Technically Speaking

Industry Career Day

2011-03-29T07:50:00.000-07:00

Thursday, March 31 is Industry Career Day.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to speak to prospective employers about their field.

Even if you still lack a few semesters, it is a good idea to come out and see what companies are currently hiring.

If you have any questions, contact Benjamin Cantu at (903)935-1010.

Not Just For Men Anymore

2011-03-21T07:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome Back!

2011-03-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome back students! I hope you enjoyed Spring Break.

We have a busy week coming up.

Tuesday and Wednesday are club meetings. Tuesday, the Student Ambassadors have a meeting and Wednesday SGA has their meeting.

Don't forget about Friday! We are having a TSTC Road Show at Nacogdoches High School which starts at 11 am.

I hope to see you there!

Spring Break!

2011-03-11T14:38:00.000-08:00

Spring Break officially begins Monday, March 14, but many of our students have already left the campus.

Be safe and have a happy holiday!

Think On It

2011-02-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

TSTC Marshall has a clear message for the community: Don't Drink and Drive.

This week they will have many activities dedicated to spreading this message.

Tuesday, March 1- Kickoff Event- The Demolition- This is a demonstration of what it would be like to be in a car accident under the influence. Students will taken through the steps of a field sobriety test. Also, look for the "walking dead". It sends a message death could be a result of drinking and driving.

Wednesday, March 2- Lori Essary from East Texas Council of Alcohol and Drug Awareness will speak to students.Please come and show your support.

Also, check out the Commitment Wall and Card in the South Building.

Make A Friend Day

2011-02-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

Make A Friend Day is Friday, February, 11,2011 at 6 PM.

This is an excellent opportunity to meet new people. There will be a cookout complete with smores. Games 2 U will be there offering Laser Tag and Call of Duty: Black Ops.

It is gonna be a great night. Get your tent and come join the fun.

If you need more information, contact O.L. Kelly at (903)935-1010

Student Ambassadors

2011-02-07T06:24:00.000-08:00

Student Ambassadors needs new members.

If you are knowledgeable about our school, interested in helping new students, and have extra time, please come and check us out.

You can contact Ann Scoggin at (903)935-1010 for more information.

Win a $100.00 Gift Certificate

2011-01-27T12:45:00.000-08:00

Please complete the Spring 2011 Customer Service Survey and be entered into a drawing for a $100.00 gift certificate from the bookstore!

The survey closes on February 11, 2011 at noon.

https://survey.tstc.edu/wsb.dll/3/customerservicespring2011.htm

Spring 2011 Workshops and Events

2011-01-24T07:02:00.001-08:00

The Learning Success Center, along with the Student Counselor will be hosting workshops for the Spring 2011 semester.

Money Management Workshop with Woodforest National Bank will be Wednesday, February 9,2011 at 12 pm in Room 515.

"Think On It Workshop" with ETCADA will be Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at noon in Room 515
Come find out what "it" is.
A "Think On It" testimonial will be Wednesday, March 2,2011 at 4 pm on TSTC grounds with our own O.L. Kelly.

"Think On It Workshop Part 2" with ETCADA will be Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at noon in Room 515. This seminar will feature further exploration of what "It" is.

Taste of Tech

2011-01-20T06:25:00.000-08:00

Join us today at 5 pm in Room 515 for the very first Taste of Tech!

There will be various Marshall restaurants in attendance. You will get a chance to taste some of the food that is offered here.

This event is free to all TSTC students, faculty, and staff.

Hope to see you there!

Free Pizza

2011-01-13T13:37:00.001-08:00

Student Activities has free pizza in the Internet Cafe.

Hurry over and have some!

January 10th 2011

2011-01-06T08:28:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Classes for Texas State Technical College- Marshall start Monday, January 10th.

The last day to register is Friday, January 7th.

Please call (903)935-1010 for assistance.

I hope everyone has a great semester!

Christmas Cards for Recovering Soldiers

2010-12-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

Go by Dawn Cunningham's office (S Bldg 235) to sign a Christmas Card for a Recovering Soldier!

Help TSTC bring in the Holiday Spirit to Troops that are not getting to go home for the Holidays. This can be such a hard time for these men and women who are serving our country.

If you would like to send one yourself, please use the address below.

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD
20791-5456

All cards must be postmarked no later than Friday, December 10. Cards postmarked after this date will be returned to sender. This deadline ensures enough time to sort and distribute cards before the holidays.

Merry Christmas!

Welcome Back!

2010-11-29T11:05:00.000-08:00

Welcome back!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

The semester is coming to an end and many of us are already looking forward to Spring 2011.

The Student Ambassadors are going to be losing many participants, so, we are already looking for students to fill those vacancies.

If you are interested, please contact Ann Scoggin at (903)923-3211.

Veterans Celebration

2010-11-15T11:01:00.000-08:00

There will be a Veterans' Celebration on Thursday, November 18,2010 at noon.

The event will take place in room 515.

Lunch will be served.

So, come out and help us honor our veterans.

T-Shirts are available for the event. See Pam Evans in room 137 or contact her at (903)923-3232 for more information.

Part Time Job Opportunity

2010-11-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

Tutors are needed for Marshall, Longview, and Tyler schools.

Allegiance Learning Solutions will be on campus Wednesday, November 10, 2010. They will be interviewing students from 10 AM to 1:30 PM near the Visitors entrance and the Internet Cafe.

If you need some extra money for the holidays....this could be a great opportunity.

Speak Out

2010-10-21T06:39:00.001-07:00

Phi Theta Kappa will be hosting a Speak Out on Tuesday, October 26,2010.

David and Carolyn Snow, of the Marshall non-profit organization My Friends Place, will be the speakers. They will discuss a Marshall Community project for people who are having a hard time in today's economy

Free Massages

2010-10-20T12:50:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 25th, from Noon to 4pm, Student Activities will be hosting free back massages!!!!!

Drinks and candy bars will be provided.

Come out and break the monotony of mid-terms.

There is no sign-up, but, know that at peak times there might be a line.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In recognition of this month Student Activities and the Campus Activity Board will be selling Awareness memorabilia to use year round. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Susan G Komen Cancer Foundation!

Tuesday, October 19 is the second annual Pink Out Day so plan to wear pink. Lunch will be served in 515 conference room.

Learning Success Center

2010-10-04T08:01:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Robbie Anderson and The Learning Success Center. After 2 years of hard work, they have become CRLA certified!

CRLA ( College Reading and Learning Association)is an internationally recognized group that certifies quality standards in tutor training.

Welding For Beginners

2010-09-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

This course is for those who are interested in learning some basic welding techniques. This class is ideal for home owners, farmers, and ranchers who want to be able to do some of their own welding in the future. Students will be introduced to the different types of welding ( MIG, TIG, and Stick)as well as gas and electric methods. Course will include welding methods, principle and practice. Students will get hands-on experience in performing metal welds.

Class will begin November 2010.

Course will be held for 4 hours every other Saturday for 12 weeks.

Course cost: $250 plus $25 material fee.

Call (903)923-3442 for more information.

Introduction to Handguns for Women and Novices

2010-09-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in learning how to handle handguns? TSTC-Marshall is offering a handgun course through our continuing education department.

Topics include safe handling and storage of handguns, understanding the different types of handguns, ammunition, stance and shooting fundamentals, and the legal requirements for carrying and using handguns in Texas.

Students may bring their own handguns but they must be UNLOADED and will be checked and surrendered at the beginning of class and returned during stance exercises.

DATE: October 11, 2010 TIME: 6-9pm COST: $40

An additional live fire session can be scheduled, on an individual basis, at Green's Gun and Range in Marshall. Live fire session is an additional $25.

Fall Graduates

2010-09-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

The last day to apply for Fall 2010 Graduation is Friday,October 1,2010. Please contact your advisor and pick up your application in the Registrar's Office.

Business and Professional Clothes Closet

2010-09-17T06:38:00.000-07:00

Career Planning and Placement Services has an invitation with your name written on it! To what? I am so glad you asked! It's an invitation to become a donor to our new Business and Professional Clothes Closet!

We would like to offer both our male & female students the opportunity to take advantage of our Business and Professional Clothes Closet this Fall. So, we are asking you to donate business suits, ties, mens belts, dresses, casual outfits, and shoes. However, there are guidelines:
All clothing donations must be in good condition, dry cleaned on hangers and ready to wear to an interview.
Clothing must be less than 3 years old and/or contemporary in style.
When donating clothing or other items, please remember that our students want to achieve a current, professional appearance. Please donate items that you would feel comfortable wearing on an interview yourself.
This service will be free of charge to any student participating in a job interview or one of our career fairs.
This program will help enhance their search for employment by taking on a professional appearance at job interviews as well. Your donations of interview-appropriate clothing will help them make that first impression a positive one. Most important, they will look and feel confident.

Contact Vanessa Davis in the Placement Office for more information.

Enrollment Survey

2010-09-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

Students,

Each semester we request your input on the enrollment experience while it is fresh in your mind. Please click on the link below to complete a quick 5 minute survey. All of those who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for $100.00 to the TSTC bookstore. You must complete the survey by October 1, 2010 to be eligible for the drawing.

We appreciate your time providing us with valuable information to improve our services.

https://survey.tstc.edu/wsb.dll/3/customerserviceFall10.htm

Texas State Technical College and Halliburton

2010-09-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder.

Halliburton will be on campus today for the job fair.

It will take place from 2-6pm in room 515.

Congratulations Spelling Bee Participants

2010-09-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the TSTC Marshall Spelling Bee Team (Colleen Halupa, LaShondra Manning, and Dorothy Meadows), for taking 2nd place at the Annual Harrison County Literacy Council Spelling Bee. They did a great job and advanced further than any previous team.

Congratulations also to the cheer team! They claimed back-to-back Spirit Stick Awards for rooting their Eagles to a near victory!

Car Wash

2010-09-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

The Student Veterans Association is holding a car wash fundraiser.

Go get your car washed and help support our veterans!

$5 minimum donation is required.

Texas State Technical College and Halliburton

2010-09-03T09:17:00.001-07:00

Texas State Technical College will be hosting a Hiring Event for Halliburton on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 from 2pm-6pm, in Room 515.

Halliburton will be looking for mechanical and electrical technicians, dispathers, and experienced oilfield workers(CDL preferred).

You must apply on-line before the hiring event: www.gohalliburton.com

Temporary positions are staffed through SOS Staffing in Longview and Bossier City or Manpower in Kilgore and Longview.

"Our partnership with Halliburton is an effort that we made not only for our students but for our community as well. This is an opportunity for TSTC and Halliburton to make a positive impact on the economy together."

Get Involved!

2010-09-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, September is full of great events for a person interested in getting involved on campus!

9/07/10- Minute 2 Win It
9/08/10- Traveling Art Show
Zumba
9/09/10- Water Wars
9/10/10- Harrison County Spelling Bee
9/13/10- Organization Fair
Zumba
9/14/10- Game Night
9/15/10- SGA Meeting
Zumba
9/16/10- Thirsty Thursday
9/17/10- Leadership Seminar
9/20/10- Zumba
9/21/10- Time Out Tuesday
9/22/10- Zumba
9/27/10- Zumba
9/29/10- Open Forum
Zumba

If you have any questions about the upcoming activities, please contact O.L. Kelly at (903)935-1010.

Welcome Back!

2010-08-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome back!

Today is the first day of the fall semester. I want to remind everybody that attendance is very important in attaining a good grade. So set a good precedent and try to be here everyday!

Also, remember the Learning Success Center. If you are having trouble in your classes, stop by. Tutors are there that will help you study. It is free, you paid for it with your tuition, so, take advantage.

Zumba

2010-08-24T07:48:00.001-07:00

Zumba is a dance fitness program that combines Latin and international music in an effort to make exercise more fun!

TSTC Marshall offers classes, here on campus, on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:15 pm in room 515.

Contact O.L. Kelly, at (903)935-1010 if you have any questions.

Housing is Full!

2010-08-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

Housing is already full for the fall semester!

However, we will continue to take applications and deposits for the waiting lists.

Lunch to Honor Our Veterans

2010-08-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

Join us for lunch Tuesday, August 10, at noon, in the south building, near the visitors' entrance.

During this event, we will be filming a commercial that focuses on our Veterans. Come out and maybe you will see yourself on television!

Hope to see you there!

National Night Out

2010-08-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Please join our residents tonight at 5pm for National Night Out. This is a great time for our on-campus students to meet or better acquaint themselves with the faculty, staff, and especially the campus safety officers that we have here at TSTC.

It will take place at the Housing Commons.

See ya there!

Transportation and Technology Building

2010-08-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

A ribbon cutting for the new Transportation and Technology building will be held Friday, August 6, at 7:30 AM.

Come check it out!

Happy Hour!

2010-07-13T06:54:00.000-07:00

Come enjoy a cool (non-alcoholic) drink to help beat the heat!

Where: Housing Commons

When: Thursday, July 15

See you there.

Student Ambassadors

2010-07-08T08:26:00.001-07:00

The Student Ambassadors Association is looking for new members.

This is an elite organization that helps Enrollment Management.

Members are expected to help with orientations, school visits, career days, and many other functions. In addition, you will be required to attend monthly meetings.

Membership includes a small scholarship every semester.

If you are interested, please contact Ann Scoggin at (903)923-3211.

Blood Drive

2010-07-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

Give the gift of life.

Blood Drive today from 9 AM-2 PM at the Visitors Entrance on the south campus.

Time Out Tuesday

2010-07-05T07:22:00.000-07:00

Time Out Tuesday is moving.

This week it will not be in the Housing Commons. It will be in the 200 Commons/Visitor's Entrance area. Hopefully, this will allow more participation.

Remember, no reservations are needed but once it is gone.....

Bookstore Closed Friday

2010-07-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

The bookstore will be closed Friday, July 2.

They will re-open on Monday, July 5th for business as usual.

Open Forum

2010-06-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Open Forum is today!

Please come out and meet the new Student Government President, Micheal Hall. Plus, mingle with friends and hear other guest speakers.

Lunch will be served.

Hope to see you there.

Student Ambassadors

2010-06-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Student Ambassadors have a mandatory meeting on Thursday, July 1, 2010.

It will be held at the Housing Commons at noon.

SVA Meeting

2010-06-16T12:06:00.000-07:00

Student Veterans of America (SVA) will be meeting Thursday, June 17 at noon in room 118.

Check it out!

Taste of Tech 2010

2010-06-15T06:18:00.001-07:00

Time Out Tuesday

2010-06-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

The first Time Out Tuesday of the summer semester is tomorrow!

Student Activities will be serving meatball subs, chips, and drinks.

Please come.

TSTC Games

2010-06-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

Wanna go to Waco? This is your chance.

The TSTC Games are taking place in Waco, June 11- June 13th. In order to go you must try out for one of the teams that will be traveling to Waco.

There will be Volleyball (Girls), Basketball (Boys), Ping Pong, Pool, Madden, and Dodgeball teams.

Tryouts are tomorrow.

Contact O.L. Kelly at the Housing Commons for more information.

Study Tips

2010-06-03T07:04:00.000-07:00

We all know that studying is important. Yet, some have less effective studying habits than others. Here are some tips that might help.

1. Study in Short, Frequent Sessions
Do not wait until the night before the test and then try to pull an "all-nighter".
Instead try studying for 10-15 minutes at a time more often.
It has been proven that short bursts of concentration repeated frequently are
more effective than one long session.

2. Review the Same Day
Review new material immediately. It will cement the information in your head.
If you wait too long it will seem less familiar.

3. Create a Routine
Pick certain times to study and DO IT! Make it a habit.

Welcome Back

2010-06-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome back Everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the break.

I just wanted wish everyone well as the Summer II session begins.

Calendar for Fall Semester 2010

2010-05-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

July 1-Aug 27 Fall 2010 pre-registration
July 16 Orientation and registration for new students
July 21 Orientation and registration for new students
Aug 5 Orientation and registration for new students
Aug 13 Orientation and registration for new students
Aug 27 Housing "move-in" day
Aug 27 Registration/Payment Deadline
Aug 30 FIRST CLASS DAY
1st day to apply for Fall 2010 graduation
Sept 3 Last day to change schedules (drop/add classes)
Sept 6 Staff/student holiday
Sept 27 2nd Tuition/Housing installment due
Oct 1 Deadline to apply for fall 2010 graduation
Oct 12-Jan 4 Spring 2011 pre-registration
Oct 27 3rd (final) Tuition/Housing installment due
Oct 28 Industry and Career Day
Nov 12 Last day to drop/withdraw with a grade of "W"
Nov 25-26 Staff/Student holidays
Dec 3 Orientation and registration for new students
Dec 10 End of semester
Dec 10 Commencement
Dec 24-31 Staff/Student holidays

Bookstore Closed

2010-05-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

The bookstore will be conducting annual inventory next week.

They will be closed from Monday, May 17 through Friday, May 21.

They will reopen on Monday, May 24.

Library Closed

2010-05-05T11:51:00.000-07:00

Our library will be closed on Thursday, May 6, 2010 due to maintenance.

It will reopen on Friday, May 7, 2010.

Thank you for your cooperation!

A Much Needed Break!

2010-05-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

I am sure many of you are happy that the Spring 2010 semester is over.

I hope all went well this semester. If it did not, don't get discouraged. Take advantage of the tools offered.

The Student Success Center is the first place students should check if they are struggling in class. We have tutors here that will help you drag your grades up.

Plus, it is free!

Finally!

2010-04-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

I would just like to congratulate all of our graduates. I know you have worked very hard to reach this point. I wish you all success and happiness in the future.

The Results Are In!

2010-04-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Micheal Hall has been elected President of the Student Government Association.

Aaron Norman is the new Vice President.

There are still positions open. If you are interested contact O.L.Kelly.

Commencement

2010-04-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

Graduation is less than two weeks away!

I would like to let our future graduates know that they can pick up their cap and gowns at the bookstore. Also, rehearsal will be at 1:30 the day of graduation. The ceremony will be held at the Julius S. Scott Sr Chapel on April 30, 2010 at 6pm.

We would like to invite all family and friends to attend this special occasion.

Please contact Pat Robbins if you have any questions.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

2010-04-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

The FBI is coming to Texas State Technical College- Marshall!

Vanessa Davis, our Placement Director, has been promoting TSTC and our students to the Dallas recruiter. After reviewing our programs, they are ready to meet our students and see how we can fit with the Bureau.

They will be here April 22, 2010 from 11 AM-12:30 PM.

How exciting! If you want more information contact Placement Services.

Crawfish Boil 2010

2010-04-13T11:33:00.001-07:00

Crawfish Boil!

2010-04-06T06:41:00.001-07:00

Our annual crawfish boil is this week. It will be Thursday, April 8, at noon.

In addition to the great food, there will be a volleyball game. It is students versus faculty and staff. Sign up now!

Each player gets a free tee shirt. For everyone else, you can buy one for $10.

Hope to see you there.

East Texas Manufacturers Scholarship

2010-04-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

The Longview Economic Development Corporation, its CEO, and HR groups recognize the need for skilled technicians to meet the demand of today's manufacturing industries. They have created the East Texas Manufacturers Scholarship program in an effort to meet those needs.

Today's manufacturing jobs require college education and training. The scholarships are available to students pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in any of the following fields:

Combination Welding Certificate
Computer Aided Drafting
Computer Aided Manufacturing
Diesel Equipment Technology
Industrial Maintenance
Industrial Mechatronics
Instrumentation
Environmental Health & Safety Technology

AWARD RECIPIENTS MUST:

1)Be high school graduates with a minimum 2.50 Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale;

2)Have attended and graduated from a high school within a 50 mile radius of Longview, TX.

3)Must enroll in and maintain enrollment in a program of study leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree that is approved

4) Maintain satisfactory academic progress

5) Maintain a full academic load of at least 12 credit hours

6) Agree to share academic progress information with members of East Texas Manufacturers (ETM)

If you or anyone you know meet the above criteria, please APPLY!

Congratulations

2010-04-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

I would to congratulate the winners of the 2010 Mr & Miss TSTC awards:

Mr.TSTC- Travis Eudey
Miss TSTC- Kristen Fitzgerald

Miss Congeniality- Chastity Houff
Mr. Congeniality- Aaron Norman

Mr & Mrs TSTC

2010-03-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

Student Activities would like to invite you to the 2010 Mr. & Mrs. TSTC Pageant on Thursday, March 25,2010 at 7pm.

Candidates will take a trip down the red carpet before the official ceremonies.

The pageant will take place in the 515 conference room in the south building.

Light refreshments will be served after the festivities.

Please come out and support our students!

Getting Involved: Continued

2010-03-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

Residential Housing Association

The Residential Housing Association establishes programs to create an atmosphere which promotes academic excellence and achievement. RHA is able to promote a living atmosphere that is comfortable, tolerant, and community oriented. RHA also encourages interaction among students through social, recreational, and leisure activities.

RHA does its best to develop programs which promote interaction among all members of the housing community, specifically supporting the RHA to increase opportunities for resident involvement in the total housing system. Most recently, programming was provided to educate residents about the relationship between physical and mental health and wellness. Through the cooking classes we are able to communicate students' needs related to sound nutrition and food quality.

To become a member, you just need to live on campus in campus housing.

We conduct weekly meetings with RHA officers, and monthly meetings with housing residents.

If you would like anymore information, please contact Hubert Staten.

Casino Night

2010-03-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

I would like to welcome all of our students to the Commons Area tonight.

Student Activities is hosting a Casino Night.

Students can win all kinds of prizes including a new television!

So come on out and join the fun. It begins tonight at 7 PM.

Getting Involved: Continued

2010-03-04T07:17:00.001-08:00

One of the organizations we have on our campus is Phi Beta Kappa.

It is an International Honor Society for two year colleges and membership is by invitation only. You are invited after you have completed twelve credits and earned a 3.5 GPA.

Our Phi Beta Kappa Chapter is very active. They attend conventions, participate in projects, hold fundraisers and open forums, as well as sponsor blood drives.

If you want more information about Phi Beta Kappa you may contact Venesia Adams, Dorothy Meadows,Cathy Fontaine, Mario Cantu, or Mary Dorris.

Helping Out and Giving Back

2010-03-03T08:54:00.000-08:00

Today, Carter BloodCare is having registration for bone marrow . They are at the South Building near the security entrance.

If you have any questions, you may contact Mario Cantu at (903)935-1010.

Tomorrow, is the blood drive. It is from 9 AM- 2 PM in the South Building near the Visitor's Entrance.

We encourage everyone to participate!

National Fairy Tale Day

2010-02-26T12:24:00.000-08:00

In observance of National Fairy Tale Day, TSTC Marshall invited several children to campus to entertain their imaginations by reading fairy tales that included Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Alladin. Dressed in a blue ball gown and tiara, Ms.TSTC 2009 read stories to each class that came.

"This is a way to encourage kids from a young age to desire to read books," said Courtney Lyons, Ms TSTC 2009.

"It was a very fun experience, and I hope more children come out in the future."

Get Involved

2010-02-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

Tom Healy is a young speaker, author, and entrepreneur. He encourages students to get involved at their campuses.

Healy states that Student Organizations will give you the following:

-A real world experience that you cannot receive in the classroom.

-A great boost to your resume.

-Interesting stories to share while being interviewed.

-Increase your time-management skills.

-Access to organizations' advisors and alumni.

Getting involved is important and our campus has the right organization for you.

Keep checking back, in future posts I plan to detail some of the organizations available here on campus.

Basic Motorcycle Operator Training Course

2010-02-18T06:17:00.000-08:00

As of September 1, 2009,if you want to ride motorcycles in Texas, you must first complete a Basic Rider Course.

Luckily, we now offer just that!

Classes will be on Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM- 5 PM.

Dates:

March 13-14
April 10-11
April 24-25
May 8-9
June 19-20
July 3-4
July 10-11

Participants must pre-register in the Admissions Office.

Show Me Those Pearly Whites!

2010-02-08T10:40:00.000-08:00

This month is National Childrens' Dental Health Month.

Our Activities Director, Orlandrus Kelly, and several students gathered toothbrushes and toothpaste for local children.

They visited area day-cares and gave the kids not only the equipment but some valuable information about dental hygiene.

National Make A Friend Day

2010-02-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

On February 11,2010 TSTC-Marshall is celebrating National Make A Friend Day.

We have invited students from area colleges and universities to come to our campus to camp out!

There are so many activities planned for the attendees. There will be laser tag, horseshoe pits, Texas Hold'Em Tournament, and of course....FOOD!

Mark your calendars and come out and join us!

Workshop/ Open Forum

2010-01-27T12:46:00.000-08:00

Overcoming Adversity to Become Successful in College and Life

Everyone deals with adversity, it's a fact of life, but some people overcome so much that they become an inspiration to the rest of us.

Stephanie Parsons is an Instructor here and today she shared her story about overcoming adversity.

Stephanie spoke today about the hardships she has faced.

She grew up in an abusive home in Missouri with five brothers and sisters.
She was unable to read, without anyone noticing, until the sixth grade.
Stephanie later married and had two difficult pregnancies.
Her husband was stricken with cancer.
She got a job at Hewlett-Packard but lost her job in a layoff.

At this point, many people would give up. Many would buckle under this kind of pressure. Even Stephanie admits to having times where she asked "Why me?" Yet, Stephanie endured. She gives thanks to many people and encourages others to look at the bright side.

She grew up in an abusive family but had a grandmother that inspired her to be a better parent.
She couldn't read but encountered a teacher who taught her.
She had two difficult childbirths, but has two children that are her life.
Doctors have given her husband slim chances, but he is still here.
She lost her job at HP but she is now with us at TSTC.

She attributes her success in life to faith in God and an adherence to the Golden Rule..."Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Hockey Night

2010-01-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

Campus Activities has planned a trip to Shreveport to watch a hockey game. On Friday, January 29th, the Shreveport Mudbugs take on the Rio Grand Valley Killer Bees.

If you are interested you can sign up at the Housing Commons.

Tickets are free for TSTC students. If you would like to bring family or friends, they can purchase tickets at the Cashier Office in the Administration Building. Tickets can be purchased for $9.

YOU MUST RSVP BY 1PM MONDAY, JANUARY 25TH.

Hired!

2010-01-13T10:51:00.000-08:00

Congratulations goes out to Kyle Farris, a graduate from our Process Operations Program. Kyle has been employed by Eastman Chemical Company as an Operator in Co-gen! He will begin in a couple of weeks.

Thank you goes out to Mr. Bobby Key for working with Kyle and connecting him with the company for this great opportunity!

Spring Semester 2010

2010-01-08T09:24:00.001-08:00

Classes begin Monday, January 11, 2010. Today is the last orientation for new students. It begins at 1pm this afternoon. All returning students should have their new schedules and books.

Books can be purchased, on campus, in the bookstore. It is located in the South Building in Room 452.

If anyone has any questions regarding their schedules, feel free to contact us in Enrollment Management.

I hope everyone has a wonderful semester.

Welcome Back

2010-01-05T07:38:00.000-08:00

Let me be the first to welcome back faculty, staff, and several students. I hope everyone had a nice break and are well rested because we have a busy week!

We have scheduled two new student orientations. The first begins at 1pm this afternoon. The second and final orientation will begin Friday at 1pm as well. If anyone has any questions about orientation feel free to contact Ann Scoggin at (903)923-3211 or LaShondra Manning at (903)923-3309.Additionally, our Student Ambassadors are here to help too. They are all wearing red TSTC t-shirts. Feel free to stop any of them with any questions you may have.

School Closed

2009-12-21T06:23:00.000-08:00

Texas State Technical College- Marshall will be closed from December 22,2009 until January 4,2010. If you have any last minute business you need to complete, feel free to drop by the campus today. We are here and ready to help.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

See you in 2010!

Salute to Women in Technology

2009-12-15T10:41:00.000-08:00

The Sears Building in Marshall offered us a unique experience recently. They asked Texas State Technical College as well as East Texas Baptist University and Panola College to set up displays in several of their windows. Our window is a salute to women in technology. We have Juanita the welder, Lucy the lineman, and a safety lady displayed for all to see. We thought this would be a good way to advertise that TSTC is for women too. If you have a chance drive by and check it out. It is on the corner of N.Washington and Hwy 80.

Need extra cash?

2009-12-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

If you are needing some extra cash for the holidays look no further than the campus bookstore. The bookstore is in the process of buying back books from students. At this time, they are accepting buybacks from 9am -3pm. Students must have their receipt or they will only be paid the wholesale price. For books that are not going to be used by our instructors next semester, the wholesale price is the amount that will be paid to the student. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the bookstore at (903)923-3396. Hurry, the book buyback ends Thursday!

Welcome Back

2009-12-01T06:12:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Maybe it was just the break you needed before finals. Now is the time for everyone to settle in and make that last push towards the end of the year. Don't forget that the Student Learning Center is there for students who might need a little help.

Veteran's Appreciation Day

2009-11-24T07:11:00.000-08:00

We hosted our first Veteran's Appreciation Day to recognize our veterans in the community as well as our students, staff, and faculty.

Our President, Randy Wooten, officiated the ceremony. We had a special guest speaker, Vernon B. Lewis, Retired Army Major General.

Booths were set up from the local veterans agencies to offer information regarding military benefits, such as:

VA Hospital (Shreveport, LA)-They were available for any questions regarding health care as well as offering counseling services to our veterans.

Texas Veterans Land Board- They were here to offer information on how veterans can use their military benefits for home mortgage and/or remodeling as well as many other benefits.

US Army Reserve Recruitment- They were here to offer information on how students can earn extra money while attending school by joining the Army Reserve.

Department of Veterans Affairs- They offered a wide range of information on Health care, home loans, life insurance, education, training, and more.

Family Readiness Group (FRG)- Dawn Cunningham, a TSTC student sponsored this group. She works with them to provide information to veterans.

Overall, we had an excellent turnout. The interest was so great, we are in the process of starting a Student Veterans Association. If you would like more information on this, you may contact Pam Evans or Dawn Cunningham.

Financial Aid

2009-11-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

My boss just handed me an updated Federal Student Aid Grant Programs Fact Sheet. The name itself is intimidating! It made me think that with all this information there must be people out there that are really confused. If you are one of those people, please, feel free to contact our Financial Aid Office. They will be able to walk you through everything, from the application process to any problems you may encounter long after the money has arrived. Call us at (903)935-1010.

Industry Career Day

2009-11-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

Our Fall semester Industry Career Day was on October 29th. Twenty five Industry Partners were scheduled to be present but 27 showed up! That is a fantastic showing! If you follow the news, you are aware that many companies are not hiring. This just proves, once again, that Texas State Technical College graduates go to work!
Industry Career Day is a bi-annual event we have at TSTC. We invite industries in our area who are hiring new employees, as well as inviting educational institutions in case our TSTC graduates want to continue there education once they finish with us.
Our Spring Industry Career Day is already scheduled for March 25, 2010.
See you there.

Breast Cancer Awareness

2009-10-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

Student Activities recently hosted PINK OUT DAY in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Students, faculty, and staff bought pink HOPE shirts to show their support. We had a lunch, a speaker, and a campus wide picture in our HOPE t-shirts. Our speaker was Cathy Fontaine, a former student, a current TSTC employee, and a breast cancer survivor. This event and the HOPE t-shirt display the unity that TSTC Marshall has in our HOPE that a cure is discovered to destroy this disease.

Showcase: Tim Goodchild

2009-10-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

When people think about Texas State Technical College, the first thought that comes to mind is usually Technology, most people wouldn't immediately think artists.

Don't get me wrong, that is a great thing. We have spent considerable time and energy promoting that idea. Yet, we have some very talented and artistic students here as well that may sometime get overlooked.

Tim Goodchild is one such student. This is his last semester in our Multimedia program. Basically, in our Multimedia program students learn about graphic design as well as audio and video editing and Tim has had ample opportunity to put his skills to work. In his time here at TSTC, he has designed logos for various clubs, designed book covers, flyers, and powerpoints, and in his spare time he has designed not one, but two album covers!

I asked Tim why he decided on the Multimedia program and he said, " It is the most open field out there. You can design boxes for cereal companies, design billboards, design logos, take pictures for websites....there is just a lot of variety."

In addition, you can see more of Tim's designs and pictures in the Internet Cafe.

Seeing is Believing

2009-10-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

I spend most of my time visiting area schools and speaking to the students about TSTC. I tell the students about our campuses in Harlingen, Waco,and Sweetwater, as well as Marshall. I explain our programs and give them other relevant information. Yet, in my opinion, seeing is believing.
I enjoy it when people stop by TSTC to get information. When they are brought to my office, I immediately ask them if they have time for a tour. I enjoy showing people our labs while I am telling them about our programs. A tour of our campus can really help a prospective student understand what we are doing here at TSTC.
If anyone is interested in touring our campus, feel free to contact the Admissions Office and set a date!

Diesel Equipment Technology

2009-10-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

Arliss Elkins- Diesel Equipment Technology Instructor

I am proud to announce that we have our first piece of equipment from WPI/Komatsu on campus.It is a WB142 Loader/Backhoe. WPI is short for Waukesha-Pearce Industries. The Komatsu equipment line has been in North America since 1970. They manufacture and market a full line of construction equipment. The line includes excavators, wheel loaders, dozers, off-highway trucks, motor graders, skid steers, tractor loaders, and backhoe loaders. They range in size from mini-equipment to some of the worlds largest equipment.The piece on our campus is on loan to Texas State Technical College, because of that we will get new equipment rotated in and out. WPI is committed to helping the Diesel Equipment Technology Department grow. Please, feel free to come by and look at the new equipment that our students are going to be tearing down and , more importantly, rebuilding.

Student Ambassadors

2009-09-28T13:04:00.000-07:00

Today, Aaron Norman is going to blog about our Student Ambassadors. He is uniquely qualified since he is President of the organization this semester.

Student Ambassadors is an elite organization on our campus. Members are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. Our duties are to assist faculty and staff at New Student Orientations, we assist recruiters in aquiring new students, and generally help assimilate new students into their TSTC surroundings. Currently, we have fifteen members.

As a member of Student Ambassadors, we have many opportunities to get involved that other students might not. For example, my most memorable experience was assisting with Tech Trek 09. Tech Trek is a summer camp that TSTC has for high school students. In addition to several experiments and activities on campus, we take the visiting students on several field trips. On one trip,we took the students to Shreveport, Louisiana. They got the opportunity to go to Sci-Port and visit Barksdale Airforce Base. I really enjoyed Barksdale! We were able to board some planes and sit in the cockpits. We were "debriefed" by an Air Force Officer that spoke about the technological breakthroughs the military is establishing, and we were able to see future police dogs train.

Overall, I describe being a Student Ambassador as a serious responsibility with loads of fun sprinkled throughout. If you are interested in becoming a Student Ambassador, you need to make sure you are in good academic standing with the school and then contact Debra McIntosh at (903)923-3205.

Being Successful - Is There An App For That?

2009-09-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

OK, there are a lot of smart people in this world; even a lot of motivated people and a few clever ones here and there. This week I had the opportunity to interview someone who has all three of these characteristics, TSTC student Robb McMahan.

A little history about Robb: He first moved to Marshall, Texas from Tennessee because he was doing website production for Kenny Wayne Shepherd, blues/rock guitarist from Shreveport, Louisiana. He started working for the Marshall News Messenger as their Website Producer and continued to share his knowledge of the music business by mentoring local musicians and songwriters in east Texas. On a whim one day, he decided to stop at Texas State Technical College and was escorted right to my office. He told me he wanted to take a couple of programming classes (C++ & Java) but really wasn’t after college credit. I signed him up through Continuing Education and off he went. About a year later, he showed back up and said he had really enjoyed those classes and wanted to get the entire A.A.S. degree in Software Engineering. He’s been going to school ever since and will graduate Fall 2009.

Well, Robb enjoys programming so much that earlier this year he sent himself to two programming workshops. One was in San Francisco and taught how to create applications for the iphone. The other was in Salt Lake City and focused on the 3D gaming platform Unity. Shortly after attending these workshops, Robb released his first iphone application, a game entitled Spacewalk 3D. Apple approved the game and began selling it in the iphone store. Since that time, Robb has created 5 more iphone applications, one of which is a mirror, or reflective device, that can change colors or be used as a flashlight. Instead of selling this application, Robb offers it for free in the iphone store. Why would he do something like that? “I make more money off of that application than any of the ones I sell. People pay me to place an ad on the application. Right now, the mirror app has been in the top 100 downloads in the itunes store and is about to be in the top 50.” The profit he’s making from the advertising well makes up for not charging people to download. And downloading the mirror app is exactly what 8,000 people world-wide are doing each day, not counting the 20,000 ad views that he’s getting on those banner ads people pay him for!

So what I wanted to know was whether or not Robb felt that his education at TSTC had helped him in these new ventures. I was not disappointed. “What I learned here was definitely the foundation to everything else I’ve learned. I learned the foundations of programming, the languages and the concepts. Plus, I absolutely love the faculty here. I can’t say enough about the program or Phyllis Hollingshead. Her dedication to her students is unmatched,” says McMahan. He marvels at how Ms. Hollingshead is able to get very difficult concepts across in a variety of ways.

He also credits Greg McDaniel, his Algebra and Trigonometry instructor, with helping to develop one of his apps, Mood Almanac. The purpose of this piece of software is to calculate a person’s bio-rhythms and predict what kind of mood they’re going to be in on a certain day. Robb was having trouble getting the calculation to work so he went to his instructor. McDaniel gave him a trigonometry function that worked like a charm!

Robb’s other apps include Twitpickr, used to see updates to friends’ Twitpic accounts, Photo Finder & Background Buddy, that use Flickr as their search engines. Now you understand why I said he was not only smart but motivated and clever!

It’s all three of those characteristics that have gotten him to his next big adventure, moving to California and going to work for TCS, a third-party contractor for Apple. He will actually be working at Apple headquarters near San Jose, California. Robb said since it was getting close to graduation, he went to monster.com and updated his resume to include his iphone app development. Calls from prospective employers started the very next morning and are still coming in at an average of 2 a day. He is excited and ready for his big move, even though the company has been very hush-hush about what he’s actually going to be doing. His title is Senior Software Developer but all he knows is he’ll be working on something “really big” that Apple plans to release in 2010.

As far as advice for others thinking of going into software development, Robb says, “The profession is a really good one to be in. Technology is always advancing. Just think about it, just two years ago, we didn’t have iphones. You do need to be detailed and patient to write code.” He also says that this career is definitely for someone who likes working at and with computers. They might find some of the programming concepts difficult at first but will probably catch on. “I could probably go look back at the first program I wrote and laugh. I never dreamed when I started taking classes that it would lead to this,” he chuckled.

Enrollment

2009-09-23T12:20:00.001-07:00

We are extremely happy with our increased enrollment this fall. Following is an article that appeared in the Marshall News Messenger on September 19, 2009:

Texas State Technical College-Marshall has set a new student enrollment record.

School officials say a total of 973 students have registered at the college this fall semester. TSTC Dean of Enrollment Management Suzanne Carter said 946 students were enrolled on campus last year.

Of the students who registered for classes beginning Aug. 31, 252 were new students, 464 were returning students and 257 were dual-credit students.

Ms. Carter said the institution has seen a 20 percent increase in new degree and certificate students and a 24 percent increase in returning students.

"Our labs, classrooms and parking lots are full and we have seen a significant increase in students living on campus," said Ms. Carter.

Although enrollment numbers increased by 27 students from last fall, the change falls short of the enrollment numbers Ms. Carter had predicted in the summer.

Ms. Carter said previously she felt student enrollment could possibly exceed 1,000.

Ms. Carter said there were a number of contributing factors to the rise in enrollment, including the current job market and unemployment rate, an increase in the amount of funds from the Pell Grant and "expanded recruitment territories with increased emphasis on career and technology students in high schools and dual credit" programs.

Expounding on the impact of the Pell Grant, Ms. Carter said the increase has allowed students to be less dependent on student loans as they are able to use more of the money to pay for student costs such tuition, fees, books, school supplies and campus housing.

Ms. Carter said, in addition, the college has seen a rise in the number of unemployed workers enrolled at the school, meaning more students have been eligible to receive educational benefits from the Workforce Investment Act and Trade Adjustment Assistance programs — two federally funded programs for displaced workers. The funds are administered through local workforce enters.

Ms. Carter said laid-off workers from such companies as General Motors in Shreveport, La., U.S. Steel in Lone Star and Dana Corporation in Longview currently are enrolled at TSTC.

When I Grow Up, I Wanna Be A....

2009-09-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

Today's guest blogger is Ann Scoggin, Admissions Advisor/Recruiter. We hope her post makes you stop and think, "Do I really know what all is required to go into my "dream" occupation?"

Traveling is a major part of my job. I travel to many cities and many schools and speak to many students. One of the first questions I ask is if they have any plans after they graduate. Basically, what do you want to be when you grow up? I encourage each and every student I meet to chase their dreams; yet, I also think it is important to fully understand those dreams and the amount of work required to accomplish those dreams. In this blog, I would like to highlight some of the answers and explore some of the professions in depth.

One occupation that I hear, rather consistently, is Marine Biology. It sounds interesting but what is it? Usually, when I ask the student what they plan to do in that field, I get a shrug and some mumbling about dolphins. So, I looked it up. Loosely, it is defined as the field of knowledge relating to marine organisms. Digging a little deeper, I found this definition: A marine biologist is someone who works in some way studying, observing, protecting, or managing marine organisms, be they plant or animal.

It turns out marine biologist can hold a variety of jobs and very few of them have anything to do with dolphins (they are actually marine mammalogists). Marine biologists can be a:
-Teacher in a university or high school
-Researcher
-Laboratory Technician
-Resource manager for public agencies (the EPA for example)
-Technician or field worker in consulting company
-Biologist working for environmental advocacy organization
-Biologist working in aquarium or zoo

For instance, The National Aquarium in Baltimore is currently looking for an Aquarist. The individual will be required to provide assigned specimens with day-to-day care. They must maintain exhibits and equipment. They are expected to participate in the acquisition, disposition, and acclimation of specimens. They will participate in the design and construction of exhibits and reserve tanks. Plus, they will be responsible for directing approximately two hundred volunteer divers who help maintain and feed animals. That sounds like a really interesting job. Let’s take a look at the requirements.

The individual selected for this job must have a bachelor’s degree in Biology, Oceanology, or a related field. The person must be SCUBA certified and have at least one year of experience. They must have knowledge of aquatic biology, basic chemistry, and the ability to apply them. In addition, they must be proficient in aquatic diseases, husbandry techniques, life-support technology, and basic aquarium maintenance.

In my research, I found an article by an instructor in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. He stated that any individuals interested in this field need to take classes, starting in high school, that deal with biology, chemistry, physics, math, engineering, hydrodynamics, climate studies, computer skills, and writing. He also stated that the field is very competitive and that most employed marine biologist have master degrees and Ph.D’s.

I understand why people are so fascinated with Marine Biology. If that interests you and you are regimented enough to tackle the curriculum, I applaud you. On the other hand, if you would just like to work at an aquarium and get to see dolphins and other marine organisms on a daily basis, perhaps, Industrial Maintenance would be a nice fit for you. TSTC in Marshall offers this degree in both the form of a one year Certificate of Completion and a two year Associate of Applied Science Degree. You would know how to work on all the pumps, compressors, and valves that make up the habitats that the aquatic creatures call home. Granted, Shamu might not be jumping out of the water to grab his lunch out of your hand, but, you could be there, daily, for the show!

If you have no idea what career you should go into, contact TSTC for a free career assessment. You can take an interest inventory, skills assessment and values assessment and then we’ll sit down with you to evaluate the results. There’s a right fit for everybody and we want to help find the right fit for you!

Let's Talk About Moodle!

2009-09-17T18:17:00.001-07:00

TSTC has recently transitioned to using Moodle for our online course delivery. To talk about Moodle, today's guest blogger is Bryan Maertins, Coordinator of Educational Technology:

As many of you know, over the past three years TSTC has used the Blackboard Vista learning management system for our hybrid and online courses. However, as of 1 September 2009, we now use the open-source product, Moodle, as the main source for online content. “Open-source” simply means that the programming code is available to anyone who wants to use and modify it, which means that the ideas of many can be used to make the product better. Moodle, currently, is in more than one-hundred-sixty-eight countries world-wide, utilizes various languages and is gaining ground in popularity and usability for many colleges and universities around the globe. I guess, the most compelling question asked by users, perhaps, is “What does ‘Moodle’ stand for?,” or “What’s a noodle, I mean a Moodle?” Well, I’m glad you asked… Moodle stands for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment, which represents the creator Martin Dougimas’ belief that if you put people together who interact with their environment, great things happen and the student begins to construct his/her own learning through various experiences and interaction (see Martin Dougimas' philosophy).

So, now that you know a little bit about this new transition, check it out. Your online courses can now be found at: https://mycourses.tstc.edu/ or by clicking Marshall Moodle on the Marshall DL tab from the MyTSTC portal.

Happy Moodling!

Student Receives Presidential Coin

2009-09-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

According to Wikipedia, a challenge coin (aka military coin) is a small coin or medallion bearing an organization’s insignia or emblem and is carried by the organization’s members. They are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. The tradition of military coins is said to have started with the United States Air Service (now the United States Air Force)during World War I and then spread to all other branches of the military. Some argue that they began earlier and some say later. Whatever the true origin, military coins have become quite significant to the modern U.S. military.

With this background in mind, it is no surprise that our President, Randy Wooten, also known as Retired Air Force Colonel Wooten, has minted his own Presidential coin. President Wooten does not bestow this award to just anyone, and it's especially rare for a student to receive one. Today, Alyssa Langford became the 3rd TSTC Marshall student to receive this honorable token from the President. She was given her coin in front of Wooten's Presidential Council for her graphic design contributions to the college. Some of these designs include computer wallpaper, various student activities and most recently, the new banners that hang from our campus lightpoles.

Alyssa just started her fourth semester here as a full time Multimedia Publishing student. She actually began taking classes with us as a dual credit student and was able to finish most of her academic requirements while still in high school. Her contributions to our campus are definitely worthy of recognition and we know she'll be successful in whatever she decides to do after obtaining her degree. And as a side note, this author is especially proud of her because she is my daughter! Congratulations Alyssa!

The End of Another Semester

2009-08-19T13:35:00.001-07:00

Last night was our Summer Graduation Recognition Ceremony; a time that's all about acknowledging those students who finish their studies in the summer and who may or may not choose to come back in December to officially "walk" across the stage. Last night was really what it's all about - seeing our students "finish", or at least reach one educational goal they've set for themselves. Many of our graduates couldn't make it to the ceremony because they're already working! How awesome is that! One of our graduates even had his employer there to congratulate him. They had nothing but positive comments about his skills and his character. They've even scheduled time next week to stop production at the plant and give him a graduation party. This was very meaningful to me personally because I vividly remember when this young man came to College Preview Day to find out more about our school. Now to see him, two short years later, in a job he enjoys and is exceptional at doing (words from his employer), makes me proud to work in higher education and especially at TSTC! We are changing lives one student at a time!

Career & Placement Center Opens!

2009-08-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

Today was a grand day for Vanessa Davis, Placement Director at TSTC Marshall! Her long awaited Career & Placement Center officially opened this afternoon with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the TSTC Chancellor, Board of Regents, College Presidents, city/county dignitaries and our campus community. Ms. Davis, with a smile on her face, proclaimed, "This has been a long time coming!"

So what exactly is the Career & Placement Center?
The Center will be a resource for our students as they prepare to go out into the workplace and start their new careers. They'll learn skills like resume preparation, interviewing and career searching. Ms. Davis will also offer career counseling and will also serve as the bridge that connects our students to industry. Some of her future plans include starting a Placement discussion group for students looking for jobs. She's also working on an e-newsletter for industry to keep them up-to-date on what's happening at TSTC.

And why is this an important resource?
We know our students are NOT going to school JUST for the fun of it. The end goal is for them to get a job and be successful. Getting a good job, especially in today's economic uncertainy, requires more than just the technical skills they learn in the classroom. It requires knowing how to sell themselves - through their resume, e-portfolio, interview, etc. And it takes knowing where and how to search for a job. With these skills, along with their technical education, our students will be ready to make a good impression on potential employers when it comes time.
Job placement will also be paramount to the success of the new TSTC paradigm - shifting from being funding by the State based on contact hours to being funded based on success (student placement) and the value that TSTC adds to the Texas economy. So when we say, "your success is our success", we mean it literally! This new paradigm was recently approved for study by the Texas Legislature. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will research the feasibility of a funding model based on returned value to be used in calculating formula funding for TSTC.

Another Service of the Career & Placement Center:
If you go to http://www.marshall.tstc.edu/ and click on "Employers Click Here" you'll see our online CSO (Career Service Office) that allows employers from across the State who are scouting technicians to post job openings and allows students throughout the TSTC System to view them. Students can upload their resumes for the employers to view and apply for jobs.

Where is the Center located?
The Career & Placement Center is located right inside the Visitor's Entry of the South Building in Room 248. For more information regarding placement or the services offered at the Career & Placement Center, contact Vanessa Davis at 903.923.3375 or e-mail her at vanessa.davis@marshall.tstc.edu .

Photos:
And finally, here are some photos from today's ribbon cutting ceremony taken by Multimedia student Alyssa Langford.

Summer Graduation Recognition

2009-08-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Marshall campus of TSTC currently holds two graduation ceremonies per year - one in the Fall and one in the Spring. But that doesn't mean we don't take time to recognize the accomplishments of our Summer graduates. Not only do we invite them to take part in the Fall ceremony following their last semester, we also host a Graduate Recognition Ceremony for them. We invite all our Summer graduates, their family and friends plus our campus community to attend this celebratory event. This year's ceremony will be on Tuesday, August 18th at 6:00 p.m. in Room 515 of the South Building. After the ceremony, a reception will follow. The address is 2650 East End Blvd., South, Marshall, TX 75672 should you be interested in attending. (Photos will be posted afterward!)

We're so proud of our graduates! In the Admissions/Recruiting area, it's especially rewarding to meet the students when they walk through our doors for the first time and then a couple years later watch them walk across the stage towards their new careers. When a TSTC graduate becomes successful, the entire TSTC family shares in that success!

Fall Enrollment!

2009-08-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

Although we have at least 2 more New Student Orientation sessions to go, the outlook for Fall Enrollment is great! Here's an article from the Longview News Journal on August 10th talking about the possible record breaking enrollment we're about to have:

Texas State Technical College may top 1,000 students

CHARLES IYOHOMarshall News Messenger

An unpredictable economy, the lure of landing a highly-specialized position and the introduction of in-demand programs are a few reasons TSTC Enrollment Dean Suzanne Carter expects student enrollment to top 1,000 this fall. About 946 students were enrolled at the school last fall. "Assuming high numbers for the dual-credit students, we'll certainly exceed 1,000," said Ms. Carter. "I'd hate to predict, but I'd like to think we might be close to 1,200 if we include our dual-credits, but that's yet to be determined."

School officials are predicting a significant enrollment increase based on pre-registration and new student orientation numbers. Ms. Carter said she expects the number of new students to be double that of last year. The number of returning students currently enrolled at TSTC has also increased by a large percentage.

Ms. Carter believes the trend may be attributed to a number of factors, such as local residents that have been laid off from work looking for a fresh start in a well-paying industry.

School officials say the recruitment efforts of staff members and opportunities for students to receive both unemployment education benefits from the federal government and benefits from Texas Workforce Commission have also caused enrollment numbers to swell. "It's typical when you have a downturn in the economy and unemployment rates are high that college enrollment is going to be high also," said Ms. Carter. "It's a direct correlation between the two." The introduction of new programs at TSTC has also played a factor. Programs such as the electrical lineman, biomedical technology, software engineering, welding and diesel programs have been in such high demand that TSTC officials have not been able to accommodate all students who apply.

Ms. Carter says the school received about 40 applications for the electrical lineman program alone and won't take any more students until next summer. The program is limited to 15 students due to its structure, which includes internships and practical training opportunities on the school's utility training yard. "I'm afraid we can't serve all of our students \— it's a wonderful problem to have," said Ms. Carter. "We'll be looking at trying to help them in some other degree programs that they may not have considered but that would be highly skilled and have good benefits."

Ms. Carter says the boost in enrollment numbers is a sign that more residents are seeing the advantages of what a two-year technical institution has to offer as opposed to going the traditional route. "I think it's gratifying to see that the good work that we've been doing now, to carry the message of the value of technical education, is being realized out in the workforce," said Ms. Carter. "I think that we will see enrollment growth that comes not only as a part of a downturn in the economy but because of our ability to showcase the value of technical education. I think you're going to see more people be aware that's where the jobs are."

Welcome to our Blog!

2009-08-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

If you're reading this, you're taking part in a history-making moment! You're reading the very first blog post for the Marshall, Texas location of Texas State Technical College! This blog is managed by the Enrollment Management department of the college but the topics will be wide and varied! If you'd like to suggest a topic, feel free to leave us a comment. If you want more information about our school, visit www.marshall.tstc.edu and explore away! You can even request information from us and we'll send it to you. You can also find us at www.facebook.com/tstcmarshall, www.myspace.com/tstcmarshall and www.twitter.com/tstcmarshall.

Thanks for reading and for telling your friends about us too!