Criminology, political science student turns resilience into leadership

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Trinidy Manison arrived at Penn State with a long-standing interest in law that began in her eighth-grade civics class, where she realized the kind of impact she could have through government and law.

That interest only deepened during her second year of high school, she said, when a criminal defense attorney visited her class.

“I remember asking him so many questions,” said the Pittsburgh native. “I walked away thinking, ‘This is exactly what I want to do.’”

Now a second-year student at Penn State majoring in criminology and political science, Manison said her studies in the former are providing her with a framework to understand the environment in which she grew up. After losing friends and peers to gun violence, she said, she witnessed firsthand how deeply rooted socioeconomic factors affected her community.

Meanwhile, her political science coursework is helping her better understand the systemic issues that shape communities.

“If I want to make a difference, I need to understand how our political systems work,” Manison said.

For Manison, being a first-generation college student means resilience, bravery and pride. It also means navigating higher education without a roadmap, she said.

Despite graduating from high school at the top of her class, she said she was not properly prepared for the rigor of college coursework.

“I didn’t know how to study,” she said. “My first exams here, I failed them. But I picked myself up. I was not going back. I told myself I’m here to succeed.”

She said her drive comes from her family, community and, ultimately, from her desire to be a healthy role model for younger generations, including her younger brothers and cousins.

Manison credits much of where she is now to the support and guidance she received from her peer mentor, Laci Campbell, through the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success.

“There are not enough words to thank Laci,” she said. “When I told her I wanted to study abroad, she helped me through the entire process. I didn’t even have a passport. She helped me with the application and figured out all the logistics. She helped me with everything. Professors recognize me because of her. She truly set me up for success.”

Inspired by the support she received, Mansion also became a peer success coach for the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center.

“Now I get to do for others what Laci did for me,” she said.

Manison said she hopes students leave their meetings with her feeling relieved, supported and confident. “I always ask, ‘Do you feel better?’ College can be overwhelming," she said. "I want them to know they are not alone.”

Manison is also vice president of the Chaiken Center Pre-Law Group, a student-run community dedicated to supporting College of the Liberal Arts students interested in legal careers through networking events, guest speakers, law school preparation workshops and LSAT resources.

One of Manison’s proudest accomplishments, she said, was serving as the group’s event planner last fall, organizing the Law and Donuts networking event that brought together criminology faculty, lawyers and judges.

“Seeing students connect with professionals was the highlight of my semester,” she said.

Outside the Chaiken Center, Manison is a member of the School of Public Policy’s Next Gen Leadership Academy, which has allowed her to travel to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Washington, gaining firsthand exposure to public policy and government.

She is also a resident assistant, a teaching assistant for LA 083: First-Year Seminar in the Liberal Arts, and a treasurer and event planner of "Crim Bootcamp," which helps students, especially women, prepare for the police academy.

“Clubs are trial and error, but it's about quality over quantity,” Manison said. “Find what truly benefits you.”

Every semester, Mansion returns to her high school in Pittsburgh to speak with students about college, her major and the opportunities available to them. As someone who grew up in the city’s Hill District, she said she is intentional about returning home and giving back to her community.

She hopes to inspire more students of color to pursue higher education, leadership roles and professional careers.

“I want us to be lawyers, doctors, politicians,” said Manison, noting she’d one day like to open community centers, create jobs and reduce gun violence in communities like the one she grew up in.

“There are few opportunities where I grew up,” she said. “I want to change that.”

After graduation, Mansion said she plans to attend law school, with hopes of becoming a lawyer and advocating for systemic change. She would like to serve as an example for others from backgrounds like hers.

“Always believe in yourself,” she said. “Do not let where you come define who you are.”

About the Chaiken Centers for Student Success

The College of the Liberal Arts is home to one of five Chaiken Centers created through the philanthropy of Gene and Roz Chaiken to support student success. The inaugural center was established in the College of the Liberal Arts in 2021, with four additional centers added in 2024 at the University level, Penn State Abington, Penn State World Campus and the College of Information Sciences and Technology.