Investing in the Local Community

Last year, Trinity University and the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) created the Trinity Community Investment (TCI) partnership, which makes an education at Trinity accessible to top graduating seniors within SAISD by providing students the financial resources and academic support to navigate the higher education process. The partnership continues to give students the opportunity to excel academically and to contribute as leaders at Trinity and in the greater San Antonio community.

Thanks to this partnership, Trinity saw a record seven new Tigers from SAISD schools this year, up from just one or two Tigers in recent years. 

“This partnership works well because Trinity and SAISD are in agreement that this kind of educational experience should be a financial reality for all students,” said Justin Doty, dean of admissions for Trinity. “Committed to our University value of Intentional Inclusion, it is critically important to help educate families in our community to let them know that a Trinity education is both attainable and financially viable.” 

Hear from three talented first-years from SAISD about why they chose to stay in town and attend Trinity.

Fernanda Neftaly Garza 

Edison High school

Fernanda Neftaly Garza was born in Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico to a family of primarily women, with two older sisters and five female cousins. “I am very big about feminism, especially because I was raised by powerful women who inspire me to be better,” she says. Garza is also a lover of all kinds of art, from music to painting to henna. At Trinity, she is planning on being a pre-veterinary biology major.

A recipient of the Trustee’s scholarship, Garza explains that she chose Trinity for its small size, close-knit classes, and its proximity to her home. “I chose to stay in town because I wanted to remain close to my family and my dog,” she says. “I knew I always wanted to go to a school with smaller classrooms and could provide me with the learning environment that I learned best in.”

In addition to Trinity’s closeness, Garza says that the TCI partnership was key to her college decision-making process. “I actually never considered Trinity as one of my options until my senior year when one of my counselors mentioned the partnership Trinity and SAISD had,” she says. “The school was right in my backyard, had small classes, and was in the heart of the city I love and grew up in. It was perfect.”

Elijah Maestas 

Fox Tech High School

Elijah Maestas is a first-year who enjoys spending time with friends and listening to Latin Pop music. “I am very outgoing and have a great passion for leadership,” he says. As a Murchison Scholarship recipient, Maestas plans on double majoring in business administration and communication. 

Maestas says that he had several reasons for choosing Trinity, including staying close to family and true to his roots. “I am a San Antonio native and have grown up with a vibrant Latino culture here in town (Mariachi), and I aim to keep myself surrounded by the strong roots I have here in town,” he explains.

“I definitely have the added bonus of having my family and friends here, who are definitely my biggest supporters,” he continues. “Trinity had a little bit of everything I wanted academically, socially, and athletically. It was truly an all-around perfect fit!”

Madelyn Holveck 

CAST Tech High School

Madelyn Holveck has lived in San Antonio for her entire life, was part of the first official graduating class from CAST Tech High School, and also graduated from San Antonio’s renowned youth art program, SAY Si. 

Holveck says that she stayed in town primarily for financial and familial reasons. Trinity not only generously offered me a scholarship, but it has also been a perfect fit for me all along,” she says. “In addition, not being able to visit home regularly would have been an emotional challenge for both me and my family.” 

As a recipient of the President’s Scholarship and the Trinity Scholarship, Holveck feels proud to receive a Trinity education. “Trinity's holistic liberal arts education, which encourages learning about many different subjects and how they overlap, is exactly what I was searching for.”

Holveck is enjoying her studies and plans on pursuing a double major in computer science and biology. “My first few months here have been nothing but exciting and challenging, and I am so glad I was able to attend,” she says. “I’m very grateful to have a place like Trinity in my hometown.”