A scholar with a 4.0 and a dream, Joshua Barron will graduate Friday with his Associate of Applied Science degree in Software & Business Management Accounting.

Barron, served as President of the Student Government Association and Vice President of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

“I am looking forward to getting into the field full time, and also pursuing a bachelor’s degree,” Barron said.

Barron chose the degree for the business aspects of it.

“There are a lot of things in the field I found interesting like learning how to operate and manage a business, keeping records of inventory and accounting and daily operations,” he said. “My long-term goal is to start my own business.”

Barron will speak, representing the Brownwood campus, at Friday’s ceremony, joining the 143 students who will walk the stage at TSTC’s Spring Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center.

According to O*NET OnLine, Texas expects a 21 percent increase in jobs for Bookkeeping, Accounting and Auditing Clerks over the next seven years. TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science and a certificate in Software & Business Management Accounting. For those with previous knowledge, a level two certificate is also available.

TSTC has more than 1,000 candidates for graduation this spring across the state.

TSTC offers specialized, hands-on instructional courses leading to Associate of Applied Science degrees and Certificates of Completion, in areas such as chemical dependency counseling, electromechanical technology, nursing and welding.

TSTC is enrolling now. To apply, visit www.tstc.edu.