The Trinity Perspective - Winter 2023

WINTER 2023

The Whole Student Helping our Tigers succeed academically, physically, and mentally

More than a school,

more than a student.

At Trinity University, Tigers are students, and they are also athletes, musicians, artists, activists, and more—they are young people forging bright futures. When you say “yes” to Trinity, you are welcomed into a community committed to openness, authenticity, and intentional inclusion.

And throughout your whole college journey, we’ll provide you with the support resources you need in order to succeed—in whatever way you define success.

Flip through these pages to see how Trinity brings learning to life inside and outside of the classroom and after graduation—emboldening graduates for lives of meaning and purpose.

The Trinity Perspective magazine offers a glimpse into the many ways Trinity University prepares students to lead lives of meaning and purpose. Trinity is known for its stimulating, resourceful, and collaborative environment, filled with students who want an education that instills confidence, inspires curiosity, and ignites change. Flip through these pages to see for yourself!

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THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS Trinity University One Trinity Place San Antonio, Texas 78212 admissions@trinity.edu www.trinity.edu/admissions 1-800-TRINITY

Trinity University is a private, residential, co-educational institution in the heart of vibrant, intercultural San Antonio.

Trinity offers its 2,500 undergraduate students a hands-on education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences that integrates conceptual and experiential learning, emphasizes undergraduate research, and develops strong leadership skills.

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Bringing Learning to Life From the classroom to the real world and beyond, Trinity students engage with hands-on learning opportunities throughout the academic year and summer. Alongside their faculty or staff mentors, Tigers conduct groundbreaking research and intern with nonprofits and national employers, gaining real-world experience in their fields or careers of interest. They build their professional and problem-solving skills—and have fun in the process!

Meet Tigers who brought learning to life this summer, and hear how this experience helped them discover new things about themselves and the world they will enter after graduation.

Omarree Kimbrough ’25

Meet Omarree Kimbrough ’25, an applied physics major who worked with physics professor Orrin Shindell, Ph.D., to better understand some of the properties of molecular glasses. Funded by the McNair Scholars Program, Omarree says this summer project was the perfect chance to work closely with his mentor and explore a future in research.

“Working alongside Dr. Shindell was a fantastic experience. He gave us a lot of independence in the lab, but he was always ready to assist us when we encountered a problem that we couldn’t solve ourselves,” Omarree says.

Omarree spent his summer days creating two-dimensional colloids (a mixture of two substances where one is suspended throughout the other) for his project. His research observed thermal forces at the microscopic level and related them to viscosity mechanics.

“Working on this project really gave me the chance to recognize my affinity toward experimental physics as well as the cross-section of chemistry and physics in the lab,” Omarree says. “I want to pursue chemical physics in graduate school and continue doing experimental physics research in characterizing physical phenomena.”

Jillian Wold ’25 and Cristian Martinez ’26 Meet sociology major Jillian Wold ’25 (second from left) and intended urban studies major Cristian Martinez ’26 (far right), who interned at Centro San Antonio, a nonprofit placemaking organization that works to create a more beautiful, welcoming, playful, and prosperous downtown San Antonio. Jillian and Cristian are two of the 44 students who conducted an internship this summer through Trinity’s Arts, Letters, and Enterprise (ALE) program, which enables students to gain business literacy while pursuing majors in the humanities, arts, social sciences, or natural sciences.

As interns at Centro San Antonio, Jillian and Cristian performed different tasks that helped Centro cultivate the city’s culture. Jillian ordered products, created videos, organized online files, handled public space inventory, secured grants, and worked on Centro’s annual report.

Meanwhile, Cristian was responsible for conducting a survey to update Centro’s contact information about businesses downtown and updating their website’s map of available retail spaces.

This internship provided these two Tigers with insightful professional experience. “I learned how impactful placemaking can be on individuals and communities,” Jillian says.

“I’ve mastered how to read body language and subtext more effectively, gained a deeper understanding of the urban experience, discovered my creative process, and learned the difference between practice and experience,” Cristian adds.

Ollie Bowen ’24

Meet Ollie Bowen ’24, a biochemistry and molecular biology major who investigated the “Prevalence and Impact of the Model Minority Stereotype on Asian-American Students at Trinity University” through Trinity’s Mellon Initiative Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

The model minority stereotype falsely labels all Asian Americans as academically skilled, driven, and successful, and studies have shown that this can have detrimental mental health effects on the community. Ollie researched the impact of this stereotype in the Trinity community by interviewing a small focus group of Asian-American Trinity students.

“As a biracial Chinese and Caucasian student who grew up in a majority Asian environment, the model minority stereotype has deeply affected me, my friends, and my family, and this project let me learn more about the struggles that others have experienced under the label,” they say. “I’m currently planning to go into teaching, and this research made me more aware of the ways teachers impact their students. When people talk about racial issues in the U.S., Asian Americans are often left out of the conversation, and I think it’s important to learn about their struggles, too.”

Hoops and Health Care AJ Clark ’22, M’24 receives prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

by James Hill ’76

AJ Clark ’22, M’24 had decided to work in the sports field for his career.

After all, AJ was a standout basketball player for the Trinity University men’s team from 2018 to 2023, receiving a COVID-19 exemption for eligibility. But some world events changed AJ’s mind about his future.

“I came to a crossroads toward the end of my sophomore year when COVID hit,” AJ explains. “The world shut down except for health care. At that point, I was not sure if sports was what I wanted to do, so I started asking people what they were doing. The work my sister was doing as a nurse truly inspired me and made me realize that I wanted to work in health care. I always wanted to do something that mattered, and obviously, health care was the field that mattered the most.”

The work my sister was doing as a nurse truly inspired me and made me realize that I wanted to work in health care.

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AJ Clark ’22, M’24 is excited to begin his one-year internship with the Methodist Healthcare System in the San Antonio area in January 2024.

AJ talked with various alumni from Trinity’s health care administration program. “After these conversations,” he says, “the light bulb clicked. I saw a lot of parallels with the job to sports. What I liked in sports—the leadership and teamwork— could be combined with a career in health care.”

AJ earned a Bachelor of Science from Trinity in 2022 in business analytics and technology, with minors in communication management and sport management. While balancing academics, he had an outstanding basketball career at the University, leading the team as a captain his final year.

In 2021, he and three other Trinity players trained with the U.S. Olympic 3x3 Women’s Basketball team, which went on to win gold in the Olympics. In the 2022-23 basketball season, AJ averaged 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while the team finished 20-7 and placed second in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). He was selected as the SCAC Man of the Year, which honors student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service, and leadership.

AJ was named the 2022-23 SCAC Defensive Player of the Year and was a First Team All-SCAC honoree. AJ also earned his third consecutive SCAC Elite 19 award, presented to a player with the

highest GPA in a sport. He also was elected to the College Sports Communicators (formerly College Sports Information Directors of America) All-District Team for the third straight season. The National Association of Basketball Coaches named AJ to the organization’s Honors Court on two occasions.

The pièce de résistance occurred in June 2023 when AJ was awarded a prestigious $10,000 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, which he is using to earn his Master of Health Care Administration at Trinity. The coveted scholarship is awarded to only 21 men and 21 women in all NCAA divisions during a particular season. However, the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship isn’t the last of AJ’s awards. In November 2023, he received a Future Texas Business Legend Award from the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation.

In January, AJ will begin his required one-year internship to complete his graduate degree, gaining experience with the Methodist Healthcare System in the San Antonio area.

“The traditional track of a lot of alumni is to get to the C-suite in hospital operations,” AJ says of his future in health care administration. “I’m really excited to start at Methodist, and I want to learn as much as I can. I can’t wait to make a difference in the community with my future career.”

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Connecting Across Cultures Tigers learn outside of the classroom and outside of the country. Trinity’s vast study abroad options offer flexible curricula and hands-on experiences that make students better-informed global citizens. These study abroad programs give Tigers the opportunity to stop, listen, experience, and engage in conversations that expand their understanding of themselves and the world.

Meet Tigers who found their place in the world through their summer study abroad experiences.

Dario in Madrid “This summer in Madrid has been by far the best experience I’ve had at Trinity,” says Dario Leal ’25, a political science and economics major and philosophy minor who participated in Trinity’s Madrid Summer Internship Program.

In the program, students develop their professional skills through an internship where they are challenged to speak Spanish only. Dario worked at a hotel company, where he learned about problem-solving and gained firsthand insight into how a large company manages its finances. On the weekends, Dario explored the beautiful city of Madrid through field trips organized by Trinity.

“I grew so much and learned how to be completely independent,” he says.

“Navigating Madrid by myself and traveling through Spain prepared me to embark on a journey of a lifetime. I return not only as an experienced professional but also as an experienced traveler.”

Trinity in Japan For Trinity (Trin) Hatchett ’25, a political science major and sociology minor, studying abroad through the Trinity Japan Program was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

From walking at the Fushimi Inari Taisha to reflecting at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and living with a host family, Trin had the opportunity to connect with many different representations of Japanese culture this past summer.

“While I learned so much about Japanese culture, business, and politics, this experience taught me about myself and the ability to effectively communicate with others,” Trin says. “I now have the words to be able to clearly define my own culture and belief system and also have the capacity to distinguish the values of other cultures, like Japan, and the beauty within other lifestyles.”

Watch day-in-the-life videos from our Tigers’ summer study abroad trips.

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Called to Conservation Alumna’s summer study abroad experience in Costa Rica comes full circle

by Kenneth Caruthers ’15

Sarah Wicks ’21 has always felt drawn to wildlife and the natural world, and through internships and interdisciplinary studies at Trinity University, Sarah realized her calling was conservation.

Sarah works as a movement ecology field biologist with Osa Conservation (Conservación Osa), an NGO in the Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, preserving and protecting some of Earth’s wildest places.

This isn’t Sarah’s first time in Costa Rica. In Summer 2018, she studied abroad in Trinity’s “Costa Rican Ecology” field course led by David Ribble ’82, Ph.D., dean of the School of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics. “I wholeheartedly credit the course and Dr. Ribble for changing the way I think about tropical conservation,” she says.

Sarah’s journey came full circle this past summer when she had the privilege of receiving the 2023 Trinity “Costa Rican Ecology” students and professors during their fieldwork at the Osa Conservation campus. “It was such a joy and inspiration to see the passion the students have for their work and to reconnect with fantastic mentors,” Sarah says.

Like many of these students, Sarah’s time abroad was foundational to her undergraduate experience. She encourages students who are on the fence about studying abroad to take the plunge.

“A leap of faith is always scary, but I can guarantee you’ll be glad you took it. There is truly no better time in life to have the entirely unique experience that study abroad provides,” Sarah says. “Immersing yourself in an unfamiliar environment takes you out of your comfort zone in the best way, and chances are good you’ll create lifelong friendships and find new passions to chase while you do it.”

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SGA Invests $100,000 for Student Mental Wellness Initiative Trinity dedicates resources for its holistic approach to student well-being

by Jeanna Goodrich Balreira ’08

After a unanimous vote of support, Trinity University’s Student Government Association (SGA) is committing $100,000 toward a new mental wellness initiative for Trinity students, the largest single-sum commitment ever made

by SGA. Initiated through SGA by Trinity President Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D., this mental wellness initiative brings together the Office of the President, SGA, and Integrated Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services in an effort to truly impact student mental wellness and demonstrate a campus-wide commitment to improving student mental wellness.

“Our goal is to reach students where they are, and in a variety of ways, to ensure each student has access to the kinds of support they need,” says Marlaina Widmann, coordinator of Student Wellness. “A stepped care approach to mental wellness allows Trinity to dedicate more resources to the steps before counseling services or other professional care, such as self-care and self-help information; peer support; stress, sleep, and lifestyle management; and, of course, puppies!”

Learn more about wellness at Trinity at gotu.us/wellness.

The new mental wellness initiative will have eight primary components: 1. Expanded programming and outreach, including the growth of Mental Health Awareness Week

5. MANUAL, an evidence-based service to decrease the gender gap in seeking care

2. Increased workshop facilitation around topics such as holistic wellness, mindfulness, and setting boundaries

6. TigerConnect, a program to increase connections and reduce loneliness

3. New dog therapy program comprised of faculty and staff dog teams to serve the campus community

7. Student Wellness Advisory Board composed of student representatives across campus

4. Training for faculty and staff addressing mental health in the classroom and in on-campus student work environments

8. LGBTQIA+ Focus Group to seek student input and address health disparities

Hear From a Tiger Prioritizing mental health is one of the most important parts of college life, and Ayanna Blake ’25 says connecting with Trinity’s counseling services and professors has helped her excel mentally, physically, and academically.

Financial Aid Application Dates Students applying for financial aid should submit the CSS Profile by their admissions application deadline. The FAFSA will be required for a confirmed financial aid offer and should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1.

Explore Campus We invite you to visit our skyline campus near downtown San Antonio, a historically designated 125-acre campus featuring state-of-the-art facilities, red brick buildings, native live oaks, and sparkling fountains. See for yourself why Trinity University is the perfect place to learn and grow.

Learn more about these visit options at gotu.us/visit.

Trinity In Focus Saturdays

Open house for prospective students

January 27, 2024

June 29, 2024

Tours and Info Sessions

For prospective and admitted students

Monday-Friday, Select Saturdays 9:20-11:15 a.m.

Select Fridays 1:50-3:45 p.m.

Tiger Fridays

March 1, 2024 March 22, 2024

Additional afternoon options are available during our Spring Break (March 11-15).

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Available by January 1, 2024 Trinity’s school code is 003647. studentaid.gov CSS Profile Trinity’s school code is 6831. cssprofile.collegeboard.org

Preview day for admitted students

April 5, 2024 April 19, 2024

Application Deadlines

APPLICATION DEADLINE

DECISION NOTIFICATION

DEPOSIT DEADLINE

Early Decision I (binding)

Nov. 1

Dec. 1

Feb. 1

Early Action

Nov. 1

Dec. 15

May 1

Early Decision II (binding)

Feb. 1

March 1

March 15

Regular Decision

Feb. 1

March 15

May 1

Apply now at trinity.edu/apply.

Seniors–it’s not too late! You can still apply Early Decision.

This year, a record-breaking 150 students in the Class of 2027 enrolled through Trinity’s binding Early Decision program, a 39% increase compared to the previous enrollment cycle. Trinity’s early application plans allow prospective students to get ahead of the competition and stand out among a smaller applicant pool.

If you’re ready to take advantage of the expert faculty, beautiful campus, and first-rate resources and opportunities at Trinity, apply today via Early Decision II* and receive your admissions decision and scholarship eligibility by March 1. To learn more about Early Decision and to request an early financial aid estimate, visit gotu.us/earlydecision. *This program is a binding agreement. Students are ethically bound to apply Early Decision to only one school and will be expected to attend if offered admission.

Apply for Specialized Scholarships Trinity offers these scholarships that require separate applications: • Storer & Tillman Scholarships for Developing Christian Leaders: need-based awards for student servant-leaders (December 1 deadline) • Baker Duncan Fine Arts Scholarships: awards for students with special interests in art, debate, and theatre (February 7 deadline) • Music Scholarships: awards for students interested in continuing involvement in vocal or instrumental music (February 24 deadline) Find more information at gotu.us/financialaid.

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QUICK FACTS Private, undergraduate-focused, residential, co-educational Founded in 1869 6 minutes from San Antonio International Airport Located in America’s 7th largest city

2,581

undergraduates from 45 states and 41 countries A D M IT T ED S TUDENT P RO FILE Fall 2023 Entry Term

3.81

mean GPA core, unweighted 4.0 scale

30-34

mid 50% ACT mean: 32

9:1 student-to-faculty ratio acre campus located in 125 a residential neighborhood minutes from downtown 6 San Antonio

1350-1480

97% of faculty hold doctoral or terminal degrees

mid 50% SAT mean: 1413

11,425 applications

28%

admit rate

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