Trinity Robin

When Trinity Robin came to Triton College, she was simply looking for a way forward.

After graduating high school, Robin experienced some difficult setbacks. She left a four-year university and took a “forced gap year” and returned home, unsure of what would happen next.

“I took some time to take care of myself and my mental health,” she said. “I recalibrated and reset, and when I was ready to get back into the world of learning, I turned to community colleges.”

She said Triton seemed like the perfect fit since it was close to home, had great reviews and she could “dip her toes back in the water.”

But what began as a cautious return to college quickly became a catalyst for something much bigger. Through Triton’s Scholars Program, Robin found an academic community that challenged her, supported her and encouraged her to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom.

Robin was encouraged to apply to STEMSEAS through the Scholars Program. For Robin, Triton’s commitment to experimental learning meant that she could push outside her boundaries as an English student. 

Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), STEMSEAS (STEM Student Experiences Aboard Ships) provides ocean excursions for students to conduct real-world research and foster a sense of belonging in STEM fields—science, technology, engineering and math.

“I applied to the program and I got in,” she said. “I’ve always believed that science and art go together–they’re symbiotic.” Robin boarded a Navy vessel from Panama City, Panama, and traveled through the canal and docked in Tampa, Florida.

Accompanied by Dr. Sheldon Turner, chair of Triton College’s Science Department on the voyage, as well as students and instructors from all over the country, Robin said STEMSEAS was the most “beneficial time of her life.”

“It was mesmerizing to see the whole ocean,” she said.

Outside of STEMSEAS, Robin stretched herself even farther by attending a prestigious writing program at Scottish Universities’ International Summer School (SWISS) at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. At SWISS, Robin met professors, lecturers and authors.

“It was the most life-changing, life-affirming moment,” she said.

Living in the dorms, Robin’s day would begin with a lecture and seminar. Then, she would meet with a tutor, go to workshops, discuss writing and work on different prompts. It was a “full day of activities,” said Robin, where she met friends from all throughout Europe.

At Triton, Robin found more than a place to continue her education. She found a community that recognized her potential, encouraged her curiosity and connected her with opportunities she never imagined pursuing. 

She points particularly to instructors Dr. Sheldon Turner and Paul Martinez, who she said provided both academic encouragement and personal support.

As an English major, Robin hopes to become a published author or teach English at the college level in the future. She has dreams of attending Johns Hopkins University, where she hopes to continue developing her craft.

The most important thing is she taking with her from Triton isn’t a particular class or program. It’s the confidence to pursue opportunities she once might have dismissed as impossible.

“This may sound cliché, but my advice for other students is to just say yes,” she said. “You cannot go after something and stay in the same position. Triton has shown me how to take chances.”