Since its founding, Trinity Western University has pursued more than academic excellence—it has remained committed to developing Christian leaders who can positively impact societies in Canada and globally.
One of the key ways this purpose is advanced is through the Trinity Fellows program, which places outstanding recent graduates in mentored roles alongside members of TWU’s executive leadership team.
Supported by the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust's Vision and Call initiative and administered through the Office of the President, the Trinity Fellows program gives graduates a chance to refine their leadership capacity, gain meaningful real-world experience, and receive mentorship grounded in a Christian view of vocation.
Introducing the 2025–26 TWU Fellows
The 2025–26 TWU Fellows are Samuel Wilkinson and Sofia del Castillo Medina, two graduates whose paths and motivations reflect the intersection of faith, leadership, and service that define the Trinity Western experience.
From student leader to institutional collaborator
Wilkinson, who completed his Bachelor in Business Administration specializing in Finance with a concentration in Biblical Studies, was drawn to TWU by its mission and community—and has continued to help build it up.
“Through this experience and getting to work alongside amazing faculty, staff, and executive leaders, I fell in love with this place and its mission of developing godly Christian leaders,” he said.
During his time at TWU, Wilkinson served in the Trinity Western University Student Association (TWUSA), first as the School of Business representative and later as president for the 2024–25 academic year. “I started my time in TWUSA seeking to provide opportunities today for the leaders of tomorrow. It’s been amazing to see those students step up and step into various leadership roles both within Trinity and outside,” he said.
A memorable TWU experience for Wilkinson has been attending the funeral of Del Reimer, one of the University’s founding board members. “I was so encouraged by his faithful service to the Lord and his heart to see Trinity Western flourish," Wilkinson remarked. "His passion and vision for Trinity made me realize how truly special Trinity Western is and how we all are participating in a miracle bigger than ourselves.”
Preparing for a higher purpose
As the 2025–26 TWU Fellow working with President Todd F. Martin, Wilkinson assists in the Office of the President and supports departments such as Finance and Advancement on special projects. “A lot is happening at Trinity this year, and I am privileged to be a part of it,” he said.
He anticipates that this year will be a formative time in his leadership development. “I hope this fellowship helps equip me to lead people and organizations towards faithful stewardship and transformative impact," he said. "In the future, I hope to be a part of bridging the gap between the church and the marketplace through 'business as mission.'” he said.
To current and future students, Wilkinson offers this word of advice: “Understand that you are on a path to becoming a godly Christian leader, so seek out opportunities and people that will help you on this journey and humbly surrender the outcome to God, who is 'before all things, and in him all things hold together’ (Colossians 1:17).”
Art, advocacy, and faith in dialogue
Del Castillo Medina, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design with a minor in Communication, describes TWU as a place where she learned that professional growth and faithfulness to Christ go hand in hand.
“TWU has given me a safe space to flourish in different aspects. I truly felt supported by TWU’s community through every step of the way,” she said. “From my amazing professors to my peers, and staff, they have all contributed to the person I am today, accompanying me through my faith journey as well as my professional journey. Through them I have learned both paths: professional and faithful go hand in hand, and when combined, one can truly make an impact.”
As a student, del Castillo Medina curated multiple exhibitions for TWU's SAMC and Jacobson art galleries, as well as for the Kuhn Centre. “These opportunities allowed me to connect with TWU students from diverse backgrounds and programs,” she said. “I wanted to curate exhibitions with the goal of displaying the richness of diversity we have on campus, and the importance of learning from experiences different from ours.”
Her exhibitions included Remembering Home (2022), which discussed nostalgia, coping with change, core values, and cultural diversity; Circuitry & Emotion (2023, in collaboration with Martin Wang), which explored the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence and humanity; and Echinacea (2025), in honour of International Women’s Day, which showcased women’s reflections on personal and collective experiences that define womanhood.
Cultivating spaces for people to flourish
“In curating, or as I like to think about it, creating experiences, I have practiced a skill that transcends beyond a gallery and can be applied to relationships and community,” she said. “In working with artists, I would hear their stories, faith journeys, and passions. The most profound lesson in curating has been understanding that the best way to create meaningful connections is by fostering a safe space to share our stories. Without this space, people cannot flourish to their full capacity.”
As a TWU Fellow, del Castillo Medina works with Brian Kerr, Senior Vice President of Enrolment and Chief Experience Officer. “Through this fellowship, I hope to grow in my understanding of Christ's love and in my ability to serve others,” she said. “I am eager to gain insights from an experienced leader like Brian Kerr, who can guide me in integrating my passion for advocacy with my faith, ensuring that I lead in a way that genuinely reflects Christ's teachings.”
Her advice to new students is to take advantage of every learning opportunity, including practicums, internships, and co-op placements. "The more perspectives you learn from, the clearer you will be able to define the path you want to go into,” she said. “Similarly, talk to people who have had different experiences and backgrounds from yours and truly listen to them." She added, "The easiest way to open your eyes to new ways of thinking and knowledge is simply by listening to others. Take advantage of our diverse group of students, faculty, and staff, and learn from them.”
The Fellowship as a formation experience
Earlier this month, del Castillo Medina and Wilkinson represented TWU at the annual M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust Vision and Call conference in Washington. At the gathering, Wilkinson learned that "to be faithful is to cultivate God’s goodness through the gifts and talents he has given you."
Through international and broad networking experiences such as these, TWU Fellows join a wider network of Christian leaders exploring how faith, calling, and leadership intersect.
The Trinity Fellows program is both professional and formative in nature, offering graduates the opportunity to work alongside senior University leaders while deepening their understanding of vocation and leadership. Learn more at the Trinity Fellows program.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. It has campuses in Canada in Langley, Richmond, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.