Meet MSW Outstanding Student Trinity Martinez

May 12, 2022

Pope Francis once said, “Go and show love to everyone, because your life is a precious mission: it is not a burden to be borne, but a gift to offer.” And when you meet our 2022 MSW Outstanding Student Trinity Martinez, you know no other mantra could better describe her.

Trinity is an advanced standing student from San Antonio, Texas, but has lived all over the US and has traveled the world through mission work and study abroad programs, including countries such as Lithuania, Jamaica, Italy and Ireland. All of these experiences contributed to her ability to adapt well to change and exposed her to many cultures and diversity at a formative age. Today, she is a natural leader, committed to speaking up for others and standing up for what she believes.

“I know who I am and what I stand for, and I am not afraid. I am always ready to assert myself and speak up for others or stand up for what I believe in. I consistently strive to foster my sense of self-awareness and remain open to what is around me,” Trinity said. “I am very passionate about the treatment of others and advocating for the rights of all persons.”

Trinity began her journey with Baylor Social Work as an undergrad in the fall of 2017. Coming to Baylor opened her eyes to the many roles social workers in the lives of individuals and communities.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to pursue both my BSW and MSW from the Garland School as I feel I have been able to truly grow as a person and social worker. My eyes have been opened to so many of the injustices in the world and I feel that I have made strides in advancing my self-awareness. I am always looking out for who is forgotten in the narrative and desire to ensure that every voice can be heard.

“From the moment I arrived at orientation for pre-social work majors, I knew there was more to social work than I had realized,” Trinity said. “As an incoming freshman, I had definitely fallen prey to the common misconception that ‘social workers only work in CPS,’ and seeing the list of almost 200 job titles for social workers in that orientation blew my mind.”

She fell in love with the versatility of social work and knew this profession was the path she would take for her life’s journey.

Trinity’s concentration was clinical practice and she specialized in mental and physical health. This year, she interned for the Baylor Athletics Mental Health Services where she quickly fell in love with mental health advocacy and her work with clients in young adulthood. Even though she was a bit apprehensive at first because, in her words, she was in no way athletically inclined, her internship helped her understand the difficulties of being both a student and an athlete which ultimately led her to discover a true passion for mental health and to recognize her desire to provide counseling services.

As one of Trinity’s professors noted, “Trinity has a very strong work ethic and presents her full self in the learning experience: she embodies social work values, academic excellence and a commitment to service. She supports the values of the social work profession through her collegiality and academic engagement. Trinity sets herself apart with the high benchmark of excellence she strives for each day.”

Trinity added, “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to pursue both my BSW and MSW from the Garland School as I feel I have been able to truly grow as a person and social worker. My eyes have been opened to so many of the injustices in the world and I feel that I have made strides in advancing my self-awareness. I am always looking out for who is forgotten in the narrative and desire to ensure that every voice can be heard.”

After graduation, Trinity will pursue her clinical licensure in social work and explore certification in a number of therapy modalities.

Congratulations, Trinity! Go make that difference in the world around you! #sicemsocialwork