A Bantam's Blog: Kalia

Trinity students with Theater and Dance professor Judy Dworin

One week ago at this time, I was boarding a bus for the state capitol building with a group of Trinity students, staff, and administrators. Laura Lockwood, the director of Trinity’s Women and Gender Resource Action Center offered t-shirts to the passengers, creating one of the few commonalities of the day. I was so proud to see every age, gender, ethnicity, walk-of-life represented on this bus that was headed through snow-lined streets to our planned FlashMob intended to raise awareness of violence against women all over the world.

Once there, we quickly filed into the legislative office building and found a large, vibrant crowd milling about in the rotunda lobby. I noticed a contigent of students from a local private school for girls. I even ran into personal friends and my region’s state representative (who happens to be married to a member of the Trinity family, thank you very much!). Above us, multiple encircling balconies were filled with legislators and visitors who stopped going about their business to peer over the edge at the excitement below. Among the viewers, I spotted a few Trinity College Legislative Internship students. A woman stepped up to the mic and spoke fervently, the music began, and, well, the rest is better seen than described: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LSRA_Le–Q

I was so proud of our students and our greater community that day. Let our movement be the MOVEMENT!

Guest blogger, and Trinity alumna, Michelle Deluse looks back on her first semester as a Trinity admissions officer.

The seven months since my graduation have been crazy! In some ways, transitioning from being a Trinity College student to working as an Assistant Director of Admissions has been tricky. I still get confused looks when I run into old classmates and professors—“What are you doing back?” “Didn’t you graduate?” Sometimes I forget that I’m not on a meal plan when I get lunch at the Bistro. Sometimes I catch myself telling people “I am an English major,” but have to correct myself for using the present tense.

Despite these challenges, the transition had been a great one. The best part of transitioning from student to admissions officer has been meeting students that are interested in Trinity. After spending four years experiencing everything the school has to offer its students first-hand, it is so easy to tell prospective students why Trinity is such a wonderful place to live and learn! I love to see a student’s face light up when they approach me at a college fair and realize I can answer questions for them the way only a student can—“What was your favorite class?” “What would you have changed if you could have?”

I got to travel around the country this fall, and the places I got to see were just as exciting as the people I got to meet. I learned that southern Maine is stunning in the fall, and they have some of the best chocolate shops I’ve ever been in. Driving in Boston really is as crazy as Bostonians tell you it is, but it is incredible to be surrounded by so much history in one city. The Mall of America, right outside of Minneapolis, may be touristy, but it is a blast and everyone should visit at least once in their lives. The same goes for the Pike Place Market in Seattle—full of tourists, yes, but also full of some incredible Seattleite artists, musicians, and food.

It’s been a journey, becoming an employee where I used to be a student, but I wouldn’t trade a moment of it! Here’s hoping the next few months are just as exciting!

If you want to hear more about my transition from student to admissions officer, you can follow my friend Banty the Bantam on Twitter! www.twitter.com/bantybantam

I’ve seen people post “30 days of gratitude” during this month of Thanksgiving and it prompted me to share what makes me grateful to be a part of the Trinity College family.

My first two items of thanks may be obvious from my inconsistent posts: 1) I am thankful for Trinity student bloggers who submitted content while I was on the road meeting prospective applicants; and 2) I am thankful for the rejuvenation that came with the Thanksgiving break!

So before this month of Thanksgiving runs out, I want to share why I am so thankful to work at Trinity College. In a sentence, it would be: I enjoy that we challenge and support one another to rise to our individual sense of excellence and I believe Trinity is truly a unique place to do that.

Yeah, yeah, I know. It sounds like a blurb from a brochure you would find in our lobby. It’s an occupational hazard. So let me get real and break it down for you.

1) Trinity’s location in a city means that we are challenged by real need and responsibilities surrounding our campus. We don’t stop at theorizing and philosophizing in what can sometimes be the self-congratulatory environment of the classroom. Every time I hear about a project that takes students out into the neighborhood to learn from and impact a community, I feel such a sense of pride. I know a Trinity Theater and Dance professor who takes her dancers to work with incarcerated women. The students bring these stories out of the prison setting to offer them as a performance, lending a voice to those who feel they no longer have a voice and a vision to those of us who have forgotten to consider those stories. That kind of expression and experience is so inspiring to me.

2) We consider, debate, agree to disagree, but are accessible to one another. It’s not always easy, and certainly not always comfortable, but the Trinity community continues its journey of self-reflection and that agonizing process called, “change.” While we have long-standing and well-loved traditions, we also strive to better ourselves in every aspect we can. As a graduate student, I attended a huge state university. I had great opportunities, but I remember how insignificant I felt and how difficult it could be to advocate for myself as a student. At Trinity, my door is open to students. I know them and I value them – their opinion, ideas, and insights. I believe that is the pervading atmosphere on this campus. When discussions are needed we have Town Hall meetings where all are invited to speak, we also meet as administrators and staff to talk about ways to support our student body, and we make changes when needed. Being a college steeped in tradition, we might not be the fastest at making these changes, but we put a lot of thought behind our decisions.

3) Inspiration is everywhere! When I sit down to talk with students, I am in awe of what they balance. The activities, academic pursuits, leadership positions, research, performances, internships, study abroad experiences, and the required work ethic always inspire me. I love to see the inner light turn on when students talk about their latest discoveries, accomplishments, and sometimes just the FUN TIMES. I know they are having the real college experience when I hear their stories. I am impressed by the conscientiousness of the staff and administration of Trinity, and the accessibility and passion for teaching that our faculty members have. Without them, the students would not have those “inner light” experiences. And as for my inner light: I am honored to work somewhere where I can take an hour to learn about academic trends, scientific research, see a performance, or participate in a meditation project. I realize how few people in this world enjoy a work setting so rich with inspiration.

So, really, that’s just the beginning of my gratitude list. One important addition to my list would be meeting prospective applicants while visiting secondary schools. They often impress me in the same ways Trinity students inspire me. Except when I meet them, I think, “Just wait until you get to Trinity College. You’ll be so thankful you are here.”

… because we’re On the Road Again!

Yes, it’s that season when Admissions Officers everywhere simply keep their suitcases setting out and semi-packed until after Thanksgiving; when we plan for a few extra on-the-road pounds (thank you bagels and coffee); and learn to conduct our business and personal relationships through emails, Facebook, and Skype. I knew I was in “travel mode” when I attended a theater performance recently and asked if the “inbox” was open so I could buy my tickets. Luckily they understood that I meant “box office,” but I now can no longer deny what currently occupies most of my mental space.

Honestly, I love travel. I relish the change of scenery, the chance to visit and appreciate this eclectic country of ours, and the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with students who are earnestly interested in Trinity College. It makes my day when you come to a high school visit and ask me questions or introduce yourself at my college fair table. Admissions officers enjoy connecting with you in person and remembering your face when we read your application. Our goal is to add to our campus of vibrant, curious students, so let’s take the opportunities we can to connect off-line … says the blogger!

So check our Facebook page www.facebook.com/trincoll for the weekly list of our area visits and come introduce yourself if even just for a few minutes. As Trinity College President James F. Jones, Jr. said in his convocation speech earlier this month, “Instead of being a face on Facebook, be a face on campus.” Well, we are traveling to your campus, so come say, “Hi!”

I just can’t wait to get on the road again …