January 08, 2025
Several Trine University faculty and staff members have moved into new roles within the university.
“Trine continues to thrive due to the high quality of faculty and staff who work to serve our university's mission and support students,” said Tony Kline, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs. “For each of these changes, these individuals have demonstrated how they will provide value and distinction to their new areas due to their talents, experiences and dedication.”
New assistant dean for academics
Amy Heavin, Ph.D., who has served as director of the university’s Transition to Teaching
(T2T) program since its launch in 2022, will gradually move into the new role of assistant
dean for academics.
Reporting to the vice president for academic affairs, Heavin’s new position focuses on curriculum, assessment, data-related and faculty development functions.
She will team with academic leadership to expand and expedite program and university-wide initiatives that align with Trine’s mission.
Heavin came to Trine from Ryan Park Elementary School in Angola, where she had served as principal since 2013. During her time at Ryan Park, she was honored as Indiana Association of School Principals District 3 Elementary Principal of the Year (2018).
She holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Indiana State University, a Master of Education from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a Bachelor of Musical Arts from DePauw University.
Executive director of housing and residential life
Bill Milnes has been named executive director of housing and residential life.
In this role, he will be responsible for the comprehensive management of Trine University’s housing operations and residential life programs. He will oversee occupancy management, housing selection and placement processes, and residential life staff.
Milnes will lead three full-time staff in the Housing and Residential Life Department.
“This leadership role is vital in maintaining a positive, effective living-learning environment for our students. Bill’s extensive background in education administration provides the perfect combination of leadership experience and willingness to teach that this position needs,” said Kayla Warren, senior vice president and chief financial officer.
A longtime school principal before joining Trine University, Milnes most recently served as executive director of student services.
New library, faculty roles
Brandi Nahrwold has accepted the position of director of library and information services
at Trine.
Nahrwold had served as assistant director of advancement services in the university’s Office for University Advancement since 2023.
Prior to moving to the Angola area, she worked for five years managing technical services and circulation at Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, Illinois.
She recently completed her Master of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois and also holds a Bachelor of Arts in multi-/interdisciplinary studies from Governor’s State University.
Nahrwold replaces Jill Noyes, who accepted an assistant professor position within
Trine’s Department of Humanities and Communication.
Noyes had served as director of library and information services at Trine since 2020, coming from a role in web development and circulation at Fremont Public Library.
Trine University’s Class of 2024 saw 99.1% of its members obtain their desired career outcome within six months of graduation, continuing a 12-year streak of employment and graduate school placement averaging greater than 99%.
Low-income residents or those with disabilities or limited English proficiency can get their taxes prepared and filed electronically at no cost this spring through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program hosted by Trine University.
Trine University has named Tonya Bussema as its new student success coordinator.