Bozarth, an online Engineering student at TSTC, is a testing supervisor and project manager at POWER Engineers Inc., a worldwide global firm specializing in engineering and environmental consulting. He is based at the company’s San Antonio office.

Bozarth’s professional background includes experience in computers, project management and web development. He enrolled at TSTC’s Harlingen campus to study Mechatronics Technology, but his presence at the Virtual Industry Job Fair and his conversations with the company factored into his decision to switch technical programs.

“I looked at the list of the companies attending and did a lot of research on them,” Bozarth said. “I was being pretty picky. They (POWER Engineers Inc.) were my top choice.”

Once in the internship, Bozarth quickly got to work.

“They threw me into doing the job right off the bat,” he said. “I had not worked in the utility industry specifically. I took about 130 hours of training during the internship to get me up to speed.”

He is scheduled to graduate from TSTC with an Associate of Science degree in Engineering in 2023. 

Bozarth, who is also TSTC’s statewide Student Government Association president, and some of his co-workers spent this week visiting TSTC’s Electrical Power and Controls programs in Abilene, Fort Bend County and Waco. The visits were meant to acquaint students with the company and encourage them to attend the upcoming Virtual Industry Job Fair hosted by TSTC’s Career Services department.

“That is something I am promoting to the students while I am here,” Bozarth said. “They need to just start in the first or second semester to get their profile set up and go to all of the job fairs.”

He said future plans call for company engineers and subject matter experts to visit the campuses once a month and give insight during classes. Plans also call for working with high schools near TSTC’s campuses to encourage students to pursue technical education, particularly those who have an interest in the Drafting and Design and Electrical Power and Controls programs.

“We are starting something big at TSTC,” Bozarth said. “This is the first step of us building a relationship where we are helping to bridge the gap between the classroom and a real job.”

POWER Engineers Inc. will be one of the companies attending the three-day fall statewide Virtual Industry Job Fair for TSTC students and alumni. The online event will take place Oct. 26-28.

Hannah Luce, director of planning and special events in TSTC Career Services, said more than 70 companies are registered to participate.

“We are spreading the event over three days to give our students and graduates a chance to talk to more employers,” she said. “We are glad that we have still been able to connect students and graduates with employers throughout the last year.”

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

The RSTEF has pledged $210,250 to purchase new training equipment for TSTC’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program, as well as $100,000 to be used for The TSTC Foundation’s Goal Line Assistance Scholarship designed to aid students who may be facing financial difficulties during their final year at TSTC.

Richard Mesquias Jr., TSTC’s senior field development officer, said this is a pivotal moment for Biomedical Equipment Technology at TSTC.

“The program’s new strategic push to advance into Medical Internet of Things (MIoT) industry 4.0 is making it possible for machines to be connected to a network that can monitor patients from a distance,” he said. “The MIoT brings together physical objects with embedded electronics, software, sensors and network connectivity so that they are able to collect and exchange data with each other. By its very nature, biomedical equipment technology bridges medicine, engineering and the basic sciences while addressing some of the most daunting health issues of our time.”

Matt Ruszczak, RSTEF’s vice president of economic development, added that this opportunity will allow students to attend a program that is geared toward occupations that are in demand in the Rio Grande Valley.

“We hope this contribution will build up a successful, well-educated and strong workforce in our region,” he said.

Amanda Posada, TSTC’s interim Harlingen campus provost and statewide dual enrollment executive director, said technical education is special because it offers a more accelerated, expedited learning.

“Students have the opportunity to enter fields like biomedical equipment technology, mechatronics and other areas where they can achieve a certificate or an associate degree to enter the workforce early,” she said.

The resources that TSTC receives from donors helps to provide up-to-date tools and technology for training TSTC students. It is a meaningful impact that offers long-term outcomes.

Cledia Hernandez, TSTC’s associate vice chancellor for External Relations and Workforce Development, explained that TSTC always tries to maintain relevance to industry demand.

“These dollars are life-changing to every one of our students because we are investing in them and our community is investing in them,” she said.

David Sanchez, a TSTC Biomedical Equipment Technology instructor, said the equipment provided by the grant will give the students great exposure and in-depth troubleshooting skills to work with those types of machines in hospitals, clinics and other areas.

“This grant is beneficial long-term because our students will be using the same equipment that’s out there in the field,” he said. “In the beginning, students are learning how to utilize a basic tool set, power tools and other components. They begin their internship or clinicals by their fifth semester and fix those machines at a hospital setting.”

The future for TSTC Biomedical Equipment Technology students is promising. Not only will this donation allow their program to shine, but graduates will be able to provide a good quality of life for their families and give back to the community.

For information about giving to The TSTC Foundation, visit tstcfoundation.com.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

A total of 119 students are on TSTC campuses during the day, learning from instructors in a variety of programs. 

The most popular program is Welding Technology, with 63 students enrolled this semester.

Stephen Hope, TSTC’s welding instructor in Breckenridge, has a record 22 dual enrollment students enrolled this semester.

“This is great for our program,” he said. “The dual enrollment program gives students another foot in the door learning a trade while in high school. It also helps them because they will be two semesters away from earning a certificate and one step closer to a career.”

In Sweetwater, eight Colorado High School and four Sweetwater High School students are part of the Welding Technology dual enrollment program.

“It is good to have those high school students here with us working on a career,” said TSTC instructor Taylor Elston.

Shelby Bennett, a TSTC dual enrollment recruiting representative, has seen some new trends in dual enrollment participants.

“I have seen more females coming into programs like Aircraft Airframe Technology and Welding Technology,” she said. “I think this is fantastic because those types of programs have mostly male students in them. I love seeing more females learning these skills and showing their peers that girls can work in these fields as well.”

Bennett and other dual enrollment representatives have a goal to train students with the skills needed for high-paying jobs.

“Our goal in dual enrollment is to place high school students into programs that best fits their long-term goals so they can get a head start on the program while still in high school,” she said. “By doing this, they can spend less time and money as a traditional student after high school, (and) we are helping get those students out in high-paying jobs faster.”

Bennett has heard only positive reviews from school district officials about dual enrollment.

“I have had counselors in the past tell me what a great opportunity it is for their students to experience technical college courses while in high school and learn some college student responsibilities that they will have to do once they are traditional students,” she said. “This has helped students learn that it is OK and much more affordable to go to a technical school.”

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC dual enrollment representatives and recruiters will maintain a presence at the LIFT Center, Abilene ISD’s newest facility. During the Sept. 7 event, Abilene school officials were among those gathered for the ribbon-cutting and school officials offered tours of the facility.

“This was a way for us to connect with parents and future TSTC students, as well as community leaders,” said Daniel Martin, TSTC’s student recruitment director for the college’s West Texas campuses.

Shelby Bennett, a TSTC dual enrollment recruiting representative, spent time talking with students and their parents. She explained how programs offered at the LIFT Center can lead to a college opportunity with TSTC.

“I am excited to work closely with Abilene ISD and their students,” she said. “Having an office here will help us visit with students and give them a head start on the programs we offer and into high-paying jobs.”

TSTC will maintain an office in the LIFT Center counseling center that will be staffed by Rachel Lantrip, a TSTC recruiter, and located near the main entrance. 

Prior to the event, TSTC recruiters toured the facility and were impressed with what they saw being offered to students.

“This is a phenomenal facility,” said Rene Ralston, TSTC dual enrollment operations director. “Abilene ISD should be proud of what they are offering students.”

Martin said the team’s goal is to inform students of the pathway to TSTC and its many programs.

“We want to pair up with Abilene ISD to make sure students know what is available and get them on the path to earning an associate degree,” he said. “Rachel will be working as our lead recruiter and has a great relationship with the LIFT staff.”

The LIFT Center is the school district’s home to all career and technical education programs and ATEMS (Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science) High School. Programs offered include automotive, carpentry, culinary, cybersecurity, digital communications, drone, electrical, engineering, graphic design and multimedia, information technology and support services, programming and software development, robotics and welding.

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC has active dual enrollment partnerships for the 2021-22 school year with Brownsville ISD, Harlingen CISD, La Feria ISD, Los Fresnos CISD, Lyford CISD, Mercedes ISD, Raymondville ISD, Rio Hondo ISD and San Benito CISD.

Students from 13 participating high schools have the opportunity to pursue pathways in Aircraft Powerplant Technician, Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology, Auto Collision (Repair), Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair (Suspension and Steering), Biomedical Equipment Technology, Building Construction, Business Management Technology (Software), Cybersecurity, Culinary Assistant, Digital Media Design, Education and Training, Medical Office Specialist, Precision Machining Technology, Structural Welding, and Wind Energy Technician.

At the statewide level, more than 800 high schoolers were expected to participate in dual enrollment with TSTC this fall.

“We’re excited about that because obviously with COVID we saw that enrollment drop last year,” said Amanda Posada, statewide executive director of dual enrollment at TSTC and interim provost at TSTC’s Harlingen campus. “It’s really good to see students taking advantage and us being able to come back strong.”

Statewide, TSTC, which has 10 campuses across Texas, has dual enrollment partnerships with over 70 school districts. That includes dual credit pathways and career and technical education training. Typically high schoolers start participating as juniors, taking one TSTC course per semester.

The recently passed House Bill 1525 increases funding to school districts when students are enrolled in a coherent sequence of CTE courses. Since TSTC already offers its technical courses to dual enrollment students in that format, the college is well positioned to assist districts — and expand high schoolers’ training achievements.

“Students may be in the perfect situation to graduate high school while also getting an occupational skills award,” Posada said. “The even better part about that is it sets them up for two exit points, really: One, come back to TSTC and continue your education to a higher level award, or two, you have basic fundamental skills to do an entry-level position in the workforce.”

Either way, it’s a win-win situation for students, particularly since TSTC works closely with partnering school districts to align college coursework to CTE curriculum.

“Dual enrollment can be offered in three modalities,” Posada said. “Students can take classes on a TSTC campus or online, or we can credential an offsite high school — credential their facility and their instructor if they meet the requirements.”

School districts that want to start offering dual enrollment — on TSTC’s campus or theirs — should write a letter of interest and submit it to the college.

“We have credentialing packages, so when a district says, I want to be credentialed for building construction or automotive, we’re ready to answer that call and see if they meet those eligibility requirements,” Posada said.

When high schoolers participate in dual enrollment at TSTC, they are getting more than high-quality, hands-on technical training.

“It makes students more aware of the college experience,” Posada said. “The dual enrollment recruitment reps that work directly one-on-one with the students also provide mentorship to make sure that students are college-ready. We try to educate them and give them orientation and things like that so they can understand they are a college student and what those expectations look like.”

Learn more about TSTC’s dual enrollment program at tstc.edu/admissions/dual-enrollment/.

Those efforts have had good results, according to Daniel Martin, TSTC’s student recruitment director for the West Texas campuses.

“Student recruitment representatives found great success over the past 12 months, and we expect an improved enrollment for fall 2021 following a consultative recruiting model,” he said. “COVID-19 made every aspect more difficult for prospective students and their influencers, like parents, teachers and counselors. Our biggest gains have come from a complete shift to a recruiting approach that prioritizes relationships to identify the best means for our customers’ needs.”

Martin said that began by working with high schools and community organizations.

“We have made every effort to adapt by doing virtual presentations, developing unique program experiences for individual schools on campus, and continuing face-to-face presentations,” he said.

Chris Johnson, lead student recruitment representative for TSTC’s West Texas campuses, said it is important to meet students in person to build a relationship.

“It’s very important for us to go out and visit schools and events throughout the state,” he said. “We don’t want to be the best-kept secret in Texas; we want them to know there’s another way to get a high-paying career.”

Recruitment representatives also worked with prospective students more in-depth.

“A call was made to every applicant,” Martin said. “And we did not just help them discover which program and campus met their passion, but we also focused on barriers to registration that have been impacted by COVID or life circumstances, which could be transportation, finances or other issues.”

Johnson said recruiters also worked to make sure the student was placed in the right program.

“Not just any program, but the one that best fits their skills and desires,” he said. “Our goal was to match, if not even beat, last year’s goals, and we did it even with all the challenges last year brought.”

These approaches led to a good recruiting session and a new way of reaching prospective students.

“As a result, our student recruitment representatives have become advocates for prospective students rather than salespeople,” Martin said. “Our fall enrollment is trending upward from both 2020 and 2019, and student readiness is improving as well.”

While visiting with students, Johnson also noticed a certain question being asked more often.

“One big change is that students are asking more about jobs that can withstand economic pressures,” he said. “They are also wanting a more one-on-one approach when it comes to preparing for college.”

Johnson said with new tools, recruiters will be working to reach out to prospective students even more.

“I think that virtual recruitment will be a tool we can use to enhance our efforts in the future, especially to reach those nontraditional students who might not be able to attend events,” he said. 

For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Some of TSTC’s technical programs that were previously taught in person on select campuses are now available in online formats. Some of TSTC’s programs that high school students are taking include Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology, Business Management Technology (Accounting) and Web Design and Development.

Dual enrollment students are taking classes either at TSTC, at their home campuses or online. Some of the hybrid-format programs available to the students include Diesel Equipment Technology – Off-Highway Specialization and Structural Welding.

The Howell Homeschool and Panola Schools have students taking dual enrollment classes this year, along with the Longview, Marshall and Quitman school districts.

“This year is the first we have partnered with Quitman High School,” said Kadie Svrcek, TSTC’s director of internal operations for dual enrollment. “We have nine students in the Cybersecurity program. Cybersecurity is the new hot program in Texas career and technical education, and school districts are really catching on to the future needs in the state. The group of kids from Quitman are really smart and excited about this program.”

Marshall High School has 30 students taking classes in five online programs and two in-person programs at TSTC. Svrcek said this is the most students from the high school that have signed up for dual enrollment with TSTC in at least the last five years.

“Marshall Independent School District students are able to get exposure to college classes and the rigor and disciplines that come with college classes while in high school,” said D. Garreth Durrant, the school district’s CTE and STEM coordinator. “Marshall ISD students are able to earn high school credit and college credit at the same time.”

Some of Marshall High School’s students are taking online classes in the Medical Office Specialist certificate of completion program, which is under TSTC’s Health Information Technology program.

“The high school students are building their self-confidence as they are held to the same expectations as college students,” said Sarah Brooks, TSTC’s statewide lead in the Health Information Technology program. “The courses students take with the Medical Office Specialist program can benefit them in any career they may pursue within the health care field.”

For more information, go to tstc.edu.

TSTC received high marks in six categories: diversity, location, professors, safety, student life and value. The technical college was lauded for its 100% acceptance rate, its average $10,237 yearly tuition and the more than $6,699 in yearly average financial aid awarded.

“We’re honored to be recognized for our dedication to our students and the value we bring to families and communities across Texas,” said Michael Reeser, Chancellor and CEO of TSTC. “Our faculty and staff focus on student success toward a great career, and it shows.”

According to the website, TSTC was found to have an average 12-1 student-instructor ratio. Some of the top technical programs by graduates were Automotive Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, and Welding Technology.

TSTC’s programs offer a combination of online and hybrid learning. Some programs, such as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology, Industrial Systems, and Precision Machining Technology, offer evening classes at some campuses.  

TSTC offers several programs online, including Chemical Dependency Counseling, Computer Networking and Systems Administration, Computer Programming, Cybersecurity, Digital Media Design and Health Information Technology.

TSTC has partnerships with the Tesla START program at the Fort Bend County and Waco campuses, and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service by way of the Rio Grande Valley Technical Training Initiative and the Bachelor’s+ Program for TAMU engineering students.

TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee began in November 2016 for students pursuing degrees in Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Lineworker Technology, Electrical Power and Controls,. Industrial Systems, Instrumentation Technology, Process Operations Technology, Robotics Technology and Welding Technology. Eligible students can sign up with the Career Services department and take part in various career-focused workshops. Students who are not hired in their field within six months after graduation may be eligible to get a tuition refund.

TSTC continues to build upon relationships with industry partners such as AEP, Oncor and Phillips 66, providing graduates with opportunities to succeed in great-paying careers.

For more information on the rankings, go to niche.com.

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

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.

Students will take classes at TSTC’s North Texas campus in Red Oak, at their home campuses with TSTC-credential instructors, or online. Ten TSTC technical programs are being offered to students this year.

“TSTC is excited to welcome back many of our dual enrollment partner schools and students to our programs this year,” said Marcus Balch, TSTC’s provost of the North Texas campus. “While many students were forced to pause dual enrollment classes during the COVID pandemic, many are choosing to pick up where they left off last year.”

Students at Advantage Academy Charter School Grand Prairie, Castleberry High School in River Oaks, Ferris High School, Italy High School and Red Oak High School will take technical programs that have expanded online. These programs are Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics Technology, Business Management Technology (Accounting), Cybersecurity, Digital Media Design and Medical Office Specialist.

“We are reaching more of our schools that are farther away from a TSTC campus,” said Marsha Semelfort, a TSTC dual enrollment recruitment representative. “Online is giving them more flexibility and more offerings for their students.”

Three of the online programs will be taught in the performance-based education format being used statewide at TSTC campuses.

“I think the ability to have several attempts to master the skill will work well with our students,” Semelfort said. “Also, the ability to move to the next course is a benefit. Some of our students want to get into the workforce right out of high school.”

Non-online programs being offered to the high school students are Automotive Technology, Diesel Equipment Technology, Electrical Power and Controls, Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology.

Registration continues for the fall semester, with scholarships available. For more information, go to tstc.edu.