Chicago Connection with Faculty and Staff

– Mary (Honey) Mathieu ’27

With Trinity’s campus being located just outside of Chicago, the College has several faculty and staff members who live in the city. Making the commute shows their admirable dedication. Trinity is proud to have these faculty and staff as part of its community because of the difference they make in the lives of their students.

Dr. Lenore Knight-Johnson is a Professor of Sociology and the Director of the Honors Program at Trinity. She is one of the College’s dedicated faculty members who choose to work at Trinity while living in Chicago. Knight-Johnson has lived on the north side of the city for over thirty years and decided to put down roots with her family there. She loves Chicago because of “the city’s commitment to maintaining green space and amazing neighborhood parks that are truly public spaces which everyone can enjoy.” This reminds her of the value of “investing in people and their well-being as a top priority, and not developing every inch of the urban landscape.” Going for walks, runs, or bike rides are activities that are enjoyable for individuals living in Chicago due to the beautiful scenery. There are many unique neighborhoods to pass through and incredible restaurants to try out. The city truly is beautiful in countless ways which makes it a wonderful place to live.

Even with the longer commute, Dr. Knight-Johnson chooses to work at Trinity. When asked why, she states that she “loves the collaborative spirit of the Trinity community – the faculty community in particular – and the chance to get to know students well in smaller classes.” The College’s smaller class size allows professors and students to form meaningful connections with each other and their peers. At many institutions, it can be easy to get lost in a sea of people. As a result, professors might not know their students by name, but at Trinity, professors get to know their students beyond their names. Knight-Johnson is one of the many professors at the College who wants to see her students thrive both in the classroom and beyond. The work she does is greatly appreciated by both her students and colleagues.

All faculty and staff work hard to ensure that Trinity is a safe place for students to learn and grow. They truly are making a difference in the lives of their students, and some are proud community members of both Trinity and Chicago. The College greatly values its Chicago connection!