Bryana Garcia came to Texas Southmost College with a bachelor’s degree and a dream, she knew she could make come true as a student in the college’s Emergency Medical Services program.

Starting her college journey at a North Texas university as a biology/health and kinesiology student with a goal of becoming a doctor, Bryana felt like she was on the right track, but after working as an emergency room scribe, she quickly realized medical school was not the path for her.

“I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would,” said the 25-year-old. “I love the medical field, but being a doctor just wasn’t for me. Only problem was, I didn’t know what else to do.”

Already in the medical field, she had been exposed to emergency medical technicians and paramedics and to their duties, so she decided that would be her next step.

A Brownsville native, she returned home to mourn the loss of a close family member and with a few EMS credit hours in hand, made the transfer to TSC.

“It was a really difficult time in my life and I remember thinking that transferring was going to add to my stress, but in fact, TSC and its EMS program made it so easy,” she said. “I have my instructor and the program’s director, Scott Nelson, to thank for that.”

Garcia went on to earn an associate degree and pass her national registry as a paramedic in 2020, amid a global pandemic.

“I really do credit Mr. Nelson for handling our training during the pandemic with grace, he did all he could to make sure we were prepared, and you know what, I was prepared and confident in my skills because of training,” said Garcia.

She added that although you can never fully mentally prepare for what a medic will see out in the field, she built a strong foundation as a student in TSC’s EMS program, and she knew she could handle anything that came her way, including passing her national registry.

Immediately upon graduating from TSC’s EMS program, Garcia earned her license and began her career with Med-Care EMS in McAllen as a paramedic, where she would be for a little more than a year.

But when Garcia first moved away, she made a promise to herself – to return to Brownsville and serve the community where she grew up. In keeping with that promise, she applied to the Brownsville Fire Department.
“When I received the news that I had been hired in Brownsville, I was beyond thrilled. I was going to be able to serve my community the way I had originally hoped,” she said. “I’m very grateful for the opportunities that led me to where I am. Med-Care and especially TSC played a large role in that.”

It’s now been 10 months since she started with Brownsville’s fire department working as a fire fighter/paramedic and already Garcia has new goals.

“I hope to grow within the department, but I especially hope to become a trainer within the department’s training division to share and implement the knowledge Mr. Nelson so proudly and confidently shared with me.”

Garcia said she feels TSC had a bigger impact on her life than her university experience did and for that reason, she has no regrets returning to school to pursue a brand-new career.

“At TSC I felt like a person,” she said. “I was trained and taught my skills, but even more than that, I learned about life, and I found my strengths. I found myself.”

Visit TSC’s EMS program for more information.

Texas Southmost College and SteelCoast Company, LLC have collaborated to provide training for 250 SteelCoast employees, all possible because of a Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).

The TWC recently presented TSC and SteelCoast with a grant for $283,325 that will be used to upgrade 80 jobs and create 170 new positions.

“We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this grant because each grant we receive in partnership with a local company transforms lives and families in the Rio Grande Valley,” said TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez.

The training TSC will provide will be customized to fit the needs of SteelCoast and will include ESL training, workplace safety and health training and craft skills training such as rigging and forklift operations.

SteelCoast Chief Executive Officer Mark Hodgson said it is a shared goal of TSC, the TWC and SteelCoast to enhance the skill set of the workforce while improving wages.

“I truly believe that what we are doing here, with the joint effort of our community partners like TSC and Texas Workforce Commission, is a model we will continue to follow moving forward,” he said. “The training that this grant will provide, will allow each of our SteelCoast employees to obtain advance training that will not only benefit SteelCoast, but more importantly the employee.”

With TSC becoming the destination for workforce training for business and industry, TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez, who represents the interests of 14 million working Texans, said one of the highlights of traveling across the state is seeing the collaborations that are happening in South Texas.

“So many great things are happening in this region,” said Alvarez. “The unity we see here in this region is one-of-a-kind. We’re working together, and I want to congratulate the team at Texas Southmost College for supporting our industries and like Dr. Rodriguez said, ‘helping the region move forward.’”

Indeed, this grant was the result of close collaboration between SteelCoast, the Texas Workforce Commission, local economic development partner the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation and Texas Southmost College.

To support industry partnerships and initiatives such as this one, the TSC Board of Trustees have made substantial capital investments of more than $23 million in active learning classrooms and state-of-the-art skills training labs over the past four years.

TSC Board of Trustee Secretary Eva Alejandro said investments in TSC afford our community members access to education and training that will help them be successful in the world of work.

“I credit TSC for kickstarting my career when I was given the opportunity to head the college’s first childcare and development program,” said Alejandro. “So being here and seeing all the lives we’ll be changing is an honor, and we will continue working to provide everything our industry needs to ensure that future generations have every opportunity to improve the quality of lives for themselves and their families.”

For more information about or to request customized training for your company, visit tsc.edu/wtce.

Texas Southmost College and Walmart on Boca Chica Blvd. in Brownsville partnered once again to host a grab-n-go food distribution event to help students curb hunger during final exams and the holiday season.

The event, second of its kind for the college, is made possible through a $1,200 Walmart Community Grant awarded to the college.

“We are so excited to have received this grant for a second time and to be working with Walmart again,” said Abigail Folker, TSC AmeriCorps Volunteers in Services to America (VISTA) retention specialist. “Food insecurity is prevalent among college students across the nation. This event means a lot to us and our students.”

During the event, 200 bags of groceries filled with non-perishable canned foods, soups, fruits, vegetables, snack items and juices, were given to students.

For Erica Gonzalez, a General Studies student at TSC, this food means she will not have to worry where her and her family’s next meal will come from.

“It’s been a long four months since my dad lost his job,” said the Harlingen native. “In this moment we are struggling, and most times barely have enough money for food. We don’t always know where our next meal will come from.”

The 20-year-old, who often attends class on an empty stomach, added that she appreciates everything TSC does to help its students because it allows them to find the strength to keep going knowing that someone cares.

“This event was a great opportunity for all students. It doesn’t only help us, but also our families,” said Gonzalez. “Thank you to everyone who made it possible for me to help mine. The food has gone a long way and I’m so grateful.”

Folker said this grant came at just the right time – before finals and around the holidays.

She added that in a recent study done for TSC by The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University, more than 50% of TSC students worry about not having enough money to buy food so many of them skimp on meals or don’t eat at all.

Folker’s work at TSC is focused on alleviating the effects of poverty.

“We’re here to help students succeed and if that means providing food and meals, then that’s what we’re going to do,” she said. “I’m glad we’re building partnerships within our communities, like we have with Walmart, to help make this possible.”

Brooks County Sherriff’s Office Commander Jorge Esparza is pulling double duty on the field and in the classroom as a student in the Forensic Macro Photography program at Texas Southmost College.

Forensic Macro Photography is part of the college’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education department and is open to all law enforcement officials looking to obtain this specific training in advanced identification.

The Forensic Macro Photography practice was first adopted and used by the U.S. Border Patrol, and now city and county law enforcement agencies like the Brooks County Sheriff’s Department are beginning to train in and use the identification process.

“Our department has a close relationship with the U.S. Border Patrol, and we rely on them to help us identify bodily remains, so I’ve been witness to how forensic macro photography positively impacts an investigation or case,” said Esparza. “To have this training close by at TSC and to bring these skills to our office is a game changer.”

According to Esparza, the increase in immigration has increased the number of deceased immigrants they find in the county. He said while some can be easily identified and reunited with family members, many are not.

“The goal is always to identify and unify, which on average can take six months to one year,” he said. “But using macro photography will decrease our lead times down to seven to 10 days.’

He added, “Thanks to TSC, this will save our department time and money.”

TSC’s Forensic Macro Photography course is two weeks, and explores the history and elements of fingerprint identification.

At the end of the course, students like Esparza, will be trained in basic, advanced and macro photography, fingerprint classification, lifting latent impressions outdoor and indoor, the document process and postmortem techniques.

All training is hands-on, which has been the best part for Esparza.

“Our department ordered a forensic macro photography kit a few months back and now we’re going to put it to great use,” said Esparza. “Looking at others practice this skill is one thing, but actually doing it is another. This is taking our department and processes to the next level.”

For more information about TSC’s Forensic Macro Photography course, visit tsc.edu/wtce or call 956-295-3723.

Chloe Vela has been putting paint brush to canvas since she was a little girl, and this year, she got to showcase her art as a Painting I student during the Texas Southmost College Master Copy Art Exhibit.

The college’s Fine Arts department hosts this exhibit annually at the TSC Fine Arts Gallery, located at the International Technology, Education and Commerce Center (ITECC) to give Painting I students like Vela a chance to share their art with family and friends.

“Becoming an artist has always been a dream of mine,” said the 29-year-old. “Painting, drawing and writing are my passion and I’m so glad I finally decided to pursue it and put all my energy into it.”

The McAllen native, who’s painting was inspired by the work of Belgian artist Rene Magritte and his piece Lovers II, started college several years ago as a nursing student, but never found the profession to fill the void created by not pursuing art.

“Art is all around us. It has a never-ending role in this world,” she said. “Being here at TSC and studying under instructors and artists like David Ransom and Robert Andes and being given the opportunity to share our work with the world is priceless.”

This is also the first time that Vela and many of her classmates have had an art piece for sale.

“Whether my piece sells or not this time around, all of these opportunities are still learning experiences and evidence that TSC changes lives, it has changed mine,” said Vela. “I’ve undeniably grown as an artist and established a foundation I can build upon, reaffirming that the decision I made to pursue art was the right choice.”

Vela expects to earn an associate degree in Art from TSC next semester and plans on continuing her education as an artist.

TSC Art Instructor David Ransom said he is proud of Vela and her classmates who have spent countless hours perfecting their paintings and preparing them for the Master Copy exhibit.

“For our students, this exhibit and the experiences leading up to it are a moment of transformation and is immeasurable,” said Ransom. “I’m excited that their laborious effort is now being recognized. This is why we created this exhibit – to highlight their work. I’m proud of what they have produced and I know these students are going to go far.”

Ransom is also excited to see the TSC Art program growing with the addition of two new programs in spring 2022: Digital Media and Design II, which will introduce instruction in three-dimensional design.

For more information about TSC’s Art program, visit tsc.edu.

George Wolfe always wanted a college education and now at 40, Texas Southmost College gave him the chance he needed to become a college graduate.

Wolfe is now one of more than 75 welding, electrical and plumbing students who graduated in December with their certificates of completion during a ceremony hosted by TSC’s Workforce Training and Continuing Education at the International Technology, Education and Commerce (ITEC) Center.

The Brownsville native didn’t have the opportunity to attend college after high school because he needed to work immediately and since then, Wolfe has worked at numerous refineries and other labor jobs to make ends meet.

“I’ve worked for as long as I can remember, but college has always been at the back of my mind,” said Wolfe. “I never had the time or money to pursue it though, so I took advantage of a difficult situation to turn it into a positive one.”

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and a decrease in jobs in his industry, Wolfe has been laid off and without work. So when friend of his told him to explore TSC’s Welding program, he listened and began to look into the opportunity. To his surprise, he qualified for a full scholarship.

“I could not believe how things were aligning. This was my time,” he said. “It was now or never, so I took advantage of the situation and went for it. To say it has changed my life is an understatement. I’m feeling really proud of myself right now for never letting go of my dream. There’s a sense of accomplishment that can never be taken away. There’s a new chapter ahead of me, one that will allow me to better support my family and that will open doors of opportunity for me.”

TSC Associate Vice President of Workforce Development Joseph Fleishman, Ph.D. said programs like these are developed to provide a college experience to everyone and immediate employment opportunities.

“College is for everyone,” he said. “The impact our scholarships and programs have on an individual are life changing for them and their families. We are so proud of our graduates, and we know they will go on to be successful because they are hard workers and committed to their profession. Plus, we have a group of excellent industry partners hiring them.”

For Wolfe, this certificate means he gets to pursue a career in welding, where the number of jobs continues to increase, meaning his skills are in demand and he can work in the Rio Grande Valley, close to his family.

“I’ve traveled across the country, and I’m ready to work close to home,” said Wolfe. “With SpaceX and the liquidified natural gas industry expanding right in our backyard, having this certificate is going to allow me opportunities I wouldn’t have had before. My life has changed, I’m a changed person, and it’s because of TSC.”

Although he has graduated, Wolfe isn’t ready to bid farewell to TSC just yet. He will return in January 2022 to complete the college’s advanced welding class to add additional skills to his toolbox.

To learn more about TSC’s Workforce Training program and scholarships, visit tsc.edu/wtce.

It’s been more than six years since Alonso Alonso made the decision to enroll at Texas Southmost College – a decision he said has turned his life around.

The auto body repair student said he has been blessed with a job since before graduating with his certificate in 2015.

“I found out I was good at auto body repair and refurbishing at a young age working with my father and brothers,” said the 36-year-old. “So, following in their footsteps seems like the right thing to do. Except I always knew I wanted a college education too, so being able to combine both at TSC has helped make my dreams come true.”

Alonso now works as an estimator at CARSTAR Collision Specialists, a step up from the odd jobs he worked prior to enrolling at TSC.

“Some of my skills were self-taught, but nothing prepared me for a career more than TSC’s Auto Body Repair program,” he said. “It opened my eyes to new processes, new techniques and new opportunities.”

One of those opportunities was an internship with Tipotex Chevrolet in Brownsville where he learned the ins and outs of the industry.

“I gained a new kind of confidence being able to use real-world scenarios to practice my skills,” said Alonso. “Without this program I wouldn’t be where I am today – in a career that I love, a career I look forward to every morning. To me this is success, and I found it at TSC.”

A bonus for Alonso and any student in TSC’s Auto Body Repair program is the hands-on training they receive in the classroom and at their internship sites that not only prepares them to be workforce ready, but also to pass the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) certification exams.

I-CAR is an internationally known not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the information, knowledge and skills required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs, and like Alonso, students can earn two or more certifications through this organization upon graduation.

Donald Wilt, TSC Auto Body Repair program coordinator and instructor said students in the program get to train and practice their skills using industry-standard equipment and tools, by completing projects using student and community volunteer vehicles and having the opportunity to use a dedicated paint booth that is installed in the college’s auto body shop.

“Each of our graduates is trained and has the skills needed to be hired as entry-level technicians,” said Wilt. “The demand for technicians is high right now, and our students, with their skills and additional I-CAR certifications, are marketable and competitive.”

Wilt added, “From body repair and metal and steel welding to frame mechanics and inspection, our graduates are exposed to the foundation of this industry. It’s a large industry with room to grow and earn salary increases, and with our instruction and their skills being reinforced by I-CAR and our industry partners, the sky is the limit.”

TSC’s Auto Body Repair program holds a 95% job placement rate and is also a part of TSC’s new Prior Learning Assessment program, meaning students can apply to get college credit for their work experience if they’ve already worked in industry.

As for Alonso, he said he’s excited to see where his career takes him, but for now he is happy to share his experiences with other TSC students.

“I’ve been back to TSC to mentor other auto body students,” he said. “I want to let them know that if this program can change my life, it can change theirs too. I owe so much to this program and TSC.”

For more information about TSC’s Auto Body Repair program, visit tsc.edu.

Karla Aguirre moved to the United States two years ago with her family and dreams of pursuing a career in the health care field.

This week, she was able to see one of those dreams come true as a graduate of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Texas Southmost College.

The 30-year-old is a Brownsville Independent School District Adult Education program student who was one of nearly 30 students who earned certificates of completion during one of three CNA program pinning ceremonies.

During these ceremonies, students from the Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District and Jubilee Brownsville also graduated.

“I’m so excited and happy about beginning this new chapter in my life,” said the Matamoros native. “I was pursuing health studies in Mexico, so to be given the opportunity here in the states, is a huge steppingstone for me.”

Aguirre worked as a health care provider while living in Mexico. She knew helping others and promoting wellness was her calling, even though moving to the U.S. brought challenges.

“It took time for me to validate my high school diploma from Mexico so I wouldn’t have to start all over,” said Aguirre. “But it was well worth it, because here I am, confident, prepared and ready for a future in nursing.”

It’s been a different path for Los Fresnos High School senior and CNA graduate Dariana Aguirre. The 18-year-old started working toward a career in health care as a high school freshman saying it was her grandfather’s words during his battle with cancer that inspired her, so TSC’s CNA program was an opportunity she could not pass up during her last year in high school.

“I would take care of my grandpa, giving him his medicine and making sure he was comfortable and always well taken care of,” said Dariana. “He would call me his ‘little nurse,’ so to make that vision come true at only 18, is a proud moment. This is for him.”

Adding that she is prepared and confident to enter the field, Dariana said she plans on completing her certifying exams in the coming months to begin working as a CNA as soon as she graduates from high school.

“From lectures to clinicals, this program has prepared me and given me the confidence to start working…I’m ready,” she said. “But I’m not stopping here.”

Dariana plans on continuing her education and perhaps become a registered nurse, but said she also has interest in becoming a physical therapist, so she is keeping her options and her mind open.

As for Aguirre, she plans to return to TSC to pursue a certificate in vocational nursing before working toward her goal of becoming a registered nurse.

TSC CNA trainer Maria Celia De La Garza said every student who graduated this week is on the right path toward fulfilling their goal of having a successful career in health care.

“This week we celebrated their success, their achievements and we can’t wait to see where this path takes them,” she said. “Many have gone on to become nurses, physician assistants and even doctors. I’m so proud of each and every one of them.”

For more information about TSC’s Certified Nursing Assistant program, visit tsc.edu/wtce.

The children of Bruce Aiken Elementary School in Brownsville sat crisscross applesauce with anticipation for a visit from Santa who with a bundle of toys from Texas Southmost College gave each child a gift they could put under their tree.

Toy distribution events like the one recently held at Aiken Elementary is an annual tradition for TSC through its Angel Tree Toy Drive that runs from the end of November through mid-December.

Donations are taken to different schools each year that serve a large low-income population.

This year nearly 300 toys were collected and distributed thanks to donations made by the TSC community – Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students.

TSC Student Life spearheads the event every year, and Director of Student Development and Retention Virginia Sandoval said every year is a success because the TSC community always comes through with donations.

“This year we not only met, but exceeded our goal,” said Sandoval. “This is possible because our community always ensures that children in our community have a happy holiday season.”

Sandoval added that the true reward of each toy drive is seeing the excitement on each child’s face as they visit with Santa and receive their toy.

“Joy, a lot of joy…there is no other way to describe the feeling inside the room when we distribute these toys,” she said. “Each child’s smile is so vibrant, and they genuinely appreciate what they are being given. It’s a beautiful site to see.”

The event was made possible with the help of TSC student volunteers and staff, TSC Board of Trustee Delia Saenz and TSC President Jesus Rodriguez. Even Santa, played by TSC Admission Specialist John Cadena, is an alumnus of Bruce Aiken Elementary School.

“I never thought I would step foot inside this building again,” he said with a jolly ho-ho-ho. “It was great being back where it all started. From the kids’ smiles to their hugs, the entire event was so heartwarming. I hope everyone of these kids has a wonderful holiday.”

Bruce Aiken Elementary School Principal Dora Fasci-Marquez said toy donations are sought every year because for many of the children, this keeps the magic of the holiday alive.

“We are so grateful and thankful to TSC for doing this for our students,” she said. “They are all so excited and happy, and unfortunately, for a lot of them, this will be their only gift. This has been a wonderful act of kindness and a wish come true for all of us.”

Sandoval said one of TSC’s goals is to serve its community, and this is one of many events that is hosted as a way to give back.

“At TSC, we know how important it is to help each other,” she said. “We look forward to the new year as we continue to serve, and Angel Tree is one that we plan on hosting for many years to come.”