(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Texas State Technical College hosted state Sen.-elect Morgan LaMantia, D-Brownsville, for a tour of the Harlingen campus on Friday, Dec. 16.
Members of TSTC’s Harlingen campus administrative team, including Amanda Posada, provost, and Cledia Hernandez, associate vice chancellor for External Relations and Workforce Development, told LaMantia about the various programs that are available to students in Harlingen.
LaMantia visited the college’s Nursing, Precision Machining Technology, Surgical Technology and Welding Technology programs.
The tour began at the Surgical Technology program, where LaMantia learned about the resources that are elevating students’ skills and preparing them for the Texas workforce.
The tour continued in the Nursing and Vocational Nursing programs, where LaMantia saw how hands-on training prepares students for jobs in the medical field.
“It’s fascinating to see how modern technologies are benefiting the students in the Allied Health programs,” she said.
During the final two stops, LaMantia enjoyed a visit to the Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology labs.
She accepted a challenge to maneuver a robotic arm using a pendant device with the assistance of Welding Technology instructor Isaac Rivas.
LaMantia said what TSTC is doing will have an enormous impact on the Texas workforce and the economy.
“There are many manufacturing plants and employers that are looking to come to South Texas for a trained workforce,” she said. “TSTC is going to help us get to that point to attract larger businesses for higher-paying jobs. This will help workers take care of their families and build strong leaders in the region.”
Hernandez said it was a privilege to have LaMantia visit the Harlingen campus.
“As TSTC continues to close the skills gaps by training a technically skilled workforce, we value legislators that support our efforts,” she said. “They are key partners to Texas’ having a competitive advantage.”
LaMantia will represent Senate District 27, which includes Cameron County.
For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
