“Student leadership is a wonderful opportunity to grow, to develop tangible skill sets, and to build leadership capacity that will be valuable to TWU, as students serve and invest back into the community. My encouragement (for students) is to find a way to engage with a community, a way to engage in spiritual life, and a way to serve. In other words: connect, thrive, and serve."
—Richard Taylor, Vice President of Student Life
One of the distinctives of studying at Trinity Western, apart from the integration of Christian faith with high quality academics, is the ability to be fully engaged in the life of TWU’s campuses through Student Life and co-curricular programs.
Richard Taylor, Vice President of Student Life, introduces how the Student Life department is advancing students’ well-being within the overall focus of TWU’s vision.
Integrating TWU’s vision into all areas of the student experience
“In Student Life we provide co-curricular programs, discipleship programs, and leadership opportunities and experiences,” Taylor began.
“I’m especially excited about TWU’s new vision,” he continued, referring to Trinity Western's vision: every graduate is equipped to think truthfully, act justly, and live faithfully for the good of the world and the glory of God.
Taylor sees the focus of Student Life as integrating TWU’s vision into all areas of the student experience.
Moreover, he observes that, as a global Christian University, TWU now serves diverse students learning in-person and online, from multiple campuses around the world.
“Students will grow spiritually, improve their well-being, and build belonging and a sense of connection, within a Christ-centered and diverse community, where they have the opportunity to interact with people from many different backgrounds.”
Growing in relationship with God, self, and the wider community
Taylor and his team's desire is to see students grow in their leadership ability, and be better prepared to succeed as future graduates.
He explains how, through engagement with Student Life, “students will grow spiritually, improve their well-being, and build belonging and a sense of connection, within a Christ-centered and diverse community, where they have the opportunity to interact with people from many different backgrounds.”
New student-focused outcomes
To pursue their direction this year, Student Life has developed four new student-focused outcomes. Taylor outlines these outcomes.
The first is that "students would develop the faith and character they need to become resilient disciples," he said.
Secondly, it is that students would develop the identity and well-being they need, or as Taylor puts it, “That they would flourish in all aspects of their life.”
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This is important, because Taylor knows that many students who are studying at TWU are at an optimal time in their lives in terms of developing psycho-social wisdom and maturity.
“This time that they’re studying at TWU is formative," he said. "They’re finding a sense of belonging, and discovering a sense of identity. So we want to make sure we’re contributing to that in Student Life."
Embracing life together, within a diverse Christ-centered community
Thirdly, Taylor and his team are keen on fostering diversity. He hopes that students would develop the mindset and skills they need to embrace life together, within a diverse Christ-centered community.
“We want to give students the opportunity to meet and engage with people who are different than they are, and to learn that that is valuable," he said. "That it strengthens who they are as a person."
Finally, Taylor and his team are committed to helping students develop their gifts through meaningful service and leadership opportunities. It is part of ensuring that students enjoy a holistic experience at TWU.
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Indeed, many students express that their experiences within Student Life are among the most transformative and meaningful experiences of their time at TWU. “As they grow into who God desires them to be, we recognize that a lot of that (growth) happens outside the classroom,” said Taylor. “We want to provide for our students opportunities that will serve them well here.”
Best experiences for incoming or first year students
For anyone who is new to the TWU community this Fall, Taylor has some practical tips. “Right in the beginning… get to know others, and find a sense of belonging,” he encourages. For students living in dormitories this may mean engaging in dorm life. For commuters, a key highlight of the TWU experience is the Collegium program, the Trinity Commons, and also newly developed opportunities for online community engagement.
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Also for first year students, Taylor advises that they engage with their academic cohorts, where peer instructors will help them gain an understanding of the TWU community.
Most importantly, Taylor encourages students to find ways to be engaged in the spiritual life on campus. He lists attending chapel, joining a discipleship group, or taking up a service opportunity among valuable options.
He also describes opportunities for spiritual growth within a diverse community, “We have lots of discipleship groups, even language specific discipleship groups."
“We have local outreach and service opportunities," he continued. "Students can serve on a weekend in downtown east side (Vancouver), or work with kids' ministries. They can work with the Trinity Refugee Awareness Campaign (TRAC) to support a refugee.”
Taylor concludes by summarizing his top three tips for first year students. “My encouragement is to find a way to engage with a community, a way to engage in spiritual life, and a way to serve. In other words: connect, thrive, and serve."
In fact, when it comes to choices for involvement, TWU offers an abundance. Every year, there are close to 300 student leadership opportunities to choose from.
“Student leadership is a wonderful opportunity to grow, to develop tangible skill sets, and to build leadership capacity that will be valuable to TWU, as students serve and invest back into the community,” said Taylor.
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About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca