Chancellor Outlines Master Plan
Texas Border Business
By Bill Keltner –
Texas State Technical College Chancellor Michael L. Reeser, MBA, led the slate of TSTC officials and dignitaries who praised the opening of the newly-renovated Engineering Center, now a reality on the Harlingen TSTC Campus.
Reeser stressed that this new training center is an essential part of the TSTC system’s goal of producing “job-ready”, trained graduates in major industries begging for skilled workers. He listed four divisions: Wind Technology, a growing field in the Valley; Bio-Equipment Technology graduates who can go directly into high-paying jobs in the health industry anywhere; telecommunications, space, and mechatronics technology. “These are all industries seeking our graduates,” Reeser said.
On his last visit to the Harlingen campus, Reeser appointed Dr. Stella Garcia, well-respected TSTC administrator, as Acting President of the college. He also outlined the mission of the statewide higher education system headquartered at the Waco, Texas flagship college campus.
Dr. Garcia opened her remarks by saying, “We have much to celebrate today. It’s a ‘win-win’ for TSTC, the state and current and future students.”
“We are very proud of this building,” Garcia said. “We’re on track for LEED Gold Certification and we are confident we will get it. Just like we did with the University Center two years ago.” She then listed the building’s green features and thanked long time industry partners like SpawGlass and Duke Energy for being at the opening.
The grand opening of the Engineering Center aligns well with her remarks when she was appointed to her new position. She said, “I’m honored to have been appointed as the Acting President of TSTC Harlingen,” adding, “my focus will be quality student learning, student and employee engagement, stewardship of resources, and community outreach.”
Interim President Garcia was joined by Engineering Division Director Hector Yanez, SpawGlass President of the South Texas Region Rene Capistran, elected officials as well as Engineering Program students and faculty.
Yanez told the crowd,”We’re now able to increase our recruitment efforts thanks to this building.” He added: “Our goal is to make this the epicenter of technology and the ‘go-to’ place in the Valley, and it’s already happening.”
Chancellor Michael Reeser concluded with a reminder of the misson of the TSTC system and its unique place in providing educational opportunities at its 11 colleges. These institutions range statewide from Harlingen, Marshal, West Texas, Abilene, Sweetwater, Richmond, Ingleside, and Hutto to Breckenridge and Waco.
The system works closely with local community leaders, legislators and industry leaders to provide skilled, trained workers who can walk straight into the new industries that are springing up. “There is a tremendous need for skilled technicians and “hands-on” skilled, specialists in many trades that pay fabulous salaries,” he said. “That is our niche,” he said. “We find out what is needed by our outreach contacts and provide the specific labor pool needed.”
Reeser continued, “Industrial recruiters complain that they can find all kinds of engineers and supervisory talent with advanced degrees, but they can’t find qualified people with specific technical skills who get the job done.”
“For example,” he said, “Our graduate instrumentation technicians can immediately start work at a refinery with an Associate Degree and a $65,000 per year salary–that is just a two-year course.” You want more proof? “A trained welder can command a salary of $100,000 in some specialized fields in the oil industry.. A trained, certified, plumber can earn a salary consistent with what a doctor might take home,” he said. “These industries are begging for our people.”
Chancellor Reeser oversees the entire statewide TSTC system from his Waco executive offices.. His philosophy is: “The magic of education occurs with close interaction between the teacher and the student–that is our secret of success,“ adding there will be many changes as we further evolve as a producer of trained, skilled workers for industry and businesses. Pictures courtesy Jason Johnston TSTC:
Rene Capistran, SpawGlass President.
