This month, the DeBaun Black Alumni Network at Maryville University continues its monthly series of Black Alumni Spotlights featuring some of our most accomplished Maryville Saints. This month let’s get to know Trinity Brooks ‘22.

Name: Trinity Brooks
Email: trinity.brooks@indstate.edu
Phone: 314-306-1716
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinity-brooks/
Facebook: Trinity Marie
Instagram: @itss.trinityyy

Education:

Indiana State University, M.S. in Student Affairs & Higher Education – 2024
Maryville University, B.S. in Early Childhood & Elementary Education – 2022

What’s your Maryville experience?

My experience at Maryville began the day I walked around campus the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. The tour alone solidified that Maryville University was the place for me! I truly felt at home. 

In February of 2018, I was awarded the Dr. Donald M. Suggs Scholarship after attending the Multicultural Scholar Interviews. With a full scholarship to attend Maryville University I was determined to excel academically and get involved on campus. 

When I stepped foot on Maryville’s campus as an admitted student, I was greeted by students in the multicultural scholars program, who I still call family to this day. Having a close-knit community upon arrival to college was so helpful as I worked to navigate living on my own, balancing school life, and meeting new people in college! 

During my time at Maryville, I was actively involved in the Association of Black Collegians, the Maryville University Gospel Choir, and Mocha Tea. Additionally, I worked in the Office of Admission, Division of Student Success, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Center for Student Engagement in various capacities. 

While being actively involved on-campus, I was also highly involved with the St. Louis community. I was able to serve as a practicum student and student teacher in the Lindbergh and Hazelwood School Districts. During my last year at Maryville, I participated in the 2022 Miss Black & Gold Pageant hosted by the Alpha Eta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, in which I was awarded the Miss Gold Award and People’s Choice Award and crowned as the 2022 Miss Black & Gold!

What’s your favorite Maryville memory?

I actually have two favorite Maryville memories. The first was doing service each year at Maryville Reaches Out. One of those years, I went to Girls Inc. with a group of my closest friends, and we were able to do lawn care and clean up around their blacktop for the girls to play on safely. 

My other favorite memory took place during my third year at Maryville. Our Program Coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion created a weekend retreat for all Multicultural Scholars. We got to know one another more, and learned more about the scholars program, leadership, and eligibility to stay in the program. On the final day of this mini-retreat we all went to Six Flags together and our Program Coordinator and Director for Diversity and Inclusion came with us. Our bond within the Multicultural Scholars Program grew that day, and I am still great friends with each person in the program

What are you doing now?
I serve as a Hall Coordinator in the Office of Residential Life at Indiana State University. This is my first year as a full time professional, and it’s extremely rewarding to return to Indiana State and serve in the institution that served me as a student for two years during my graduate studies! I love traveling, and during my time in graduate school, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Boston, Chicago, Long Beach, Pigeon Forge, and Ghana for personal and professional endeavors.

Additional goals and aspirations?
A short-term goal of mine is to move to Knoxville, TN, and continue my career in Student Affairs and Higher Education, either at a small-private institution or community college in either Residential Life, Academic Advising, Student Engagement, Student Programming, or Retention. I love the field of student affairs and higher education, and want to continue to evolve within the profession! I enjoy doing content creation, and have been pursuing that journey of mine with my local church, and the American College Personnel Association.

How did your education and experience at Maryville help you?
I was highly involved at Maryville with organizations, the Multicultural Scholars Programs, departments across campus, and my pursuing my own education. I would say that while Maryville University provided me with a phenomenal education, I truly learned how to be a relationship builder and professional in every capacity I was in at Maryville. My time with the College of Education taught me how to overcome obstacles and transform the next generation of young students in the classroom. I really do appreciate my Dean and each of my professors within the College of Education because when I was ineligible to get accepted into the College of Education because of my testing scores, they helped me with the appeal process, and offered me a provisional to continue in the program while still attempting to retake the test. That experience alone taught me the importance of relying on my resources and persevering through tough times.

Additionally, my work in the various offices around campus aided in my decision of pursuing a Master’s degree in Student Affairs & Higher Education at Indiana State University. I fell in love with serving others on campus, and was mentored by student affairs professionals who helped me understand what needed to transpire for me to be in the roles they were in.

Words of wisdom for today’s students?
Above everything, keep God first and remember that your Heavenly Father loves you. He loved us so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the world. When you feel like you can’t forgive yourself or somebody else, remember what Jesus did on the cross for your sins!

Maryville Alumni Network
Featuring alums who make a difference in myriad ways.

To get connected with the DeBaun Black Alumni Network, follow them on LinkedIn here.

If you or someone you know would like to be spotlighted, contact alumni@maryville.edu. We would sure like to hear from you!