WACO, Texas — The Spring 2025 Commencement at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) will celebrate the achievements of three aspiring graduates, including Sophia Castillo from Temple. The event takes place on Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the BASE at Extraco Events Center, emphasizing the growing participation of women in the field of Avionics Technology.
This semester, over five female students are set to graduate from TSTC’s Avionics Technology program, elevating the total number of women who have graduated since 2014 to more than 18.
“When I think of anything technical, I think of it as more male-dominated stuff, so I am glad I am able to have the community to connect with women like that,” said Sophia Castillo, reflecting on her unique experiences in the program and the camaraderie she found among her peers.
Drawn to avionics after exploring the program, Castillo has acquired valuable skills in soldering, reading schematics, and circuit building. She aims to leverage these skills to pursue a career in Central Texas.
Calleigh Chau from Hewitt shares a similar enthusiasm for the program. With a lifelong fascination with aerospace, she found the technical challenges invigorating. “I really enjoyed learning more about how things actually work,” she stated, expressing her intentions to continue her studies in engineering at McLennan Community College, with aspirations in the aerospace sector.
Amy Nolasco of Corsicana highlighted the career opportunities in avionics, noting the industry’s current demand for qualified professionals. “There are not that many avionics people in the industry,” she remarked, indicating her optimism about job prospects post-graduation.
TSTC continues to enroll students for upcoming semesters, with information available at tstc.edu. The institution remains committed to fostering diversity in technical fields while equipping students with essential skills for future careers.
