The August 2016 opening of Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus is around the corner and Alfonso Medrano is the newest addition to the faculty team.

The Houston native has been named the Telecommunications Technology instructor and he comes to the college classroom with extensive field experience.

“I’ve only been with TSTC a short time, but I’m so impressed already,” said Medrano. “I’ve met great people with such positive attitudes. They are what make every day a great day to come to work.”

Medrano began his career in Telecommunications with Time Warner Cable after earning his associate degree in 1999 from Education America in Electronics and Computer Technology. He worked for Time Warner for 15 years, before deciding to make the change into education.

At Time Warner, the TSTC instructor started as a technician, became a certified technician within one year and moved up the ladder as an electronics technician, contract coordinator, before finally ending his career with Time Warner as an analyst for their Center of Excellence.

“I loved my career, I loved what I was doing,” said Medrano. “But I also felt the need to teach my skills. To make a difference in someone’s life and his/her career. It was time for me to share my knowledge, challenges and experiences. That’s what brought me to TSTC.”

Medrano said he has big goals for his students and his classroom. He said the most important job duty he has is making his students and their education a number one priority.

“It’s my job to make sure that my students understand everything I teach them,” said Medrano. “I need to make sure they are ready and fully prepared for the field. It’s my duty to expose them to all of the tools they will use in the industry and make sure they receive the best hands-on training, which TSTC already offers.”

Another one of Medrano’s main goals is to maintain and create new contacts in the telecommunications industry to help his students find good-paying jobs straight out of his program.

“My job doesn’t stop in the classroom,” said Medrano. “I need to help these students find jobs to begin their career. And ultimately, I want industry to be calling us requesting our students because of how skilled they are.”

Telecommunication Technology is a new program at TSTC in Fort Bend County that will begin in August with the opening of the new campus, and Medrano said he is honored to be the founding instructor.

When Medrano is not working, he is busy being a student himself. He is currently attending Walden University online to complete his doctorate in General Psychology and is already working on his dissertation.

Medrano also holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and a master’s degree in Psychology.

“It’s always been a life goal of mine to earn a PhD,” said Medrano. “It’s been a challenge because I’m a family man, so studying time has definitely cut into family time. But my wife and kids have been very supportive and I’m so close to finishing.”

Medrano is married with two children, a daughter who is 13-years-old and a son who is 11. On his time off he enjoys spending quality time with them and coaching boxing and baseball, two activities his children are actively involved in respectively.

“My kids are awesome, they’re my life,” said Medrano. “There is always something to do and they teach me something new every day.”

Ultimately, Medrano hopes to grow with TSTC and eventually earn a department chair title, but for now he is thankful for the opportunity he has been given to share his skill and knowledge with the future employees of the telecommunications field.

For more information on Telecommunications Technology call 832-223-0608.

Registration for Summer and Fall 2016 is already in progress. To register or apply anytime visit tstc.edu.