Queen to attend Maryland after 3 years at Trinity

Coordinator for Diversity and Service Programming JaNay Queen to attend grad school in the fall

bon voyage: Coordinator for Diversity and Student Programming JaNay Queen is leaving for graduate school in Maryland in the fall.

JaNay Queen is leaving at the end of the semseter to pursue her Ph.D. after working three years as the coordinator for diversity and service programming and Trinity Multicultural Network (TMN) adviser.

During her stay, Queen has taken on numerous responsibilities beyond what her job entails, including involvement in Residential Life, the First Year Leadership Project, communication between the Trinity and the San Antonio community and teaching an African American music and history class.

“JaNay has a million and two different roles on campus,” said TMN President Elizabeth Farfan, senior. “She’s stayed active with the students and with the community.”

According to Black Student Union Secretary Ashante Reese, sophomore, Queen’s hard work has not been overlooked nor will it be forgotten when she leaves.

“JaNay works ’till 8 or 9 p.m. every night,” Reese said. “Her dedication is the best attribute that she has.”

With all that Queen is involved in, her heavy work load and long hours have paid off, according to Reese.

“I really think that growth has occurred with TMN and [Trinity University Volunteer Action Committee] TUVAC. I know they can continue to achieve great things as they have already done,” Queen said. “It’s been a rewarding and a great learning experience working with Trinity students in general.”

According to Farfan, students enjoy working with Queen because she inspires and supports them.

“She’s much more than just an adviser, she’s a friend, mentor, role model, all that stuff,” Farfan said. “She’s willing to be the fun-loving friend during our festivals, but she knows when to be serious.”

Queen said she hopes that the person who replaces her can be the hard-working role model and friend to her students.

“I’ve laid the foundation,” Queen said. “They will come in where I left off and keep the legacy that I created.”

Reese said she hopes that Queen’s replacement will be able to fill all her roles on campus and take the TMN in the same direction it’s been going.

“She has a real connection with the students, so I hope whoever comes in has that connection as well,” Reese said.

Queen is moving to Maryland to attend the University of Maryland at College Park in the fall. She will be working towards her Ph.D. in organizational leadership and policy studies. Queen said she hopes to one day become the U.S. Secretary of Education.

According to Queen, it was still hard to leave Trinity.

“It was a difficult decision. Right now I feel like this is just the time for me to go,” JaNay said.

By Megan Shipley