I learned that accountability, loyalty and providing excellent customer service were the key elements in making an organization successful. I live by the values of Integrity, doing the right thing at all times, service before self and excellence in all we do,” she said. “The values I have presented to TSTC and to all the veterans, co-workers and others I encounter amplified my ability to provide outstanding customer service and an uplifting, caring attitude each day. A simple greeting and smile can actually make someone’s day.”
For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.
