Trina Hartman began her career at Taylor University under unfortunate circumstances.
After leaving her postgraduate job to care for her sick mother, Hartman’s mother passed away. That’s when she received the call from the Taylor administration that she got the job as a degree auditor in the registrar’s office.
Before it was computer-automated, the job involved Hartman sitting in an office and pouring over degree requirements and student schedules, ensuring students would graduate on time.
She credits her coworkers and staff for coming alongside her in a time when she needed them.
“It was absolutely the perfect place for me because people were so compassionate and it was a very good place to heal,” Hartman said. “I just lost my dad the year before, and I was young. It was a good place to land at that time.”
Throughout her time at Taylor, her position has changed and shifted with technological advances. Now, instead of looking through paper documents, she now has face-to-face meetings with students to learn their goals and tailor their schedules as an academic advisor for undecided students.
Approximately 20% of incoming students arrive at Taylor not knowing what they want to study. That is part of the experience of college, Hartman said: to explore, learn and grow.
“There's nothing wrong with not knowing what you want to do when you come into college,” she said. “You're not behind, you're not less than.”
If students need academic accommodations, need their schedule adjusted or just have a question about a course, she has the answers — or at least knows who has the answers, she said.
Other times, she simply listens.
“There's times we don't talk about academics at all,” Hartman said. “I'm not a counselor, but sometimes they'll just come in and I'm just listening and hopefully give them wise counsel, and if necessary refer them appropriately.”
Students with academic struggles can also contact the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC) with accommodation needs to meet with experts in student development.
They can meet with Hartman or another AEC staff member with any anxieties regarding classes. Other services include tutor coordinating and writing assistance through the Writing Center.
“When students start registering, you see a lot more frustration, anxiousness, even from parents,” Hartman said. “Everything will work out even if it’s frustrating at the moment; there’s usually a lot going on behind the scenes that students just aren’t aware of.”
A piece of advice Hartman wants students to know is to study what they are passionate about and gifted in.
Above all, she and the AEC staff are here to assist students in their academic needs, and want to be intentional about getting to know each student beyond their GPA or grades, she said.
“I urge students to use their God-given talents and gifts,” Hartman said. “Don't just pick a major just because that's where you're going to make the most money. You're going to be happier in most cases if you're doing what you're gifted for.”
