Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Brownwood readies for a new semester with registration on Monday, August 1st; however students are in for a treat with the completion of the newly remodeled campus. The first class of the new semester will be August 29th.
Friday morning, July 29th, staff began moving into the newly remodeled building that is known best as “the old Montgomery Ward building” located in the 300 block of Main Street. Previously, the campus shared the front half of the building with the Department of Human Services according to Associate Vice President of Enrollment Brian Kight. This area is now renovated for more classroom space, an engineering lab, video conferencing room and a multipurpose room equipped with a kitchen.
Not only is the extra space something to be excited about, but the renovations completed by Waldrop Construction of Brownwood and designed by Huckaby and Associates are very modern, open and inviting. Staff hopes that new students feel like it is a welcoming atmosphere.
“We wanted something with a ‘wow’ factor which was also open and inviting,” stated Kight. “The past president of TSTC described the plans for the new remodel as a geode; you have to come inside the building to enjoy. We decided to spend the money on the interior where the students are rather than the exterior.”
As you enter the main building of the campus, guests are welcomed by an open space designed around a star, with a lounge area, several windows of student services/admissions clerks and a very modern look with columns and a stunning library area. The library is aesthetically pleasing with a wall of angled windows, sitting areas and even a coffee bar which will also have snack machines.
The campus is designed throughout with an open feeling. Many of the areas are open, such as the faculty room which has desk areas situated in a large office rather than personal offices/cubicles for each instructor. One large teaching area is surrounded by hallways and a single back wall, which is in actuality a large dry erase board. Instructors have a large area to teach and hopefully those walking through the hallway will have a chance to see just what innovative learning is happening at TSTC.
The multipurpose room includes a kitchenette and room for tables or a classroom setting. According to Kight, this will be an area that can be used for convocations or even student holiday events and that the public and organizations may be able to utilize. Each room in the campus is equipped with a sound system and a projector. One room is even being purposed as a video conferencing room for faculty and staff to communicate with the other campuses of TSTC.
Classrooms are roomy and ready for the potential growth the campus may experience due to the remodel and its hopeful attraction for new students.
“The classes are good sized, as we grow, we will have that needed space,” said Kight.
Classes are filling according to Kight, who stated there are still three weeks to get registered and get financial aid in place.
TSTC offers a new “smart start” program to get started in school for just $100. This program helps students bridge the gap between high school and college and also offers tutoring or refresher courses for those who have been out of school for a number of years.
Kight stated that TSTC works to find the right fit for students through their career exploration. Staff helps students determine their interests and develop students with a purpose, getting them into the right programs in the beginning so that they graduate into a career that fits their personality and skills.
This remodeling project is being completed in a very appropriate time frame as TSTC will celebrate 20 years at the Brownwood campus. In the near future, TSTC will have an open house, ribbon cutting and 20th birthday celebration for the campus.
“The community has been a huge support and that is why we (TSTC) are here,” stated Kight. “The city gave us the property so that we could do this remodeling.”
Kight explained that TSTC would not be in Brownwood without the help of the city, Brownwood Economic Development Corporation, and other individuals who helped to get the campus opened 20 years ago.
Pictured above, TSTC entry with view of the library. Below are more pictures of the renovated campus.
View of entry at TSTC Brownwood.
Library interior.
Lounge area
Faculty Office
Multipurpose room
Engineering Lab (also known as mechatronics).
Associate VP Brian Kight draws on the dry erase wall.