The end goals are for the students to gain experience in dealerships, setting them up for success after graduation.

“We supply technicians to the majority of Texas,” said Matthew Mills, TSTC’s Mopar CAP coordinator and an instructor in the Automotive Technology program.

James Ezell, of Austin, began working as a service porter at Covert Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Austin before he enrolled at TSTC. He said he expects to move into a technician-type role at the dealership once his program practicum begins later this semester.

“You get job experience while you are learning,” Ezell said. “When you graduate, you have job experience under your belt that you can list on your resume. You can make money while you are in school.”

Mackenzie King, of San Angelo, said some of her goals at TSTC include boosting her confidence in doing electrical work and getting better with mathematics.

King will be working at Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in Waco during her time in the program.

“I’m pretty excited about it,” she said. “I want to open my own shop. I want to make some connections, which will be good for me.”

Isaac Shorter, of Huntsville, took automotive classes when he was a student at Huntsville High School. He said he learned about TSTC and the Mopar CAP program during a college fair.

Shorter began working during the summer at Wischnewsky Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Huntsville. He said he already likes the mix of learning on campus and being able to go to work at the dealership when he is home. He said his class and practicum schedules will prepare him for life after graduation.

Shorter said his aspirations are to become a successful mechanic and eventually pursue a business degree and open his own repair shop after he graduates from TSTC.

Students who are accepted to TSTC can apply to the five-semester Automotive Technology – Chrysler Specialization program. Program students take seven weeks of classes on campus and work seven weeks at Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Fiat, Jeep or Ram dealerships each semester. They can also earn factory-specific certifications in specializations, including automatic transmissions, chassis, and heating and air conditioning systems.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu. 

The students are working with new Miller-brand equipment made possible with a Jobs and Education for Texans grant in excess of $340,000 from the Texas Workforce Commission. The equipment includes automatic darkening and cooling welding helmets, small and large hydraulic presses, a milling machine and a portable vacuum system.

“A lot has to do with growing the FFA,” said Amber Thorsen, the school district’s chief of academics, referring to the National FFA Organization that formerly was called the Future Farmers of America. “In a rural setting, there is some interest (in welding).”

Plans are in the works for TSTC employees working with the Welding program to visit the high school in the next few weeks to learn more about the equipment and see how it can be best utilized by teachers and students.

TSTC’s College Pathways department has a memorandum of understanding with the school district for high school students to have the opportunity to take Computer Networking and Systems Administration, Cybersecurity, and Digital Media Design classes at TSTC. Allie Bonner, the College Pathways manager for TSTC’s Harlingen, Fort Bend County and Williamson County campuses, said while no Granger students are taking dual credit courses right now, the possibilities are endless.

“TSTC partners with school districts of all sizes because every community deserves access to quality technical education,” Bonner said. “By working with both small rural schools and large urban districts, we ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to succeed and to contribute to their local workforce.”

Nick Hamende, a senior at Granger High School, has been using the new welding equipment but is interested in studying HVAC at TSTC’s Williamson County campus. He said his father has welding knowledge and he has friends that weld.

“It’s a great break from sitting in classes,” Hamende said. “I’d like to get better at it. It’s a good skill for different trades.”

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu. 

Amado Azua, Ledwell’s human resources director, held a Q&A-style employer spotlight for 53 TSTC Welding students, providing information based on the students’ input. He told them that Ledwell looks for potential employees who want a career rather than just a job.

“A career allows you to start, grow and, at some point, be part of management and help the company grow,” Azua told the students. “That’s what you guys need to look for.”

Azua said welders’ salaries at Ledwell are based on the type of work they do and the company provides all necessary tools. He said pay and benefits offered by Ledwell can provide a comfortable life for employees and their families. 

“For example, we have 6% matching on 401(k)s,” Azua said.

Azua said a welding test is required for the hiring process and the company’s work is regulated and inspected to ensure public safety. He expressed confidence in the quality of TSTC’s Welding program graduates.

“The graduates from TSTC are very good, high-caliber, qualified individuals who get a very good education,” Azua said.

Structural Welding student Tevin Rudd, a father of four, expressed interest in Ledwell’s stable schedule and benefits. He said TSTC’s employer spotlights showcase the college’s dedication to its students’ futures.

“It’s really nice to come and meet with potential employers to discuss your next step,” he said.

Welding is available at all 11 TSTC campuses across the state. The program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and certificates of completion, depending on location.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

The Harlingen-based aviation maintenance company needed a skilled machinist to manufacture parts for its airplanes. A decision was made to have one of its own employees, Almaraz, enroll in the Precision Machining program at Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus and help meet the company’s growing demand for parts.

Almaraz, who is pursuing an associate degree in the program, said he appreciated that the company was willing to invest in his technical education.

“I explained to my boss (Steven Ritter) that with our company planning to purchase more computer numerical control equipment, it would be beneficial to have an experienced machinist operate them,” the Brownsville native said. “I offered to take on that role.”

Ritter, vice president of business development for TIA Aeronautics, said Almaraz has completed many challenging projects during his three months with the company.

“By sending Rigo to develop his CNC machining skills at TSTC, our company will be better positioned to continue its growth into innovative industries beyond aviation,” Ritter said.

Almaraz said he is enjoying the camaraderie with his TSTC classmates during his first semester of the Precision Machining program.

“My classmates and I work on our modules and learn together,” he said. “We enjoy that interaction because each of us wants to succeed.”

Daisy Novenario, a Precision Machining instructor at TSTC, said Almaraz is enthusiastic about learning new skills.

“Once Rigoberto learns how to program on a Mastercam and operate a five-axis CNC machine, he will be able to save his employer money,” she said.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion in Precision Machining, as well as a certificate of completion in CNC Machine Operator, at its Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, North Texas, Waco and Williamson County campuses.

For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

The Sweetwater and Nolan County Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon-cutting event, which was attended by guests enjoying hors d’oeuvres prepared by the Culinary Arts students.

Chamber representatives presented each program with a framed one-dollar bill to commemorate the occasion. As a surprise, representatives from the National WASP WWII Museum presented Culinary Arts students with a framed biscuit recipe used by the cooks at Avenger Field during World War II.

T.J. Wilson, director of marketing at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital, said having the programs available in Sweetwater is a positive sign.

“What these programs will do for this community is amazing,” he said. “When TSTC grows, Sweetwater grows.”

Andy Weaver, provost of the West Texas campuses, said the two programs are a perfect fit for the college.

“We are focused on the growth in Sweetwater,” he said. “There are job opportunities for the graduates across this region.”

Guests toured the program facilities and were able to visit with faculty and students after the ceremony.

To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

“I grew up around my grandfather and watched him in the shop, and it interested me,” said Rogers, of Mount Vernon, Texas.

Rogers is in his last semester in Texas State Technical College’s Auto Collision and Management program at the Waco campus. He is scheduled to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Repair Specialization in December.

A nationwide scholarship is helping Rogers make it through his final semester. He is a recipient of a $3,000 CCC Michael Salvatore Repair Technician Scholarship given through the Collision Repair Education Foundation.

Rogers said the money will enable him to graduate debt-free. He said he works to pay for college and uses FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) funding.

Some of the skills he has learned in the Auto Collision and Management program include alignment, estimating, metal repair, and welding.

“During the first semester, it was a cool experience seeing how everything works and the tools in the shop,” Rogers said.

Misael Camarena, of Hillsboro, is in his third semester of the program’s refinishing and repair specializations and has taken some classes with Rogers. Camarena said Rogers has a good work ethic and asks questions when he is having difficulty in class.

Rogers wants to find a collision repair job in the Dallas-Fort Worth area after graduation and perhaps own his own repair shop later in his career.

“He is a hardworking kid,” Jesse Hildebrandt, an instructor in TSTC’s Auto Collision and Management program, said of Rogers. “He will be doing well in the career field.”

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu. 

“I started as a teller at Rio Grande Valley Credit Union and was promoted to a member services representative after a year,” Grant said. “The Business Management program gave me the skills to build expertise in areas such as business operations, computerized accounting and professional correspondence. These tools have helped me thrive in meeting our customers’ needs.”

Grant said the experience that she has gained in banking is helping her move closer to achieving another professional goal at the credit union.

“I would like to continue advancing in my career at the bank by becoming a mortgage lender,” she said. “Working in real estate has always been a goal of mine. With my degree from TSTC and the experience I’ve gained in finance, I believe I can make that goal a reality.”

Melissa Cardona is a branch manager at Rio Grande Valley Credit Union.

“The skills Andrea learned at TSTC strengthened her written and verbal communication since she first joined the bank,” she said. “She’s now proficient in using Microsoft Word and Excel, which has helped her grow into a better representative.”

Duston Brooks was one of Grant’s instructors at TSTC.

“Andrea demonstrated her potential in several skills areas that are sought after by employers in today’s evolving job market,” he said. “Her approach to respond to challenges is evident in her ability to be adaptable.”

Grant said she attributes her career success to the Business Management program at TSTC.

“The instructors were always available to answer any questions I had, whether it was about an assignment or something else,” she said. “Their industry experience shaped me into the business professional that I am today.”

TSTC’s 100% online Business Management program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree, as well as certificates of completion in Bookkeeping Accounting Assistant, Business Management Technology, and Office Assistant.

For more information about TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

“I worked there for two years in high school, then following that they wanted to keep me on as an intern, but for college, so I (enrolled at) Texas State Technical College,” he said.

Ochoa, of Cedar Hill, enrolled in the Diesel Equipment program at TSTC’s North Texas campus. He said the program’s curriculum helps him stay organized, while the lab sessions complement his work for Kirby-Smith Machinery.

“The most rewarding part is seeing how much I can learn and seeing what else I don’t know so I can work on that,” Ochoa said.

Eric Wheeler is one of Ochoa’s Diesel Equipment instructors.

“Aiden shows leadership skills while working with other students, solving problems, and guiding or motivating a group toward a common goal,” Wheeler said. “He shows strategic thinking, clear communication, and the capacity to adapt to changing situations.”

Ochoa’s employers allow him tuition reimbursement and a flexible schedule to complete his education. He said he enjoys working on some of the same equipment that the public sees on the road every day.

“The most rewarding part of my job would be seeing the final product, seeing something that’s very challenging that not everybody can do, and seeing that you’ve accomplished it,” Ochoa said.

Ochoa plans to receive his Associate of Applied Science degree from TSTC this December. He said he will transfer to a full-time position with Kirby-Smith Machinery upon graduation.

“What makes me the most proud is how far I’ve gone within such a short time,” Ochoa said. “I’m turning 20 this month, and I’m at places where most 20-year-olds dream they would be.”

According to onetonline.org, bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists earn a median salary of $57,870 in Texas, where the number of these jobs was projected to grow 13% between 2022 and 2032.

In addition to North Texas, Diesel Equipment is offered at TSTC’s Abilene, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, Marshall, Sweetwater and Waco campuses. The program offers several associate degrees and certificates of completion, depending on location.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.

A lengthy nomination and interview process was held to select TSTC graduates who exemplify the college’s core values of excellence, accountability, service and integrity. The awards are being given this year as part of the college’s 60th anniversary celebration. The 11 alumni were recognized in late August at TSTC’s Summer 2025 Commencement in Waco.

“Honoring our alumni for the first time in our history will be one of the highlights of my career,” said Beth Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Waco campus. “The alumni that have been selected have made a tremendous impact in each of their fields. It has created an incredible opportunity to not only showcase our legacy, but also connect the past with our present and inspire current students today.”

Honorees included Seth Decker, Dustin Uptmore and Ron Widup.

Decker, of Red Lodge, Montana, is a graduate of TSTC’s Computer Maintenance Technology program. He said he chose to pursue the technology field because he was fascinated by advancements in computers and the internet, along with penetration testing and security.  He cited the skills he learned at TSTC as giving him the work ethic he has today.

Decker is technology chief at Bank of Bridger, which has locations in Montana and Wyoming.

Uptmore, of China Spring, is a graduate of TSTC’s HVAC Technology program.

“I like the hands-on instruction,” he said. “The instructors are willing to help. They are engaged and make you feel like you are part of something.”

Uptmore has spent his career at Capstone Mechanical in Waco. He said the company has hired many TSTC alumni through the years from the Diesel Equipment, HVAC, Instrumentation Technology, and Plumbing and Pipefitting programs.

Widup, of Arlington, graduated in the early 1980s from TSTC’s Electrical Power Technology program. He is also chair of TSTC’s Board of Regents and is a senior advisor of technical services and vice chairman of the board at Shermco Industries.

“I started out as a field service technician, worked my way up to manager and then vice president and president, and eventually as CEO,” Widup said. “The only thing I did was I just went to work every day, tried to make it a little bit better, and tried to do things that people didn’t ask me to do. It’s all about mindset, and it is that mindset that will move you forward.”

Other TSTC alumni recognized at the Waco commencement include the following.

— Pat Beisert, of The Colony, graduated from the Electrical Systems Technology program in the late 1980s. He is the founder, president and chief executive officer of Vector Power LLC in Brazoria County.

— Kacey Dixon, of Fort Worth, is a graduate of the Aviation Maintenance program. She is a systems architecture engineering manager for Combat Systems at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

— Danny Emmanuel, of Orlando, Florida, used a full-ride scholarship provided by the HOVENSA Oil Refinery to pursue an associate degree in Instrumentation Technology at TSTC. He is a project manager at SCS Engineers.

— Heather Hebert, of Lufkin, is a graduate of the Biomedical Equipment Technology program. She is a clinical engineering region director for CommonSpirit Health’s south region.

— Keith Lindsey, of Troup, graduated in the early 1980s from the Drafting and Design program. He is a founder of True West Services, a product development consulting firm.

— Chad Martin, of Robinson, is a graduate of the Computer Programming Technology program. He is vice president of product engineering – integrated technologies at Neighborly in Waco.

— Michael Nelson, of Avon, Ohio, graduated from the Air Traffic Control program and is a certified professional controller with the Federal Aviation Administration.

— Mike Sedillo, of Highland Village, studied in the Laser Electro-Optics program and is a business operations leader at Intuit.

Twenty TSTC alumni will be honored statewide this year as part of the summer and fall graduation ceremonies.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu. 

Once an instructor for TSTC’s Diesel Equipment program, he has a deep understanding of both the challenges and opportunities that the college’s faculty and students face on a daily basis. As such, he hopes to use his past experiences to help be the voice of those he oversees in his new role.

“I see the associate provost role as a balance of mentorship, strategy and collaboration,” Foster said. “Ultimately I want to ensure faculty, staff and students have what they need to thrive while upholding TSTC’s values.”

Bryan Bowling, provost of the campus, is happy Foster is adding his talents and leadership.

“He’s walked the path — Brandon has served with distinction in the classroom, led as a program team lead, shepherded the launch of two of our newest programs and understands the heart of our mission from the inside out,” Bowling said. “His insight is informed, his leadership is earned, his steady temperament and an exceptional ability to process information is essential to our decision-making process and he embodies the culture of our campus.”

Foster began his career as a shop helper for a trucking terminal, working on maintaining vehicles that stopped there. He later worked for a mechanic who would fix trucks out of his yard. When the mechanic was retiring, he encouraged Foster to get a certificate or degree, something Foster would take to heart.

“My boss at the time knew that having a cert or degree was going to be needed to get hired,” he said. “I got to work getting my first certificate and was lucky enough to be offered a lab assistant position while getting my second.”

After working postgraduation as a diesel instructor at Central Texas College, Foster eventually found his way to a teaching position at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus. He worked in that position for five years before becoming a Diesel Equipment program team lead.

“I applied because I wanted to be the voice for the instructors,” Foster said of being team lead. “I tried to do my best to make sure the faculty and staff were heard and their concerns addressed.”

When the position of a second associate provost came up, Foster said he was hesitant about applying but ultimately decided to.

“Every opportunity you don’t take you miss,” he said. “In my new role, I believe we can create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.