Archives: Student Spotlights

For Alyssa Busker ’24, Trinity is a family tradition. “I heard about Trinity a lot growing up because my grandma was a part of the first graduating class,” said Busker. “She always hoped that her grandkids would come here like she did. My older sister Taylor decided to go to Trinity. Hearing about how much she loved it made me start to consider Trinity as an option.”

Busker was exploring a major in speech-language pathology, after falling in love with the field during an internship her senior year at Aurora Christian High School, in Aurora, Ill. Busker was also interested in attending a college where she could run track. All of those factors led her to Trinity. “I chose to go to Trinity because growing up in a Christian school made me realize how important it was for me to choose a Christian college and continue to grow in my faith and be surrounded by others who want the same thing. I also wanted to be able to continue running track because I loved it so much,” she said.

And her love for track led to a record-setting season her freshman year! Last spring, Busker earned a place at the 41st Annual National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Outdoor Track and Field National Championships in the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes. Not only did she win both events at the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Outdoor Championships, she also claimed the title of National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national champion in both events.

“Being a part of the track team has been such a blessing to me,” said Busker. “We have fantastic coaches who really care about us and help us become better athletes and better people.” Busker said the NCCAA championships have been her most memorable Trinity experience so far. “Our track team really bonded that week, and we all had so much fun using out gifts to glorify God.”

Along with track, Busker is also involved with Trinity’s women’s ministry program. “It has been great for meeting new people and continuing to strengthen my relationship with Christ.”

She said her favorite class currently is Phonetics. “It makes me so excited for all the work I will be doing as a speech pathologist one day. It is a challenging but rewarding class.”

Once Busker graduates, she plans to go to graduate school and then work in either a hospital or school setting.

Graphic design major Yuri Coleman ’24 came to Trinity because of the College’s size and opportunities that such a close-knit community offers. “I love that I am able to establish close relationships with my professors and students,” said Coleman, who is also minoring in marketing. “These are some opportunities I would never get going to a larger school. The community here is so encouraging, and I am incredibly motivated by the God-centered community and vocation we have on campus.” 

The Glenview, Ill., native said her professors and fellow students have been an important part of her journey. “The professors here are so helpful when it comes to taking physical steps to pursuing my dreams and goals.” Those dreams include someday using her skills at a fashion magazine where she can create layouts and shoot fashion photography.

Coleman was drawn to graphic design because of her passion for art and photography. “When I came and visited the art program at Trinity, I learned more about this field, and it was incredibly intriguing. I am able to combine my passions for art, photography, and graphic design and use that in the professional field,” she said.  

The professors in Trinity’s Art & Design department have given her the confidence to pursue her dreams and passions.  “Before choosing graphic design as my major, I was about to go into elementary education because I liked kids and I knew that it would be a steady and guaranteed career,” said Coleman. “Art has always been a big part of my life but I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to use my skills in any professional field and be successful. After talking to the professors and learning more about the field I was most passionate about, I actually became more confident in choosing graphic design and the art field. It may seem scary at first, but the professors are here to help you take your talents, passions, and enthusiasm and use that to become successful in whatever vocation you choose.” 

During the summer of 2022, Yuri had the unique opportunity to work on creating and installing the first mural on the campus of Trinity Christian College.  “The whole experience of the mural was a great way to engage with the community in a way I haven’t been able to in the past,” said Coleman, “it was cool to have an impact with such a big project on the campus.”

Bolu Jegede ’23 loved her Foundations philosophy course so much, she not only got up early every day to attend class—she ended up switching her major to philosophy.  

“I don’t like 8 a.m.s, but this was one that I was extremely excited for. I believe Dr. [Aron] Reppmann had noted my enthusiasm in class and talked me into either adding a Philosophy minor or if I wanted to go bigger, maybe a major. I double majored for a while before switching entirely to philosophy,” she said. “I know now that this is where I am supposed to be. A place full of intellectuals who are seeking to transform the world, one author at a time.” 

And she encourages others to consider philosophy too. “It enables you to be a critical thinker and gives you the ability to look at situations from multiple perspectives. It teaches you to practice what you preach, to live a life guided by wisdom and guided by God,” she said. “Philosophy teaches you about the real world, how to live in it, how to understand it, and how to do your part in making the world a better place.” 

Trinity is also a place where she feels supported and seen. “I chose Trinity because I was in awe of the relationships that professors and other members of staff had with students,” said Jegede, who is a member of Trinity’s Multicultural Leadership Team and an African Student Union representative. “When I walked into Trinity for the first time, someone recognized me and my name, and my story. That was all it took. My name is the most important part of my identity, and just that personal relationship and moment of recognition was the ultimate driving force for me to choose Trinity.” 

Jegede also gets support and encouragement from her parents. “They immigrated to the United States from Nigeria with me and my sisters in hopes of giving us a better life,” said Jegede, who graduated from Colonia High School in Colonia, N.J. “My dad checks on me at least 3 times a week, just to encourage me. It’s sometimes hard being in a major that does not have a lot of women, or specifically women of color. They remind me that I have so much to say and offer to Trinity’s community, and that is what keeps me going.” 

Once she graduates, Jegede plans to attend law school. “It has been a dream of mine since I was 13, to be an advocate for those who have no voice, or those who have been silenced. Be it immigrants, those who are wrongly accused, victims of unfortunate circumstances, human rights, or defenseless boys and girls, it is my dream is to get that law degree, get in that court, and give my all to making sure people are safe, protected, free, and vindicated.”

Mike Hay chose Trinity for three primary reasons. First, the College’s Palos Heights campus is close to his hometown of Villa Park, Ill., Second, Trinity has an outstanding education program. And third, he would be able to play volleyball for the Trolls at the collegiate level. 

“I chose math education for my major because I’m very interested in math and I love teaching subjects I’m interested in. Also, because I’ll be teaching at a high school, I plan on coaching my own team,” said Hay, who was a standout volleyball player at Willowbrook High School, where he also played football, basketball, and baseball. 

His own teachers inspired him to pursue a career in education. “Seeing how much fun some of my teachers had doing their job drove me to become a teacher. There is also an opportunity as a teacher to impact young students and support them throughout their rough years of school,” said Hay. 

After graduating from Trinity, he plans to start teaching right away. “I’m a part of the Illinois Golden Apple Scholars which, when I’m done with college, will give me a ‘highly qualified’ teaching license.”

He encourages high school students to choose a major based on what classes interest them. “Choosing a major can be difficult if you don’t narrow down what you want to do. I wouldn’t be taking all these math and education classes if I weren’t excited about it!” 

A native of Gallup, N.M., Kendra Henry ‘23 graduated from Rehoboth Christian School. She chose Trinity because she loved the campus and the location. “I am from a small city in New Mexico, and I wanted a change of scenery,” she said. “I loved the campus environment from the times that I had visited, and I decided that this was the college for me.”

A member of the Navajo community, she originally planned to major in nursing. But she decided a social work degree would be a better fit and allow her to help people in a different way. “I am very passionate about advocating for people and their communities. I also have a strong passion for the Navajo community I came from. I wanted to pursue a degree that I could bring back home to help my people,” Henry said.

Henry is currently a junior and serves as a resident assistant and is involved with the Student Social Work Organization. After graduating, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work and become a licensed clinical social worker. “I have noticed there is a lack of mental health resources accessible to many Native American communities. Because of this, I would like to work with Native American youth and mental health.”

Nino Carrico, a native of Cabo Frio, Brazil, is majoring in Digital Design and minoring in Communication Arts. He serves as a Thrive mentor for Trinity’s transfer students.

A Human Resource Management major who is minoring in Math and Computer Science, Karen Jegadish ’23 is a member of Trinity’s Student Government Association and a student mentor in the Thrive program. Karen, who is a native of Trichy, India, speaks three languages!