This month, 10 students from the "Mexico, the Americas, and Spain (MAS) Leadership Development" course traveled to Washington, D.C., to put into action what they learned during the Fall 2025 semester. Through networking opportunities, group collaboration, and individual exploration, students strengthened the skills and perspectives needed to thrive as emerging leaders in today’s professional world.
Throughout the fall semester, students in this course developed an understanding of adaptive leadership, with an emphasis on relationships, community building, networking, and meaningful conversation. They practiced applying these skills on Trinity’s campus through events hosted by the Alumni Career Engagement office and conversations with local community leaders. From this course, ten students were selected to participate in the Washington, D.C., trip, where they continued to apply their learning in a national context.
On January 16, the group departed from San Antonio for Washington, D.C. Upon arrival, their days were filled with continuous activity, beginning with a tour of the U.S. Capitol, including Emancipation Hall, the Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall.
The following day, students connected with members of the Washington, D.C., Alumni Club over coffee and conversation. They then explored the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, viewed the Corazón y Vida exhibit, and participated in voluntary feedback surveys for the Museum of the American Latino. The day also included a visit to the Library of Congress, where students viewed the Two Georges exhibit. That evening, students were hosted by Antonio Tijerino, CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, who organized a networking dinner with students from universities across the D.C. area.
On the third day, the students met and networked with professionals working in a range of fields, including health policy, congressional labor policy, and international education. These conversations offered insight into diverse career paths and leadership trajectories in Washington, D.C.
On the final day, before heading to the airport, the group visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum—spaces that invited reflection on honoring past leaders and events through the thoughtful leadership they continue to develop. Scheduled over MLK weekend, the experience honored Dr. King’s legacy of service and justice and created space for students to reflect on how their identities shape their leadership journeys.