Texas Border Business –
McAllen, TX (February 9, 2015) – Qualified students within the South Texas College Business & Technology Division had the opportunity during the fall 2014 semester to work part-time as lab assistants through the Learn and Earn Grant Program. Provided by the Educate Texas Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas, the goal of the $10,000 Learn and Earn Grant was to further improve students’ success rates while allowing them to earn $9.00 per hour in their field of study lab environment. South Texas College faculty intend to reapply and hopefully extend the grant during the fall 2015 semester due to the immense success of all involved.
Students were required to have earned a minimum of 15 college hours and be currently enrolled as a Career and Technical Education major within the Business and Technology Division at South Texas College. In addition, students with one year experience in tutoring or other work in a related educational setting were preferred candidates.
Students selected and hired included PMT Student Mike Banjao, PMT Student Diego Salinas, Design Technical Graphics Student Edward Pena, Welding Student Victor Velasquez, Fire Science Student Jorge Balderas and Automotive Student Gerardo Alvarado.
While under the general supervision of program chairs, students’ responsibilities included:
- Assisting instructors in the design and construction of new demonstrations and exercises, teaching procedures, and curriculum.
- Assisting students with assignments and demonstrating techniques in the use of specialized equipment.
- Tutoring students with one-on-one attention.
- Setting up laboratories for teaching demonstrations and exercises, distributing and arranging equipment, models, and subject matter, assisting with installation of computer hardware and software.
- Assisting with troubleshooting and software problems.
- Advising students regarding course objectives and requirements while instructing students on appropriate materials and equipment.
- Assisting in coordinating laboratory schedules and helping resolve scheduling conflicts with instructors.
- Maintaining laboratory equipment as required
- Ensuring security of laboratory and equipment and availability of laboratory materials for students.
- Performing administrative and clerical duties as required.
The implementation and success of the Learn and Earn Grant Program would not have been possible without the expertise of Business & Technology Division Dean Mario Reyna and program chairs who provided positive support for their students. This includes Daniel Morales, Precision Manufacturing Program Chair; Reynaldo Sanchez, Design & Building Technologies Department Chair; Victor Fonseca, Fire Science Program Chair; Roy Trevino, Automotive Program Chair; and Rick Ingram, Welding Program Chair.
“To have a hands-on learning role in the Precision Manufacturing Technology (PMT) lab while also earning a good wage and helping out other students was a great opportunity,” said PMT Student Mike Banjao. “It has made me more confident and creates the kind of learning environment where everyone works together to improve.”
For more information regarding the Learn and Earn Grant Program, please visit the Communities Foundations of Texas website at www.cftexas.org.
