Trinity Fellows are paired with University executive leaders and receive mentorship as they engage in meaningful projects suited to their personal gifts. Each year, three of Trinity Western’s most promising recent graduates are selected to become Trinity Fellows. Congratulations to our 2021 Trinity Fellows, David Kong, Aaron Paetkau and Rachel Sousa.
Trinity Western seeks to prepare graduates for lives and careers of significant impact. One of the ways that TWU prepares graduates is through the Trinity Fellows Program.
Each year, the Trinity Fellows program selects only three of Trinity Western’s most promising recent graduates to participate in a year-long paid internship offered through the Office of the President in partnership with the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust. The Trinity Fellows Program has two parts: a work experience component and a graduate-level education component. Both parts of the program collaborate to help graduates develop leadership skills and to inspire a future career trajectory.
For their paid work placement, Trinity Fellows are paired with University executive leaders, where Fellows receive mentorship as they engage in meaningful projects suited to their personal gifts.
In the educational component of the program, Fellows pursue Master of Arts in Leadership courses at TWU to develop formal understanding of leadership theory.
Congratulations to David Kong, Aaron Paetkau and Rachel Sousa — our 2021 Trinity Fellows.
“I believe the Lord created us to be in relationship with Him and with others, and walking with others provides an opportunity for mentorship, accountability, and counsel.”
— Rachel Sousa, Trinity Fellow
Living life in response to who God is
“I believe that the Fellows program will be valuable for me as a professional, but most importantly, it will surround me with godly mentorship, which will contribute to my personal walk with Christ," said Rachel Sousa, who is working with Brian Kerr, Senior Vice President of Enrolment, Personal and Career Development.
Sousa is a confident and enthusiastic learner, and she is excited to develop professional skills that will serve her well into her future. “Working with Brian will come with many learning opportunities, and I will be sure to make the most of my experience, working with a passionate leader who is committed to the lives of students,” Sousa said.
"I really enjoyed my time at Trinity Western and am looking forward to spending another year here, taking part in a program that emphasizes mentorship and leadership development," she added.
Sousa majored in International Studies and attended TWU's Laurentian Leadership Center in Ottawa. As campus community leader, Sousa served as a Resident Assistant and joined various worship teams. Beyond campus, she volunteered with Nightshift Ministries in Surrey, B.C.
When it comes to personal and professional motivation, Sousa draws strength from her faith. “My identity is rooted in the reality that I am first, a child of the living God, and my deepest desire on earth is to live as a response to who God is.”
Accordingly, Sousa intentionally seeks out mentors who help her grow in her convictions. “I believe the Lord created us to be in relationship with Him and with others, and walking with others provides an opportunity for mentorship, accountability, and counsel.”
During her time at TWU, Sousa has enjoyed many encouraging relationships. “This has already been so fruitful in my life, and it is my desire to continue developing relationships that will consistently point me to God,” she said. She believes the Trinity Fellows Program will provide meaningful opportunities for this kind of mentorship and personal development.
“There is always joy in seeing the TWU community day after day becoming a global community, reflecting the beauty of the gospel.”
— David Kong, Trinity Fellow
Reflecting the beauty of the gospel within a global community
David Kong is a Trinity Fellow working with Richard Taylor, Vice President of Student Life.
Kong, who achieved a BBA in Leadership and Management, is excited for what his role entails. “I can leverage the skills learned from my education to continue to serve this community,” he said.
Studying at TWU has been a formative experience for Kong, as he expresses, “For me, Trinity has had a deep impact on both my personal development and spiritual formation.”
On campus, Kong has served in Global Projects and worked closely with Intercultural Programs. In the local community, Kong volunteered with DRIME ministries of P2C, and worked in public relations for the Langley Toastmasters Club.
“It is a privilege to witness how God transforms students’ hearts and minds through their journey at Trinity, and I believe my work will contribute to fostering a more diverse community, as well as help every graduate become equipped," he said.
Kong describes how there are two things he looks forward to as he pursues the Trinity Fellows program, “one is serving this growing community with a talented student-oriented team; another is expanding my professional skills through learning from my mentor Richard as well as other Fellows.”
Kong anticipates a dynamic and fun year ahead. He will be involved in everything from preparing New Student Orientation to supporting students for their careers post-graduation.
“There is always joy in seeing the TWU community day after day becoming a global community, reflecting the beauty of the gospel,” he said.
With his natural strengths as an initiator and encourager, Kong says he is “thrilled to see the progress” of new projects that Student Life is launching this year.
At the same time, Kong is realistic about the difficulties of work; and yet he is hopeful that he will overcome. “I know that unexpected challenges would come up during my time as a Fellow, but with God’s grace and my mentor’s wisdom, I would get through them.”
A source of strength for Kong has been his faith, a faith that has been consistently growing during his time at TWU. “Last year, I was motivated to learn to rely on God, instead of my own planning,” he said, reflecting on 2020. “He taught me how to be resilient and persevering in the face of difficulties, and how to be compassionate and loving towards people.”
“I love championing peoples' dreams and encouraging them to strive towards their goals.”
— Aaron Paetkau, Trinity Fellow
Pursuing servant leadership, mentorship and community impact
Aaron Paetkau, a Trinity Fellow working with James Tweedy, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, values the opportunity to see leadership in action. “This role has allowed me to observe how a proficient organization is run, and the quality of leadership that is behind the scenes," he said.
Paetkau majored in Education, and was a member of the TWU Spartans Men's Basketball Team. Speaking of his time as a student-athlete, Paetkau said, “While in various positions within the team, I have had the opportunity to develop leadership skills, mature emotionally and grow spiritually.”
Paetkau was awarded the 2020 Bahta Melles Servant-Leader of the Year Award for his work as the Spiritual Mentor for the Spartans basketball team, and for his recent work in organizing a volunteering partnership with Christian Life Assembly called CityServe.
This past year, Paetkau worked part-time as a Support Worker with Strive Living Society, where he was responsible for helping support the personal development of a young man with disabilities. Paetkau was also involved as a youth basketball coach with Elevate Basketball, where he regularly planned and implemented lesson plans. “These roles granted me the opportunity to mentor young people in the community, which further deepened my passion for mentorship,” he said.
Paetkau describes himself as “driven by big-picture planning and strategic problem-solving," adding, “I love championing peoples' dreams and encouraging them to strive towards their goals.”
Paetkau grew up under the leadership example of his father, who was a pastor. “I was taught from an early age that Jesus is the source of my salvation, and it is by His unrelenting grace that I can have freedom from my sin.”
Through the testing of his faith, Paetkau says, his devotion has been renewed. “As a reminder of His steadfast devotion, God has sought me every time I have chosen to live independently of Him.”
After coming to TWU to play basketball for the University, Paetkau has continued his journey of personal growth and professional development. While in fellowship with other Christian leaders, Paetkau was encouraged to take ownership of his faith. “My faith in Jesus Christ is now the central constituent of my person,” he said.
Through the Trinity Fellows program, Fellows will each gain invaluable work and educational experience. The three 2021 Trinity Fellows look forward to continuing to grow as leaders while refining their future career aspirations.
Read this story in the Langley Advance Times.
See also — 'It's who you've become': TWU’s co-curricular transcript records students' personal and professional development:
TWU News
About M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, created by the will of the late Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, provides grants to organizations in five states of the Pacific Northwest—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington—that seek to strengthen the region’s educational and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. To learn more, visit: www.murdocktrust.org.
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.