BY Amanda Sotelo
Harlingen native Amy Lynch has been part of the Texas State Technical College family since 2012, and just recently has been named a 2016 Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipient.
The award given out by Chancellor Mike Reeser, is given to faculty and staff for their service to their college, communities and their state.
Lynch is TSTC’s development officer and was recognized for her dedication to the college at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Awards Dinner and Celebration in Austin. She said it was a memorable time and something she will never forget.
“I was honored to receive this award. There are so many other deserving people,” said Lynch. “I’m grateful that someone thought enough of me to nominate me. To that person – thank you.”
The Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipient said it was a privilege to be recognized by the organization, TSTC’s chancellor and her peers, but what made her experience really special was the chancellor asking the recipient’s guest to present the award.
“My husband presented me with my medal. I get emotional just thinking about it,” said Lynch. “He said some pretty great things and told me I deserved this and he was proud. It was really touching.”
Lynch brings with her extensive experience in higher education public relations and marketing. Prior to TSTC she served as the Assistant News Director for News and Information at The University of Texas at Brownsville. And prior to that she was a reporter for the Valley Morning Star covering the education beat.
Now as a development officer, Lynch has the opportunity to use her skills to collect resources that help the college give students a first-class technical education and helps students attend college and achieve a degree.
“My job is to keep an open relationship with our donors so they know our needs,” said Lynch. I work with industry, corporation, business and organization leaders to raise funds for things such as scholarships and lab equipment. These are the things that help us graduate more students into successful careers.”
The Vice President of Development Pete Rowe said it is the passion that Lynch displays daily that makes her deserving of the Chancellor’s Excellence Award.
“She has such a passion to work for her students, the college, its faculty and staff,” said Rowe. “She gets things done, is a pleasure to work with, and I know she has a great future ahead.”
Currently, Lynch is working to earn a master’s degree in Strategic Communications from Purdue University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Communications from The University of Texas Pan American. Lynch said she hopes graduate school and her work experience will help her push toward her goal of becoming part of an administration team someday.
“TSTC is an advocate for their employees and they try to make you as successful as you can possibly be. Everyone is willing to work for the greater cause and for me it makes all the difference,” said Lynch. “I’m going to continue learning and developing. I love playing a part in graduating more students.”
For more information on donating visit tstc.edu or call The TSTC Foundation at 956-364-4500.
