(SWEETWATER, Texas) – When Texas State Technical College students begin the spring semester, some new faces will welcome them to class.
Over the past few months, TSTC has hired some new instructors in the Electromechanical Technology, Vocational Nursing and Wind Energy Technology programs. The Sweetwater campus also welcomed a new associate provost, Lance Eastman.
“I love the mission of TSTC, which is placing more Texans in high-paying jobs,” Eastman said. “My goal is to connect the faculty and students to make sure they (students) complete their certificate or degree.”
Eastman also plans to continue the tradition of TSTC’s faculty and students being active in the community.
“The Sweetwater community has been so receptive to me,” he said. “I look forward to becoming more involved in the community so people know the purpose of TSTC.”
Aaron Robinette and Toby Styron are the instructors in the Electromechanical Technology program. Robinette moved into the instructional role after working in the college’s information technology department, while Styron has been teaching since the summer semester as he finishes his associate degree in the program.
“My goal as an instructor is to get better,” Robinette said. “I want to become efficient in everything. That is why Toby and I will be working together to become more well-rounded instructors.”
Styron said becoming an instructor has been a surreal feeling, adding that he has an advantage.
“I was able to hear firsthand what the students like about the program,” he said. “I can adapt the things the students like the most into my teaching style.”
Ronald Atkins joined the Wind Energy Technology program after 18 years in the industry. He also has an advantage teaching current students.
“Many of the graduates of this program I worked with in the field — I trained them on the company’s procedures,” he said. “Now I will be training them (new graduates) before they get in the field.”
Atkins said he spent the final part of the fall semester adapting to TSTC’s instructional approach.
“I watched how the instructors set the baseline for the students, and that will give me a great direction to stay on,” he said.
Lindsay Sanders joined the Vocational Nursing program after working 22 years in the health care industry.
“My biggest goal is to have a 100% passing and retention rate in the program,” she said. “I want the students who start the program to come back and complete their journey. They will be competent in their skills when they complete the program.”
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
