(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 class by attending job fairs and campus events and participating in SkillsUSA.”
Jhonatan Garcia, of Austin, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC Technology and the Provost’s Outstanding Achievement Award.
“It was better than I thought it would be,” Garcia said about his time at TSTC. “There was so much hands-on work, and I tried to learn as much as I could.”
Garcia will start his new job as a controls technician in late May at Schneider Electric in Austin. Additionally, his wife is expecting their third child, a daughter, next month.
Jason Lind, of Georgetown, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology.
“The money is really good,” Lind said about his new career field. “I have always liked working with my hands and fixing things.”
Lind credits the program’s instructors with teaching him a lot about welding. He said he will miss the program’s structure and learning environment.
Lind has an interview later this week with a fabrication shop specializing in seismic structural equipment.
Joel Vasquez, of Taylor, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC Technology.
“I am pretty excited,” he said. “It’s an accomplishment. I will miss the support of the instructors.”
Vasquez said he chose his technical program because he saw people still making money doing HVAC work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He has a job interview this week.
Jesus Castillo Jr., of Florence, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity. He said his biggest challenge in the program was learning about Cisco software.
“I think it is crazy,” he said about graduating. “I still remember graduating from high school.”
Castillo’s parents and sister attended the ceremony. He said they planned to go out to eat after the ceremony.
“I can finally relax,” he said.
Castillo plans to join the U.S. Army and said he is mentally prepared to lose his curly black hair and beard when he does.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.
