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The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students proudly presents National Transfer Student Week, a time dedicated to honoring transfer students and the dedicated professionals who guide them on their educational journeys. This year, we will celebrate from October 21 to 25.
At Trinity Christian College, we understand that many students have already begun their pursuit of a degree, and we are committed to helping them take the next steps toward their careers. We strive to create an environment where all students can thrive, and for our transfer students, this means leveraging their previous experiences and knowledge as a springboard to future success.
During this week of recognition, we are thrilled to spotlight the achievements of our transfer students, including Mary Mathieu ’27, whose inspiring journey shares the faith-filled spirit of the Trinity Christian College community. Join us in celebrating our student successes and the unique paths they forge as they navigate their educational pursuits.
The Success of Transfer Students at Trinity
-Mary (Honey) Mathieu ‘27
As a transfer student who is quadruply majoring in criminal justice, English, social work, and psychology, I can attest to the many opportunities that Trinity provides its students. School has always been my safe and Trinity has provided me with the academic rigor that I had hoped for in my classes upon transferring, especially in Honors Program courses. My classes challenge me in ways that I have never been challenged before. One of my favorite classes that I have taken at Trinity thus far is Restorative Justice with Dr. Connelly. In this course, we learn about restorative justice principles and practices which are extremely helpful for my future career as a social worker, advocate, and author who hopes to work in the child welfare field. I find myself discovering more about myself and the type of professional I hope to be one day since coming to Trinity and for that I am grateful.
My favorite part about the College is its Wellness Wednesdays Initiative. I have struggled with my mental health for the longest time due to the complex trauma I have faced in the past, and having wellness promoted on campus was one of the major reasons I chose to transfer to Trinity. Having Wednesdays off from classes allows me to maintain a schedule filled with opportunities. My first semester here I took advantage of the Co-Op Program which allowed me to have a paid internship with Streetwise in Chicago. I also participate in student worker employment opportunities as a Marketing Department Student Writer and Library Assistant. Regarding extracurriculars, I am the Co-President of Criminal Justice Club and hope to soon start a Mental Health Club on campus. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved in on campus—you just have to find your place.
My story is unique as I decided to transfer after completing four years at my former institution. I took this leap of faith because I wanted a school that would help me grow not only academically but also spiritually and mentally. Since coming to Trinity, I have been exploring Christianity as someone who was raised Catholic. Finding God again in the little things has been a great joy as He is ever present through the multitude of spiritual growth opportunities that are available on campus weekly. I have also met incredible professors who walk faithfully with their students through their academic journeys and friends who are equally as passionate as I am about making a difference in the world. Trinity is the place to be if you are looking for growth as the College challenges you in the best ways possible while still recognizing that growth requires support along the way. Faculty and staff have definitely helped shape my experience as a Troll as they truly see students as people, not numbers. This is why Trinity is special.
Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27
Mia Ogburn and Deidra Pittman graduated from Trinity Christian College in 2022, completing their undergraduate studies with a shared passion for mental health advocacy. By 2024, they had earned their master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling, marking a significant milestone in their academic and personal journeys. What began as a friendship rooted in shared classes evolved into a bond that flourished even despite the challenges of graduate school. They were the first in the cohort to enroll in the program, walking the path together and offering unwavering support to one another through life’s ups and downs. Their shared Christian faith became a cornerstone of their relationship, serving as a source of strength and inspiration. Together, they relied on the power of prayer, finding friendship in their faith connection as they navigated their studies and personal lives.
For many college students, the most unforgettable experiences often center around the friendships made during their time. Mia and Deidra discovered that these relationships can be life-long, especially when the friendship is rooted in Christ-like love. Their time at Trinity deepened their bond, it also ignited a passion for social justice and community service. They are both actively involved in their communities, applying the lessons learned during their studies to make a real impact.
Mia currently serves as a Restorative Justice Coordinator for Chicago Public Schools, a position she cherishes deeply. In this role, she focuses on creating safe spaces for students, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, feels valued and supported. “I want to provide a haven for students who might feel lost,” Mia reflects. “Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and I’m honored to play a part in that.”
Deidra, on the other hand, finds her calling as a faculty member and counselor at the College of Lake County. Her work allows her to support students in navigating their challenges, and she draws fulfillment from being a beacon of hope for others. “Being able to help people by providing the support I once needed is the highlight of my career,” she shares. Her empathy and understanding resonate deeply with her students, many of whom struggle with the same issues she once faced.
As they reflect on their experiences at Trinity, both women emphasize the importance of healing and self-discovery. The college environment provided them with a safe space to explore their vocations, allowing them to grow both personally and professionally. Deidra captures this sentiment beautifully: “We were at the right place at the right time, doing what we were meant to do.”
Their unwavering faith and mutual prayers not only guided them through college but continue to empower them as they advocate for mental health awareness in their communities. They recognize that many individuals still perceive therapy as a sign of weakness, a stigma they are determined to challenge. Together, Mia and Deidra encourage others to share their struggles, affirming that it’s okay not to be okay. “Mental health is just as important as physical health,” Mia insists. “We need to change the narrative.”
Through their education, experiences, and the bond they’ve cultivated, Mia and Deidra are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they encounter. They are transforming their lives and inspiring countless others to seek healing and support, proving that true friendship and faith can lead to profound change in the world.
Click here to learn more about the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Trinity.
Trinity Christian College was again named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2024 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in developing and supporting dynamic and innovative pathways for community college transfer students. Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing students’ academic achievement at associate degree-granting colleges.
Trinity was selected as one of the most transfer-friendly colleges in the nation. This was determined by considering 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices, and bachelor’s degree completion.
The Honor Roll is chosen from among the top 25 percent of highest-rated colleges. Spotlighted at the 2022 American Council on Education (ACE) conference, the Transfer Honor Roll recognizes the importance of creating strong transfer pathways that lead to excellence and success among community college transfer students. This year’s winners had exceptional outcomes, and several of these included:
- Average percent of transfer in undergraduate population – 37%
- Average bachelor’s degree completion rate among transfers – 77%
- Average credit transferred toward a degree major and/or plan – 82%
- Average percent of transfer students receiving merit-based financial aid – 67%
“The goal of most students attending community college is a bachelor’s degree, but few do because of financial barriers and the complexities of the transfer process,” says Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “We are proud to recognize the exceptional colleges and universities that go above and beyond to create accessible pathways to bachelor’s degree completion for community college transfer students.”
Last year, Trinity announced the first of many Guaranteed Admission Partnership (GAP) Agreements with various community colleges in the Chicagoland area. In these partnerships, both parties celebrate the unique qualities that a private higher education institution offers. These partnerships are designed to establish major-specific articulation agreements to make the transfer process smoother among academic programs, thus making the gap between the community college experience and a bachelor’s degree easier to navigate.
Click here to learn more about how Trinity is transforming higher education.
At the heart of Trinity Christian College lies a community rooted in Christian love. This community has been doing this work for 65 years, aiming to equip students to find their calling and purpose in God’s world. As the College embarks on the next step in this journey, the community came together to celebrate God’s unfailing faithfulness to Trinity.
On Thursday, October 3rd, distinguished guests, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College gathered in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium on a beautiful fall afternoon to Celebrate Possibility with the inauguration ceremony of Trinity’s 9th President, Rev. Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker.
Christian Perry ’16 opened the ceremony with a warm welcome and invocation. He reflected on his more than a decade at Trinity, first as a student and now as a member of the Board of Trustees. He proclaimed, “Today is a good day,” as he shared how President Kuecker’s leadership continues Trinity’s longstanding legacy and is shaping its future for good. The invocation was followed by a powerful version of “You are Good” performed by Trinity’s student worship team.
Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus Cal Tameling ’72 took the podium to recognize the past Presidents of Trinity Christian College and reflected on God’s faithfulness over the past 65 years. Tameling also recognized the classes of ’73 and ’74, who were in attendance as they held their 50th reunion on campus to Celebrate Legacy. In introducing President Kuecker, he stated, “[his] confirmation as President of Trinity comes during an exciting time for the College, as Trinity has launched a set of strategies aimed at radically reducing student loan debt while creating innovative approaches to student wellbeing and vocational formation.”
Board of Trustees Chair-Elect Ken Dryfhout, ’03, presented President Kuecker with the Medallion, part of the tradition passed down from the previous presidents. As he placed the Medallion, he said, “Aaron, the presidency at Trinity Christian College requires steadfast faith in Christ, vision of God’s abundant world, generosity of gift, humility for partnership, and wisdom of leadership. We have seen in you God’s gifting and equipping for such a time as this.”
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Rev. Dr. Victoria White. A writer, pastor, designer, coach, facilitator, and teacher, Dr. White serves as Managing Director of Grants and Awards at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, where she cultivates and supports innovative Christian institutions and their leaders.
Dr. White, a friend of President Kuecker’s, shared stories of their holy friendship throughout the years and how she reacted when he told her that he had accepted the position of President at Trinity Christian College. She talked about how President Kuecker’s humble servant leadership will be a breath of fresh air in higher education and shared stories of how his vastly different view of seeing abundance in the world versus scarcity will set Trinity Christian College on a path to thrive for many years.
Members of the community joined President Kuecker on stage and gave a spirit-filled covering of prayer and commissioning by Cynthia Coffey ’12, Director of Adult and Graduate Admissions; Dr. Mario Guzman, Associate Professor of Psychology; Tyren Brown, class of 2025; and Rev. Chad De Jager, member of the Board of Trustees.
Vice President for Student Life, Dr. Leah Fulton, shared quotes from the community about President Kuecker’s commitment to the College—several spoke of his joyful, hope-filled leadership and making students his work priority. One quote says, “Not only has [Aaron] led careful and strategic thinking about the direction of the college, but he has put the students, staff, and faculty at the center of his forward thinking. Aaron cares deeply for this community. Most importantly, he cares about the ways this community is a picture of Christ and the church working to bring redemption to all areas of creation through our individual and collective work.”
In a touching moment, the Chief of Staff, Jeanine Mozie, presented a commissioned artwork titled “Connection” by senior student Hope McIntosh ’25.
The exquisite artwork was described as a mosaic of Aaron’s leadership, stating, “This painting has many layers, representing the underlying connections and invisible strings that are present yet not always seen. This painting holds a silent image of a tree, which is only seen when sought out. This painting resembles a mosaic or stained-glass window or puzzle, showing that we are all connected to one another. Connection. It surrounds us. We are all connected in God’s perfect Kingdom.”
Overwhelmed with gratitude and humbled, President Kuecker took the podium for his inaugural address. He started by saying, “There is a lovely line at the end of the book of John that states, about Jesus, “Jesus did many other things if every one of them were written down, I supposed that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
He added, “I suppose that is how I feel with my gratitude, in this moment, right now. There is so much gratitude and so many people I am grateful for in this moment, and if I spent my time telling you how grateful I am, I would go on too long.”
He continued by sharing his vision for Trinity Christian College, laying out the plan to continue the work that has begun in the Transformative Colleges Initiative, which launched at the start of his leadership in 2022 and focuses on the whole wellbeing of the student and provides access to all who seek to pursue Christian higher education. “My consistent prayer for our community is that we will contribute to a campus in which powerful teaching, a posture of love, and transformed structures work together to bear witness to Jesus and the fullness of God’s kingdom,” stated Kuecker.
At the conclusion of the inaugural address, the concert choir, gospel choir, and student worship team led the congregation in the worship song “Goodness of God.”
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Jerome Douglas, offered the benediction before the recessional. Guests were met with a beautiful and bountiful reception catered by Metz Culinary Management in the Grand Lobby, offering the community a unique time of fellowship and connection.
Later in the afternoon, a story-sharing session with neighborhood partners and newly inaugurated President Kuecker in the Chapel Auditorium came together to Celebrate Collaboration. The panel group took questions from the audience and talked about the recently launched collaborations with the College that have positively impacted reducing student debt and enhancing wellbeing.
The day of events capped off with Celebrate Creativity in the second-floor lobby of the Art and Communication Center, where a recent installment of artwork from Calvin and Inés Seerveld’s personal collection was unveiled. Emeriti faculty members John Bakker and Michael Vander Weele hosted the reception, which included talks about the nine works in the original donation.
Professor Calvin Seerveld was a founding faculty member of Trinity Christian College. He taught philosophy from 1959 to 1972 when he and Inés moved to Toronto so he could work at the Institute for Christian Studies. Professor Seerveld’s transformative vision deeply influenced the College, its curriculum, and its students. The show will remain open Monday through Friday through October 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
On Friday, October 4th, the community gathered again to Celebrate Faithfulness at Friday’s weekly chapel service. Rev. Chad De Jager delivered the message centered on God’s consistent faithfulness to Trinity Christian College.
Later in the afternoon on Friday, the student’s annual Octrollerfest came together to Celebrate Fun, with events that continued through the weekend with flag football and a tailgate party on Saturday. Throughout the two days, students enjoyed time with outdoor games, activities, a petting zoo, and a bonfire with fellow students to wrap up the celebration. Trinity’s beloved Troll joined the fun with a party in honor of the Troll’s 65th birthday.
As a fitting way to end the two days packed with events celebrating Trinity, members from all over the community came together to Celebrate Wonder at a masquerade-themed evening at Brookfield Zoo. The gala brought together alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the College for a night of fun and fellowship that benefited student scholarship. It helped secure the legacy for the next generation of Trinity students by raising over $125,000, showcasing God’s continual goodness to the College.
“We had a beautiful night celebrating 65 years of Trinity,” said Vice President for Advancement, Mackenzi Huyser. “Our student emcees shared incredible stories about their time at Trinity and how significant the scholarship support they received has been to their journeys. Thank you to all who have made the Trinity experience possible for these amazing students.”
Huyser concluded, “The last two days’ events brought so many people to campus to celebrate 65 years of Trinity. It was a joy to see former Presidents, emeriti faculty, staff, community members, and students gathered to mark such an important time in the life of Trinity. As an alum, former faculty member, and now a staff member, I was so incredibly proud to celebrate the history and future of this amazing place.”
The two-day celebrations showcased remarkable events highlighting the institution’s rich history and future potential. Rev. Dr. Aaron Kuecker’s presidential inauguration marked a significant moment of possibility for welcoming new leadership and embracing the vision for the future. As the community gathered to celebrate legacy, collaboration, creativity, faithfulness, fun, and wonder together, these events exemplified a journey of transformation while honoring the institution’s past and securing its future for generations.
Click here to see more photos of the 65th celebration and inauguration events.
Thank you to our Celebrate 65 Sponsors:
Trinity Christian College has achieved a significant milestone by securing its first National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. This grant, awarded to support the 2025 Workshop on Data for Good for Education (D4G4ED), is a testament to our commitment to academic excellence and professional development. The news of this grant, received just after the start of the academic year, is a cause for celebration for the Trinity community.
In its second year, D4G4ED is meant to further the idea that every data science classroom can be a source of good work in the world. This serves as a professional development opportunity for all instructors seeking to engage their students more deeply through meaningful social good projects within a classroom setting. The workshop is meant to inspire, educate, and, most importantly, allow faculty the chance to share and prepare materials for use within their own teaching context, featuring keynote speakers, ideas and innovation sessions, networking with other instructors, and sessions about data for good teaching practices.
“We have never been awarded an NSF grant before. Part of this process was a long series of paperwork that Ashleigh Velasquez, Controller at Trinity, diligently completed this summer – a big thanks to her and the team that got this completed,” stated Karl R.B. Schmitt, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Computing and Data Analytics Chair at Trinity. Most of the grant funds will support faculty and graduate student participation and pay for speakers, event logistics, and activities.
One of the key components of increasing persistence and success for the current generation of college students is connecting their coursework to meaningful change or outcomes. The D4G4ED workshop, by supporting faculty in developing their teaching to better incorporate the Data for Social Good (DSG) movement, is not just about our community. It’s about making a difference at the grassroots level in our society and promoting the broad applicability of data science.
Whether instructors are just starting their journey or have been supporting social good for years, D4G4ED deepens thinking, provides new lenses for projects, and broadens support networks for helping students engage in meaningful work from a data science perspective.
“The big idea is that data for good can, and should, be incorporated deeply into educational practices within data science,” added Dr. Schmitt. “This grant is an exciting opportunity to merge my academic work of teaching data science with my faith and passion for bringing about God’s vision for the world through data and social good.”
Dr. Schmitt plans to pursue further NSF funding in the long term. He hopes that, in collaboration with a team at Trinity, this will lead to more great opportunities directly related to supporting Trinity students for years to come.
Click here to learn more about the Computing and Data Analytics Program at Trinity Christian College.
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.