Trina Dobberstein retired from Baldwin Wallace University in 2020 after serving as the Vice President for Student Affairs for 15 years. Prior to her time at BW, Trina spent 10 years at Eureka College in Illinois and 20 years at West Virginia Wesleyan. Her 45-year career in higher education was spent across many departments within Student Affairs, but mainly in Residence Life, New Student Programming, and Student Leadership Development.
The initial attractions to Baldwin Wallace for Trina were the seamlessness between academics and Student Affairs, the juxtaposition of the Conservatory of Music alongside a Liberal Arts context, proximity to the city of Cleveland, and the welcoming small-town community.
Trina came to learn that the Student Affairs and academic departments at BW do their best to work together to enrich and add value to students’ time at the University. In her words, the leadership team is committed to ensuring it is a “total experience” for students. She notes that innovative thinking on how a liberal arts education can become a meaningful foundation for life and work is ever present in decision-making. The focus is on putting hard-skill knowledge into the context of the real-world for long-term impact in a career field. Trina sees learning skills that transcend environments - from the classroom to clubs or athletics - as an important reason for the intersection of Student Affairs and academics.
Throughout her career, Trina saw many changes within the University landscape first-hand. Most notably were the shifts in students’ mindsets, and a student body that more closely reflected broader society. Students became more vocal about issues such as nutrition and transgender rights which led to more health-conscious meals in the dining hall, and inclusive bathrooms. Trina says the openness from the student body to adapt to social progress made it easier for leadership to enact campus change.
In addition, the type of student attending Baldwin Wallace changed during her time. She saw an increase in more non-traditional students receiving certificates over four-year degrees, and a gradual decrease in individuals choosing to live in residence halls on-campus.
The shifting landscape of more non-traditional students and a more diverse community, followed by the impact of COVID-19 has challenged Student Affairs to adapt programming to better meet student needs, interests, and concerns.
After 15 years, Trina was still truly impacted by every Orientation and Commencement she took part in at BW. She found wonder in anticipating what students would become as they entered into their collegiate career, and enjoyed celebrating what they had become as they graduated.
Trina believes that giving back is the heart and soul, and the engine, that drives organizations towards sustainability in order to make a lasting impact. She remains supportive of the Baldwin Wallace community, and the mission of Women for BW. Her one piece of advice for women is to “confidently take a seat at decision-making and change-influencing tables and let your voice be heard!”
Trina currently resides in Delaware, OH where she is close to her children and grandchildren. She volunteers at a drive-thru food pantry, and spends time at her local YMCA taking exercise classes, as well as online learning courses. She is enjoying retirement and finding new activities to fill her time.
Thank you, Trina!
Written by Annette Fetter '15
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