--> Transitioning from Loss to Hope

I, Mark Prioleau, am a transfer student from Clarks Summit University in Pennsylvania, which recently closed due to financial struggles. My time here at Trinity has been positive so far—everyone’s very kind, the classes are good, and the faculty are supportive.

I’m majoring in Pastoral Ministry, and my goal is to become a pastor. Right now, I’m interning at a local church while I continue my studies. Lord willing, I’ll be in ministry wherever God leads me.

As for my future, I do plan on getting a master’s degree, though I’m not sure about the timeline. I’m getting married this summer, so things are a bit up in the air. Ideally, I’d pursue a master’s either online or in person, but I’m taking it one step at a time.

The most beneficial part of my time here at Trinity so far has definitely been the faculty. The encouragement they offer, even in small moments like sharing lunch in the cafeteria, has meant a lot. It’s not just academic—there’s a genuine friendship being built, and I find that really valuable.

Transitioning from Clarks Summit to Trinity was hard. I found out about the school closing in July while I was interning in Florida, so it was a bit of a shock. But President Best, who attends my church, connected with me and suggested I come to Trinity. His help made the transition much smoother, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. While there was sadness in losing Clark Summit, the new opportunities here at Trinity are encouraging, and I’m thankful for the fresh start.

To help other transfer students like Mark, you can partner with Trinity College of Florida to Forge a Future here.