Leaders of Tomorrow... and Today
Leadership is a complex combination of experiences, lessons, challenges, and self exploration that occur throughout a lifetime.
Leaders are not defined by the title they hold or the role they play, but rather by the process by which they engage with others when working toward a common purpose.
Trinity University supports, guides, encourages, and empowers students to become leaders both on campus and around the globe.
The Trinity University CliftonStrengths team offers 1:1 strengths mentoring, student leader development, student organization training, online resources, all-campus events, and so much more!
CliftonStrengths Team
The mission of the Trinity University Strengths Team is to contribute to student success by creating opportunities for students to build awareness of their individual strengths, develop them, and integrate them personally and professionally.
The Strengths Team believes in a strength-based approach. We believe your talents make you who you are. They can help you in the classroom, in your role as a student leader, and even in applications for jobs and internships. CliftonStrengths is an initiative that helps you identify your talents and develop them into strengths.
The CliftonStrengths team is here to help you unleash your strengths through our programs and initiatives. We are excited for you to start your strengths journey, and we hope that you will work with us and participate in our events throughout the academic year.
Becca Burt Steinbach
Assistant Director of Career Development
Career Services
Woo, Positivity, Communication, Empathy, Developer
rburt@trinity.edu
Esther Esparza
Associate Director of Orientation and Transitions
Student Involvement
Discipline, Harmony, Focus, Achiever, Competition
esther.esparza@trinity.edu
Hillary Everts
Senior Assistant Director Of Admissions
Admissions
Learner, Positivity, Developer, Connectedness, Includer
heverts@trinity.edu
Jamie Thompason
Associate Dean of Students
Dean of Students
Maximizer, Achiever, Discipline, Harmony, Input
jamie.thompson@trinity.edu
Ladystacie Rimes-Boyd
Associate Director for Campus Relations
Career Services
Input, Strategic, Learner, Intellection, Ideation
lrimesbo@trinity.edu
Niko Strom
Residential Life Coordinator
Residential Life
Communication, Connectedness, Strategic, Empathy, Adaptability
nstrom@trinity.edu
Rachel Boaz Toppel
Assistant Director for Residential Education
Residential Life
Individualization, Developer, Strategic, Arranger, Responsibility
rboaz@trinity.edu
Curious About Your Strengths?
Take the inventory at trinity.gallup.com, for further training, or contact our CliftonStrengths Team for more information via email at strengths@trinity.edu.
Stay in the Loop
Interested in keeping up with CliftonStrengths initiatives on campus? Follow @tucliftonstrengths on Instagram for updates on programming, fun facts about strengths, and more.
Student Leadership and Service Awards
The Student Leadership and Service Awards program recognizes students for their achievements and service to the community (whether at Trinity, in San Antonio, or even globally) and for their significant contributions in the areas of leadership, campus life, and citizenship initiatives.
The annual recognition is proudly hosted by the Division of Student Affairs in partnership with the Division of Alumni Relations and Development, the Trinity University Alumni Association, and the Board of Visitors.
Award Categories
For complete descriptions and eligibility requirements of this year’s awards, please read the Trinity University Student Leadership and Service Awards 2024 Award Descriptions.
The 2024 recipients of each award are listed with its name. Please see photos from the 2023 awards ceremony here.
- The Roman M. Lubetzky KINDness Award
The Roman M. Lubetzky Endowment Fund for KINDness seeks to encourage the attributes of kindness and noble behavior among Trinity students. Daniel Lubetzky, vice president of the Roman and Sonia Lubetzky Foundation, is a 1990 Trinity graduate. Building on his international upbringing and his Trinity experiences, including studying abroad in Israel, Lubetzky founded PeaceWorks in 1994. PeaceWorks is an international food company creating products that incorporate ingredients from nations on opposing sides of political conflicts. As the most prestigious of the Student Leadership commendations, this award recognizes a student who embodies the virtues of kindness and scholarship and comes with a significant gift to support the recipient’s financial aid.
Recipient: Elida Del Angel '26
- Presidential Award for Excellence
This award is given to senior students in recognition of their long-term commitment and extensive, multi-role involvement in the community. These students have enhanced campus life by acting as role models and creating opportunities for others to lead. They are also dedicated to collaboration and partnerships, innovative practices, and intentional inclusion.
Recipients: Danae Barkocy ’24, Alejandra Caballero Piñedo ’24, Adam Garza ’24, Katherine Hoang ’24, Lauren Hurley ’24, Maggie Karim ’24, Grace Magavern ’24, Cecilia Parker ’24, Jimmy Phan ’24, and Sarah Solis ’24.
- Heart of Trinity Student Service Award
The Board of Visitors and the Alumni Association, in partnership with Alumni Relations and Development, recognizes one to four seniors each year for outstanding service to the University. Honorees promote a dedication to serving their communities (on-campus and beyond) through their time, talents, and philanthropic efforts as students—an early indication of their lifelong commitment to serving and supporting other Tigers. Honorees also receive a $1,000 stipend courtesy of the award sponsors.
Recipients: Trinity Coatney ’24, Camille Heidelbaugh ’24, Mia Kholy ’24, and Danny Nguyen ’24.
- Dr. Coleen Grissom Continued Commitment and Dedication Award
The Dr. Coleen Grissom Continued Commitment and Dedication Award stands as a timeless tribute to the enduring legacy of a remarkable individual whose life was defined by unwavering dedication to service and profound engagement with her community. This prestigious award commemorates her indelible impact on the lives of those around her and her tireless efforts to create positive change. This award is bestowed upon individuals who exemplify the same spirit of service, compassion, and community engagement that defined Dr. Grissom’s life. Recipients of this esteemed honor are those whose substantive contribution and long-term involvement have significantly enriched the fabric of their communities and perpetuated Dr. Grissom’s legacy of positive change.
Recipients: Paige Bensing ’24, Jackson Borchers ’24, Ariana Castillo ’24, Paloma Díaz-Minshew ’24, Sebastian Espinoza ’24, Caterina Mora Adrover ’24, Kendal Southwell ’24, and Piper Thomas ’24.
- Tigers on the Rise Award
This award is presented by the Alumni Association in partnership with Alumni Relations and Development to juniors who are committed to being stewards of Trinity University through leadership and engagement on and off campus. These students are dedicated to paying it forward to those students who come after them.
Recipients: Joy Areola ’25, Alondra Flores ’25, Zoe Flores ’25, Trinity Hatchett ’25, and Anusha Sharma ’25.
- Thurman Adkins "Unsung Hero" Award
Thurman Adkins was a guiding light, embodied the values of personal integrity & fair-minded leadership, and had a calm demeanor that left a mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. His commitment to excellence and his genuine care for others set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire generations. This award is bestowed upon individuals who exemplify the same unwavering dedication to their communities and the same selfless devotion to creating a positive change that defined Thurman Adkins’ life. Recipients of this prestigious honor demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to service, working tirelessly behind the scenes to uplift and empower others.
Recipients: Sam Damon ’24, Lee Denney ’25, Mackenzie Gasner ’24, Aspen Harrison ’25, Caroline Myers ’24, Esmeralda Pedroza ’25, Sophie Radi ’24, and Max Sebbar ’25.
- Emerging Student Leader Award
This award recognizes a first-year, sophomore, or transfer student who has demonstrated significant potential for success through community involvement and exploration of the unfamiliar.
Recipients: Alexis Ibarra ’26, Jose Ignacio Mora ’27, John Key ’26, Sean Macias ’26, Lauren McCarthy ’27, Cinthia Morales ’26, and Sam Vader ’26.
- Diversity & Inclusion Award
This award recognizes students who have actively broken down barriers and constructed a socially just space in their community. These students are dedicated to advancing the University's core mission of intentional inclusion as well as open dialogue. They are actively engaged in cultivating diversity, equity, and social justice within the community.
Recipients: Nayeli (Maria) Aleman ’26, Kaleigh Cansino ’26, Nicole Covarrubias ’24, Jade Gonzalez ’24, Harrison Hartman ’24, Danna Ramirez ’26, Anirudan (Ani Siva) Sivaprakash ’25, and Saqhib Syed ’25.
The Office of Student Involvement organizes programs, trainings, and ceremonies to encourage and recognize student leadership and service within campus student organizations.
ODK Leadership Society
Founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University, ODK was the first national college honor society to recognize and honor meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage development of general campus citizenship.
ODK differs from other honors societies in that membership includes students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The organization's structure offers a unique opportunity for collaboration, mentoring, and extensive interactions between faculty, staff, and students.
