Archives: News Stories

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.

Hope Chicago, the new two-generation economic mobility program offering debt-free college and workforce opportunities to 4,000 Chicago Public School graduates and their parents, announced the expansion of its college and university partner network today, with the addition of six institutions, including Trinity Christian College.

Hope Scholars can attend partner institutions debt-free, and through these partnerships, students receive access to non-financial supports that are key in helping students succeed. The collaboration between Hope Chicago and its postsecondary partners expands higher education access for residents in some of Chicago’s most systemically disinvested neighborhoods. As a partner institution, Trinity will provide dedicated staff members on-campus to support attending Hope Scholars—helping them navigate the collegiate environment, encouraging placement in campus programs, and connecting them to academic, financial, and career advising.

“Access to quality postsecondary education is not just a privilege; it’s a fundamental right that can transform the trajectory of low-income families and disadvantaged communities in Illinois. For South and West Side Chicago Public School Students, pursuing higher education isn’t merely about acquiring a degree; it’s about unlocking doors to opportunity and offering them a stake in a more prosperous and equitable future of our city and state,” said Dr. Janice Jackson, Hope Chicago CEO.

“We’re proud to be expanding our network of high-quality offerings to Hope Scholars here in Illinois—empowering them to find their best postsecondary fit. We are thankful to our new partners for joining us in this pursuit of a more prosperous future for Chicago and Illinois—fueled by postsecondary transformation,” she added.

With this expansion, Hope Chicago is now supported by a network of 29 Illinois-based higher education institutions offering a wealth of postsecondary and workforce options for Hope Scholars.

About Hope Chicago

Hope Chicago’s mission is to create pathways to success for multiple generations of Chicagoans through equitable access to debt-free higher education and the support to complete postsecondary journeys. In February of 2022, Hope Chicago promised every enrolled student and one parent/guardian of each student the opportunity to pursue a debt-free postsecondary education at five Chicago community high schools across the city’s South, Southwest, and West Sides – accounting for 4,000 families. Hope Chicago’s goal is to provide debt-free higher education to 30,000 CPS students and their parents over the next decade. hopechicago.org

-Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

Trinity is preparing future educators through its outstanding education programs. Zain Fakhoury, who is pursuing a degree in elementary education, is just one of the many students on this path. Zain states that her favorite part is the fieldwork, which allows her to “see all of the hard work she has dedicated to her studies come to fruition.” The faculty and staff in the education department go above and beyond in preparing students for their careers and beyond. Because of this real-world preparation, Zain feels confident teaching in a classroom and making a difference in the lives of her students. Fakhoury believes the College’s education program is unique from other colleges and universities because “professors care about each student’s success by offering support through office hours, recommendation letters, and research projects.” Every student being cared for as an individual ensures his or her ability to thrive throughout college and beyond as the relationships built with professors and colleagues create meaningful connections that improve one’s sense of belonging and purpose.

Being a part of the Trinity community is to be actively engaged in the classroom and other extracurricular and professional commitments. Zain holds a leadership role on campus as the International/TCK Club President. She is also involved in spiritual life at Trinity and works two jobs as a campus student worker. Fakhoury tries to maintain a healthy balance between school, work, and extracurriculars by planning and setting boundaries. Being able to not over-commit oneself is an essential aspect of thriving at the College since time management allows students the freedom to fit what they truly enjoy into their schedules while also recognizing the need for self-care. Trinity teaches students how to develop academically and personally through courses and campus activities. The whole person is prioritized, which is what makes the College stand out in its ability to help students thrive.

Just as professors at Trinity want to see their students succeed, Zain hopes that all of her future students succeed in all areas of their lives. She believes that “all children are capable of learning and of being kind; we just need to give them the opportunity and safe place for it.” Fakhoury recognizes that all her students can thrive by being a future support for her students. Having someone believe in you makes all the difference, and Zain was fortunate to have teachers here at Trinity who believed in her.

To learn more about the education program at Trinity Christian College, click here.