HARLINGEN, Texas - Mike Reeser, chancellor and CEO of Texas State Technical College, spoke at a recent groundbreaking ceremony at TSTC-Harlingen.
The ceremony celebrated construction of two new facilities and renovation of one existing building at the Harlingen campus, including space for two programs new to the campus: Diesel Equipment Technology and Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology.
The Automotive Technology and Diesel Equipment Technology programs will share nearly 50,000 square feet in one of the two new buildings, while the Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program will get a new 12,000-square-foot building of its own. A renovated 87,000-square-foot facility will house the Biomedical Equipment Technology, the Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology and the Wind Energy Technology programs.
Here are Chancellor Reeser’s remarks in full:
What a delight is to be here. And to be here for an event that's so important.
I have to admit that a lot of the comments I wanted to say today, our Regent has already said because our regents know our business so well. They're able to say that. And so I'm going to pivot and talk about a couple other things, if I could, today. And I want to build on what Lizzy said about TSTC being different to the other schools. We really are. And I want to touch on a couple of them. That funding formula that Lizzy referred to makes TSTC market driven in a way that you just don't find anywhere else in Texas. And when I say market what I'm talking about is the job market. We do indeed carefully watch the job market and do everything we can to put high-quality, well-qualified technicians into the highest needs of the state. And that is an ethos that is unique in the two-year sector. So we're really proud about that.
Another thing that I think sets us apart is we're growing. If you look at the ten-year trend in junior colleges, the on-campus enrollment has been soft or maybe even declining as students become more discriminating in the way they pick their higher ed pathways. But not at TSTC. And I think the reason we're growing is because students and their families have come to recognize the fact that the programs at TSTC almost certainly guarantee a fabulous career upon graduation. That's certainly is evidenced by this fact - the money back guarantee that Regent Putegnat just talked about, so far TSTC, in all the years we've had the money back guarantee, has never had to issue a refund because a student has never failed to get a job. (Audience applauds)
So, as families sit around the kitchen table deciding, well, can I go to college and if I go how will I be certain that the outcome that I'm looking for is truly going to be there, there is one place that students can select where that is virtually guaranteed. And that is TSTC because every single one of our programs is market-driven based on the skill and talent demands of Texas industries. There are fabulous jobs waiting for TSTC graduates. That's why most of them have more than one job offer when they leave here.
These new buildings are TSTC’s commitment to the Rio Grande Valley to continue to do all we can grow our impact on this region of the state. RGV is the future of Texas. If you look at the demographic trends in RGV, it is one of the fastest if not the fastest growing region in the state. And it's blessed with a population that is youth-oriented. Now the wonderful part about that is, that means education is going to be ever more important in the decades ahead. So please, those community leaders who are here, count on TSTC to do everything we can to continue to grow our impact on your economy because you need it and you deserve it. So please, count on that.
Finally, I want to say this. Of all the 11 communities we serve, I can't point to one in which the collaboration between community leaders and TSTC is stronger than it is here in Harlingen. In this region, we could walk down the mall of this campus and point to buildings that were made possible by the collaboration between the city and the county and TSTC. They wouldn't be there if it were not for that. And I hope that everyone here today that bears the mantle of leadership in Harlingen knows that TSTC knows all too well that that partnership has been key to the success that we realized here and we're going to do our part to continue to earn your trust and your regard in the decades ahead, as we commit resources to RGV to seed that growth.
So, finally, on behalf of the employers who are going to hire some extraordinary talent out of these new buildings, and the students who are going to realize outstanding careers, because of the studies that they do here and in the rest of the campus, I want to offer our thanks to the Harlingen and Cameron County communities for all the support you've provided over the years. We are indebted to you and will always work tirelessly not to let you down. Thank you so much.
Editor’s Note: The above commentary was provided by Mike Reeser, chancellor and CEO of the Texas State Technical College System, at a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion project at TSTC Harlingen.
Editor's Note: The "Lizzy" Chancellor Reeser referred to in his remarks was TSTC Regent Lizzy de la Garza Putegnat of Harlingen.
Editor's Note: Here is a podcast of the groundbreaking event:
