tstc matters web

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AtTSTC, there’s no look to the left, look to the right.Wewant every studentto experience success. TTSSTTCC mmaatttteerrss, because we’re not about getting in,we’re about getting out. We’re about our completers being employed in realjobs, technical jobs, jobs that strengthen the Texas economy.

When Texas legislation defined TSTC’s role and mission, it directed thatthe system of colleges should “contribute to the educational and economicdevelopment of the State of Texas by offering occupationally-orientedprograms . . . emphasizing highly specialized advanced and emergingtechnical and vocational areas for certificates or associate degrees . . . toimprove the competitiveness of Texas business and industry . . . .”

Today, we believe more than ever that our purpose and method ofaccountability should focus on the successful completion andplacement of our students. Quite simply, Texas and Texans cannotafford for us to operate as the rest of traditional higher educationbecause technical jobs are so important to our state’s economic health.In the grand scheme of things . . . TTSSTTCC mmaatttteerr ss.

And so, in this first issue of TSTC Matters, we will share how jobplacement is our driving goal. You will learn how TSTC creativelyattracts the next generation of students through STEM outreachinitiatives, helps students finish faster through dual credit andpartnerships with early college high schools, and is transforming howwe teach and evolving what we teach to meet our State’s needs from theprairies, to the piney woods, to the palm tree-lined beaches.

We just wanted you to know, that we’ve got your back, day-in day-out,TSTC is providing targeted technical training for Texas jobs. It’s whatwe were created to do.

- Mike Reeser, Chancellor

ChancellorBOARD REGENTSRolf R. Haberecht, CHAIR OF THE BOARDJoe M. Gurecky, VICE CHAIRGene Seaman, EXEC. COMMITTEE PLACE 1Penny Forrest, EXEC. COMMITTEE PLACE 2Joe K. HearneJames Virgil (JV) MartinLinda McKennaMike NorthcuttEllis M. Skinner II

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIPMike Reeser, CHANCELLORDr. Cesar Maldonado, P.E., PRESIDENT TSTC HARLINGENRandall Wooten, PRESIDENT TSTC MARSHALLDr. Elton E. Stuckly, Jr., PRESIDENT TSTC WACOGail Lawrence, PRESIDENT TSTC WEST TEXAS, INTERIM

For more information about this publication contact Eliska Flores,Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing & Communications [email protected] or 254.867.3049.

© Copyright Texas State Technical College. All rights reserved. Published April 2011.

Equal opportunity shall be afforded within theTexas State Technical College System to allemployees and applicants for admission oremployment regardless of race, color,gender, religion, national origin, age ordisability. TSTC will make reasonableaccommodations for students with disabilities.


Job placement.While landing in a job is every student’s ultimate goal,higher education traditionally benefits most by keepingstudents in school longer. But at TSTC, the focus is shiftingto job placement as if our state funding formula pays usfor graduates contributing to our state’s economy.

Helping students find their place in a high-tech globaleconomy in new and emerging fields means TSTC is oftenfirst to market with new and emerging programs. Thinklasers. Think wind energy. And, now think digital signage.

Michael Snow will be the world’s first digital signagegraduate when he walks across the stage in May at TSTCWest Texas. Nearly two years ago a burned-out Snowwalked onto the Abilene campus. He chose TSTC becausethe course curriculum focused on getting him a job. He waslooking for a second-career, not just an education.

Today, Snow is networking with some of the biggest namesin the digital signage industry, like Scala, LG and Sony. Snowis giddy as he describes all of the opportunities available tohim. Opportunities abound. He has been recruited by aleader in the digital signage industry from a larger city.Another company wants him to work from home in Abilene.

Opening his own business is yet anotheroption Snow is investigating during a tripto Belgium where he’s going to helpanother school get their digital signageprogram off the ground.

“This has lit the fire,” Snow said.Snow credits his instructor, PatriciaLister-Golin, with the array ofoptions awaiting him. “All thecontacts I’ve been able to makeare because of Trish and themotivation she has for researchingthis industry.”

“They are trained in AV, graphicdesign and marketing. They understandthe big picture, the 30,000 ft. view ofdigital signage, so they are ready to workthe first day on the job,” said Lister-Golin,whose passion for digital signage is infectious.

And those jobs are plentiful in Texas. Accordingto the Digital Signage Federation, the industry will seea thirty percent boom in the coming years. � page 11

TSTC

finishfirst.

TSTC’sdigital signage

program togetherwith industry partnerScala earned theInteractiveTechnology Roll-outhonor from The DIGIAwards for theDigital Signagedegree programand installation.


initiativesIt’s no secret that America is under pressure to keep its footing in aglobal economy that demands an ever growing number of jobs in fieldsrelating to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). TSTC isworking to help students set their vision for a future in STEM bydeveloping and participating in events that encourage students to create,that inspire and motivate students to explore and innovate, andultimately enjoy the success of applying a working knowledge of STEM.

In the Rio Grande Valley, TSTC Harlingen’s TexPREP program, acollaborative effort with UTSA and area school districts, identifiespromising 7th-12th graders. This pre-engineering program includes sixweeks of rigorous training over the summer, followed by a monthlycampus visit to help students stay motivated.

TSTC Harlingen is also home of the Center of P-16 Science and MathEducation. The Center is designed to stimulate and increase math andscience proficiently in younger populations through partnerships andcollaboration with local, state and federal stakeholders.

We’re trying to plant the seed at a very early age.

- Javier De Leon, Associate Vice President ofCollege Readiness and Advancement at TSTC Harlingen

According to Dr. Irene Cravey, Vice President for Student Learning atTSTC Marshall, the strategy in East Texas was to identify five local schooldistricts with a desire to provide college courses to their high schoolstudents, as well as develop the methods and means of delivery of collegelevel content and rigor, with a focus on STEM technical courses.

TSTC Marshall also offers robotics camps and training to local schooldistricts through a unique partnership with the Cyber Innovation Centerin Bossier City, La.

TSTC Waco also connects young Central Texans to STEM activitiesthrough programs such as BEST Robotics (Boosting Engineering, Scienceand Technology). The program’s goal is to inspire and motivate studentstoward studies and careers in engineering, science and technology.

What’s more, these activities provide a major push for first-generationstudents toward the path of academic success.

“STEM outreach programs give first generation students a reason to besuccessful,” said Donna McKethan, Director of Career and TechnicalEducation at Waco Independent School District. “It provides a rolemodel in STEM-related fields.”

Co-directors Dr. Becky Musil and Robert Lovelace organized the firstHeart of Texas BEST competition last fall, with 14 schoolsparticipating. In just six weeks, students build a functioning competitiverobot from parts they receive on kick-off day. The competition alsoincludes awards for spirit and sportsmanship, marketing displays, andoral presentations. Students gain real-world engineering experiencewhile developing leadership, project management, teamwork, andorganization skills. Since there is no charge or fees to participate in theevent, both Musil and Lovelace expect it to grow this year.

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To compete in today's complex global economy,

graduatesmust have a solid foundation

in STEM-related skills. - Dr. Becky Musil, Executive Director of

Strategic Initiatives at TSTC Waco

A new STEM opportunity this summer at Waco is a Waterboticscamp, funded by the National Science Foundation and gearedtoward young women. Participants will use Legos and other itemsto build their machines and program them to do simple tasks, suchas picking up a ball under water. The program will expose youngpeople in a unique way to basic engineering skills.

TSTC West Texas brings the Big Country a variety of exciting andchallenging outreach programs such as TechStorm, a roboticscompetition for junior and high school students emphasizingelectronics, mechatronics and robotics; Rez’d, a game modificationcompetition; and Rocketfest, a rocket camp for Abilene ISD students.

Not all STEM initiatives are directed to students, however. Accordingto Vice President for Student Development Kathleen Butler, TSTCWest Texas’ RealTech summer program is designed to educateinfluencers (junior and high school counselors) to the potential ofTSTC programs. Counselors attend a four-day workshop, reviewingTSTC’s programs, area business and employment demands. �

Beyond these initialinspirational points of

connection, TSTC is also

leading the wayat incorporating the Arts into

STEM, creating STE(A)M:

• (A)uthentic learning throughintegration of multiple subjects,

• (A)rts lens individualized by each student,• (A)pplication & Relevancy taking projects

to real life, to personal career pathways, and• (A)dvancing a culture of innovation

$60,000‘‘


Buildingeducation

Life doesn’t have to be linear.You don’t always have to finish one thing, before you start another.Students at high schools that understand this are encouraged to takedual credit which allows for progression through high school andcollege at the same time, saving both time and money.

Throughout the state, TSTC is proud to partner with such high schoolsto empower students to get a jump start on their life … to be collegeready, career ready, life ready … fast. Hundreds of dual credit coursesare either taught by TSTC faculty at TSTC for high school students, orby TSTC faculty at the high schools themselves. Still others are taughtby certified high school instructors so high school classes can doublefor college credit. Beyond these, TSTC has a special relationship withfour college-minded schools: Harlingen’s CISD ECHS; Marshall’s TexasECHS; Waco’s public charter school, Rapoport Academy; and WestTexas’ New Tech High School, ATEMS High School (The Academy ofTechnology, Engineering, Math & Science).

TSTC Harlingen and Harlingen CISD partnered to create Harlingen’sECHS about four years ago. As the first class of seniors prepares forgraduation, TSTC and HCISD continue to strengthen and improveservices for future students.

TSTC Marshall partnered with Panola Charter School in Fall 2006 toopen Texas Early College High School (TECHS) on the NorthBuilding. TECHS students have the opportunity to take a variety ofdual credit and concurrent credit courses taught by TSTC faculty during

high school. From College Algebra to Introductionto Multimedia, many students will have completed up to 42 collegecredits to transfer to other public colleges or universities, or applydirectly to a technical field of study at TSTC upon graduation.

Promotes the integration

of science,technology, engineeringandmath across

the curriculum.In 2005, Rapoport Academy was awarded a second charter to developa high school program, at the time just serving Pre-K through eighthgrade. The high school opened about a year later initially located on theTSTC Waco campus, and since then re-located to the former campusof Paul Quinn College. “As a T-STEM academy, Rapoport promotesthe integration of science, technology, engineering and math acrossthe curriculum in order to develop students’ critical thinking andproblem solving skills which falls in line with the STEM outreach

‘ ‘

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initiatives that Waco is involved in,” says Anita Steele, Tech-Connect Program Manager.

For the new 21st century high school in West Texas, TSTCcollaborated with Abilene Independent School District to houseThe Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math & Science,ATEMS. Every student completes four years of math andscience possibly training to be tomorrow’s technicians,engineers or scientist. This wireless campus is designed for aproject based learning environment from beginning to end.ATEMS students participate in a capstone course orinternships with local businesses.

Talk about a return on investment. Dual credit students get ajump on their future, can enter the workforce up to two yearsearlier, and are less burdened by the debt of college loans.Another way TSTC is proud to be contributing to the Texasworkforce, and to the Texas economy. �

Buildingeducation

It’s all about the

PayOffAmy Anderson’s dual credit courses in Computer AidedMachining paid off. In just one month after high schoolgraduation, she’d earned the skills from TSTC needed toland a job with L3 earning $24/hr. and great benefits.

“It’s prettyawesome.”


Renewableenergykeeps expanding.

In response to concerns over the cost, availability, and environmentalimpacts of some traditional energy resources, Texas has taken a numberof steps to tap into its vast renewable energy resource base, and TSTChas been there to supply the workforce.

In fact, the Wind Energy Technology program atTSTC West Texas has upgraded the standards forjob training for our state, the nation and world.As land-based wind energy began to boomin South Texas and off-shore wind energyprepares to float along the Gulf ofMexico, TSTC Harlingen brought aWind Power program to the RioGrande Valley. And, in Central TexasTSTC Waco has most recently addedan innovative, versatile solar energycurriculum to accommodate both newstudents and experienced professionals.TSTC Marshall is taking the preliminarysteps to obtain funding for a new aviationand energy building that would incorporate

wind and solar energy elements for East Texas.

As a System, involvement with renewable andsustainable energy is the product of a great partnership since

TSTC joined forces with organizations like the Texas Renewable EnergyEducation Consortium and the State Energy Conservation Office. TheTREEC initiatives connect higher education with evolving technologiessuch as solar energy, wind power, fuel cells, biodiesel fuel, geothermalenergy and green building. Wind, solar and green building programs areunder way System-wide in anticipation of future workforce demand.The System also is applying the new technologies for energyconservation to conserve budget dollars.

Highly visible wind energy progress often revolves around TSTC West

Texas. The Sweetwater campus stands out because it is in the heart ofhundreds of acres dotted by statuesque wind turbines. TSTC’s WindEnergy Technology program – which started almost five years ago –was the first to be offered by a two-year college in Texas, and amongthe first college of any kind in the United States, and it continues itsleadership role in education and industry.

“We were in the right place geographically when Texas lawmakers passedlegislation governing land agreements to develop wind energy, and wewere in the right spot on the energy grid corridor to facilitate wind powerdevelopment,” WET Program Chairman Keith Plantier said.

This is the firstwind energyprogram to be offered by a two-year college in Texas.The college’s wind turbine contributes to the energy grid, but its primaryrole makes it a training platform. General Electric Co., Siemens, NextEraEnergy, Mitsubishi, UpWinds Solutions, Vestas and Samsung partner inthe West Texas wind energy program. The state recognized TSTC WestTexas with a Texas Skills Standard Award within the past year formeeting initial standards for graduation requirements.

‘‘TSTCis oneof three

colleges in thenation and theonly in Texasto hold theAWEA seal

of approval.


With ever-changing work environments andtechnology, it is crucial that TSTC prepares students withskills to master multiple jobs throughout their lifetime. To do so, the Systemis evolving its curriculum into a project based learning style. To date, 35 facultymembers from throughout the System have participated in workshops tobegin project based learning for their students.

“Project based learning challenges students with complex problems, resultingin their necessity to explore, collaborate, communicate, and self-manage . . .these are all skills that will serve them well in their evolving employability,” saidDr. Lucy McGregor, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives.

How many people have heard a student lament, “how is this used in thereal world?” Project based learning allows students to apply knowledgethrough solving a real-world problem. The style of instruction aims torefine students’ 21st century job skills through relating questions andtechnology relative to the students’ everyday lives. As studentsinvestigate, it allows them to develop valuable research, troubleshooting,innovative thinking, and decision making skills.

At TSTC West Texas, Director of Education Technologies KevinBrown has issued a challenge to the faculty. Include at least one projectbased learning exercise in each of your classes by the fall 2011 semester.“Many programs have submitted three or more. Our faculty are alwayslooking for ways they can improve the learning outcomes,” Brown said.

“Project based learning allows students to build strong relationshipsbetween classmates and the instructor, who acts as a facilitator – guidingthe projects, rather than telling folks how it should be done,” saidInstructor Dennis Hayes. He added, “Students are required to write aproposal and an action plan for their project. They also produce apresentation at the end verifying evidence, showing how it worked.”

At TSTC Marshall, the TSTC Chopper project is a prime example of whatcan happen when students are given the opportunity to be innovative.Facilitators for the project William Murrell, Danny Nixon, and Nathan

Cleveland tasked the Advanced Machiningclass to take a bicycle and a 31cc weed-eater motorand design a drive system to convert the bicycle into a motorized vehiclecapable of supporting one adult. The students completed the project, inwhich they built and assembled parts to make it work. “The students lovedit. It integrated skills into real life,” said Bryan Maertins, Coordinator ofEducational Technologies at TSTC Marshall.

Graduatesneed to be able to workin teams, and be innovators,

especially when troubleshooting.

- April Graham, Associate Vice President ofLearning Success at TSTC Marshall

TSTC is known for the hands-on experience students receive, andproject based learning furthers this and strengthens the employabilityof our students. Project based learning is an important piece of thecurriculum puzzle since 21st century skills give TSTC students an edgein the labor market. “The real payoff,” according to Dennis Hayes, “isthe students come away with a real feeling of accomplishment thatchanges the way they look at themselves. They realize they can do thingsthat they didn’t think were possible.” �

Renewableenergykeeps expanding.

Focus onemployability‘‘


Pre-requisites for incoming wind energy students are under review at WestTexas so that new students will also meet drug screening and physical fitnessstandards set by industry. “We want to create super-technicians because theindustry wants quality employees with clean backgrounds,” Plantier said.

A U.S. Department of Energy grant to TSTC West Texas establishedthe Harlingen program that opened to students in summer 2010. Grantsfrom the Texas Workforce Commission, SECO and Texas MilitaryPreparedness totaled $2.94 million to develop renewable energy re-employment programs for civilian and military personnel affected byclosure of the naval base at Ingleside, located on the Gulf of Mexicoabout 12 miles northeast of Corpus Christi.

The WET Program at Harlingen welcomed its first cohort of studentsfor summer semester 2010. Sixteen students graduated with Certificateof Completion Level I diplomas in December. The Ingleside renewableenergy training center for TSTC will begin classes in the fall 2011semester with wind energy for a Certificate of Completion Level Idiploma. Renewable energy resources – particularly land and offshorewind energy – will be the focus for technical education opportunities atthe 8,600-square-foot building reserved for TSTC.

A $1.9 million grant from the Governor’s Office will buy trainingequipment for Ingleside and TSTC plans to hire a full-time WETinstructor for Ingleside.

The state-of-the-art renewable energy training stations will offer applicationsfor wind energy, solar energy and related technologies. The workstationsinvolve electronics, computers, pneumatics, hydraulics, and motor controls.

Harlingen plans to eventually add a Solar Energy Technology programfollowing construction of the University Center. The UC roof supportssolar panels and part of the building is made from recycled materials fromdemolished military barracks nearby. The UC is the only public buildingsouth of San Antonio to earn a gold rating for energy efficiency.

TSTC Waco became the first college in Texas to provide an Associate ofApplied Science degree for SET graduates. It also became the first SolarEnergy Technology program in the TSTC System when its first cohortstarted classes in the fall 2009 semester.

The SET Program at Waco benefited from grant funds provided by theTexas Workforce Commission, SECO and federal sources. “All of theTSTC colleges want to meet the needs of the Texas workforce as demandfor employees in renewable and sustainable energy rises,” said SidneyBolfing, chairman of Solar Energy Technology at TSTC Waco.

The Waco program offers a 216-kilowatt solar system for students tomaintain. It also has a 38-kilowatt set of panels on a roof next to theprogram’s building and two 75-kilowatt arrays supply 60 percent of theelectricity to the college’s electronics building. The Waco program willgrow when it installs a new 32-kilowatt system with cylinder-shapedpanels that pick up sunlight as it reflects off a roof.

Rest assured, as industry advances, and the demand for training in newtechnical arenas looms, TSTC will continue to meet the needs. It’swhat we do. �

Renewable continued from page 8

‘

“Wind energy is no

longer a futuretechnology. The foundation I gained atTSTC provided me withopportunities to further myeducation in engineering,and I am confident the skillsand knowledge I gainedhere will be applied towardmy career field whether it’swind energy or a similarbusiness.”

- Ramsey Garcia, U.S. Air Force ReservesFall 2010, Wind Energy Technology graduate

“UpWind Solutions

has built agreatpartnershipwith TSTC. We are familiarwith their wind technicianprogram and are pleasedwhen we can hire well-qualified graduates.”

- Heather Dennison,Director of Human Resources,UpWind Solutions Inc.


Our graduatesfinish with a unique

skill set. - Patricia Lister-Golin, Digital Signage Instructor

at TSTC West Texas

On the front lines of the TSTC placement revolution are TSTC’sCareer Services departments. Career Services staff are workingtirelessly to go completely online with job listings, matchingstudents and employers both virtually and through career fairs, andeducating students on interview skills. Perhaps most importantly,the culture of TSTC is becoming one where placement becomes afocus of students’ lives as soon as they enroll, rather than a finaltask just prior to graduation.

“As we move forward we are going to take a proactive approach,” saidNick Alvarado Executive Director of Career Services at TSTC WestTexas, “working from day one to help our students have success intheir career placement.” �

‘

“TSTC is makingDigital Signage history.

By establishing this degree,TSTC is helping the DigitalSignage industry by providing atrained workforce that will bevaluable far into the future.”

- Keith Zoeller, Territory Manager South at Scala

“This meanswe did it

right.

The curriculum of the programis exactly what the State ofTexas needs to meet itsworkforce demands as well asproviding relevant training thathas meaning and will get thegraduate the career they need,”

- Jason Nicholas, Division Chairof Information & CommunicationsTechnology at TSTC West Texas

‘Graduates continued from page 3


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