TSTC earns first Military Spouse Friendly designation

For the first time Texas State Technical College has been recognized as a Military Spouse Friendly school for 2019-2020 by Viqtory.

Viqtory is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, education and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse and Military Friendly brands.

TSTC Veterans Center Director Steve Guevara said this award reinforces the college's commitment to military service members, veterans and their families.

"This is the first year we receive the Military Spouse Friendly recognition, and it's a great honor," said Guevara. "We continuously work to improve our services and ensure that we provide the best resources and assistance for veterans and their families."

A press release released by Viqtory states that since 2009, the Military Spouse Friendly schools list has been a reliable resource for military spouses and has set a standard for higher education institutions to provide the best post-secondary education experiences for spouses of service members.

"The Military Spouse Friendly Schools designation helps military spouses select schools that will support them in their education journey by meeting their unique needs as a part of a military family," said Brian Hucik, National Program Manager, Military Friendly. "Schools that are selected for the list are at the forefront of supporting the goals of military spouses."

TSTC'S Veterans Center serves more than 850 military service members, veterans and their dependents including TSTC alumna and spouse to a veteran Stephanie Garcia.

Garcia, who graduated with an associate degree in Business Management Technology, now works for TSTC as a student recruitment representative and said that she would not be where she is today without TSTC'S Veteran Center.

"The veteran center is a support system for veterans and their families," said Garcia, who was also a student worker employee at the center. "I knew that when I was there I was never alone."

Garcia said that Guevara and his colleague, Veteran Program Officer Jose Villegas, assisted her with the application process for her educational benefits.

She would also use the Veterans Center for its computer lab and printer and for studying and relaxing.

"I got to experience the difference the center makes in someone's life first hand," said Garcia. "There, everyone is going through the same thing