Trina Van Schyndel

Program Manager
Center for Community-Based Learning, Leadership, and Research

Trina manages multiple curricular and co-curricular programs and operations in CCBLLR, with a focus on supporting both students and community partners. In addition, she provides faculty development and training opportunities through the CESN (Community Engaged Scholars Network). Her past professional and personal interests center on education, the environment, and communities. She most recently worked for Campus Compact for Wisconsin and also previously worked in the community engagement offices at UWM and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Prior to her career in higher education, she worked as an environmental educator in state and national parks, a boarding school, and several nature centers across the country - including at the Urban Ecology Center here in Milwaukee. In addition, she has served as an AmeriCorps Volunteer with the Student Conservation Association and as a Peace Corps Volunteer teaching English in Ukraine. She is happy to be back in Milwaukee full-time. Besides exploring the city, she also enjoys being out in nature, hanging out with her dog, growing in her mindfulness practice, and watching the latest sci-fi movies.

Education

  • B.A. German, Michigan State University
  • B.A. International Relations, Michigan State University
  • M.S. Natural Resources, with a focus on Environmental Education, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
  • Ph.D. Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (in progress), with a focus on Community Engagement, Michigan State University