Aida Haile ’27
Name: Aida Haile
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Major: Public Policy and Law
Extracurricular Involvement: P.R.I.D.E
Email: [email protected]
Why did you join the Diversity and Access Team?
My senior year of high school, I participated in the Passport to Trinity Program during Admitted Students Weekend. The passion and heart shown by the interns and directors to promote and present Trinity as an inclusive space was genuinely inspiring. When joining DAT, I wanted to give back to this community as much as they have given me when choosing this next chapter of my life.
What is the biggest lesson you learned from your first semester on campus?
After my first semester, I’ve learned that there’s no harm on trying new things. Before coming to college, I enjoyed staying in my comfort zone. Since starting, I’ve been immersed to so many cultures and experiences that I value so much as they shaped me so much of who I am today. I don’t take those opportunities for granted as it helped expand my optimism to new experiences.
How has a liberal arts education fostered your thinking?
Particularly to community action and social advocacy, a liberal arts education challenged and shaped my current mindsets towards social change with theories and frameworks. My thought process in how I approach the real world is constantly changing as I read and internalize through different readings, discussions, and projects.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to honor all the students leaders and directors before me who shaped Trinity to be a more comforting space. A place filled with warmth and passion is what I felt when I first stepped on campus for P.R.I.D.E + the other Orientation programs. I would want my current peers, incoming students, and beyond to have a space space that supports and validates their concerns. These four years have so much potential and I would want to ensure that no student feel like their voice is not heard.
How has the city of Hartford impacted your college experience?
Hartford made me respect the community members and organizations who work tirelessly to grow and improve the city every day. Coming from a big city, I’ve always loved the cultural enclaves I was surrounded in; I was always discovering new ways of learning. Hartford offers me an opportunity to closely explore and interact the community and gain that same feeling in a new environment. Additionally, Hartford’s community organizations often collaborate with Trinity on campus so distance is never a problem when getting to know the city.
What areas of campus make you feel at home?
Definitely the cultural houses on campus. These spaces provides much comfort where I am engaged in meaningful discussions and learning about different cultures and ideas.