Texas State Technical College (TSTC) has always been a different kind of institution—one built on the belief that education should lead directly to great-paying jobs and a better future for Texans. That mission has guided the college for decades. But in recent years, the landscape shifted faster than anyone expected.

Texas industries were booming. Workforce shortages intensified across power and construction, healthcare, aviation, transportation, and technology. Employers needed more skilled workers than the state’s talent pipeline could produce.

And students?
They needed guidance, clarity, and connection—delivered in ways that matched their lives, schedules, and expectations.

TSTC saw both a challenge and an opportunity: Could they scale statewide, serve more students, and still deliver the personal, high-touch experience they were known for?

The answer would come through a bold digital transformation—and a partnership designed for institutions ready to grow.

Across 11 campuses, from Harlingen to New Braunfels to Waco, classrooms, shops, and labs filled with future welders, lineworkers, aircraft techs, software developers, and healthcare professionals.

TSTC was growing—fast.
But growth alone wasn’t enough.

The college needed to protect something even more important: the student experience.

Where Scale Meets Strain

Growth brought challenges that many institutions know all too well:

• Advisors juggling expanding caseloads
• Students needing answers after hours
• Complex communication workflows spread across systems
• New programs launching in emerging fields at unprecedented speed
• Rising expectations for personalization and immediacy
  

TSTC’s teams were committed, creative, and deeply invested in student success—but human capacity alone could only stretch so far.

The college needed infrastructure that could grow at the speed of Texas.

They needed a partner, not just a platform.

The Turning Point: Introducing Element451

The transformation began with a question:

What if every prospective student felt personally supported—no matter the time of day, campus, or question?

What followed was a complete reimagining of communication, personalization, and student engagement.

Element451 became the connective tissue behind TSTC’s statewide enrollment experience—powering conversations, nudges, workflows, and insights that helped students move from inquiry to confident enrollment.

AI opened the door.

Personalization carried students through.

And TSTC’s mission gave the transformation its heart.

A Unified, Seamless Student Journey

With Element451 integrated deeply into Workday and campus workflows, TSTC created the kind of journey students want:

• Messages triggered by student behavior—not batch emails
• Consistent nudges that guided students through admissions and financial aid
• Personalized communications by campus, program, and interest
• Clear visibility for staff into where each student was in the process

Students felt known.
Staff felt supported.
Leadership felt connected to the full lifecycle.

Meanwhile… Something Else Was Happening in Texas

As TSTC modernized the student experience, its visibility surged.

A revitalized statewide media strategy—paired with strong digital storytelling—helped TSTC become:

The #1 Most Recognized Two-Year College Brand in Texas.

(More recognized than WGU in statewide benchmarks.)

Creative excellence blossomed too, earning:

• ADDY Awards
• Telly Awards
• Trailblazer recognitions
  

Brand was no longer just a marketing asset.

It became a catalyst for enrollment.

Students Not Only Chose TSTC—They Thrived

Even amidst rapid expansion, the student experience remained exceptional:

The Workforce Impact Is Undeniable

Over the past decade, TSTC helped put more Texans into high-paying jobs than ever before:

A Special Note on Military-Affiliated Students

TSTC’s deep military heritage remains central to its identity.

With Element451 supporting responsive communication and clearer pathways, military-affiliated enrollment grew 15%, supported by new partnerships, better transitions, and expanded services.

These are students with unique needs—and TSTC ensured they never navigated the journey alone.

The Story Today

TSTC’s growth is more than a set of metrics.
It’s a reflection of an institution that believes scaling does not mean compromising.

It means evolving.
It means simplifying.
It means meeting students where they are—with clarity, warmth, and efficiency.

Element451 didn’t change TSTC’s mission.
It strengthened it.

Looking Forward

With new programs launching—semiconductor, electrical construction, building construction, industrial maintenance—the momentum continues.

And with Element451 powering communication, AI engagement, and lifecycle support, TSTC is equipped to grow with confidence.

This is more than enrollment success.
It’s a statewide workforce story.
It’s a student experience story.
It’s a Texas story.

And it’s just getting started.