Humans of Trinity: 2025

Every year, Trinity University’s students, alumni, faculty, and staff show us what it means to be a Tiger. From leading Trinity’s athletic teams and serving their community to landing exciting jobs after graduation, Tigers have been doing great things in 2025. Here’s what a few have been up to.

Dania Abreu-Torres, Ph.D. 

Dania Abreu-Torres, Ph.D., came to academia with a simple yet powerful motivation: to help create a deeper understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean and to shine a light on their cultural contributions around the world.

Now, as Trinity's inaugural associate dean of the Carlos Alvarez School of Arts and Humanities, she’s expanding her mission—weaving the arts and humanities into the lives of students, supporting faculty growth, and fostering cross-campus collaborations that put the humanities at the center of a Trinity education.

“At their core, the humanities are a practice of empathy and connection, allowing us to work with others, to listen, and to engage meaningfully with people in everyday life," Abreu-Torres says.

"At Trinity, and beyond, the arts and humanities provide a space where students can relate, dialogue, and imagine a new, inclusive world—one that is always ready for change. That is why I love the humanities: they help others see the world, and themselves, in fuller, richer, and more human ways.”

Azariah Anderson ’25 

Meet Azariah Anderson ’25, an English major and student-athlete from Houston.

Throughout his past four years, Anderson embraced numerous roles and responsibilities on campus. As a Mellon Initiative Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow, he worked with Business Administration Professor Brandon Crooms, Ph.D., on "Activism and The Impact of Christian Spirituality on Identity of Black Athletes."

Anderson also served as president of Trinity's Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter, where he led his peers in personal and spiritual growth. He is an active member of the Black Student Union, a Chapel Spiritual Life Fellow, and an All-American hurdler for Trinity's Track & Field team.

Anderson is a remarkable Tiger who’s shown his leadership, service, and passion in all his endeavors throughout his time at Trinity.

Aseel Eltom ’28

Aseel Eltom ’28, part of this year’s inaugural SPARK Internship Program, spent her summer interning at the Muslim Children Education and Civic Center, where she found a space to both give and grow. Surrounded by a vibrant community and inspired by the youth she worked with, she discovered a new definition of leadership, one rooted in shared responsibility, active listening, and collective care.

The work wasn’t always easy. Long days and limited resources were part of the journey. But through it all, Eltom found purpose in the small moments: a child’s smile, a successful event, a thoughtful conversation.

Weekly check-ins with Trinity’s chaplains helped her reflect on the personal and spiritual growth that unfolded each week. She walked away with strengthened organizational skills, deeper confidence, and a stronger connection to her faith.

“This internship helped me grow professionally,” Eltom shares, “but it also deepened my faith like never before.”

Hondo Franklin ’28 

Meet Hondo Franklin ’28, a finance major and sport management minor from Dallas.

If you’ve been to a Trinity football game, you’ve probably seen Franklin leading the Tigers from under center as quarterback and one of the team’s captains—a leader on the field and a constant source of energy and heart. Off the field, he brings that same passion to living out his values.

“Trinity football has shaped who I am by teaching me the true meaning of family,” he says. “Our program is built on lifelong relationships and has taught me to be selfless, disciplined, and faithful.”

This season, Franklin has been focused on staying grounded and building on that team unity. “Our goal is to go 1–0 every week,” he says. “Coach Urban always says, ‘Rise and Conquer.’ It’s within our reach, but not yet in our hands, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

Whether he’s on the field or in the classroom, Franklin’s leadership shines through his gratitude, humility, and commitment to those around him.

Ron Nirenberg ’99 

Ron Nirenberg ’99, four-term mayor of San Antonio and two-term District 8 city councilman, returned to Trinity this year to try out a new type of podium, at the head of a classroom.

“Trinity was the place that allowed me to launch into the world,” Nirenberg says. “It was also the place that cultivated my love of San Antonio. I have served now for a dozen years in elected office, and I feel a responsibility to bring that experience back and share it with students who are also looking for that spark of inspiration.”

As the Calgaard Distinguished Professor of Practice in the Department of Communication, Nirenberg taught “How a Modern City Works: the People and Systems of San Antonio” this fall. Through class trips to locations such as the San Antonio Water System and City Hall, Nirenberg gave his students a unique glimpse into public service and the functional know-how involved in running a major city.

Watch this video to hear more from Nirenberg about what it’s like to be back on campus, this time as a professor. 

Gabriela Salgado ’25

This May, Gabriela Salgado ’25, a marketing major with minors in strategic communication and Spanish from São Paulo, Brazil, graduated from Trinity. Now, she’s thriving in her full-time position as a Fuel Loyalty team member at 7-Eleven, Inc.

Salgado’s interest in marketing began in high school and expanded through Business Administration Professor Charlene Davis’ “Principles of Marketing” course. Throughout her time at Trinity, Salgado added minors to strengthen her skills and studied abroad in Spain and France to grow her fluency. With her adviser, Business Administration Professor Mario Gonzalez-Fuentes, Ph.D., Salgado conducted marketing research and presented at national conferences, which helped her land her job after graduation.

At Trinity, Salgado served as a tour guide, a resident assistant, an intern with the University’s Office of Strategic Communication and Marketing, the president of Trinity’s American Marketing Association chapter, an Alpha Chi Lambda member, and a student ambassador.

“These past four years have truly been the best of my life,” she says. “I’m forever grateful Trinity became my home away from home!”

Ari Skolnick-Schur ’24, M’25 

Since crossing the stage in May, Ari Skolnick-Schur ’24 M’25 has been gearing up for an exciting new chapter. In January 2026, he will step into a prestigious Postgraduate Technical Assistant (PTA) position at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). He is one of only a few students nationwide to earn this honor this year and the seventh Trinity graduate to do so.

During his one-year term, Skolnick-Schur will play an integral role in the standards-setting process that shapes the future of financial reporting in the United States. He will collaborate closely with FASB staff and gain firsthand insight into the perspectives of financial statement preparers, auditors, and users.

At Trinity, Skolnick-Schur earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting and was involved in various student organizations and experiential learning opportunities, including an internship in the audit and assurance practice at Deloitte’s Dallas office.

“My Trinity education laid the groundwork for critically thinking about complex problems, analyzing them, and communicating relevant pieces of analysis,” Skolnick-Schur says. “I am excited to use the wide variety of skills that I gained from Trinity’s liberal arts curriculum, technical and soft skills alike, to contribute at the FASB.”

Jacob Tingle ’95, Ed.D.

Meet the recipient of the 2025 Spirit of Trinity Award, Business Administration Professor Jacob Tingle ’95, Ed.D. From creating minors in sport management and arts, letters, and enterprise to serving as Trinity’s faculty athletic representative for the NCAA, Tingle's vast contributions have made a profound difference at the University and beyond.

He helped launch Trinity’s Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS), has been highly involved in the U.S. Department of State’s Sports Diplomacy programming, and recently received the prestigious 2025 Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award.

Tingle also regularly connects students and alumni through his podcast, experiential learning initiatives, and his “Sport in England” Beyond the Classroom course, bridging Trinity’s past, present, and future.

Watch this video to learn more about Tingle’s contributions to the Trinity community throughout the years.

Reagan Whatley ’26

Meet Reagan Whatley ’26, a neuroscience major and three-year captain of the Trinity women’s volleyball team. Over her years at Trinity, Whatley has led her team with grit, heart, and dedication, helping the Tigers compete among the nation's best programs.

“Trinity’s volleyball team is consistently ranked among the top in the nation. While highly competitive, it’s also incredibly supportive,” Whatley explains. “Everyone is your biggest cheerleader, always pushing you to improve while celebrating your successes.”

As a captain, Whatley’s leadership has gone far beyond the court. She’s learned to balance intensity with compassion and teamwork with accountability. “Being a captain has shaped me as a teammate, a leader, and a person,” Whatley says. “I’ve learned how to communicate effectively, stay calm under pressure, and adapt to challenging situations.”

From national championship matches to the classroom, Whatley embodies what it means to be a Tiger: resilient, passionate, and team-driven.

Aisha Woods, Psy.D.

Meet Aisha Woods, Psy.D., Trinity’s new director of Counseling Services. A proud San Antonio native and U.S. Air Force veteran, Woods brings more than 14 years of experience supporting mental health in nonprofit organizations, government, private practice, higher education, and inpatient hospital settings.

After starting her college career at San Antonio College, Woods discovered her passion for helping people in ways that weren’t always visible or easily understood. While serving in the Air Force, she witnessed firsthand the stigma around mental health support, an experience that inspired her commitment to breaking barriers and creating safe spaces for people to seek help.

In her new role at Trinity, Woods aims to nurture a culture of openness and well-being on campus and to ensure students know that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

“I love to laugh and truly believe humor can be very healing,” she says, and if you ask her about her Spurs, her carne guisada tacos, or her wine collection, you’ll quickly see her passion for life shine through.