A Word from the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs

Welcome to the Student Affairs component of Trinity International University. As you browse our website, you will find that we are teaching the lessons of life. While students learn about their academic areas of interest in the college classroom, we seek to serve our students as they choose how to live and make decisions in the classroom of life. We are called to instill in our students such behaviors as character and integrity, learning to live in a community setting, respecting others, developing and growing through social interaction, taking responsibility for their actions and decisions, and caring and nurturing for their body. Most of all, we want to serve our students in developing and cultivating their relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord, both individually and corporately.

We cannot teach life lessons until we know our learners. Thus, our first life lesson is being student-centered. Our students are more important than any task or circumstance, regardless of its value. In Student Affairs, we believe that “behind every face, there’s a story.” Through God’s providence, coupled with our focus and determination, we want to learn the stories behind the faces of our students. We are privileged and held responsible for understanding and effectively ministering to every face we engage.

Each student is valued, which we demonstrate through our actions, interactions, leadership, teaching, and compassion. To truly appreciate our students, we must recognize their respective cultures and understand the demographics of our diverse community. Our goal is to insure that we bring honor and glory to the name of Christ in all our accomplishments as His disciples.

Our second lesson in life is knowing ourselves. Creating a positive, nurturing, and Christ-centered environment is foundational to our role as Student Affairs professionals. The attitude of professionalism and excellence permeates our staff from the directors to the resident assistants to the athletic coaches. Striving for excellence means striving for servanthood. Thus, we take a holistic approach to the development of relationships on an academic, social, and spiritual plane. Your student can and should expect openness, honesty, and trust in all their interactions with our staff.

The most foundational lesson in life is humbly recognizing the power of God’s Word and daily living out our faith in Jesus Christ. The Word of God is essential to our service (Hebrews 4:12) and is integrated into the educational process here at Trinity. In Student Affairs, we desire to see students grow in their cognitive and affective development. Faith and belief in Jesus Christ is not an obstacle but the means by which we sharpen and focus each other and our community. If we are to make a difference in the lives of our students, we must humbly walk in fear before the Lord (Micah 6:8).

Our Student Affairs professionals work closely with the Academic Department and faculty to care for our students, which is exemplified in the core values that are outlined on our site. We encourage you to peruse our website, and we invite you to contact us at any time with questions or comments. May God bless you.

In His Service,

William O. Washington, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Affairs
Dean of Students, Trinity College