Lifelong Learning and Leading

That Much Sweeter

Pyar Seth’s short undergraduate

career has set him up for a long, productive future in academia. The 2019 graduate—a transfer student and Norfolk, Virginia, native—finished his bachelor’s degree in just three years, majoring in political science and an interdisciplinary second major in African-American studies.

The summer before his final year at Trinity, Seth was selected to participate in the American Political Science Association’s (APSA) 2019 Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Scholar program. After graduation, he landed a place in APSA’s prestigious Minority Fellows Program. The fellowship aims to increase the number of scholars from underrepresented and minority backgrounds in political science doctoral programs.

Seth is now attending Johns Hopkins University for his doctorate. “I want to be somewhere that folks are excited by the questions I’m interested in asking,” he says, emphasizing his intention to focus on Black political thought, emotions, and racial violence.

“It’s been a privilege to work with a number of brilliant folks,” Seth says, “and it’s that much sweeter when they look like me.” LIFELONG LEARNING AND LEADING

IN THE TRENCHES

To lead through the COVID-19 pandemic, creative problem solving, agility, and innovation are critical leadership skills now more than ever. These Tigers have stepped up to the challenge of developing flexible solutions in challenging and uncertain environments.

Matt Johnson ’99 directs supply chain strategy for H-E-B, where creative product sourcing, rapid production shifts, and inventory increases have helped keep more than 300 stores replenished. Facing supply chain shortages and struggling vendors, Johnson helps keep toilet paper, disinfectants, and other essential products available in H-E-B stores.

Dr. Justin Glass ’91, P’21 directs the Family Medicine Residency program of Idaho, where family medicine physicians train to work in underserved and rural areas. Glass traveled to Trenton, New Jersey, where patients needing treatment for COVID-19 had overwhelmed St. Francis Medical Center, a small facility in an underserved area. The center’s sole hospitalist received relief when Glass stepped up as second hospitalist for the center.

Monica Vargas-Mahar M’98 is the CEO of The Hospitals of Providence East Campus, a 182-bed hospital in El Paso, Texas. As CEO, she is responsible for leading her team through the COVID-19 crisis by managing and overseeing all hospital operations and logistics on a daily basis to help her campus successfully navigate the pandemic and to help ensure the health of patients, team members, and the community.

Curtis Ruder ’94, P’22 is navigating how to safely serve clients in the face of a public health crisis. As chief financial officer for Meals on Wheels San Antonio (MWSA), Ruder is helping the organization hand-deliver hot meals to about 5,000 homebound, at-risk senior citizens, while protecting both these citizens and MWSA staff and volunteers.

Portia Hoeg ’01 is the executive commissioner of the Centennial Conference, which comprises 11 liberal arts colleges and universities. Hoeg is currently leading the commission through a period of rapid policy changes issued by the NCAA Division III in response to COVID-19. Emergency measures have been aimed at protecting student-athletes’ health, wellness, and eligibility in the face of uncertainty surrounding sports seasons.

Drake Dukes ’16 developed two apps—one for the Dallas area and the other for Wichita, Kansas—both aimed at supporting local restaurants. His apps aggregate information such as updated hours, menus, and delivery and curbside details, encouraging residents to support small, local eateries that may struggle during the pandemic.