Reflecting on Pivotal Moments

Pivoting is very Trinity. Let me tell you a story about how pivoting has brought me to where I am today.

Let's hop in the time machine to 2012: I came bounding onto campus ready to spend the next four years studying to become a neuroscientist, continuing an enriching educational experience I was afforded during my years participating in the UT Health San Antonio Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy. "This is it," I resolved to myself. "The rest of my life starts now, and my entire future will be determined by the choices I make in these next four years." I had a narrow view of what career options were available to me. My imagination was limited to the box of 10 crayons. Then, Trinity plopped the 120-count box of crayons on the table, showing me that, actually, these are all of my options.

Turns out, I was particularly drawn to the media production hues. By my sophomore year, I became engrossed in Tiger TV, KRTU 91.7 FM, and film studies classes. This set the stage for my first big pivot: changing my major. *GASP!* (Cue the lightning, thunder, dark shadows, and dramatic music.) Or at least that's how changing my major felt at the time; it felt like I was being fickle and noncommittal. What about my neuroscience scholarship? What about all the people at church who said they were waiting for me to become a famous brain surgeon? Am I letting them down?

This pivot only led to more: from becoming a semi-finalist in the Stumberg Competition in my last semester and jetting off to London to earn my master's to exploring positions in fields not even related to my degree, which led me back to San Antonio to work as a photojournalist.

And you know the funny part?! I pivoted so much, now I'm back to where it all began. Nearly a decade wiser and with a heap of transformative experiences in tow, I came bounding back onto campus to pursue a career in public media and broadcasting at KRTU, fulfilling my mom's long-held prediction that one day I'd work for my beloved alma mater.

Now that I've survived the roller coaster that was my 20s, I see the truth: The years between graduation and turning 30 were another necessary development arc that started at graduation. I wish I could go back to that moment backstage on graduation day and tell young Bria, "Don't worry, girl. The arc will become a full circle. Just be patient and keep showing up."

Since then, showing up has looked like giving-time, funds, advice, efforts-to ensure that more curious students get to experience their pivotal moments at Trinity. It's not lost on me that an institution like ours is built with more than just that gorgeous "Trinity red brick." Over the last decade, I've encountered new ways to support the mission of this special place. Volunteering with the Board of Visitors and as a mentor in the Legacy of Excellence program for Black students gave me the opportunity to listen, understand, and share my time as a thought partner and advocate for Trinity students. I've been a volunteer host with KRTU for 12 years, and I've had the opportunity to give guest lectures. And of course, I give consecutively to help fund important programs and initiatives on campus.

If you're reading this and reminiscing about your own memories on this beautiful campus, ask yourself, "How can I be a river, not a reservoir?" Reservoirs hold, whereas rivers give. Trinity afforded us a competitive education and social and professional connections to people who continue to open doors. Why wouldn't we want to help these opportunities flow to students following in our footsteps? Volunteering and being involved both as a student and as a graduate have helped me see how much it takes to run an operation like Trinity's. The Trinity experience comes at a price beyond just the cost of tuition. And that's why I continue to give. Will you do the same?