(HUTTO, Texas) – Texas State Technical College in East Williamson County is offering Hutto High School students two new technical programs for dual enrollment in the new academic year.
Students can take classes to work toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Robotics Technology or a certificate of completion in Structural Welding. Some students have already been taking classes to earn a Culinary Assistant certificate.
“The fact that Hutto students can get a head start to a great future at a local and fine institution such as TSTC in their own hometown is so unique and such a fabulous juncture,” said Megan Hanson, TSTC’s dual enrollment representative for the East Williamson County and Waco campuses.
This year, more than 30 Hutto students will take college-level Culinary Arts classes, while 13 students will take Robotics Technology classes and 10 will take Structural Welding classes, according to school district information.
Travis Clark, the school district’s career and technical education coordinator, said offering Robotics Technology for dual enrollment students for the first time is a continuation of its successful robotics program that starts in elementary school.
“Hutto ISD is always looking for ways to move all Hutto ISD CTE programs toward more industry relevance,” he said. “We take our goal of producing graduates who are ready for college and career seriously.”
Clark said Structural Welding’s offering came by way of a student interest survey.
“Anything that Hutto ISD can do to get a student closer to their career is a positive,” he said. “The ability for the students to graduate from Hutto High School and then enroll on the other side of the highway to complete their program is significant. Then with TSTC’s career services, the return on investment really becomes evident for the student.”
TSTC in East Williamson County is also working with Harlandale High School and Dillard McCollum High School, both in San Antonio, on Automotive Technology certificate classes for dual enrollment students.
Registration continues for the fall semester, with scholarships available. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
