BY AMANDA SOTELO
Administrators at Texas State Technical College welcomed State Representatives Oscar Longoria, Larry Gonzalez and Eddie Lucio III to campus this week for a tour of the college and to educate them on how TSTC is using state resources for student advancement and innovation.
TSTC is a state agency and a statewide system of higher education with 10 campuses across Texas. It is a publicly-supported college and approximately 40 percent of its budget comes from the state legislature.
“Texas citizens elect the legislators who provide oversight and funding to TSTC as we work to serve the taxpayers,” said TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser.
“Conscientious legislators who learn about the unique benefits provided by TSTC are better able to direct the needed support that provides Texans with an affordable college choice.”
In the tour led by TSTC Provost Dr. Stella Garcia and Reeser, the state representatives had the opportunity to see instructors and students in action at the Engineering Center, Aviation Building, Welding Department and Architectural Design and Engineering Graphics labs.
Longoria, Gonzalez and Lucio saw first-hand the technology and equipment instructors are using to prepare students with the skill sets needed to succeed in the workforce after graduation.
This was Longoria’s first visit to TSTC while representing House District 35, which includes western Cameron County, where TSTC is located. He said although he receives regular updates about the campus and its needs, seeing everything in person gave him a new appreciation for TSTC.
“I’m so impressed with the instructor productivity, facility efficiencies and student energy,” said Longoria. “Leaving here I need to make sure that we continue to help TSTC operate at the high level it does. I want to get the message across that TSTC is the gateway to getting the training for a career that makes a person marketable and a livable wage a possibility.”
Garcia and Reeser said this visit gave key administration on campus the opportunity to tell the college’s story and show the state representatives how TSTC differs from other institutions of higher education. They were able to show the visiting legislators that there is a strong demand for highly trained technical workers and how TSTC’s success in placing students in lucrative careers has grown during the past seven years.
“It’s important for our state-elected officials to see for themselves that we are not only good stewards of our state’s resources, but that we are using these resources to teach the necessary skills to place our students in good paying jobs,” said Garcia.
For more information on TSTC and the programs offered visit tstc.
edu. Registration for Summer and Fall 2016 begins April 4.
