Katharine (Kay) Trevino (She/Her)

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

My name is Kay Trevino. I’m a Latina woman from Chicago with a strong passion for social justice, promoting resilience, and amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals/communities. Outside of academic and professional work/interests, I love to read, hike, lift weights, and travel! I also love connecting with people from different backgrounds and exploring different perspectives and ideas.

Fun Fact: I like to read, hike, listen to music, and I love lifting weights.

Research Interests: I am interested in researching trauma in various communities and how differences in environments impact individuals' ability to navigate and recover from their trauma. I am particularly interested in resilience and post traumatic growth, and why some people thrive despite adverse life events and how we can increase our capacity to cope with traumatic stressors.

Favorite part of the program: Working with women from a variety of different backgrounds who share a common struggle: trauma. Every session is an opportunity to learn about different life perspectives, build trust, and encourage a sense of community. I love being able to guide discussions, provide support, and witness the genuine growth in each of the women over time. It is both humbling and motivating and it definitely reinforces why I am so passionate about this work.

Practicum/Internship site: Casa Treatment Center

Advice to first year students: Be your own biggest advocate, ask for help/support when you need it, get connected, get involved!