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An education from Trinity Christian College does not just change lives—our graduates go on to flourish in their vocations. The life-changing value of a Trinity education has once again been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, which named Trinity to several of its “best” lists for 2025, including among the Top Regional Colleges Midwest, #13 in Social Mobility, and Best Value in the Midwest.

U.S. News uses multiple criteria for its highly regarded rankings. To be named among the “Best Colleges,” Trinity was rated for its graduation and retention rates, social mobility, academic reputation, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduate debt, among other factors.

“We take pride in the work we do at Trinity, equipping our students to thrive during their time here and well into their futures, said President Aaron Kuecker. So, it is gratifying when external organizations recognize these accomplishments and how we stand out amongst institutions in our region. Trinity continues to take bold, unique, and courageous action based on our convictions about God’s world and beyond. These are exciting times at Trinity, and we are honored to share this journey with our community.”

Along with the U.S. News rankings, many organizations frequently recognize Trinity for preparing students for their vocation and calling. The College’s honors include being named a College of Distinction, one of the safest colleges in Illinois by Niche.com, and routinely ranked as the best BSN program in Illinois.

“Once again, this recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our faculty and staff, who serve the Trinity learning community with exceptional passion and excellence,” said Jerome Douglas, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We have remarkable students deeply committed to their education, and we are proud to support them as they pursue their vocations at Trinity.”

Trinity recently launched its Transformative Colleges Initiative (TCI). TCI is an effort to work with our students, partners, and neighborhoods to do college differently. Trinity is pursuing a model that reimagines higher education and is looking to invite other institutions to join us in this journey. We are saying, “Let’s transform higher education together to be more affordable and accessible to students in the greater Chicago area and beyond.”

Trinity Christian College continues to lead the way in Christian higher education with innovative thinking and a relentless focus on student success, belonging, and support.

Trinity Christian College cultivates a tight-knit community centered around a shared faith and the promotion of spiritual and intellectual development among its students. The College offers a range of opportunities for students to examine and reinforce their faith, both within the academic setting and beyond. Through participating in community activities and open conversations, students are given the space to learn from the diverse experiences and beliefs of others.

The faculty and staff play a crucial role in creating a supportive environment rooted in Christian love. One student, Carvell Anderson, ’26, highlights his personal growth, expressing, “Trinity has facilitated my spiritual development by providing me with different perspectives and a sense of community. The theology department and my peers have posed challenging questions that have compelled me to assess my beliefs and their foundations.”

Aside from in-class conversations, Trinity offers students various ways to strengthen their faith, including weekly chapel services, Bible studies, and chances to actively engage in worship. Sarah Shinsato, ’25, reflects on her transformational experience as a chapel intern, saying, “Serving as a chapel intern for the past two years has been an especially transformative experience. This role has deepened my involvement in campus spiritual life and allowed me to actively participate in planning and leading services.”

Adhering to its longstanding traditions, Trinity provides a nurturing environment for students to explore and enrich their faith. Through classroom discussions, community activities, and diverse opportunities for active participation in worship, students have reported deeper and more compelling experiences. This faith-driven and supportive atmosphere contributes to personal growth and spiritual formation, which continues to set Trinity apart as a special place.

As a Christian institution, we are committed to keeping Jesus Christ at the center of all we do. We want to grow in our Christian faith as we bear witness to God’s transforming power that truly changes who we are and how we live.

Join us weekly on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 10:40 to 11:15 a.m. in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium. Each week, students, faculty, staff, and the community can find encouragement with worship songs representing a variety of styles, a brief message, and a time of fellowship in the Grand Lobby. Our chapel program strives to represent our campus community—all are welcome! The Fall 2024 Chapel Series is By the Power of His Spirit.

-Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

Trinity Christian College is committed to the flourishing of its students through innovative programs that focus on the wellbeing of all students. This summer, Trinity launched the inaugural Empower First Program, a transformative opportunity designed specifically for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), FGLI (First-Generation and Low-Income), and students from Chicago-based CBOs (Community-Based Organizations).

The Empower First Program supports students through a paid 8-week summer internship, which helps to create a pathway to success. Throughout the program, students are paired with mentors who are professionals within their prospective fields. Students can take a professional seminar course alongside their internship for credit or as an audited class. These experiences provide students involved in the Empower First Program with opportunities for professional growth and financial wellbeing.

Trinity student Vanessa Angulo ’26 completed her internship through Empower First at the Rosemoor Community Association this past summer. She also accepted a 3-day co-op at Bethshan as an Adult Studies Student. After participating in the Empower First Program, Angulo reflects positively on this experience because it “profoundly impacted her life by encouraging her to step outside of her comfort zone.”

Stepping into a new internship can be intimidating for college students. However, with the help of a strong support system, students like Angulo learn to grow in their confidence and abilities while on the job. As Angulo best describes it, “Our course instructor specifically advised me against undervaluing my abilities, urging me to fully embrace and showcase my experiences to demonstrate my capabilities.” Rocio Mendez-Roco, Dean of Student Success and instructor of the Empower First Program, was praised by the students for the excellence and care she put into walking alongside the first cohort of the Empower First Program.

Angulo reflected on what stood out most to her as part of the program, and she pointed out the importance of the weekly seminar course. It was a time set aside each week that allowed her to connect with students in the cohort who had similar experiences over the summer as they all worked an 8-week internship. As Angulo states, “My favorite aspect of the program was the opportunity to connect with fellow students and serve as a support system for one another.”

She highly recommends that other students participate in this program in the future because Empower First “not only provides a means to maintain income while participating, but it also addresses the challenge of balancing life responsibilities with internship opportunities.” College students often spend their summers working, and Empower First allows them to do this while also receiving great networking opportunities.

The inaugural Empower First cohort learned and grew together over the summer semester. Students like Angulo are grateful that Trinity’s Empower First Program exists and look forward to seeing other students benefit from it for many years to come.

Click here to learn more about the Empower First Program and more.

In a recent story featured in the Arts section of the Chicago Tribune, Trinity Christian College Professor of Art and Design Ryan Thompson was featured for his latest book, AH AH, Conscience Letters and Photographs from the Haleakalā and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Parks. AH AH is the second book in a series of art books by Thompson showcasing the small acts of grace, or “conscience letters,” as some national parks call them, which are mailed to national parks along with the stones, sand, bark, and more that tourists took, young and old alike.

He is quoted in the article as saying, “Some people who write these letters say stuff like ‘This was so beautiful, I couldn’t help myself, I needed a memento,’ which is kind and honest. Maybe they’re trying to use this rock or whatever to connect themselves to a favorite place long after a trip — its what souvenirs do. But the irony is they also sit on shelves, get forgotten, then fail at that job.”

Click here to read the full article and follow this link to secure your copy of Thompson’s latest book.

As students return to campus for the new academic year, shopping carts rolling across the pavement, filled with dorm room essentials, is always a welcome sound at Trinity. During the late summer season, student-athletes, first-year, transfer, and returning students made their way back to campus after a summer of preparation by faculty and staff.

In early August, student-athletes were the first to arrive back on campus. The fields and courts were ready, and coaches had planned for practices and prep work for their teams. Andrea Salgado, ’26, a marketing major and women’s soccer team member, was happy to be back on campus and with her team. “I am excited for the season ahead. We made it to the NAIA opening round last year, but I think we will go farther this year. It’s good to be back with the team,” she said.

The Trinity Trolls kicked off their fall sports season with home games by the women’s volleyball team and the men’s and women’s soccer teams, both of which saw big wins despite the record-breaking heat.

On a mid-summer day in August, the Student Life Team at Trinity wore their signature move-in day shirts and prepared for first-year students and their families to arrive and settle into their dorms. The students were welcomed by cheerful student leaders, faculty, and staff. First-year THRIVE students enjoyed planned activities and time to get to know their fellow students and roommates. By the end of the first weekend, it was apparent that lifetime friendships were beginning to form.

Troy Schemper, Dean of Students, said, “We always love to welcome students and the energy they bring to campus. And a move-in experience with beautiful weather added to the already wonderful day.”

As the College prepares to celebrate its 65th anniversary, the 66^th annual Convocation ceremony kicked off the official start of the academic year. This year’s speaker was Dr. Timothy Hendrickson, the 2024-2025 Professor of the Year. He reminded students, faculty, staff, and administration not to be blinded by the past but to look forward to the future. He urged listeners always to remember, “We are little but fierce.”

As Trinity sets its path toward transformative initiatives to enhance the future of its students, the new academic year is already off to a great start. Whether athletes are preparing for their sport, professors are prepping for their classes, or students are seeking knowledge for their vocation, every part of Trinity is poised to find success in this new year.

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

Seasoned Adults Learning at Trinity (SALT) aims to provide meaningful experiential learning experiences for adults 50+. With over 120 members, this program has been making a difference in the community for 20 years.

Dewoun Hayes, Trinity’s Assistant Director of Advancement Services and the SALT Program states that the program’s mission is to “provide an enriching and stimulating learning environment through classroom content, field trips, and workshops that are catered to the personal enrichment of its members.”

SALT workshops typically have 15-20 students and are 90 minutes long. Course topics range from history, which is a popular favorite among members, to religion and even birding. Professors who teach undergraduate courses at Trinity and community partners instruct these workshops.

There are many benefits to being a SALT member. Discounted meals in the College’s dining hall, the opportunity to obtain a listener’s pass, which allows members to sit in on traditional undergraduate courses for free, and the option to receive discounted tickets to the Illinois Philharmonic and Southwest Symphony Orchestras, are just a few of those offered. It is simple to register for the program year-round and only requires a small annual membership fee of $25.

Hayes believes becoming a member of SALT is a worthwhile investment because it is a “great program for life-long learners who want to stay enlightened and inspired.”

Click here to learn more about the SALT Program at Trinity Christian College. You can also call 708-293-4570 or email salt@trnty.edu.

Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

Summer is the perfect time for students to pursue their passions while continuing to tend to their wellbeing. Whether working, traveling to a new place, or volunteering for their favorite non-profit organization, students continue to develop their personal and vocational skills during the summer. Trinity encourages its students to continuously seek growth, even when school is not in session.

Trinity student Adriana Veliz ’27 is spending part of her summer working for Altar’d State, a company where she enjoys her work and feels empowered. Veliz says her favorite part of working is “being able to spend time with her coworkers, as every person who works there makes it a special place to be.” She knows everyone has a role to play as part of a team, which greatly influences the work experience. She is grateful to have found a place of work that brings her joy and fulfillment.

Through many of its initiatives, the College encourages students to find a work culture that supports work-life balance, allowing them to care for their wellbeing. Even with her work schedule, Veliz can still find time to invest in her friendships throughout the summer. This time spent further developing relationships with her co-workers and other friends has left Veliz feeling grateful for her working experience so far.

Veliz is passionate about her job at Altar’d State, as it allows her to grow in ways she had not thought were possible. She is grateful that she took the leap and applied for the job. When asked what advice she would give other students thinking about a new job, she said, “Go for it! Find a job you are passionate about, and keep an open mind. After all, you might end up meeting some very special people like I did.”

Like Veliz, students at Trinity are given the tools to be successful in the classroom and beyond, giving way to success and fulfilling vocations through initiatives like Wellbeing and Earn, Network, and Learn. Click here to learn more about these and other transformative initiatives at Trinity Christian College.

Trinity Christian College nursing program graduates continued their perfect first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. This success represents the sixth time in the past seven years that the College has celebrated a 100% pass rate.

The mission of the Department of Nursing at Trinity is to prepare, academically and clinically, excellent professional nurses for a lifetime of Christ-like service to others. A key part of that mission is passing the NCLEX for licensure, allowing Trinity’s BSN graduates to work as registered nurses.

“The Department of Nursing is so proud of the graduates of the Class of 2024, said Tina Decker, Chair of the Nursing Department. They worked extremely hard during their time at Trinity, and I have no doubt they will make a big impact on the world around them. They are joining other Trinity nurses working all over the country in a variety of settings that fit their individual passions and gifts. It was a blessing to be a part of their education, and we wish them all the best in their next steps as Registered Nurses.”

NCSBN administers the NCLEX-RN exams. It is the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, through which boards of nursing act and counsel together to provide regulatory excellence for public health, safety, and welfare. The exam is taken after the student graduates from a bachelor’s degree-granting nursing program.

Decker continued, “The ongoing success of Trinity nursing graduates on the NCLEX represents not only the individual success of each student but also the continued strength and ability of many who partner with these students. Preparing students to be nurses takes a community- faculty, staff, clinical partners, nurses, alumni, family, friends, other students, and clients, for example. I would like to congratulate the entire community on the graduates’ excellent preparation and thank everyone for their support of the Department of Nursing.”

Trinity’s nursing program, which has been ranked as one of the best BSN programs in Illinois, is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Click here to learn more about Trinity’s nursing program.

In a recent addition to the President’s Corner edition of University Business, President Aaron Kuecker was featured in an article titled “How ‘The Gift of Time’ is Transforming Trinity Christian College.”

The article details the major transformational shift the College has seen in the past few years, highlighting the three critical initiatives at the heart of this shift: Tuition Transparency, Wellbeing, and the Earn, Network, and Learn program.

Click here to read the full article and learn more about how Trinity Christian College is transforming the way we look at higher education.