Dear Alumnae and Alumni, Family and Friends,
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Our Trinity campus community sends you our merriest good wishes for much joy in this season, peace and renewal in the new year.
As 2023 draws to a close, we count the many blessings our students, faculty and staff enjoyed throughout the year. So much of Trinity’s success becomes possible through the love and support of our alumnae and friends, and our gratitude to you is immense.
This newsletter highlights just a few of our recent success stories:
Fantastic Alumnae Reunion and AI Symposium!
In October, we enjoyed three days of rich intellectual exploration alongside delightful renewal of friendships and strolls down memory lane during Alumnae College, the Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, and Alumnae Reunion. Congratulations once more to the 50th Reunion Class of 1973! We are so grateful to all alumnae who devoted so much time to planning class reunion events, and whose participation enlivened all of our events. Browse photos and find links to the events and videos on our website.
Save the date for next year’s Reunion and 125th Anniversary Celebration: October 24-26, 2024.
Trinity Scientists Win Awards in Phoenix!
In November, 16 Trinity science majors traveled to Phoenix, Arizona for the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS). The students had previously spent the summer of 2023 on research projects described in our prior newsletter. Clare Boothe Luce Professors of Chemistry Dr. Anette Casiano-Negroni and Dr. Nyesa Enakaya prepared and traveled with the students for this annual experience presenting their research projects and engaging with scientists from all over the country. Two students won awards during the program:
- Stephanie Matamoros ’25, Chemistry Major and a Luce Scholar, also a 2022 Katherine Johnson Awardee, won an award in the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry category.
- Cecilia Rivas ’25, Forensic Science Major and a Luce Scholar, won in the Chemistry category.
Clare Boothe Luce Professors of Chemistry Dr. Anette Casiano-Negroni and Dr. Nyesa Enakaya
Andrea Chavez at Brown University
Andrea Chavez ’23, Health Equity Scholar at Brown University
Previously featured in our spring newsletter, Trinity chemistry major Andrea Chavez is now in the Master’s in Public Health Program at Brown University as a Health Equity Scholar. She writes that working in a lab under the direction of Brown Professor Dr. Robert Rosales, “…I utilize the Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to assess the connection between minority stress and behavioral health among sexual minority youth with an emphasis on those who identify as Latinx…Our cohort is mentored and taught leadership development and teamwork skills to be effective leaders in our community and the workplace. …The Health Equity Scholars program has given me opportunities I did not before see possible…”
New Trinity Programs!
We are pleased to announce several important new academic programs with enrollment starting in Fall 2024:
Dr. Portia Cole
BSW: Bachelor of Science in Social Work
At the urging of a number of partners who provide social services in the Washington region, notably Catholic Charities, Trinity has developed a plan to launch a Bachelor of Social Work program. We received approval for accreditation pre-candidacy status by the Council on Social Work Education! This means that we can start enrolling students in the BSW degree program in Fall 2024, and those students will be eligible for Social Work licensure when the program receives full accreditation, a multi-year process starting with a site visit by CSWE reviewers in Spring 2024. This program is developing under the leadership of Program Director Dr. Portia Cole and Dr. Brigid Noonan who is the dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions.
Dr. Hani Aladmaai
Information Technology Program
With the leadership of Dr. Hani Aladmaai and Dr. Sita Ramamurti, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Curriculum and Academic Policy Committees in both the College of Arts & Sciences and the School of Professional and Graduate Studies have approved the new Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with concentrations in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity. This program will ensure that Trinity and our students have “seats at the table” in all of the major initiatives in the Washington region that focus on preparing the next generation of the digital workforce.various strategies and policies employed to promote development, sustainability, and social equity.
Dr. Mercedes Callenes
Latin American Development Studies Minor
With the leadership of Global Affairs Assistant Professor Dr. Mercedez Callenes, Trinity is launching the Latin American Development Studies Minor to study the historical and contemporary issues facing the region and the various strategies and policies employed to promote development, sustainability, and social equity.
New Opportunities for Teachers and Principals at Trinity
In a collaboration with Dean Sita Ramamurti (College of Arts & Sciences) and Dean Christine Carrino Gorowara (School of Education), Trinity has entered an agreement with the D.C. Public Schools to provide a special program for DCPS K-8 teachers to develop their knowledge and skills for teaching math. The professional development program consists of seven learning strands, each focused on one of the Common Core domains, as well as an eighth learning strand on facilitating mathematical discourse through problem-based learning.
In a different partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, Dean Gorowara and Dr. Gladys Williams, program director for the Educational Administration Program, have created a plan to enroll cohorts of MCPS school leaders to earn their credentials through Trinity.
Nursing CNA Program
In early November, the D.C. Board of Nursing approved Trinity’s proposal for a new Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program that will be delivered at our location at THEARC in southeast D.C. This program responds to the great need to enlarge the healthcare workforce in the city and to open an earlier pathway for students who may ultimately earn Nursing degrees as well. With the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health opening in 2025 as the first new hospital in DC in 20 years, and designed to serve Wards 7 and 8 in particular, the need for even more healthcare professionals is great, and Trinity stands ready to be part of the solution! The new CNA program is funded through a grant from the Bedford Falls Foundation as part of Mr. Bill Conway’s generous support for Nursing at Trinity.
The Gospel Choir with Director Cromwell
Reflecting on Trinity’s Mission
During the last week of classes, our Trinity Gospel Choir presented a beautiful Christmas concert that captured the spiritual meaning of this season along with the joy of celebrating together. Director of Campus Ministry Sr. Ann Howard, SND organizes the choir under the direction of Mr. Samuel Cromwell who is also the director of the choir at St. Augustine’s Church. Alumnae and students of many different faiths and backgrounds sing together in the choir. Highlights of the concert are on my blog.
In this season we observe and cherish many different faith expressions at Trinity and in all of our families. Many of the faith traditions present to the Trinity family share with Catholicism the idea of social justice and imperative to be of service to others as part of living lives devoted to real justice. We celebrate and affirm all in this season.
In October, Washington Auxiliary Bishop Emilio Menjivar [photo 4] gave a beautiful homily at our Reunion Liturgy in which he affirmed Trinity’s 125 years of devotion to providing access to a great higher education for persons who have been historically excluded. He said, “I would like to commend Trinity Washington University for putting the commandments in practice by showing LOVE in a very unique and concrete way: EDUCATION.” I urge you to read and reflect on his homily (on my blog) in the spirit of this season of giving and recommitment to our most fundamental values.
Once again, many thanks for your great generosity, love and loyalty extended to Trinity and our students each day. May the blessings of the Trinity be gifts for you in this season and all through the new year.
Gratefully,
President Patricia McGuire ‘74
Bishop Menjivar with Sr. Maureen White and Sr. Barbara Gutierrez
Make Your Gift to Trinity Today
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The Trinity Annual Fund is the cornerstone of all giving to Trinity, even if you are participating in reunion or class giving. Your support, at any level, is truly appreciated and makes a tangible difference to our students. All the successes you see in this newsletter are made possible by your generosity. Please make your Trinity Annual Fund gift today.
Thank you for all you do to support Trinity—We are truly grateful!
For other Ways to Give, please contact Ashley Bianchi, 202-884-9724.