Trinity College is blessed with incredible professors who mentor and grow students across all disciplines. Get to know Dr. Annette Monk, our health science assistant professor who has taught at Trinity since 2014 and is a licensed athletic trainer.
Dr. Annette Monk, Assistant Professor of Health Science
Q. What makes you passionate about your field?
A. I love competition. I love athletics. I love seeing the human body capable of great physical feats. I think that's such a glorified testament to God's blessing. I also want to help people, and I think by nature—by God's calling, God's design for my life—that I'm meant to help and heal, which has led me into athletic training.
Q. What is a misconception about your field you would like to correct?
A. So many athletic trainers get confused for personal trainers, and that name can lend to the confusion. An athletic trainer is a healthcare provider. We provide medical services to an ill or injured person, whereas personal training focuses on working with the healthy population in fitness.
Q. What was your college experience?
A. I attended Illinois State University and graduated with two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Then I went straight on to graduate school to continue my studies in athletic training. I got a Master's of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training, practiced for a little over 10 years, and finally decided, “I love school so much, I'm going to go back!” So I completed my doctorate work at Indiana State University in Athletic Training, and now I'm teaching in the
Health Sciences Department at Trinity College.
Q. What was your first job after graduation?
A. Working for the military. I was a civilian contractor as an athletic trainer for the Naval Special Warfare group. My job was to provide injury rehabilitation for candidates who wanted to become Navy Seals and work in the special Warfare Group.
"Trinity students are unique not only in the sense that they are capable of academic pursuits, but also in that there's a bigger calling they recognize: the importance of living a life of faith by action."
Q. What was your journey to Trinity?
A. When I was working at the military setting, a Trinity professor asked if I would supervise an internship. I gladly accepted and we had the student come on base. It was a great experience, for both the student and myself. This intern was demonstrating her faith in God daily.
I was able to see that Trinity students are unique, not only in the sense that they are capable of academic pursuits, but also in that there's a bigger calling they recognize: the importance of living a life of faith by action. When a part-time teaching position as an adjunct opened, I applied, got the job, and loved it. Then the opportunity to teach full-time came about, and I jumped on it!
Q. What can you most commonly be found doing when you’re not on the job?
A. Baking and exercising! I think physical wellness is very important, hence my career, but I don't think it means that you exercise and eat right a hundred percent of the time. There's a balance. My guilty pleasure is definitely chocolate chip cookies, so I will be baking chocolate-chip cookies after I do my runs.
I will proudly announce that I think I'm an old lady trapped in a middle-aged person's body. I also love to crochet and have a fascination with World War II.
Q. What is your family like? Do you have any pets?
A. I have two cats, Snicklefritz and Sassafras! They don’t get along, which I’d like to think is a normal sibling rivalry.
I’m blessed with a large family. My parents are still very active on the farm where they live and work. I have three older siblings and ten nieces and nephews, so I am busy driving to and from all the different sporting events, musicals, and other activities my nieces and nephews have.
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BA in Exercise Science
