Former student cycles his way back to college, SGA presidency

How does one go from being a college dropout to Student Government Association president? Just ask Kyle Trevithick.

This tall, lanky, unassuming surfer blonde who rides his bicycle 20 miles roundtrip each day to and from class didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life when he first enrolled at Daytona State College over a decade ago. He was fresh out of Spruce Creek High School and liked computer programming, but wasn’t sure it was something he would want to make a career. So, he just signed up for some general education courses.

Unfortunately, Kyle just couldn’t get his groove going during those early college days, weeks and months, what with surfing, music and a whole wide world out there waiting to be explored. “I just didn’t have the motivation,” he recalled.

“I wanted to see what the world was like without school, so I decided to take a year break, which wound up being 13 years.”

Kyle spent those years working various jobs, including a long-term gig at a landmark Daytona Beach record store – Atlantic Sounds.

Then last year, his father passed away and things changed. “Some kind of switch went off,” he said. “I realized that the way I was going through life wasn’t going to work, and

And make things happen he has. Now in his sophomore year at DSC, Kyle, 32, is well on his way to earning his Associate of Science in Computer Programming and Analysis. He has a student work-study job at the Advanced Technology College, where he is getting hands-on experience related to his major, and he plans to continue after earning his AS degree to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree at DSC.

He took a cue from Benjamin Franklin in becoming involved with student government. “I kind of look up to people like him who are good at different things,” he said. “Franklin invented things and also was involved with politics, so I figured I would come back to school and get more involved.”

Bruce Cook, assistant dean of student life, has been mentoring Kyle since he returned to school. “When I first met Kyle, I saw a lot of hidden potential and enthusiasm for both learning and getting involved on campus. He managed to balance his school work with involvement in SGA and other student clubs. In his own quiet way, he is very task-oriented and works through any setbacks that get in the way of his goals. These are admirable qualities for an SGA president and ultimately a successful student.”

Kyle said he hopes to see more student involvement in campus life in the coming year, as well as a focus on environmentally friendly campus initiatives. “Even little things like drives to get students to stop using plastic straws – some steps that would create awareness and reduce how much waste goes out into the world.” It’s at least part of the reason he rides a bicycle instead of driving a car.

“It’s healthy, good on the environment and low cost.”

Kyle doesn’t advise students to stop attending college if they’re not sure about their career goals. ”It’s easy to let the years slip away from you, for one year to become 10 years,” he said. “I would advise people to take general education classes, even if it’s only part time, get them out of the way, and when you figure out something that you like, you can take courses that are specific to your major.”

For Kyle, it’s a path that has made all the difference.