Archives: News Stories

 -Josue Manishimwe ’25

Many questions linger in the minds of international students as they embark on the daunting yet exciting application process to study abroad, like whether they will be able to succeed, how they will be accepted as students from another country, and more. Upon reading Trinity Christian College’s commitment to diversity: “Because our mission in Christian higher education is not limited by ethnic or cultural differences, we consciously seek to develop a multiethnic, multinational, and multi-denominational student body. We affirm our commitment to work toward greater diversity not only in regard to our racial, ethnic, and cultural demographic but also in regard to acceptance, appreciation, honor, and equality within our campus climate.” Students can find a sense of reassurance and know that Trinity Christian College is not only the place for international students to succeed but is also committed to ensuring that international students are set up to thrive.

The Office of International Students and Academic Services (OISAS) meets the unique needs of international students that arise from the application to the orientation stage of a student. Trinity Christian College understands the need to provide communication and help to students from a central focal point.

International students must settle, feel at home, understand campus culture, and learn institutional norms to thrive. Trinity Christian College came up with several compulsory courses that seek to ensure an international student is familiarized with the norms of the school and its Christian values, the faculty, students, the city of Chicago, and its suburbs, and engage students in topics that will build and hone their thinking and writing processes. The aim is holistic development, enabling students to integrate into the school and broader American community.

One international student, Asaph PradodeMeloFigueiredo, explained how the classes in nearby Chicago enabled him to learn more about the city and surrounding communities. He explained that it would have been impossible if f he had tried to do that on his own, but Trinty bridged that gap to make it possible.

Finally, the Cooper Center assists international students in finding internships, part-time work, and opportunities to put their education into practice. Although courses and programs aid acculturation, students may need help launching their careers.

By providing specialized offices, programs, and courses, Trinity compounded what international students need to become formidable forces academically and socially, enabling them to stride confidently towards a better future.

Click here to learn more about the International Student Program at Trinity Christian College.

In January, a large group of Trinity students, faculty, and staff traveled to Michigan to participate in the annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Region Three. This festival and conference series, known widely as KCACTF, was established in 1960 to highlight the excellent work of university theater programs nationwide through awards, presentations, workshops, competitions, and performances.

This year, 17 Trinity students competed, a record for the College theatre program. They were as follows:

• Justine Andre-Jackson (presented her lighting co-design for The Crucible as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)
• Nyla Bellamy (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
• Cristian Contreras (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
• Liza Gavalova (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition, auditioned for Next Steps)
• Sam Hoffman (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
• MJ Huizenga (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition, auditioned for Next Steps)
• Carlie Jenkins (wrote journalistically for the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy)
• Adriana Klein (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition, wrote journalistically for the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy, auditioned for Next Steps)
• Taylor Moes (participated in the Stage Management Intensive)
• Mikey Moore (presented his costume design for Delirium’s Daughters as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)
• Mia Musick (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition and acted in the NPP One-Act Play Festival)
• Jared Peters (presented his lighting co-design for The Crucible as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)
• Steven Polcyn (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
• Luke Rotman (competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition)
• Bianca Sotelo (presented her unrealized scenic design as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)
• Anika Wicker (presented her stage management prompt book for The Crucible as part of the Stage Management Fellowship, participated in the Stage Management Intensive)
• Ashley Yonkman (presented her costume co-design for The Crucible as part of the Design Technology and Management Competition)

Out of this group, the following accolades were received:

• Nyla Bellamy: Semi-Finalist for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition (Top 40 Collegiate Actor in the Midwest)
• Liza Gavalova: Offered a position in the Gaiety School of Acting Summer Program at the National Theatre School of Ireland
• Adriana Kelin: Offered a position in the Gaiety School of Acting Summer Program at the National Theatre School of Ireland
• Mia Musick: Semi-Finalist for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition (Top 40 Collegiate Actor in the Midwest)

At the festival, certificates of merit are awarded for work done on productions in the region throughout the year. A Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival representative presented feedback for each mainstage show. This year, the following individuals received Certificates of Merit:

• Justine Andre-Jackson, Excellence in Lighting Design for The Crucible
• Katie Oomkes, Excellence in Scenic Design for The Crucible
• Jared Peters, Excellence in Lightning Design for The Crucible
• Ethan Santema, Excellence in Sound Design for The Crucible
• “The Cast,” Excellence in Ensemble Acting for The Crucible (this cast included 21 actors).

Katie Oomkes ’18 and Emma Schneider ’19 accompanied the students again this year. Schneider has recently joined the KCACTF leadership team as the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy Coordinator.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Trinity Theatre performance Passengers and Navigators on March 16^th and 17^th. To learn more about upcoming performances, visit the theatre box office at Trinity.

During the month of February, the Trinity community was welcomed to celebrate and enjoy a multitude of Black History Month activities, many hosted by the Black Student Union (BSU). This year included new events like the BSU Kick Back night, which offered a space to kick back, relax, and play games with friends, as well as new listening sessions each Monday morning that invited the Trinity community to enjoy refreshments while listening to the reading of excerpts from the work of Black authors.

In conjunction with Trinity Athletics, BSU hosted an R&B Night and a Blackout Night at the men’s and women’s basketball games throughout the month. These events included pizza for the students who attended and a performance by a local dance company. The BSU also held its annual Black Excellence Dinner, a formal event for students celebrating Black Heritage.

During the spring chapel series, students were challenged throughout the month of February to look to the book of John for inspiration to share their faith, fully surrender to Christ, and lean into the confidence that Christ offers us. Christian Perry ’16 shared a message at chapel on February 16^th that looked at how we are called to live humbly, in unity with one another in maturity, as was instructed to followers of Christ in Ephesians 4:1-7.

Faculty and staff were encouraged to enjoy a mid-month Mosaic event featuring Dr. Dennis Edwards, Vice President for Church Relations and Dean of Seminary at North Park, as its main speaker. Dr. Edwards shared his diverse experiences as a church planter and pastor in Brooklyn, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C.

Trinity’s annual Gospel Fest, sponsored by the Music Department, is always a popular event for students and the community to look forward to each year. Trinity’s own Gospel Choir was featured alongside other performances from students, faculty, and staff of the College. This year’s event included guest artists and focused on calling the community together to worship God as one body.

This year’s annual Black History Month Lecture was held in the Grand Lobby and was attended by faculty, staff, students, and members of the community.  This year’s speaker was Trinity Professor of History and Department Chair, Dr. David Brodnax, Sr.  Dr. Brodnax has been a faculty member since 2008.  The title of his talk was “‘As the Spirit Gave Them Ability’: A Brief History of African American Pentecostalism.”  The Black History Month Lecture was sponsored by Academic Affairs and the History Department.

Each year, Trinity looks forward to celebrating Black History Month and sharing the many God-given gifts of our students, dedicated faculty, and staff. To learn more about upcoming events at Trinity, click here.

A Prairie Faith, The Religious Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder was recently released by Professor of History Dr. John Fry.  The project has been an exciting journey for Fry, as he has long had an interest in the life and faith of Ingalls-Wilder.  During his time researching the book, Fry had the opportunity to visit many of the iconic places from her life in Minnesota, Kansas, South Dakota, and beyond.

It has been seven years since the last biography of Ingalls-Wilder was published, and while the book builds on the work of previous scholars, it presents different interpretations of her life and works than others, shining a light on Wilder’s quiet faith. He surveys the Little House books, Pioneer Girl, and Wilder’s lesser-known writings, including her letters, poems, and newspaper columns. He analyzes the sources and reveals how Wilder’s down-to-earth faith and Christian morality influenced her life and work. Interweaving these investigations with Wilder’s perennially interesting life story, A Prairie Faith illustrates the Christian practices of pioneers and rural farmers during this dynamic period of American History.

“I have been working on this project since 2016, so it is a thrill to hold the book in my hands finally,” said Fry. “I could not have completed this book without the support of the Faculty Development Committee at Trinity and the encouragement of my Trinity colleagues.”

Fry was recently featured on a podcast discussing the book, which can be found here.

If you would like to get your copy of A Prairie Faith, stop into the Trinity Christian College Bookstore to grab your copy today.

Every year, Trinity accepts extraordinary students who are dedicated to making a difference in the world. The College welcomes two Founders’ Scholars among each freshman class, whose extraordinary spiritual, academic, and social leadership sets them apart. Trinity is pleased to announce our most recent Founders’ Scholars for the incoming class of 2028, Anya Carbajal from Hanford, CA, and Danielle VanderSchaaf from Jenison, MI. As Founders’ Scholars, Carbajal and VanderSchaaf have both been awarded full-tuition scholarships to the College.

Carbajal (pictured left) plans to major in Pre-Physical Therapy and looks forward to getting involved with campus ministries and intramural sports. She is currently involved with her church in teens ministry and works as a physical therapist aide and in seasonal agriculture sales.

“When I visited Trinty last year, I was blown away by how personally each faculty member acted towards me and my friends and how faith-filled the community seemed to be. After talking with the students, I learned that many of them have grown in their faith because of the community they have built with their peers. That is a community I want to be a part of,” said Carbajal.

VanderSchaaf (pictured right) plans to major in Special Education and looks forward to joining student leadership and the honors program. She is currently involved with student council at her high school, is on the varsity soccer team and volunteers her time weekly at local organizations.

“From the moment I visited Trinity, I knew I belonged here. Everybody I met was so kind and welcoming, and the Christian community was something I quickly fell in love with. I also love the teaching program and can’t wait to be a part of it,” said VanderSchaaf.

“We are excited and honored to welcome Anya and Danielle to the Trinity community this fall,” said Andy Marks, Vice President of Athletics, Enrollment, and Financial Aid. “These two young women exhibited exceptional spiritual, academic, and social leadership.  Anya and Danielle emerged from a group of exceptionally talented student leaders who all showed how they could make the Trinity community flourish and thrive.  I cannot wait to see how both gifted students will shape, lead, and impact Trinity during their tenure.”

About Trinity Christian College

Trinity Christian College, based in Palos Heights, Ill., is an accredited Christian liberal arts college offering more than 70 programs through bachelor’s, master’s, and adult degree completion courses. Founded in 1959, the College is a community of Christian scholarship committed to shaping lives and transforming culture and is continually ranked in the top tier among Regional Colleges—Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. To learn more, visit trnty.edu.

-Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

Trinity’s graduate programs help students take the next step in their careers with rigorous coursework taught by experienced, dedicated professors. Rachel Garcia, a current graduate student at Trinity in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (CMHC), describes her graduate classes as “a small group of good people that are not only classmates but family.” Garcia adds that the CMHC program at the College differs from similar programs with its “integration of faith and psychology, which allows students to develop a deep understanding of how their faith can inform their practice as counselors.”

Trinity’s Christian approach to coursework helps students thrive individually and in a community, giving them space to discover their God-given purpose while surrounded by supportive peers and faculty. Rachel describes the faculty of the CMHC program as “not only knowledgeable but also as individuals who genuinely care about the success and well-being of their students.” A supportive environment where one can learn and grow is essential to thriving, and Trinity provides the tools needed for that growth in its graduate programs.

When asked what she wants the world to know about future counselors currently pursuing a graduate program for counseling at Trinity, Garcia says, “Counselors are here to create a safe space for individuals to explore their emotions, gain self-awareness, and develop coping strategies. We strive to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and promote a culture of openness and acceptance.”

Counselors often choose the profession because they have a passion for helping and serving others. Trinity offers many valuable opportunities for students who are passionate about service. Some of these activities include service trips, projects, and drives. Serving others helps students thrive at Trinity, as volunteering frequently influences mental health positively. An internship is required as part of the CMHC program, allowing graduate students to serve others while becoming experienced counselors ready to make a change in the world. Finding a balance between caring for others and oneself is often talked about in Rachel’s classes. Garcia has found this healthy balance by “taking breaks and engaging in activities she enjoys like exercising, spending time with loved ones, and pursuing hobbies.”

Dr. Debra Majewski, Professor of Counseling, further discusses the importance of this balance by stating that “the program’s cohort model is designed to help students structure their schedules in manageable ways to incorporate schoolwork, family, occupation, and other obligations without overburdening them.” By receiving a well-rounded education and getting involved outside of classes while maintaining a healthy balance, graduate students at Trinity go on to do amazing things.

Click here to learn more about the Graduate Programs at Trinity Christian College.

Trinity Christian College was recently featured on Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid, which aired on PBS stations nationwide. The episode promoted awareness about how Trinity is providing pathways to debt-free education through its new, transformative economic model. In the interview with Viewpoint, President Aaron Kuecker shared the ways in which the College is pushing the boundaries of higher education by offering a well-rounded approach and emphasizing overall wellness for the whole person.

Kuecker stated, “Trinity’s mission is to provide a biblically informed liberal arts education in the Reformed tradition. We want to educate students in every single discipline to be ready to participate in the life-bringing work God is doing in our neighborhoods, in our cities, in our homes, congregations, and businesses.”

He shared how the College has focused on transformation through its latest initiatives, Tuition Transparency and Access, Wellbeing Wednesday, and the Earn, Network, and Learn program. He concluded, “At every turn, we are educating our students by giving them the skills and knowledge that they need to live in this world in a way that makes a significant difference.”

Click here to view the full episode.

Trinity Christian College is pleased to announce Dr. Mackenzi Huyser has agreed to serve as Vice President for Advancement. Huyser, a 1997 alum, began her career at Trinity in 2000 and was a key leader in launching the Social Work Department. She served in various academic leadership roles at the College before becoming executive director of Chicago Semester in 2014. Over the course of her leadership, she has overseen significant transformations in program, approach, location, and engagement with the city.

Huyser holds a B.A. from Trinity Christian College in Sociology, an MSW from Grand Valley State University, and a Ph.D. from Andrews University, focusing on curriculum and instruction. She has received countless honors and awards throughout her career, written several popular and peer-reviewed publications, and actively participated in many professional associations and committees.

She is passionate about the mission and vision of Trinity, a place where she sees God’s hand at work every single day. “I love the determined and resolute spirit that lies at the foundation of Trinity,” Huyser stated. “We get the opportunity every day to serve our students and create a place where all can thrive.”

When asked how she feels about her next season at Trinity, she stated, “I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve in this new leadership role at Trinity. The vision for the Transformative Colleges Initiative is incredibly compelling, and I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across campus and with off-campus partners and supporters to contribute to human flourishing on multiple system levels. I look forward to being part of this good and meaningful work for the benefit of our students and broader communities.”

President Aaron Kuecker shared, “Mackenzi has been an impactful leader for over two decades at Trinity and in our wider ecosystem. I am eager to see the way her gifts and experience – in collaboration with our excellent advancement team – contribute to the good of the College and the deepening of our mission.”

Originally from western Michigan, Huyser lives with her family in the south side of Chicago in the Hyde Park neighborhood. She enjoys spending time outdoors, visiting museums and neighborhood restaurants throughout the city, and attending LaSalle Street Church, where she and her family are members

Trinity Christian College Professor John Bakker was recently featured on a national broadcast of NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. The feature, Faces of Chicago: Reframing a Story One Portrait at a Time, aired on January 17, 2024, and highlighted the story of the Roseland Portrait Project.

Since 2018, Bakker has hand-painted nearly 400 portraits of people from the Roseland community, including janitors, EMTs, schoolteachers, mechanics, cashiers, librarians, nurses, and others.

The Roseland Portrait Project began to tell the stories of the people who make up a real community. “There’s all kinds of good stuff that happens in communities, even communities that struggle with violence,” Bakker said. “500 years ago, the only people who got their portrait painted were kings – and each of us is worthy of that kind of attention.”

The project has been shared across communities, including at several locations in Roseland, Trinity’s Jennie Huizenga Memorial Library, and the Palos Heights (Ill.) Public Library.

Click here to view the whole story.