From the President

Community as legacy

I know that it may seem odd to begin my letter with a story about Wellesley College, but please bear with me. Last October, I had the honor of receiving Wellesley’s Alumnae Achievement Award, the highest recognition presented annually to alumnae.

While at my alma mater, I realized that many of the leadership lessons I learned at Wellesley have influenced me for 50 years—from the day I stepped on that campus as a 16-year-old undergraduate from Los Angeles to my last year as president of Trinity College.

The lessons that we learn as undergraduates—particularly at a small liberal arts college—can last a lifetime, and the sense of community and a place to belong are critically important.

I recall my first day at Wellesley, when student Jennifer Jensen greeted me by name: “Welcome, Joanne from L.A.! It’s so nice to have you here.” This traditional Wellesley welcome made me feel as though I was known from the start. And while we don’t have this custom at Trinity, it provides a small example of how a tradition can instill an immediate sense of belonging.

Trinity’s traditions include signing the Matriculation Book and activities in the Bantam Network, on athletic teams, in first-year seminars and gateways, and in student organizations. Every interaction, small and large, matters in creating a robust community.

My undergraduate experience also instilled in me a love of learning and expanded my intellectual horizons, my social circles, and even my comfort zone. I took courses that some considered frivolous (alongside my rigorous science curriculum), but they helped me see a series of connections and find purpose.

My hope is that Trinity students would say the same about their college days. Our students benefit from the best a liberal arts education has to offer with our broad and experience-focused Trinity Plus curriculum that allows them the freedom to quench their intellectual curiosity while being mentored by outstanding faculty through real-world learning opportunities in our dynamic urban setting.

As it did 50 years ago for me, a small, caring intellectual community offers the benefit of being seen and known—all enhanced when traditions, programs, and events are developed to promote connecting with one another. Indeed, this is the purpose of our Bantam Network, which was created during my presidency.

In our small, tight-knit community, we learn how to disagree respectfully because we aim for every student to feel a sense of belonging. Over the last year, students may have had different views on geopolitical positions and world events, but our sense of community has helped us avoid the level of rancor, vitriol, and dysfunction that has been seen on other campuses around the country.

As the end of the academic year approaches, I have been asked about what I hope my legacy at Trinity will be. While academic rigor and intellectual vibrancy are vitally important, fostering a strong community, whose members are engaged and empowered, perhaps ranks highest for me.

Elevating the student experience also has been a high priority for me, and I recognize that doing so has been a community effort. We have seen significant growth in 11 years. The financial aid budget has increased by 50 percent to provide opportunity to excellent students who cannot afford Trinity’s sticker price. Retention and graduation rates have increased, and 96 percent of the Class of 2023 knew within six months where their next step in life would be. We have worked collaboratively on our goals, and I thank all involved—faculty, academic offices, Admissions, the Career and Life Design Center, the Student Life team, the Student Government Association, Advancement, the trustees, and many others, as well as the myriad alumni who have volunteered time and energy as mentors, references, and employers. Thank you!

My last year is not over yet, but I hope that when it is, people will associate my presidency with a shared strength and a combined sense of purpose. Leading an administration has not been about seizing power; it’s been about taking responsibility for our challenges and contributing to its joys. I have witnessed this community take responsibility over the last 11 years at an increased pace of engagement and with greater enthusiasm.

This is a legacy that makes me proud—it’s our collective legacy.