Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, TEXAS – South Texas College Culinary Arts and Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) have begun a unique collaboration that is bringing broken kitchen equipment back to life while promoting student learning.
Robotics and Mechatronics students, who are part of a Computer Engineering Technology internship course, are in their last semester before graduating this May.
Now thanks to the partnership between AMT and Culinary Arts, the students are able to receive hands-on experience by having the opportunity to repair 11 KitchenAid mixers previously utilized by culinary students.
“In past years, whenever we our mixers and equipment that have gone down we would send them to auction because there really aren’t too many people in the Valley who can repair them for us,” said Culinary Arts faculty member Larissa Reinitz, who is the point person between the two programs. “Reaching out to the Advance Manufacturing Technology Department, we thought that it was a great idea to give their students that mechanic experience and maybe inspire them to one day start their own business that can help culinary professionals in the industry like our bakers who are always looking for the most cost-effective way to keep their equipment running. If we can repair instead of replacing, I think that’s a good thing for everyone involved.”
When broken down equipment is received, students itemize the components and begin repairs. From bearings to gaskets, to the equipment’s motor assembly and gears, students have spent most of the semester diagnosing and then repairing the equipment for reuse by the culinary department.
“Our students have had no problem taking them apart and diagnosing all the electrical components step by step so we can repair these items for our culinary department,” said AMT faculty member Kranzth Esparza. “The internship class that these students are a part of is ensuring the students get hands-on training before they graduate. We have a number of projects that they work on throughout the semester as they look ahead to careers in industry.”
STC student Diego Cruz, who will be graduating with his Robotics and Mechatronics certificate this May, said he appreciates the hands-on experience as he looks ahead to a career in industrial maintenance or robotics.
“I think the Mechatronics track here at STC has really prepared me to work with different systems and components,” Cruz said. “I have appreciated having the opportunity to get experience for my future career, and I encourage anyone who appreciates learning with a more a hands-on kind of approach to look into this and get into the workforce.”
Eric Senteno, will also be receiving a Robotics and Mechatronics certificate as well as with a Precision Manufacturing Technology certificate this May, said he is eyeing a career in industry after he graduates.
“This is a great program that really helps you with a lot of knowledge before you enter a career. Not only do we learn about the operation of machines, but we’re learning about robots and their electrical components for example. This has given me the opportunity to just have a higher-level knowledge about how things operate in general, and I plan to hopefully help at home with what I have learned because STC has helped me to become a well-rounded student since I have been here.”
Culinary faculty member Reinitz said she looks ahead to partnering not just with AMT, but with other technical programs in the future that all play a role in their industry.
“We try to teach students that while our focus is culinary, it’s also important for them to understand how our industries work hand-in-hand with each other, down to our plumbers and electricians. They all play a big role in our kitchens and in the life cycle of our businesses,” she said. “We have always tried to assist where we can. Many departments like to showcase their skills just like we do, and we would like to spread that opportunity and use it to enable students to get the experience they need because we know when that happens, everybody wins.”
For more information about STC’s Culinary Program, visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/culinary-arts/.
For more information about STC’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program and Mechatronics, visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/manufacturing/.
