Archives: Alumni Success Stories

–By Christy Wolff ’10

Stephen Henderson ‘08 is clearly demonstrating what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. After his youngest child received an incurable medical diagnosis, Henderson began the important work of involving himself in the redemptive process of healing this broken world. He credits Trinity for preparing him for this journey: “Trinity begins equipping us with the knowledge and skills to serve in our spheres; we have to figure out how we’re going to use that to serve in God’s Kingdom.” 

Originally from Pella, Iowa, Henderson and his wife Lacey ‘08 graduated from Trinity; he majored in history with minors in education and special education, and she earned a nursing degree. Both immediately started grad school – with a baby on the way! “I have pictures of me and Lacey doing homework for grad school with our newborn daughter on our lap,” Henderson recalls. Over the next several years, they would welcome three more children – with one more due October 2021. 

In 2018, Henderson was nearing the finish line of obtaining his doctorate degree. He had completed the coursework, written his dissertation, and was scheduled to defend it before October when his fourth child was due. Everything worked according to plan, and the Hendersons welcomed Estella in October 2018. 

Two months later, he was preparing to walk across the stage at his doctoral graduation. “For years, I longed to acquire the earthly title of being a doctor; I wanted the recognition,” he described. But as his new title was announced – Dr. Stephen Henderson – he heard the topic of the first chapter of Ecclesiastes repeat in his head: Everything is meaningless. “The Spirit was prompting me that something was coming in my life that I hadn’t experienced that was going to make everything else seem meaningless.” 

Six months after graduation, Estella was diagnosed with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC), an ultra-rare neurological disease that affects one in one million kids. “It’s like having seven difference neurological diseases in one person,” Henderson explained. AHC causes episodes of paralysis, uncontrollable muscle and eye movements, intellectual disabilities, difficulty walking, and behavioral disorders – among other challenges. 

“The early days of seeing these symptoms in Estella were filled with lots of emergency room visits, speeding down the highway wondering what was wrong with our daughter.” 

When the family finally received a diagnosis, they were told there was no cure. As Henderson said: “It’s like being told your own child has no hope for her future. We retracted into ourselves. We didn’t socialize, we didn’t take her into public, we didn’t even share what life was like with others.” 

Henderson realized that it’s important to walk through the grieving process and wrestle with God. He spent the better part of one year pleading with God and shouting at Him, questioning why He would let this happen to his family – to his own child. 

“I came to the conclusion that the evil disease that my daughter has is not from God nor was it caused by God nor was it given to us by God; there is evil in the world and it exists because we live in a fallen, sinful, and broken world.” He went on to say, “If we, as Christians, are called to be part of the redemptive process of renewing God’s creation, then I’m called to redeem the world and rid it of this sinful disease.” 

With that prompting, Henderson became involved with the Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation (AHCF), an internationally known foundation that has funded millions of dollars in research, with the mission to end AHC. 

His own fatherly desire is much the same: to find a cure for Estella. “My quest to cure AHC, along with my colleagues at AHCF, is my way of reclaiming a broken part of God’s creation.” 

The painful symptoms Estella experiences can come on so quickly. “You just don’t know when an episode is going to happen for her. You can see her body slowly start to shut down to where neither of her arms work, and within 20 minutes she could be completely paralyzed and could stay like that for days.” These events are known as “episodes.” They can last minutes, hours, or even days. “Just imagine your child writhe in pain, screaming uncontrollably while you watch helplessly. That is life with AHC.” 

Being stripped of every aspect of feeling in control, Henderson shared, “Maybe this is what God is talking about when He tells us to rely on daily bread – when you have nothing left that day and have the complete inability to control anything in your life.” 

One thing that brings him joy in the midst of these life-altering challenges is watching how his three other children treat Estella. “They look at Estella and love her for who she is: their baby sister. That’s an image of how God looks at us. He loves us for who we are and doesn’t see our brokenness.” Elena (10), William (8), and Adriana (4) clearly model Christ’s love to Stephen and Lacey. And with their fifth child due any day, Henderson said, “God is giving us an opportunity to have a little more joy in our life where sometimes there exists much sadness.” 

When Henderson reflects on his years at Trinity, he recalled how Dr. Pete Post (assistant professor of special education emeritus) made a lasting impact in his life. “Dr. Post continually pointed out that parents of special education children and children with special needs are very aware of what they cannot do, and our role as teachers is to emphasize to those parents and that child what they can do,” That has been true of doctors, too, who repeatedly tell Estella what she cannot do. 

Henderson, now associate academic dean and the chair of the education division at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, shares these insights with his own students. “My students get to know me personally and professionally like at Trinity. I knew early on in my career that I wanted to do for others what my professors did for me as a student.” 

Before holding his position at William Penn, Henderson taught at Pella Christian Grade School. “When I was so new in education and would have behavior issues in my class, I would email my questions to Dr. Post and he would turn them into case studies; he would present them to his class and I would receive emails from his students with their ideas and findings,” he recalled. 

Others at Trinity impacted his life as well.  “I owe a small part of who I am to the influencers in my life, particularly Dr. John Fry, Dr. Bob Rice, and Dr. Pete Post.” These professors showed their care and support during particularly challenging times, such as when his own mother passed away during his sophomore year. “I wanted to drop out of school, but these life mentors stayed with me and became a major part of my life.”  

To this day, Henderson remains in contact with Fry and several other professors at Trinity. 

The Henderson family’s is one single story in a world full of brokenness, and he wants others to be mindful of the suffering that exists in the quiet margins of society. “We have the ability to be the hands and feet of Jesus to help those who are suffering. It doesn’t have to be AHC; we are called to help in the redemptive process of hearing these people and responding.” 

With that calling, he continues to keep his feet firmly planted in his relationship with God. “My daily prayer includes two points: Asking God to please give Estella a good day, and if He doesn’t, then I ask Him to please give me the feet to walk the path that’s laid before me.” Henderson is filled with hope for what the AHCF is doing as they partner with some of the best scientists in the world. “My daughter might not be made whole on this side of Heaven, but I have hope that one day she’ll get to run and play because of what Jesus has done.” 

To support Estella
If you feel led to donate to Estella’s cause, please visit her page: https://ahckids.app.neoncrm.com/estella  

When looking at colleges as a high school student, Rachel Reule ’15 had a good idea of what she was looking for. And Trinity met those criteria.  

“I knew that I wanted to have the college experience, a high-quality education, while continuing to reside at home, which was Crestwood, Ill.,” she said. “I also heard about Trinity’s soccer program and wanted to continue playing soccer at a collegiate level under Coach Josh Lenarz.” 

She also knew she wanted to go into a helping profession of some sort, and Trinity’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree answered that need, too. “It came naturally to me because I have always been passionate, a good listener, and was reliable towards the people that I cared about within my life,” she said. “Social work ended up being the perfect direction for me to go.”  

Reule said the Social Work Department staff and professors, particularly Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, associate professor of social work and department chair, and Lisa Doot Abinoja, assistant professor of social work, played a key role during her time at Trinity. “They assisted, supported, and encouraged me during major transitions within my young life especially during times of uncertainty or feeling overwhelmed.”  

Other members of the Trinity community had an important impact on her as well, including Dr. Rose Malinowski; Doug Fulmer, LWCS; Dr. Mackenzi Huyser, now the executive director of Chicago Semester; Brad Breems, professor of sociology emeritus; and Mary Lynn Colosimo, professor of psychology emerita. “I will forever remember their classes and their dedication to the field. Their efforts have left a lasting impact on my education and my foundation of being a social worker,” she said.  

After graduating from Trinity, Reule earned a master’s degree in social work from Dominican University, and she currently holds two positions. She works full-time as a high school social worker at UCAN Academy High School, a therapeutic day school on the west side of Chicago. “I am responsible for a case load of about 18 high school level students with Individual Education Plans due to their special education needs because of learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, emotional disability, and/or intellectual disabilities.” Students are given an assigned number of weekly minutes that need to be serviced through social work sessions. “Many of our students have been trauma exposed and often experience crisis situations, triggers, and/or escalations when in the school building. As the social worker, you assist the classroom and other staff in case management services, deescalating students, writing safety and behavior plans as needed, and providing education around mental health conditions that students are experiencing or diagnosed with.” 

After obtaining her clinical license, Reule also started a part-time position at a private practice office, where she provides therapy services to a variety of clients. “It has been a humbling experience thus far to assist people in their healing process,” she said.  

Reule said Trinity has prepared her well for her current work. “The Social Work Department imbedded in me the importance of being a flexible, seasoned professional at all times, utilizing a strengths-based perspective along with other evidenced based practices to provide your best abilities and services for your clients,” she said. “They have instilled the importance of always having effective self-care practices, as well as affirming boundaries and professional standards and ethics, no matter how comfortable a client is with you. Social workers often assist the vulnerable–if not the most vulnerable populations. So, it is essential to always have that in mind.”  

Dr. Paul D. Miantona ’03, DBA, will never forget Saturday, Feb. 26, 1999. That is the day he left behind his refugee life and boarded a plane at the Abidjan International Airport in the Ivory Coast of West Africa to fly to a new life in Philadelphia. “As I bid the final goodbye to my parents, family members, and friends, I saw mixed expressions in their faces,” he recalled.  “For some, it was renewed hope and for others sadness.  As I stepped aboard the gigantic and bluish-looking Air France plane, I knew my life had changed forever.”   

Miantona and his family had been uprooted by the civil war in Liberia that began in 1989 and lasted for 14 years. “My parents, siblings, and I escaped the civil war and settled in the Ivory Coast as refugees, living on the refugee camp in Danane,” he said.   

Miantona, who quickly established himself with a job at a fast-food restaurant, had a goal when he arrived in America: to continue his education. “During that time, I began to fervidly pray that God may open the door for entrance to a Christian college.” And God did answer his prayers. “An old friend was attending Trinity Christian College and began to tell me about his wonderful experiences.” The friend knew of Miantona’s interest in soccer as well as academics, and introduced him to Dave Ribbens, then the men’s head soccer coach. “Coach Dave invited me to try out and by the grace of God I enrolled at Trinity Christian College in the Fall of 1999. I excelled in both soccer and academics and built wonderful and memorable relationships at Trinity.” In 2003, he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems.  

Miantona continued his education after graduating from Trinity and earned a DBA with an emphasis in strategic management, an MBA and a Master’s degree in accounting and financial management. He currently works at Renters Warehouse as a real estate and leasing consultant and is an adjunct professor at Saint Mary’s University, Minnesota. He also co-owns a business called Brokers Select along with a partner.   

He credited Trinity for helping him develop servant leadership traits. “I learned to encourage diversity of thought and create a culture of trust,” Miantona said. “I learned to have an unselfish mindset and foster leadership in others.”  

At Trinity, he also learned the importance of giving back. “At Trinity, I was encouraged to join United Liberia Inland Church Associates & Friends (ULICAF), a nonprofit organization that built Liberian International Christian College.” He currently serves as president of the association’s board.  

Along with influential Trinity professors and staff such as women’s head soccer coach Josh Lenarz ’98 and Associate Professor of Education Kelly Lenarz ’99, Ed.D., his time at the College reinforced his belief in America as a country that embraces different cultures and appreciates the American ideal of liberty and justice for all. “Trinity captivated my attention and made me see America as a ‘beacon of hope’ for the hopeless; a ‘refuge’ for the refugees. It made me admire America as the United States of America.”  

Miantona said Trinity is exceptional and outstanding. “Trinity is the real deal and for this, I am grateful.”  

During her time at Trinity, Emma (Darcy) Schneider ’19 explored her love of theatre. As part of Trinity’s Theatre Club, the English education major participated in plays on campus and was nominated for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival’s prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.  

After graduating in 2019, she spent a year teaching English at the high-school level. But she missed theater and decided to earn a graduate degree from the University of Chicago in Theater & Performance Studies while serving as theater program coordinator at Trinity. Now, Schneider’s connection to Trinity is deepening as she looks forward to serving as adjunct faculty and interim president of the Theatre Department 

Schneider said her time at Trinity enhanced her appreciation for both theatre and literature. “Dr. John [Sebestyen, Ph.D., associate professor of communication arts and director of theatre] has certainly been one of the most influential people in my life, and that started in our collaborations within the theatre department. I also took several of his classes just because I loved theatre so much, and I always enjoyed learning from him,” said Schneider. She pointed to other life-changing courses as well, such as Dr. Mark Jones’s Shakespeare class, Dr. Michael Vander Weele’s English Senior Seminar, Dr. Erick Sierra’s Transatlantic Literature class, and Dr. Bill Boerman-Cornell’s Secondary English Methods.  

Schneider enjoyed teaching high school students after she graduated from Trinity but realized she was missing theatre. “While I was teaching high school students, I was able to incorporate one play into my curriculum for each class. These units were my favorite to teach, and my excitement about them translated well to my students, too,” she said. “Teaching these units made me realize how much I missed being involved in theatre and theatre studies, so I decided that as I moved into a goal to teach at the collegiate level, I would focus my work in theatre and theatre literature.” That involved exploring grad school. 

A Degree from University of Chicago, a Return to Trinity 

A native of Morton, Ill., Schneider was living in the Chicago area with her husband Tyler Schneider ’18. After exploring area theatre programs, she decided on University of Chicago’s master’s degree program in Theatre and Performance Studies and began classes there in the Fall 2020. Around the same time, she was in conversations with Sebestyen. The opportunity to take on the part-time role of Trinity’s theatre program coordinator developed from there. 

Like so many aspects of life over the 18 months, particularly in education and the arts, COVID-19 impacted Schneider in her work and studies. Yet she adapted and brought her creative talents to new ways of expression within COVID constraints. 

For example, during the Spring 2021 semester, she wrote and directed her own interactive play on campus, “Investigative Support,” which premiered at Trinity. The play was inspired by work on her master’s thesis, which involves the role of audience members in the theater-going experience. “Investigative Support” took place outside on the Trin Trail in March, to allow for safe social distancing.   

At University of Chicago, most of her classes were virtual, presenting a unique way of studying performance arts. Schneider prepared a piece for presentation that involved the audience in a unique way. “It was more of a performance piece that reflects members of the BIPOC and LGBTQI community,” she said. The actors participating in the piece formed a circle while delivering monologues, and audience members were surrounded by voices, with the opportunity to step out of the cacophony and focus on just one speaker.  

Now that she has finished her master’s degree, Trinity will continue to be a home for Schneider as she takes on additional roles here. Along with teaching as an adjunct professor in the Communication Arts department, Schneider will stay in her role as theatre program coordinator and serve as interim president of the Theatre Department while Sebestyen is on sabbatical during the 2021-22 academic year. She will also be directing Trinity’s mainstage play in Spring 2022. 

“Trinity has always been a strong home to me. I’m blessed to be here,” she said. “I’m really thankful to be part of this community and to see my roots here continuing to grow.”  

When Taylor Boice ‘15 was recently named to Fortune magazine’s “Five Star Wealth Managers under 40,”* he was surprised and honored. And he credits his time at Trinity for helping to pave the way for his professional career success.  

Boice, who is currently director of financial planning at Capital & Risk Management Services (C&RMS), knew he had been nominated. “But I really didn’t think I would be selected. This is such a competitive field and I knew there were a lot of accomplished people who could be considered for the award,” he said. “When I got the email and subsequent phone call confirming I was going to be recognized in Fortune, I really couldn’t believe it. It became real when I got a copy of the February/March issue and found my name on the list.” 

For Boice, who began working for C&RMS in downtown Chicago after graduating from Trinity, working with clients is one of the best parts of his job. “I’m very thankful to the people who helped me develop as a person and professionally and am especially thankful for the amazing clients I get to work with every day. I wouldn’t have chosen this career or found myself in this position without the help and guidance of my family, friends, and mentors along the way.” 

Those mentors include people he met at Trinity, where he double majored in communication arts and finance and played baseball. They helped prepare him for his career in two ways. “The first is all the field-specific knowledge that is a vital foundation for me as a financial planner,” said Boice. “I use a lot of the technical skills I learned at Trinity as I work to give clients the best possible advice and help them develop a financial plan that is designed to help them achieve their goals. I am also constantly communicating with clients to ensure they understand the advice I am giving them. The skills I learned in my communications classes have been vital in communicating effectively with clients.” 

Trinity also helped prepare him by developing his ability to think critically and solve problems. “My job is constantly changing, and I am constantly meeting new clients with unique problems,” said Boice. “I need to think critically and creatively to provide solutions for the people I am working with.” 

A native of Hudsonville, Mich., Boice said a number of factors attracted him to Trinity. He fell in love with the campus after visiting several times. He also wanted to play baseball during college and was excited to receive an athletic scholarship. Boice also liked the campus’s proximity to Chicago. “I really felt comfortable here and saw a lot of value in having small class sizes and having all the curriculum taught from a Christian perspective,” he said.  

His favorite memories include living in the dorms, as well as later moving off campus with people who are still some of his closest friends. Boice also said the professors in the business and communication arts department had a strong impact. “What has stuck with me most is the life experiences they shared with us as students,” he said. Boice also has great memories playing on the baseball team. “Coach [Justin] Huisman always focused on doing things the right way, which led to a lot of victories on the field and has really helped me in my life to this day.” 

He also married a Trinity alumna, Janna (Ottenhoff) Boice ‘14. They now make their home in Northwest Indiana with their 3-year-old daughter, Quinn, and 9-month old son, Ryne. He loves to spend time with his family, particularly enjoying outdoor activities when the weather is good.  

He also likes to watch baseball and basketball. “I also enjoy playing golf and enjoy participating in the golf outings for Trinity and other local Christian schools throughout the summer,” he said. Boice is also looking forward to returning to campus, as more in-person events are planned. “I’m hopeful I can continue being connected with the Trinity community and help students as they are growing and shaping their future. We are best when we work together and combine our strengths. This is something I witnessed clearly through the Trinity community, both as student and as a graduate today,” he said. 

Boice said he is thankful to everyone from Trinity who helped shape his experience and helped him get to where he is today. “I still talk to a lot of former professors and students and even have the privilege of working with many of them as clients. Trinity is a special place with a lot of special people,” he said. 

Taylor G. Boice is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. (www.SIPC.org). Capital & Risk Management Services is not a subsidiary of affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC. or its affiliated companies. Supervisory Office: 300 S Wacker Dr., Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606  Phone: 312-347-1660 . CA Insurance License #0M15879

* The FIVE STAR Wealth Manager Award is granted by Five Star Professional, an independent marketing firm. This award is not indicative of future performance and is based on nominations by industry professionals in a given market area and objective criteria including favorable regulatory and complaint history, reviews conducted by the firm, retention rates, and client assets.

When Lucky Collins ’17 first enrolled at Trinity, she brought a unique perspective as a working adult, wife, and mother of two small children. She went on to graduate with her bachelor of social work degree and then a master’s degree. Now, her career has brought her back to the Trinity community, as Administrative Coordinator of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, which is headquartered on  campus.  

Collins considered several degree options at Trinity before finding her calling to become a social worker. “I realized that helping people was really what I wanted to do. I just wasn’t clear how,” she said. “After speaking with my advisor, he suggested I take a social work class. He thought it would be a great fit and I never looked back.” 

Collins credit her Trinity’s professors and staff members for helping her succeed. “The social work department professors as well as a few other staff were really impactful during my time at Trinity. I wasn’t a traditional student. I had a husband and two small children. I was also a full-time student and working,” she said. “Everyone was very understanding and accommodating to me, as they knew I was trying my best to do my best.” 

That was particularly true during her final years finishing her degree, as she confronted health issues and the loss of several family members. “Having professors who talked with me, sent me cards, and having counseling services afforded to me changed my life,” she said. “I will forever be grateful to them.” 

After graduating from Trinity in 2017, Collins earned a master’s of social work with a specialization in advanced clinical social work from Aurora University in May 2019 and passed her licensure exam. She is currently the administrative coordinator for The North American Association for Christians in Social Work (NACSW), which is headquartered in Groot Hall. “I am part of the executive leadership team that embarks on supervisory, administrative, human resources, financial, systems support tasks, etc.,” she said. “My main job function is being the key liaison and communication for the association. Our association equips social workers to integrate faith in social work. And I take making sure our association runs smoothly very seriously.” 

Her time at Trinity has prepared her for her career, from the skills she learned and the networking she was able to do. “Being able to integrate my faith in the workplace has always been a goal of mine. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I have now,” she said.  

Collins also tries to pay those experiences back to others. “Trinity will always have a special place in my heart. I grew so much there,” she said. “I had my family all while being a student there, from my husband and kids attending events, visiting me when I worked on campus, and even attending class with me in emergency situations. I will always remember the amount of grace shown to me. I now extend that to others in my day-to-day life as well as my professional life being in managerial positions.” 

–By Christy Wolff ‘10  

Basketball has always been front and center for Peter Zigterman ‘08. While he enjoyed playing for Trinity and eventually coaching for nine years after graduation, his passion for demonstrating Christ’s love to refugees and immigrants began to take a more prominent focus. “I noticed in myself outside of work that I was spending less time watching basketball and more time reading an article on immigration policy, for example,”  Zigterman shared.

That’s where World Relief enters his story.

World Relief seeks to help refugees and immigrants navigate the transition to starting a new life in the United States. As director of immigrant family services, Zigterman helps others find a job, access medical services, locate affordable housing, and other services that are hard to navigate if English isn’t your first language. His team also makes sure kids are enrolled in school, provides tutoring services, and ensures someone is present at parent-teacher conferences to help with any language barriers.

Zigterman works primarily with refugees and immigrants from Venezuela, Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Syria, and Mexico — among others. “I really enjoy meeting people from all over the world and hearing about their experiences, stories, and what their culture and homeland was like,” Zigterman said.

Developing relationships with others stemmed from his time at Trinity, specifically during his time playing on the basketball team. “In this totally new employment sector, I’ve been surprised by how much I learned in coaching and playing basketball and how many of those skills were transferable to what I’m doing now, specifically developing relationships with a refugee so they trust you,” said Zigterman, who majored in physical education teaching and coaching at Trinity, and then went on earn a master’s degree in sports science from United States Sports Academy.

Tim Walker, former basketball coach at Trinity, modeled these skills on and off the court, mentoring Zigterman along the way. “Coach Walker played a huge role in demonstrating to me how that’s done.”

Through his relationships with the refugees and immigrants he assists, Zigterman has heard story after story of individuals and families fleeing their country because they are facing imprisonment or even the safety of their own lives. Beyond these difficult situations, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unimaginable hardships for families who are trying to establish new lives in the U.S. “We’ve filled out hundreds of unemployment applications and spent a lot of time finding the money to keep people from losing their homes,” Zigterman said.

In the midst of these troubles, Zigterman is witnessing a lot of hope. “Many people are taking advantage of their unemployment, since it makes them eligible to receive a voucher to pay for a vocational training course,” Zigterman explained. “We’re all moving forward together.”

Moving forward also includes exploring ways to connect Trinity students to mentoring and volunteer opportunities at World Relief. “A lot of young adults who have immigrated from other countries want to go to college, but they need guidance on what applying looks like. They can’t rely on their parents because their parents didn’t have that experience,” Zigterman said. And with just one person overseeing this sector at World Relief, receiving help from Trinity students will allow assistance for more people.

Nearly four years since beginning his time at World Relief, it’s clear that Zigterman is demonstrating Christ’s love through his career, based on the foundations that grew during his time at Trinity. “What motivates me is wanting to be a part of the church that is doing the vocation that the Lord gave us,” Zigterman said. “It’s important that we, as Christians, demonstrate the Kingdom of God to the rest of the world.”

To learn more about World Relief, or to make a donation that supports refugees, please visit worldrelief.org

—By Christy Wolff ‘10 

Although college was never high on his list of priorities, Joshua Edwards ‘15 was the first in his family of six to attend college. “There were high expectations set in place for me,” Edwards said. “I can see how that pushed me to be the person I am today.” 

Edwards was invited to attend a college fair by a friend on his basketball team at South Side Baptist School in Oak Lawn, Ill., which is where he learned about Trinity. After experiencing campus life during a visitation weekend, he knew this was the right next step for him. 

The transition to college life was challenging for Edwards. “I didn’t focus much on academics leading up to college, I just wanted to play sports,” he said. Trinity recognized his potential, however, and offered the opportunity for Edwards to enroll with some ongoing academic support throughout the first semester as a member of Trinity’s Bridge Program. “I learned the expectations of professors, how to study properly, and how to take a test – and I also made friends through the program.” 

This led to Edwards being hired as a mentor for the Bridge Program during his sophomore year, where he partnered with the Office of Learning Services to provide input and leadership to incoming freshman. “This was a great opportunity to grow as a leader and learn how to lead college freshmen,” Edwards said. 

Edwards was also hired as a student assistant coach for the women’s basketball team at Trinity after an injury pulled him off the court. Former coach Reginald Chapel, who was also one of Edwards’ professors, saw the potential in his leadership abilities and provided Edwards the opportunity to coach. “It was the first step for me in understanding how to be a professional while in college,” Edwards said. He and Chapel continued their mentoring relationship and still keep in touch today. 

Originally desiring to become a physical therapist, Edwards soon realized his passions were elsewhere. After receiving guidance from Dr. Shari Jurgens, department chair and associate professor of physical education, Edwards declared a major in sports and exercise science. “I really enjoyed the program and having access to the professors. They really cared about me; I wasn’t just another student,” Edwards shared. 

Jurgens also played a pivotal role in connecting Edwards to an internship with the Blue Island [Ill.] Park District (BIPD), which led to him being hired as the recreation coordinator the day after graduating from Trinity. Jurgens shared, “Every student completes an internship or practical field experience, and we work hard with the students to find the perfect match for something they want to do after they graduate. In Josh’s case…he made a connection at the Blue Island Park District and proceeded to impress them so much with his work ethic, knowledge of recreation, and kind demeanor, that he was hired soon after the internship. In fact, he has helped me get more students into the BIPD as interns since then. I still use his story as an example to my current students.” 

Edwards has since moved up to fill the role of recreation director. With 15 full-time staff and up to 100 summer employees that he oversees, Edwards has a full plate. “When I started, there wasn’t really a recreation department; I became a trailblazer for our department.” He also spends his workday focusing on building the brand of the park district through its social media presence, planning community events, educating staff, and finding sponsors. Just recently, Edwards connected with Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox to request their help in supplying uniforms and hats, and to help pay off capital projects for baseball fields in Blue Island. 

“I realized throughout my time at Trinity that one of my callings is to help people; now I have a job where I’m able to help,” Edwards said. 

Edwards’ hard work paid off in a big way recently: He was named one of National Recreation & Park Association’s 30 under 30, which recognizes “the 30 best and brightest young park and recreation professionals in the field.” 

One of Edwards’ passions is having minority representation in parks and recreation. “In order to really serve the community–from planning, to programming, to staffing–I think we have to have a diverse staff. As I’m moving forward in my career, I’m realizing that there are very few black people my age that work in parks and recreation.” Edwards is using his platform to help others understand why it is so important that community leaders are a reflection of the people living in the community. 

Edwards also fills the role of basketball coach for young boys in Blue Island. He finds fulfillment in coaching these kids and being a positive role model in their lives. 

One example of this can be seen in his relationship with a 73-year-old woman who is guardian to her two young grandsons. “She asked me to connect with these kids since they didn’t have a male figure in their life,” Edwards recalled. “I’m able to speak to them at their level and connect with them in a way others might not be able to. I’ll likely be in their lives forever.” This story could be replicated for many other kids Edwards has coached. 

After receiving his MBA in sports administration from Concordia University Chicago this past December, Edwards is motivated to continue growing in his career. “There was a point when I was a freshman when I didn’t think I’d ever get my master’s degree or be a director in parks and recreation, but my faith has continued to lead me into positions to lead and help others,” Edwards said. “Once I achieve a goal God has for me, He will give me another one to work toward. I know He has a path for me; I want to stay on that path and ensure I’m connected with Him.” 

 

Matthew Nolan ’18 didn’t pursue a college degree immediately after graduating from high school. Instead, he worked for more than 10 years before coming to Trinity and earning a double major in computer science and mathematics. And while he was nervous about embarking on a college education at 30, he found a home at Trinity and now has a career he loves as a data analyst at Exelon Corp.

“All the professors are outstanding and went above and beyond to invest into their students,” said Nolan. “The math and computer science classes put me in a position to be successful in my current role.”

After graduating from Vernon Hills High School in Vernon Hills, Ill., Nolan went to work at Menards. “It was during that time I became a Christian,” he said. “After becoming a Christian, I realized that God has given me certain gifts and skills that I was not leveraging at Menards.”

Nolan decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree and began looking for a Christian college. “I applied to many Christian schools but the thing that made me come to Trinity was that I reached out to [former Professor of Mathematics] Dr. Dave Klanderman to discuss my concerns about going to college as a 30 year old. I met with him on campus one day and he spent hours answering all my questions and then some,” said Nolan. “That made me realize that Trinity was the place for me.”

Nolan was passionate about mathematics and focused on that degree initially. “But Dr. Klanderman and [Professor of Computer Science] Dr. Jeff Nyhoff encouraged me to take some computer science classes in my first semester to see if I enjoyed it. After taking a few classes, I not only enjoyed the computer science classes but saw how pairing that with a mathematics major worked really well for many different careers,” he said. While pursuing a double major, he also earned a minor in business.

The summer before his senior year, Nolan interned with Exelon, America’s leading energy provider and a Fortune 100 company based in Chicago. “After graduating in May of 2018, I was hired full-time by Exelon. Now, two and a half years later I am a senior data analyst.”

Nolan loves being a data analyst. “My favorite part of my job is that it is a great balance between three things that I love; math, computer science, and people. I also love that I am not doing the same thing every day–the data, the people, and the problems are always different and therefore exciting to me,” he said.

He was also excited to learn that Trinity is launching a Data Analytics program, beginning in Fall 2021. “I get to see the need for data analytics and the lack of knowledge, training, and skills that exists,” he said. “I sit in a unique position in that I get to interact with every aspect of our business, and I can see how desperate the company is for data professionals,”

Nolan encourages all students at Trinity to familiarize themselves some aspect of data analytics. “The future is not a world of data. We are already in that world, and too many people are not prepared for it,” he said. “Even if you don’t want to be a data analyst, having experience, such as a minor in data analytics, will help you in any profession. I find it to be an extremely rewarding career. There are always new challenges because the data is never the same and the business problem is never the same; so being able to work on new, challenging projects is a lot of fun.”

When he is not working, Nolan serves at his church, Judson Church in Joliet, Ill., and is on the board of directors of MorningStar Mission in Joliet. He is also currently pursuing a Master of Computer Science from the University of Illinois and is planning to start seminary in the fall. “My motivation for attending seminary is to just better equip myself to serve God,” he said. “I want to be able to serve better at church, at home, at work, wherever. Now that my career is established, I feel like the timing is great for me to focus more on my biblical knowledge and I know could do that by reading books and many other ways. But I thrive under structure so I felt attending seminary would be best for me.”

Looking back on his time at Trinity, Nolan points to the impact his professors had on his life, as well as his studies. “To have professors that I could talk to about anything, not just school, was comforting and made Trinity feel like a second home,” he said.

Photo: Amy (Bulthuis) Huckstep ‘09 & Dustin Huckstep ’18

–By Christy Wolff ’10

While Amy (Bulthuis) Huckstep ‘09 grew up with a clear picture of what college would look like for her, she didn’t quite know which school she’d attend. Growing up near Trinity meant she was familiar with the campus, and after learning more about what Trinity had to offer, she knew she belonged there.

“I wanted to be somewhere small with a close environment of Christian educators and friends – all things I found at Trinity,” Huckstep shared.

Knowing she would major in science and ultimately attend graduate school, Huckstep was immediately drawn to Trinity’s state-of-the-art Heritage Science Center and the extracurricular activities offered, such as research opportunities (a helpful addition to her grad school applications) and being a part of smaller classes – allowing more involvement with professors.

One research opportunity involved studying rats with adult stem cells. Huckstep, two other students, and Professor of Biology Bob Boomsma ’77, Ph.D., undertook this two-year project that involved regenerating stem cells from aortas with the hope that there would be re-growth. “The research environment was huge in my learning process,” Huckstep said. “I do a lot of research in my job today, so it was helpful to have this foundation.”

During her junior and senior years, Huckstep enrolled in a class that studied the merging of Christianity and ethics within the science world. “Sometimes those subjects are categorized by themselves, but to bring them together and reason through science and your Christian worldview was really impactful for me,” Huckstep shared. “I might not have gotten that opportunity at a large university.”

After graduating from Trinity, Huckstep went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She found that Trinity prepared her well for further education, specifically by being challenged academically. “The professors at Trinity taught me to problem solve and learn the concepts to the right answers instead of just memorizing them,” Huckstep said.

She recalled leaving her doctoral classes each day thinking about our Creator and having a bigger perspective on what she was learning, in large part because of how Trinity influenced her during her college years.

Huckstep now works as a physical therapist at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and helps patients who have had a stroke or brain injury, or are living with diseases like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis.

Two years ago, Huckstep and one of her colleagues worked with engineering students at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., to come up with improved ways of learning wheelchair skills. What came of this was the “Alligator Tail,” a harness that can easily be fashioned to a wheelchair and is designed to stop the wheelchair from falling backward while learning new skills, such as a wheelie.

The team desired to help patients with spinal cord injuries that had resulted in paralysis of the core and legs. Huckstep explained, “Unfortunately, insurance rarely covers enough time in therapy to effectively learn [how to perform a wheelie]. And if we spend all therapy time learning this task, we aren’t able to teach these patients how to do other tasks such as getting in and out of bed with paralysis, transferring from a bed to a wheelchair, sitting at the edge of the bed without assistance, etc.”

She went on to say, “The device was created to allow patients to get a device at home to practice with family safely, to improve repetitions and confidence, and to keep therapists safe in teaching these patients how to perform the task.”

As a result of her hard work, Huckstep’s name is listed on the device’s patent.

Today, there are five Alligator Tails being used for physical therapy needs at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final patent is still in process, which means they can’t be distributed to other facilities yet. The hope is to start the marketing and distribution process as soon as it’s safe to do so, with the goal of distributing these harnesses throughout the world.

Reflecting on her time at Trinity, Huckstep shared, “I love my job, I look forward to going to work each day, and I find motivation through my coworkers. God formed me and prepared me for what I’m doing today through my experiences at Trinity; this is all part of God’s plan designed for me.”