Archives: Alumni Success Stories

By Christy Wolff ’10

Born in Singapore, Sam Mahtani (‘10) and his family moved to the U.S. when he was just five years old. His dad, a pastor, led churches in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Seeing his dad make a difference by spreading the Gospel inspired Mahtani to do the same – but instead of preaching, he found joy in sharing Christ’s love through soccer.

Currently the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at Belmont University (Nashville, TN), Mahtani helps players grow in their relationship with Jesus through his leadership. “You can speak into students’ lives when you have a relationship already built,” Mahtani shared. “This is a big part of why I went into coaching.”

His decision to become a coach didn’t happen overnight. For many years, Mahtani wasn’t sure what his next steps after high school would be; a four-year college wasn’t on his mind. He considered being a chef and even applied to a cooking school in Chicago, but realized he’d likely be working hectic hours and didn’t want to be pushed into such a specific job in the cooking industry.

Open to other options, Mahtani’s sister-in-law – a Trinity alum – encouraged Mahtani to check out the campus. Before he knew it, he was officially a student at Trinity.

His interest in athletics grew once he joined the basketball team during high school. He played soccer to stay in shape and just enjoyed the game. During his freshman year at Trinity, Mahtani formed friendships with members of the soccer team by playing intramural soccer together, which led to Mahtani trying out as a walk-on player. By the spring, Mahtani was officially a player on the team. He grew exponentially in his role on the team, from a walk-on tryout to starting defender to captain his senior year.

Mahtani’s passion for playing soccer grew into an interest in coaching, which led to him becoming the men’s basketball team manager as a freshman and pursuing a minor in coaching. He joined the coaching staff at Illiana High School (Dyer, IN) – a role that helped him identify his calling.

After graduation, Mahtani took a marketing job at Trinity. “I wanted to coach at Trinity and needed a job that would be flexible and allow me to coach. The marketing department at Trinity allowed me to do that with my boss, Kim Fabian, who worked with my schedule.” This meant that Mahtani balanced a full-time job, assisting in coaching the women’s soccer team and working toward his master’s in coaching and athletic administration.

His hard work paid off with the opportunity to start both the men’s and women’s soccer programs from scratch at Providence Christian College (Pasadena, CA). His primary focus was on recruiting. “We had two kids at the school interested in soccer, so I had to recruit two full soccer teams in January to play that August,” Mahtani said. He also juggled a handful of athletic director duties, such as hiring staff, coordinating equipment and gear, renting soccer fields, making travel arrangements, and creating a process for the program.

Mahtani used these skills to volunteer at the Western Region Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Sports Camp held at UCLA. Mahtani oversaw several coaches and leaders, and together they created a unique program for 60 young girls. “During the camp, students were asked to share their testimonies, and I shared mine, too. We provided a space to help students share their stories,” Mahtani shared.

Six years after starting the program at Providence and eager for his next challenge, Mahtani accepted a coaching job at Belmont University – where he still works. His wife, Roxy, is a Tennessee native, meaning they would be closer to the family after living in California. They welcomed their first child in April 2022.

Mahtani reflects on valuable leadership skills that he developed at Trinity, such as managing people, presenting himself, and communicating clearly. These were fine-tuned by professors, coaches, mentors, and faculty. Mahtani pointed out that professors welcomed one-on-one conversations with their students – a valuable benefit to being a part of a smaller campus and having accessibility to professors.

“At Trinity, I learned how to gain common ground and understanding across the board; whether you’re from a different background, have a different viewpoint, or have a different skin color, I could find common ground and build friendships,” Mahtani said.

Growing up in the Church, Mahtani wanted his years at Trinity to be a time of growth for his faith. “I learned that there are a lot of Christians on campus who have a different viewpoint than me, and that’s ok; it doesn’t remove the fact that we’re all Christians and understand that Jesus died for our sins.”

Today, Mahtani is helping others develop their faith while enjoying a shared love for soccer. “It’s not about saying I love Jesus and I love soccer; those two go hand in hand for me. I am now in a place where I get to coach at a Division 1 program, allowing me to have an impact by sharing the Gospel through relationships. I want to be the catalyst in players’ lives by putting them in a position to learn more about Christ and be there to listen.”

–By Christy Wolff ’10

Josh Stammis ‘17 felt the call to ministry during high school and knew that Trinity was the place he could thrive the most after just one visit to campus. “Trinity was the only place I visited where people who walked past me said ‘hello,’ even if they didn’t know me,” Stammis recalled. “The community at Trinity is radically hospitable.”

What began as a business communications degree during his freshman year turned into a focus on theology. “God gave me the gift and skill of communication,” Stammis shared. “Pastors need to know how to communicate well and essentially how to lead a small business by sharing your vision and getting others on board.” The business classes he took early on equipped Stammis with the tools needed to one day lead a church.

Dr. Bethany Keeley-Jonker, associate professor of communication arts, helped Stammis grow even more in his communication skills. “She developed my craft as a communicator,” Stammis recalled. “Through her teaching, I learned how to get a pulse on how people connect.”

Professor of Theology Yudha Thianto, Ph.D., also made an impact on Stammis by leading the class in a way that was intended to promote conversation among students. “He helped with self-development skills, taking ideas and responding to them instead of just memorizing what we’re told to do,” Stammis said.

His classmates helped Stammis grow and shape his faith. “I gained inspiration from the community around me by seeing how much faith meant to my peers.” Gathering for campus-wide praise and worship on Thursday nights Outcry offered Stammis a new perspective on his own faith. He felt inspired to be a life-giving source to a community. “It was a great blessing to be the one who says ‘hello’ to someone I’d never seen before and share that hospitality with visitors — just like it was shared with me,” Stammis said.

After graduating from Trinity, Stammis went on to study at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and earned his Master of Divinity in 2020 – a difficult year to find work. “Some churches had a hard time meeting weekly for worship, let alone meeting to interview pastors,” Stammis pointed out. He took on an interim pastoral role in Sheldon, Iowa in the summer of 2021, which provided Stammis with the opportunity to develop his skills as a pastor, sermon writer, preacher, and community builder.

Stammis then received a call from Lakeview Christian Reformed Church in Lakeview, S.D., in October 2021. Located in a small town of 100 people where the closest neighbor is at least a half-mile away, residents naturally feel isolated. “Gathering in worship is a big service to the community around us – catching up with neighbors and interacting with others,” Stammis said.

A church of 40 members, about a dozen of them are children. “It’s a huge blessing and also a grand responsibility to see the next generation develop in their faith and make it their own, not just what their parents or I tell them,” Stammis said.

Recognizing his gift of communication, Stammis is thankful to God for giving him these skills to intentionally share the Gospel message with others. “God has shown me that giving back to His Kingdom through pastoral leadership was something beneficial, not just for myself, but for the community around me, too.”

While many elementary school-aged kids are interested in riding bikes and playing outside, Anna (Spotts) Sall ‘17 had a different interest: the medical field. After learning that her childhood best friend had a liver transplant as a baby, Sall’s curiosity grew, so she began going to her friend’s medical appointments in Chicago, which continued through high school. Sall’s dream to become a doctor was heavily influenced by this early experience — and Trinity helped make that dream a reality.

Sall desired to find a college that helped prepare her to be a doctor and supported her passion for running. During a campus visit, Sall met with Trinity’s Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Fie Coach Bob Brickman and several athletes who made her feel welcomed. “The student-athletes I met felt like family and made me feel comfortable. I didn’t necessarily feel that at other schools I visited. I knew Trinity would be a good place to grow in many different ways,” Sall said.

With a dream to go into medicine someday, Sall majored in biology at Trinity – as well as English because of her love for the subject. “Both degrees benefitted the other by providing a unique perspective on all of my classes.”

Sall also held the role of Resident Assistant (RA) during her junior and senior years. The Residence Life staff who oversaw the on-campus RAs helped build Sall into a leader among her peers. “They were a huge part of my spiritual development and finding who I was and how I could help the people around me.”

Not only did Trinity thoroughly prepare Sall through classroom knowledge, but her experience as an RA also prepared her to show Christ’s love to her patients. “Being an RA for two years helped me grow in how I relate to people and listen to them with empathy and care, which is a huge part of patient interaction.”

After graduating from Trinity, Sall took a gap year and spent her time researching bench procedures at Loyola University Chicago. She also had the unique opportunity of filling in for Professor of Biology and Chair of Sciences Clay Carlson as the adjunct professor of his microbiology lab during his sabbatical. “Dr. Carlson was my biggest motivator when I was a student; he taught me how to study, learn, and push myself. It was a fun challenge being on the teaching side of things and to work with Dr. Carlson in this capacity.”

Sall noticed that her relationships with professors at Trinity were unique compared to her graduate school friends who went to larger schools. “Having those relationships with professors at Trinity and seeing how much they invested in us as students made the whole experience more meaningful and special,” she said.

Sall recently graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and plans to start her residency training this summer at McLaren Greater Lansing in Lansing, Mich.

As Sall continues to work toward becoming a doctor, she credits Trinity for keeping her grounded in her relationship with God. “My faith was strengthened at Trinity, which I needed throughout med school — especially during times of uncertainty. I wasn’t sure if I would have a residency placement, so I depended on my faith a lot and came to it for comfort and guidance.”

Through impactful mentors, encouraging peers, and insightful coursework, Sall felt supported by the Trinity community as she pursued her dream of becoming a doctor. “The community on campus really allowed me to grow into myself and become more comfortable with who I am as a friend, leader, and teacher. I experienced a lot of change throughout my four years at Trinity.”

–By Christy Wolff ’10

Over the past two and a half years, Mariah (Nelesen) Slenk ‘20 has experienced the body of Christ surrounding her like never before. Through several difficult medical diagnoses and the Covid-19 pandemic, Slenk knew she could trust her friends, family, and the Trinity community to support her when she needed it the most.

In February 2020, just months away from graduating from Trinity with a degree in graphic design, Slenk was hit with intense chest pain which soon spread to her back. After learning about these symptoms, her parents (Pastor Marc ‘91 and Tracy ‘92) back in Michigan urged Slenk to go to the hospital. Ten years prior, Slenk’s mom had experienced an aortic dissection – a serious condition which causes a tear within the aorta, compromising the blood flow. Worried about their loved one, Slenk’s parents and boyfriend, Clay, at once drove from Michigan to Illinois to provide their support.

“My parents understood what was going on, but I didn’t quite know – I just remember being really scared,” Slenk recalled.

After a CT scan and test of her heart, her greatest fear was realized: It was determined that Slenk was also experiencing an aortic dissection.

Surgery became an option to help repair the tear, but the doctors were not sure how Slenk’s body would react to surgery considering how fragile she was. At this point, she could not even walk. They decided not to do surgery and instead placed Slenk on strict bed rest.

Questions began filling her head: Will she walk again? Will she be active like she was before? Will she finish her senior year?

That is when the Covid-19 pandemic shook our world. Trinity decided to move classes online for the rest of the semester, which turned out to be a blessing for Slenk. “I thought I would have to finish the semester online by myself, but all of a sudden we were all in the same boat, finishing our courses online,” Slenk shared.

With graduation behind her and focusing on recovering at home, Slenk set her sights on graduate school. She was accepted into the graphic design graduate program at the University of Illinois Chicago and was also awarded a fellowship which included a financial scholarship and the potential to have a teaching assistantship as well. “This was good news amidst a really challenging time of recovering at home,” Slenk recalled.

Following Slenk’s first semester of graduate school, Clay proposed at a park with their family hiding in cars nearby, waiting to express their excitement – and the couple began dreaming about their wedding.

Fast forward to the summer of 2021. “At this point, I had recovered well from my dissection. I still had limitations, but I was finally getting back to normal.” By the time the dreary days of winter came around, Slenk had gone through months with back-to-back surgeries after other medical diagnoses and was recovering well, when she received a phone call on January 11, 2022, that would once again shake her world. She had cancer.

Eight short days later, Slenk’s fiancé ended up in the ER because he was not recovering from a bout with pneumonia. The phone rang In the middle of the night, and it was Clay’s mom calling to share the overwhelming news – Clay was diagnosed with leukemia.

“I was in shock,” Slenk recalled. “I thought there’s absolutely no way this is possible and that there has to be some mistake.”

In the weeks and months that followed, both Slenk and her fiancé underwent chemo, surgeries, and, in Clay’s case, a stem cell transplant. “We’re on a journey that a lot of people don’t understand unless they’ve been through it, so it’s created a stronger bond between us.”

Shortly after receiving her diagnosis, Slenk received text messages from the art professors at Trinity checking in and seeing how she was doing. “To wonder where God is and then to see Him so clearly through other people has been amazing. That is how we have seen God work the most, through His people who care about us, love us, and lift us up.”

Because of their treatment plans, the couple decided to move their wedding up. On April 9, 2022, Clay and Mariah Slenk wed at a small, intimate ceremony in Zeeland, Michigan. “We agreed to forget about cancer for a little while and just enjoy this time of getting married.”

Slenk recently underwent her fifth of six chemo treatments, and her blood work showed that the tumor marker the doctors have been following is coming down. “I can finally see the finish line.” Her husband is recovering well since his transplant and has had minimal side effects.

Slenk is hopeful for her future and the opportunities that await her, including finishing her master’s program. “We know that God has been so faithful, even when it has been difficult to see. When Clay and I have not been able to pray, we know there have been other people praying and lifting us up when it has been challenging to talk to God. It has been a beautiful picture of the body of Christ – that is what we are called to be.”

–By Christy Wolff ’10  

 For Scott Vermeer ‘12, what began as an interest in social work evolved into service with the U.S. Air Force Reserve and ultimately a career as a prosecutor — and he credits his experience at Trinity for helping him identify his calling. “I’ve finally hit my stride,” Vermeer said. 

Making the decision to attend Trinity came easy for Vermeer. “I researched schools on both coasts; I was set on going far away for school,” Vermeer shared. Born and raised in Michigan, he visited Trinity’s campus on a whim. “As soon as we drove away, I told my parents, ‘That’s the one.’ We didn’t even make it to the highway before I decided.” 

Helping people in his work was a priority for Vermeer, which led him to pursue a social work degree. As he worked through his studies, Vermeer kept running into roadblocks that caused him to question his career path after graduation. “Social workers do so much good, but they get barred from accomplishing a lot of things because of rules and politics,” Vermeer said. This led him to pursue law school, but not before joining the U.S. Air Force Reserve. 

Two weeks after graduating from Trinity, Vermeer began boot camp while simultaneously applying for law school. He was accepted into St. Louis University and joined an Air Force unit near the school where he learned how to do emergency room medicine at 35,000 feet as a flight medic. Vermeer was eventually deployed — after a year and a half of training — and served in 11 countries in just a few months. 

Finishing law school brought him a job with a private general practice firm in Washington, but he was laid off toward the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one year later, Vermeer, his wife Jenn, and their two daughters moved to Boise, Idaho, where he accepted a job as a prosecutor, a role he still holds today. “Having a background in social work has served me well in my job,” Vermeer said. “It’s about connecting people with resources and meeting them where they’re at. In the legal world, my work in the juvenile division is intended to assist kids by giving them the tools they need to be successful.” 

Vermeer found ways to merge his passion for social work and his loyalty to the Reserves, including adding First Sergeant to his resume, protecting the health, welfare, and morale of about 400 troops. “I am essentially a social worker, ensuring that the human side of these groups are taken care of,” Vermeer shares. “Emotions and mental health have a massive role in the military and needs to be considered when looking at a person.” 

Vermeer credits a handful of professors at Trinity for equipping him with the tools needed to do his work well. Charles Emmerich (former professor of political science) instilled in Vermeer that the importance of politics and secular law can’t be separated. “I didn’t know I was going to law school at the time, but looking back, he really encouraged me toward that path.” 

Dr. Erick Sierra, professor of English, was Vermeer’s manager at Trinity’s on-campus Writing Center. He showed Vermeer how to lead, manage, and teach others. “He taught me that the goal wasn’t to give answers to students, but to help them learn how to do better on their own and to find their own answer,” Vermeer recalled. “This greatly helps me in my work.” 

In addition to these key tools, Vermeer stays grounded in his faith. “As a prosecutor, I focus on the big picture: the rehab and fixing the wrong instead of just punishing the individual,” Vermeer said. “My faith plays a big part in that, keeping in mind Christ and His forgiveness.” 

Recalling the support, mentorship, class experience, and campus life that led Vermeer to where he is today, he is quick to credit the intentional community at Trinity that he is proud to be a part of. “There wasn’t one specific Trinity experience that formed me; it’s the pervading support. Trinity truly is a family.” 

 

–By Christy Wolff ’10 

Choosing a college came easy for Lauren Baker ‘19 after an impactful experience during a visit weekend. “I remember hanging out with my host student and her friends, eating cookies and drinking smoothies at the BBC, and being struck by how normal it was for them to talk about God. I wanted to be a part of that type of community that welcomed that,” Baker said. 

Fast forward to today. Working as a travel nurse, Baker intentionally strives to bring that community with her wherever she goes. 

As a nursing student, Baker desired to balance her coursework with life outside the classroom. “I wanted to see all of Trinity’s little corners, especially being part of a department that can take up a lot of your time if you let it. I chose to experience a lot–singing in choir and ensembles, working with the athletic department, to name a few–and that’s what I got out of it.” 

Originally from Whitinsville, Mass., Baker grew up hearing about Trinity from her parents, Darrell and Laurie, who graduated from the College in 1993. She valued the proximity to extended family and the accessibility to Midway Airport so she could easily fly home for the holidays. “I used to host prospective students when I was at Trinity and I would tell them that they have four years to live anywhere they want and highlighted how close everything was to campus,” Baker shared. 

During Baker’s junior year, she became a Resident Assistant (RA). “I’ve always been wired for leadership–not the loud, stand-on-a-stage kind, but more through mentorship, running small groups, and creating relationships through activities and conversation with women younger than me.” After having a positive experience with her own RA as a freshman, Baker was inspired to fill this role. 

One of the benefits of holding the RA position is forming a relationship with the dorm’s Resident Director (RD). Weekly meetings to discuss ways for Baker to mentor younger women grew into a season of being mentored herself. “I went into this role expecting to mentor others, but both years I was blown away by the way I was mentored, which allowed me to lead better. This was all very unexpected for me, and I still hang onto their advice to this day,” Baker shared. “Having adults who could see all the good in me when I felt insecure and unsure of the future created a balance of gaining self-confidence and self-discipline at the same time. I try to carry that balance of confidence and humility with a growth mindset into each new season of my life.” 

Baker invested much of her time and energy into her nursing classes, so forming these relationships helped pull her out of the “nursing bubble,” as she puts it. “When I was near tears thinking I was going to fail nursing school, I received a lot of encouragement from the adult mentors I had on campus.” She points out that Trinity staff and faculty are in their positions because they are passionate about reaching college-aged students. “You may not realize how much these staff members care until you’re part of a relationship with one of them; they dedicate their lives to this.” 

Not only did Baker complete the nursing program, but she was able to land a job shortly after graduating. During her interviews, Baker often talked about her Trinity experience as much as she talked about her nursing knowledge. “Hiring managers can see I’m a good nurse on paper, but they want to hear something that makes me stand out.” 

After spending 18 months at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Mich., Baker wanted something new so she became a travel nurse. “This was a difficult transition because I was stepping into situations where the hospital might be short-staffed. That’s why they were hiring temporary nurses like myself.” 

Changing positions every three months can also be a challenge. “I’m constantly the new guy, figuring out what’s next, applying for a new position every few months, and changing my license over to a new state,” Baker described. “It’s both a great adventure to learn and grow and also sometimes lonely and hard moving every three months. It’s all very humbling, and I felt prepared for all of these different experiences through my education in the nursing program at Trinity.” 

She goes on to say, “As a travel nurse, I feel like a tiny bandage on a giant gash that is the world of nursing shortages right now, yet I can only control what is mine to control, which starts by walking in with a positive attitude. Coworkers at these placements pick up on the positivity, and therefore often summon more energy to give to their own patients. They ask for my perspective based on my varied experiences. Meanwhile, I am learning from them too, and my gratitude for the opportunity to make a living by traveling around the country and growing as a nurse overflows in my work.” 

Currently working at a Mayo Clinic-owned hospital in Minnesota, Baker craves community and often finds that in church settings wherever she’s currently working. “At my first placement in Washington, I ran into a Trinity alum at church and she invited me to sit with her, which went a long way.” 

One way Baker is showing her appreciation for Trinity is through her membership in the Trinity Alumni Nursing Association (TANA). This cohort of alumni nurses regularly network with one another, which helped Baker find her first job after college. She is also a member of the alumni board representing the nursing alumni base as a whole, including her role with TANA. 

Baker also reflects on how she grew spiritually during her four years at Trinity. “I feel like I was able to make my faith my own in communal and relational settings at Trinity. I learned to set my eyes where it mattered even when the demands of academics and leadership were louder.” 

Her investment into the Trinity community didn’t stop when she graduated. “I went from being a consumer by just attending classes or events to becoming an investor by being a part of campus life. I walked away wanting to continue supporting Trinity and I am genuinely invested in where Trinity’s going.” 

–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.”