Machining Technology student

Statement of Purpose 

TSTC’s legislated purpose or mission is described in Vernon’s Texas Education Code Section 135.01:

  • The Texas State Technical College System is a co-educational two-year institution of higher education offering courses of study in technical-vocational education for which there is a demand within the state of Texas.
  • The Texas State Technical College System shall contribute to the educational and economic development of the State of Texas by offering occupationally-oriented programs with supporting academic coursework, emphasizing highly specialized advanced and emerging technical and vocational areas for certificates or associate degrees. The Texas State Technical College System is authorized to serve the State of Texas through excellence in instruction, public service, faculty and manpower research and economic development. The system’s economic development efforts to improve the competitiveness of Texas business and industry include exemplary centers of excellence in technical program clusters on the system’s campuses and support of educational research commercialization initiatives. Through close collaboration with business, industry, governmental agencies and communities, including public and private secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, the system shall facilitate and deliver an articulated and responsive technical education system.
  • In developing and offering highly specialized technical programs with related supportive coursework, primary consideration shall be placed on industrial and technological manpower needs of the state. The emphasis of each Texas State Technical College System campus shall be on advanced or emerging technical programs not commonly offered by public junior colleges.

:: Expanded Statement of Purpose

TSTC Harlingen is a unique college which offers technical and academic programs and courses of statewide demand for the 21st Century while emphasizing, in particular, the needs of the Rio Grande Valley.  The college provides opportunities for both immediate employment and seamless transfer of credits to other colleges and universities.  Programs include A.S. and A.A.S. degrees, a General Education Core with options for particular fields of study, certificates of completion, and workforce certificates.

TSTC Harlingen’s open admissions policy makes higher education and training programs and courses available to all and results in diverse curriculum offerings. The college emphasizes study through multiple instructional delivery systems and actively seeks involvement of high school and non-traditional students in its programs.   Appropriate assessment and placement into educational programs and innovative approaches to education are essential in meeting the needs of students and industry.

TSTC Harlingen recognizes that it must prepare students for the 21st Century by providing for the holistic personal and professional development of our students through student services, organizations, and other activities.  By utilizing a comprehensive master plan approach, TSTC Harlingen assures the vitality of its programs for today’s industrial and academic demands and tomorrow’s challenges.

:: Vision and Values

Texas State Technical Colleges will be a leader in strengthening the competitiveness of Texas business and industry by building the state’s capacity to develop the highest quality workforce.

Innovation - Creating and implementing new ideas and methods

Responsiveness - Providing appropriate programs and services in a proactive, flexible, and timely manner

Leadership - Developing the visions and strategies for a desired future, and aligning and energizing people to achieve those visions

Excellence - Achieving the highest quality in all we do

Collaboration - Working cooperatively with other organizations and within our own system

Accountability - Measuring our performance and using the results for improvement

Stewardship - Ensuring our programs and services add value to our students and communities throughout the state, and operate in accordance with the public trust for which we are responsible