Three in new roles with Trine Student Affairs

To better serve the needs of its growing student body, Trine University has announced several personnel changes within its Office of Student Affairs.

“Trine University’s continued record enrollment creates a need to expand our services to meet the needs of a larger number of students,” said Cisco Ortiz, vice president for student affairs. “I’m pleased that we have been able to promote capable individuals and add to our staff within the Office of Student Affairs to meet these needs and better equip our students for a successful college experience.”

Director of academic success

Jeremy Howard, who previously served as director of student engagement, has been promoted to director of academic success.

In his new role, Howard will oversee the daily operations of the university’s Academic Success Center. He also will continue to serve as an academic advisor and will coordinate with the university’s new academic support specialist to maximize students' academic achievement.

“Since the inception of the Academic Success Center in 2015, I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand the positive impact our team has had in the lives of our students through compassionate mentorship with a focus on developing students’ academic and social well-being,” Howard said. “I’m looking forward to continuing cross-departmental partnerships to identify ways to best serve our students and to support their everyday needs.”

Howard has worked at Trine since 2011, when he graduated from the university with an elementary education degree. He also earned a Master of Science in leadership from Trine in 2019.

He served as director of student activities before becoming director of student engagement in 2015.

Academic support specialist

Danielle Kelly has joined Trine University in its newly created academic support specialist position.

In this role, Kelly will assist the director of academic success with administrative duties, primarily focused on advising students assigned to the Academic Success Center, overseeing academic coaching services and coordinating peer study sessions/tutoring services.

“Our office is delighted that Danielle has joined the Student Affairs team,” said Howard. “She possesses a tremendous amount of instructional experience in education and is passionate about building positive student relationships while empowering students to overcome obstacles they undoubtedly will face while in college. I look forward to working alongside her to improve our student outreach and on-campus influence.”

Kelly had previously served as an educator at the elementary, middle and high school level. She retired from Legg Middle School in Coldwater, Michigan, in June.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in physical education and has taken graduate courses in special education, both from Western Michigan University.

Parent/student advocate and retention specialist

Whitney Arihood, who previously served in the university’s Housing Department as housing coordinator, has been promoted to student/parent advocate and retention specialist.

She replaces Deb McHenry, who recently retired as executive director of student affairs and parent and student advocate after 28 years with Trine University.

In her new role, Arihood will provide guidance to students to help alleviate obstacles to academic and personal success. She will identify and interact directly with at-risk students through targeted outreach, connecting them with resources to navigate barriers to completion.

She also will support diversity and inclusion efforts focused on creating more equitable environments and systems across Trine University, serve as a contact for parents, and participate in the retention and strategic planning processes of the institution.

Arihood is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout. earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Master of Science in training and development. While attending UW-Stout, Arihood served as a three-year resident advisor and a desk services manager for one year.

Her experience includes working as a residential education director at Washington State University, as a hall director at UW-Stout and as an academic advisor within the Psychology Department at Purdue Fort Wayne.

She worked outside higher education in staffing, recruiting and human resources before coming to Trine in April.

“My college years were some of my life's most formative and mind-opening years,” she said. ”I’m humbled by the opportunity to support students as they grow in their journeys to accomplish their dreams.”

“Whitney brings not only extensive experience in higher education, but a passion for serving students and their families,” said Ortiz. “We’re excited to how she will flourish in this new role and excited for the positive impact she will have on Trine students.”