Center for International Engagement Spotlights Success

The Center for International Engagement (CIE) is pleased to share highlights from the Fall 2025 semester that emphasize the importance of global learning, intercultural exchange, and the international community at Trinity University. Additionally, find important information for next year and a great way to stay engaged and connected!

Celebrate Excellence

During International Education Week (IEW), the CIE highlighted the global spirit, creativity, and intercultural engagement that define Trinity. As part of this annual celebration, the CIE proudly recognized outstanding members of our community whose work advances global learning, inclusion, and connection on campus and beyond.

Faculty Excellence in Global Engagement: Dania Abreu-Torres
Dania Abreu-Torres was honored for her exemplary dedication to integrating global perspectives into her teaching, mentoring, and departmental leadership. Her commitment to cross-cultural learning has expanded opportunities for students and strengthened Trinity's academic engagement with the broader world.

Staff Excellence in Global Support: Stephanie Keith
Stephanie Keith was recognized for her unwavering support of international students and commitment to building an inclusive campus culture. Keith's work embodies the spirit of hospitality, care, and intercultural understanding that make Trinity a welcoming home for students around the globe.

Outstanding Domestic Student in Global Leadership: Yvonne Gu
Yvonne Gu's contributions to global engagement-both inside and outside the classroom-demonstrate exceptional leadership, initiative, and a genuine passion for building intercultural bridges across the Trinity community.

Outstanding International Student Leader: Paula Vadillo
Paula Vadillo's compassionate leadership and dedication to cross-cultural collaboration have enriched campus life and strengthened the international student community. Her efforts model excellence in global citizenship and peer mentorship.

The CIE also spotlighted Assistant Director for International Student and Scholar Services, Hajrah Kashmiri, for the warmth, empathy, and purpose she brings to her role every day. Kashmiri's work centers on creating an environment where international students and scholars feel supported and celebrated throughout their journeys on campus. Her passion and positivity continue to inspire the Trinity community, reminding everyone that international education is more than travel; it's about empathy, belonging, and shared curiosity.

Be Informed

In 2026, the CIE will integrate the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) into Trinity's study abroad process, which will allow students to deepen their global learning through structured reflection, intercultural skill-building, and guided growth. The IDI is a research-based, internationally recognized tool in intercultural development. In Spring 2026, the IDI will be implemented across the Study Abroad Exchange, Programs Beyond the Classroom, and future CIE global initiatives. Email @email for more information.

Each semester, the Center for International Engagement (CIE) provides intentional grant support to help Trinity students participate in transformative Study Abroad programs that promote intercultural learning and personal development. These funds remove financial barriers while fostering reflection, adaptability, and cross-cultural understanding, ensuring every student has the opportunity to broaden their worldview and engage meaningfully through study abroad experiences.

Stay Engaged

Through upcoming workshops and a campus-wide book club featuring Lindsey Pollak's The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace , the CIE is helping Trinity explore how generational perspectives shape collaboration, belonging, and leadership. "Every generation sees the world differently," says E'Randa Newsome , Office Manager in the CIE. "Generational training helps us turn those differences into dialogue, empathy, and collaboration." At any given moment, five generations are working, teaching, and learning together at Trinity University. As Trinity continues expanding its commitment to inclusion and belonging, bridging generational gaps becomes more than a workplace skill-it becomes part of what makes us a globally minded university prepared for the future.