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“Message from the Interim President”
My experience the past six years as vice president for student learning – and through other academic administrative capacities at TSTC since I came here in 1991 – prepared me to take on this leadership challenge. The Industrial/Manufacturing Technology, Computer Information Systems and Allied Health Technology represent the historic foundation of our college. Our college possesses first-rate faculty and support personnel, comfortable classrooms, state-of-the-art equipment and modern laboratory facilities where students gain hands-on experience in professional environments. We also offer quality extra-curricular activities to enhance and reinforce the Associate of Applied Science degrees and Certificates of Completion awarded in more than 30 technical programs. The Academic Core with 48 credits in the General Education Division transferable to all four-year public universities in Texas gives all students a potential springboard to higher education. Agreements signed this past spring include an expansion of our existing articulation arrangement with Texas A&M-Kingsville and a new connection with the University of Texas-San Antonio that would allow TSTC students to transfer 60 credits to UTSA. We urge students in our technical programs to take advantage of our existing accords with the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg to strive toward higher technology degrees and four-year degrees. Our most recent campus highlights include construction of the new Cultural Arts Center, expansion of classroom and laboratory space in the state Sen. Eddie Lucio Health Science Technology Building, and the addition of a Diesel Technology laboratory to the Transportation Technology Building. In cooperation with surrounding school districts, there is a tremendous growth in Dual Enrollment classes for high school students. The Early College High School operated by the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District is halfway toward its goal of 400 students. A new program for licensed, vocational nurses (LVN) will open in August 2009. Our enrollment – thanks to recruitment teamwork throughout our departments – reached a record high of more than 6,000 students for fall semester 2008. I am optimistic that TSTC Harlingen will improve upon its reputation as a key player in the region’s economy and a driving force for the state’s technical workforce. We plan to strengthen our partnerships with businesses and industries while simultaneously boosting the Academic Core to make our diplomas increasingly valuable. |
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It’s an honor to fill the role of interim president at Texas State Technical College Harlingen. Dr. J. Gilbert Leal retired as president at the end of August 2008 after 30 years at the helm. He led us to establish very high standards of excellence in our technical and academic programs, and we remain dedicated to providing students with opportunities to achieve successful careers.