Trinity Buse has always been passionate about working outdoors. The junior from Steele, Alabama, chose the University of Montevallo knowing that she could pursue environmental studies with an interdisciplinary approach.
“I knew coming to Montevallo and getting a well-rounded education would allow me the most possible opportunities,” she said. “I added on political science because I was able to interact with political science professors in the Environmental Studies Program. They really sparked my interest in what I can do policy-wise as it relates to environmental work.”
Now double majoring in environmental studies and political science with a minor in biology, Buse’s post-graduate aspirations include participating in field work to gain more experience and potentially attending graduate school. She hopes to work in a position where she can use her degree to make an impact on environmental policy in the future.
Scholarships have been vital to Buse’s college journey, allowing her to afford to pick up a second major, find summer internships and get involved on campus. She has received the Foundation Board Scholarship, the Presidential Honors Scholarship, the Lynn Cook Bennett Scholarship, a dance scholarship and a residence hall scholarship.
“I’m a first-generation college student, so being able to afford college has always been something that I’ve really worried about,” she said. “Scholarships give students a feeling of knowing they’re supported — they gain a network of people that really care about them and want to see them thrive. It gives them hope knowing that they have a community.”
Outside of her studies, Buse serves as the captain of the dance team, secretary and treasurer of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and is a Montevallo Master. She is also the vice president of Phi Mu, and her favorite memories from her time here so far have come from the bonds she has made in her sorority.
In the past, she served as a Montevallo Maven tour guide, an experience that helped her realize she belonged at the school.
“Through that process of getting to know and understand the potential students that come here, I’ve found that so many of them do see themselves having a place here,” Buse said. “I’ve gotten to share my story with them in such a way that’s reminded me of how much I truly feel like I belong at Montevallo.”
