Archives: Alumni Success Stories

–By Christy Wolff ‘10 

During Shanna Grigoletti’s ‘05 time at Trinity, God laid on her heart the idea of opening her own gym and using it as an outreach to the community. Through a handful of job changes, moves, and other life experiences, Grigoletti saw how God prepared her for the career she is in today. 

Grigoletti was raised in west Michigan and grew up attending Calvary Christian Reformed Church (Wyoming, MI) with her family. Through Sunday school, youth group, and attending church twice on Sundays, Grigoletti was fully immersed in the CRC but desired to experience something new. 

Along with that desire came an adventure in a new city. Grigoletti enrolled at Trinity–where her sister attended–with a track scholarship. Sports have always been a big part of Grigoletti’s life, so it was natural for her to major in exercise science. God began moving Grigoletti in the direction of opening her own gym and community center, beginning with an internship working at a corporate gym on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. “Trinity was really helpful in connecting me to this internship,” Grigoletti says. 

After graduation, Grigoletti got married and the couple moved to St. Louis, where her husband found work at an inner-city church planting ministry. “We jumped into family life really quickly and had kids early on,” Grigoletti shares. 

When Grigoletti was pregnant with her fourth child, her family decided to move back to Michigan to be closer to family. Grigoletti soon found herself reengaging in the Calvary CRC community, this time with a fresh perspective.  

Looking for a part-time job, Grigoletti agreed to fill the custodian role at Calvary. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Grigoletti recalls. She enjoyed interacting with others during the week and seeing what Calvary was like outside of Sunday worship. 

During one of her shifts at the church, Grigoletti had a meaningful conversation with the pastor and shared that she longed to do more with her life. The pastor told Grigoletti that he wanted to open a community center but couldn’t find anyone to lead it. That’s when Grigoletti stepped up and became the Executive Director of Lighthouse Community Ministries, located on Calvary CRC’s campus. 

Lighthouse serves its community through physical wellness, nutritional wellness, mental wellness, addiction recovery, and poverty mitigation by offering classes, activities, and other programs. 

Thinking back to her time at Trinity, Grigoletti reflects on an interim experience where she worked with women who were transitioning out of rehab. The program connected men and women to different volunteer opportunities, including helping at an after-school program and serving at a thrift store. “It was eye opening to have that kind of ministry right in your own neighborhood,” Grigoletti shares. “I was able to take what I learned during my interim course at Trinity and apply it to the community center I started.” 

 More than 15 years have passed since Grigoletti was a student at Trinity, and she’s grateful for the ways God grew her faith during her college years. “Trinity showed me that you need to step out of your bubble, love those around you, and open your eyes to the immense amount of opportunity that’s outside your front door.” 

 

–By Christy Wolff ‘10

Sarah Irvine ‘13 grew up on the soccer field. She joined her first team when she was five years old; by the time she was seven, she was part of a travel team. God began forming Sarah through her passion for soccer from a young age and continues to this day.

Unsure of what career God was calling her to, Sarah attended community college for two years and took a variety of classes. Her soccer coach at the time encouraged Sarah to research Trinity for her next steps – which is exactly what she did.

“Transferring was difficult because I had to start over. But the soccer team at Trinity provided community when I needed it most,” Sarah shares.

Through the guidance of her sister, Sarah knew she wanted to help others in her work. So, she declared a social work major. During her classes, Sarah worked with then-Professor Rose Malinowski to create a January interim course focused on homelessness. She researched and connected with different services and support groups to create a curriculum. Prof. Malinowski also advocated for Sarah to do an internship in Ecuador during her senior year. “It was the best experience of my life,” Sarah recalls. Working at an English-speaking international school, Sarah led social skills groups, did research for the social work department, and helped with individual cases.

Sarah also took a sign language course at Trinity, which turned out to be her favorite class. One of the class assignments was to translate a children’s book into sign language. Instead of taking an already-published book, Sarah took on the brave task of writing her own. This evolved into illustrating and adding sign language to her children’s book.

Following graduation, Sarah went on to receive her MSW (Master of Social Work). Today, Sarah works in private practice in Austin, Texas. Her specialties include working with children and their families, as well as young adults. She meets with individuals who struggle with ADHD, life transitions, behavioral issues, and relationship conflicts – to name a few.

Sarah regularly uses the book she authored, Zoe the Zebra: Be Kind, as a tool to teach kindness and have constructive conversations with her clients. In 2019, her book that she wrote at Trinity was published and is currently being sold on many different platforms, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Becoming an impactful social worker and talented children’s book author are just two ways that Sarah grew during her time at Trinity. More importantly, her relationship with God deepened through worship opportunities on campus and her soccer team.

“Trinity provided me a perfect place to grow in my faith,” Sarah says.

To learn more about Sarah’s book, visit her website at sarahirvinelcsw.com

Belinda Adame MA ’15 pursued a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Trinity because she wanted to help individuals navigate transitions, achieve growth, and assist during their transformation process. “At times, brokenness is seen as something negative, but I think it is an opportunity to rebuild, restore, and develop a different outlook,” she said. “I enjoy guiding individuals to overcome obstacles, discover strengths, and identify what makes them feel empowered. It is a humbling experience to witness.”

Adame, who recently transitioned from being a clinical support services manager at a community mental health agency to director of counseling and wellness at Judson University, in Elgin, Ill., was interested in attending Trinity for multiple reasons. “I wanted to attend a school that focused on Christian values and integrated my beliefs with a calling I felt passionate about,” said Adame, who also works as a resource staff member at a local psychiatric hospital. She was also attracted to Trinity’s smaller class sizes, which were similar to what she experienced at Aurora University, where she earned her undergraduate degree. “Additionally, the accelerated program allowed me to learn skills in class while putting these into practice at a social services agency,” she said.

During her time at Trinity, Adame said her best experiences involved practicing her counseling skills with her peers. “Obtaining feedback was helpful and necessary to learn more about my counseling style,” she said. “I have also been blessed with the support from professors, such as Dr. Kara Wolff, post-graduation. She helped me obtain my provisional license and motivated me to pursue my clinical license. I am appreciative of the encouragement she offered during these career milestones.”

Whether considering graduate school or other life change, Adame calls upon verses from Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

“This Bible verse has helped me in every season of my life,” she said. “I encourage everyone to find a promise that speaks to them and sustains them during change and transitions.”

Before Ashley Fazekas MA ’18 began attending Trinity to earn her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, she had worked for years in a completely different profession: as a medical dosimetrist in the field of radiation oncology.

Her decision to change careers and attend Trinity was several years in the making. But it has brought her to a fulfilling new path, as a Licensed Professional Counselor and now as an adjunct professor at Trinity, teaching a course on Theories of Personality for Trinity’s Adult Program in Spring 2020.

“My different careers have both involved helping people, and my own background allows me to help people,” Fazekas said. “My Trinity professors have been my role models. They have inspired me. I looked up to them.”

Since graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 1999, Fazekas carved a professional path in the healthcare sector where she devised treatment plans for patients with cancer.  But the healthcare industry has changed dramatically in recent years, and opportunities were becoming more limited for Fazekas as the number of cancer care centers expanded. “I value what I do, and I wanted to move up or move out. It was time to move out,” she said. “In going to grad school, my goal was to diversify my career. I wanted to be in private practice and teach. I loved the idea of being a therapist and a professor.”

She first began exploring graduate programs several years before she ultimately came to Trinity. She met Dr. Michael DeVries ‘74, who was then head of the graduate program. “He told me going to grad school was absolutely doable. I wanted to get my ducks in a row, including saving money. When I applied three years later, Dr. DeVries asked what took me so long,” she said.

Trinity was the only college she considered for grad school. “I live a God-centered life, and I wanted a school that was similar.” And every time she questioned her choice to make such a dramatic life move, God showed her a sign. “It might have been an ad for Trinity on a bus, or a Trinity bumper sticker on a car. But it was so easy once I got here.”

During her time at Trinity, she loved her courses on research and multiculturalism. She also was accepted to every internship she applied for and had two job offers when she graduated.

Fazekas currently sees about 20-25 patients a week in her clinical practice at The Therapy Center in Orland Park, Ill. With her background in oncology, her patients include those with cancer, as well as their families. “I also have a passion for helping those struggling with addiction,” she said.

Along with serving as an adjunct professor at Trinity, Fazekas recently began teaching at Moraine Valley Community College. While she was always interested in teaching, she appreciates the time she had to focus on developing a practice as a clinical psychologist after graduating in 2018. “It’s been a lot of changes, but I’m just rolling with it,” she said.

For those looking at grad school, she suggests carefully researching options. “And remember that life is never going to be perfect or ideal, so plan for how you can set yourself up for success–if you have the luxury to plan,” she said. “And remember that short-term sacrifices are worth the long-term goals.”

–By Christy Wolff ‘10

As the owner/operator of a Chick-fil-A franchise, Tyler DeKoekkoek ‘14 begins each day by reminding his team, “It doesn’t matter what you believe in. What’s important is how you add value to peoples’ lives around you.” And that’s exactly what Tyler does: He uses his leadership role to positively influence the people he works with and adds value to the restaurant — all tools he acquired during his time at Trinity.

Born in Michigan, Tyler grew up loving the game of basketball. When he was offered a basketball scholarship from Trinity, he enrolled. Entering his freshman year, Tyler decided to take an assortment of classes to determine what interested him the most. Challenged and intrigued by psychology, he quickly declared his major, with a minor in theology as a way to grow in his faith.

Both Dr. Michael DeVries and Dr. Derrick Hassert from the Psychology Department positively influenced him. “Both professors had experience in the field, so they had practical stories students could relate to, as opposed to just reading textbooks,” Tyler shares.

After graduation, Tyler coached the men’s basketball team for a semester before stepping back and allowing God to guide him in his career. This led Tyler to a job in the Virgin Islands, where he worked with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks — a student-led ministry that sends roughly 200 ministry team members into 75 locations in 25 national parks around the country.

Tyler distinctly remembers God telling him, “I can use you, Tyler. Be open to anything I have in store for you.”

After returning home and getting married, Tyler’s in-laws introduced him to a friend who was the owner/operator of a Chick-fil-A franchise. “I met with him hoping to receive career advice and walked away with a job overseeing the catering operations,” Tyler says.

During the years that followed, Tyler stepped into an operations role before being selected as the owner/operator at the location he still runs today, located near the Illinois/Iowa border.

“Oftentimes in the world of business, leaders get caught up in the data, analytics, and sales,” he says. “But I think what’s lost is connecting with the people you’re working with.” And that’s where Tyler’s psychology degree comes into play.

Managing 25 employees with 25 different personalities isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Tyler strives to build relationships and figure out how best to lead each employee. “I use my degree every day to figure out how to build a team from varying backgrounds,” Tyler shares.

Looking back on how God led him to where he is today, Tyler shares, “I’m so thankful that God helped me be open to what He had in store for me.”

Rachel DeVries ’97 decided to pursue a graduate degree in special education at Trinity so she could better her understanding of the special education field. “I am working in this department at Illiana Christian High School in Dyer, Ind.,” she said. “In order to be able to relate to my students with a greater sense of who they are and what they face on a daily basis, pursuing this degree was the route that I felt best to take.”

DeVries also earned her bachelor’s degree from Trinity, in Elementary Education. “As an undergrad, I had an excellent experience with my Education professors and that program. Going anywhere else was actually, not an option, in my opinion,” she said. “I enjoyed my Education Psychology class as an undergrad with Dr. Colosimo. I also enjoyed equally my Intro to Special Education class with Dr. Rudenga,” she said. “These are Godly, Godly women who teach God throughout their classes, model what it means to be a Christian teacher whether in a private or public school setting, and just women who I look up to still to this day. I cannot say enough about these two role models in my life.”

Balancing school and work can be challenging, DeVries said. “I desire to do the very best in both my place of employment and what my professors expect of me. I actually am probably my own worst critic,” she said with a smile. “I feel that the greatest challenge is also finding time for myself to do what I enjoy doing, along with spending quality time with my husband and our two children.”

She encourages everyone who is considering a graduate degree to go for it, regardless of age. “When you are young, you have time and youth on your side,” she said. “When you are older like me, you have experience on your side. Anytime is a great time to do this!”

–By Christy Wolff ’10

Born in Liberia, Tornu Prynce ‘11 moved to the United States with his family in 2001. With the move came culture shock — something Tornu appreciated, because it allowed him to learn alongside people who were different, all while showing Christ’s love to those he met. These formative years helped Tornu solidify his desire to attend a Christian college.

Tornu grew up in a home that valued education above all else. Television was only allowed on the weekends, and Tornu would spend his time watching Will Smith, which inspired him to pursue acting. His parents supported their son’s dream by enrolling him in acting school. By sophomore year of high school, Tornu had landed his first acting agency and appeared in a Walmart commercial. He continued to act throughout high school in commercial and print work and signing with a modeling agency.

When Tornu enrolled at Trinity, he desired to pursue a psychology degree — a seed that was planted during a high school psychology class.

Looking back on his experience in the psychology program, one professor in particular stands out as a positive influence. “Dr. Mary Lynn Colosimo [professor of psychology emeritus] played such a pivotal role in my life and continues to do so. She listened to me as a student and was extremely encouraging throughout my classes,” Tornu said.

Through the guidance of his professors, Tornu went on to receive his master’s degree in psychology. “I felt so prepared by Trinity to go to grad school,” Tornu said.

During grad school, Tornu interned at Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly, where he focused on breaking isolation among those who are growing older alone by establishing intentional community. This transitioned into a full-time job as program coordinator, which is the role he still fills today.

Tornu’s friend and fellow Trinity alum, Osvaldo Montelongo ‘11, shared Tornu’s passion for helping and advocating for older adults. Osvaldo created Connect Care Hero – an app that digitizes everything surrounding senior care. Staff at retirement homes use the app to show family members exactly what their loved one is doing throughout the day, providing open communication lines. “This allows you to engage with your loved ones, especially if you don’t live nearby,” Tornu explained.

Tornu serves as the chief marketing officer. He has been able to merge his psychology degree and past experience with his role as he supports Osvaldo in his business venture.

In the midst of this work, Tornu co-hosts a Chicago-based television show where he interviews both musicians and politicians alike and uses his platform to uplift viewers. He also started his own digital program called “Friends in the Spotlight,” which features people from diverse backgrounds making a difference in their communities.

As shown through his partnership with Osvaldo, Trinity provided Tornu space for friendships to form. “The friends that I currently have are my business partners and are relationships that started at Trinity,” Tornu said. “I’ll forever be grateful for these Christ-centered relationships.”

Trinity also aided in Tornu’s spiritual formation, challenging him to live in Christian community and stand firm in his beliefs. Tornu shared, “I walked away from Trinity having a clear sense of who I was in relationship to the cross and to myself.”

–By Aubrey Weedman ‘21

A 2018 graduate of Trinity’s Counseling Psychology master’s program, Aneesha Perkins is passionate about helping others become whole and find healing through therapy. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

A native of the Chicagoland area, Perkins graduated from Hampton University, an historically black university in Hampton, Va., in 2007 with degrees in journalism and business. Back home in Illinois, she began a career in sales and interned and worked for places such as Johnson Publishing Co., the Chicago White Sox, W.W. Grainger, and IBM. However, she was looking to transition from her sales career into a completely different field. “Awhile back, I knew I wanted to be a therapist but felt discouraged about starting all over in a new field. One day, I was driving and heard an advertisement about Trinity’s Masters of Counseling program,” she said. “Automatically, I thought ‘This is exactly what I am supposed to be doing.’” Perkins talked with several friends who were Trinity alumni. “They had nothing but great things to say about their experience at Trinity, so I knew it would be the right place for me.”

Perkins had taken only one psychology class as an undergraduate, so entering a graduate program in psychology was a new experience. But she found support from Trinity’s professors. “They pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and encouraged me to bring my authentic self to the program. My professors challenged and pushed me to put forth my very best. They reaffirmed my desire to become a therapist and further my education,” she said. “Trinity provided a nurturing environment in which I could learn, grow, and develop into a better student and woman.”

Field placement is another an important part of a Trinity education. Perkins said that her time at Trinity was a great experience and she graduated from Trinity entering her current doctorate program feeling better prepared. “There are classes I’ve taken and walked into with a better knowledge base because of my previous courses at Trinity,” she said. “Additionally, I feel comfortable and prepared for the therapy component in my upcoming practicum because I had such great guidance by my supervisor Dr. Deb [Majewski] during my masters-level internship at Trinity.”

Along with her coursework, Perkins began her first doctoral level practicum working at a public charter school in Washington, D.C., that serves inner city youth. Her responsibilities include administering psychological assessments and writing comprehensive reports providing therapeutic interventions to best support the needs of the students.

“My education from Trinity provided a great foundation for the program I am currently in,” she said. “Even after graduating from Trinity, I still remain in contact with my professors and they continue to help and support me however they can. Their support and care played an important role in how I view the world of psychology and my passion to be a part of the field. I am truly grateful for Trinity Christian College and its influence on my life. While graduate school is all about what you make out of it, Trinity provides great resources and tools for one to have a great and memorable experience.”

–By Christy Wolff ’10

Alan (MA ’18) and Crystal (MA ’18) Goldbergs’ career paths took an unexpected turn when their son Justin was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2006 at the age of two and a half. Coming from a 15-year career in the insurance industry, Crystal said, “When we first got the news about Justin, our hopes and dreams were shattered like many other parents who receive the diagnosis. Over time, we adjusted as a family, and sought out evidence-based interventions – such as Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy – and provided him with a variety of opportunities that would help him achieve his best life.”

Desiring to extend their help for kids with special needs, Alan and Crystal both completed their master’s degrees in special education and ultimately became Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) through Trinity’s two-year program.

Associate Professor of Special Education Sara Baillie, Ed.D., and Assistant Professor of Special Education Marilyn Spalla led the couple’s cohort of 12 and taught the principles of behavior analysis through both an academic and practical lens. “They both gave us a solid behavior-based framework we still reference today,” Crystal said. Since graduating, Alan and Crystal, along with Baillie, joined a journal article group that brings BCBAs across Illinois together to review published research about their field and discuss ways to apply it to their own careers.

Starting each class at Trinity with devotions made an impact on Crystal. “This practice got you in the mindset of being a catalyst for helping others,” she shared. She found that it allowed the cohort to bond and bring out the authentic qualities in people.

Today, Alan manages the special education department at Thomas Kelly High School in Chicago, which provides services to more than 400 students with special needs. Crystal recently started her own company, Operation Empower Inc., which focuses on educational advocacy and behavior consulting for families with children with special needs. She also serves as an advocate for families in schools by connecting home programming with the practices in use in school.

According to Crystal, “This experience has made us stronger as a couple, and we strive to continue to provide Justin with as many opportunities as possible so that he can lead a full and more independent life. If we didn’t experience this ourselves, I never would have been exposed to this field, but it happened for a reason – and that’s for us to give back and help others.”

For Kimberly Mueller ’19, the support of her husband and her faith in God helped her achieve her goal of graduating from Trinity’s Adult Programs with a bachelor’s degree in art education on Dec. 14 and beginning a teaching job at Stony Creek Elementary School in District 126 in Alsip, Ill.

While it was challenging to balance family life, student teaching, homework, and the requirements of passing the Teacher Performance Assessment EdTPA, Mueller believes it is all part of God’s plan. “I feel I am meant to be an art teacher and share my talents with my students. I am proud of how far I have come,” she said.

Mueller began Trinity’s Adult Program at Trinity in 2016. Her first student teaching placement was at Prairie Junior High School, also in District 126. “I was unsure what to expect,” she said. But she was reaffirmed by how much she loved teaching art.

For her second student teaching assignment, which took place during the fall of 2019, she was placed at Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights. “My first week of high school was tough. I did not think high school was for me,” she said. “But I continued to have faith in God.”

Just like at Prairie Junior High School, Mueller’s student teaching assignment consisted of getting to know the students and staff. After observing her cooperating teacher, she began teaching herself. She found that it was very hard to say goodbye at the end of her student teaching period, she said. “I met some very talented and awesome students. I now feel comfortable teaching high school and will miss my students.”

While Mueller was at Shepard, she was also doing research and writing for the EdTPA, a performance-based, subject-specific assessment and support system used by teacher preparation programs to emphasize, measure and support the skills and knowledge that all teachers need in the classroom.

“As I researched and wrote my EdTPA, I asked God for help and guidance,” she said. “I finally submitted my EdTPA about a week into my second placement. It took a month to get my scores back. All of my hard work paid off! My family was proud of me.”

While at Shepard, Mueller received an email about a job teaching art in District 126 at Stony Creek. “My former principal at Prairie Junior High referred me to the principal at Stony Creek. I went in for an interview and I got the job!” she said. “I could not be happier.”

Mueller begins teaching in January. “I feel Trinity has prepared me to be an excellent teacher. This journey has been beyond difficult, but God has a plan for me,” she said.