Student Highlight: Linnea Mayo Making an Impact On and Off Campus
Linnea Mayo ’26
Major and year: Human Rights and Public Policy & Law, Community Action Minor
Organizations involved in: Women of Color + Coalition (Co-Founder) Trinity Students Against Mass Incarceration (Direct Aid Chair) Trinity Community Care Project (Co-President) Trinity Social Justice Institute (Student Coordinator) Trinity Tripod (Executive A&E Editor)
How did you first get involved with the Center for Hartford Engagement and Research (CHER)? What initially inspired you to participate in community learning or civic engagement initiatives?
I first got involved with CHER through the Community Action Gateway because of my passion for social justice and grassroots organizing. My experience in CACT immediately inspired me and taught me the power of ethical community engagement and the importance of building authentic relationships with community organizations. In my second semester, I worked with the Connecticut Black and Brown Student Union where I helped research school resource officers and supported a community-led advocacy campaign.
This experience deepened my understanding of how research can empower communities and influence change and led me to continue to pursue community learning courses at Trinity. I worked with the RE Center and conducted community-based research on racial equity teams for the Community Learning Research Fellows program, and more recently served as a First Year Mentor for the Community Action Gateway.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work with CHER, the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement, or community learning?
The most rewarding part of my work with CHER has been the opportunity to engage with a wide array of community partners and organizations in Hartford, both through my community learning courses, work in the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement, and as a CHER Fellow. I’ve loved working alongside organizations, advocacy groups, and individuals to align my academic research and interests in criminal justice reform with practical solutions that work directly within the community. Also as one of the first two students to be a Community Engagement Fellow, I’ve enjoyed the agency and freedom I’ve been provided to collaborate with my co-Fellow and the hands-on role we play in all events, outreach, and community partnerships.
Can you share a memorable experience or story from your involvement with CHER?
A memorable experience was returning to the CACT gateway as a First Year Mentor working with Professor Nelson and all the students this last semester. I loved getting to know the first-year students and seeing how their involvement and interest in community engagement grew. I’m grateful for the students’ consistent engagement and dedication to the work and especially enjoyed our CACT Dinner at American and Mexican Diner. By the end of the semester, the students also created videos showcasing parks, art spaces, and cafes around campus, and I loved watching all the work they had done be compiled and utilized by CHER. CACT was definitely my favorite class and experience at Trinity, and shaped how I engaged with the Trinity and Hartford community. Working as a mentor reinforced the invaluable lessons and discussions that CACT provides.
What was your favorite event or project as a CE Fellow?
My favorite event as a Community Engagement Fellow was when we collaborated with Real Art Ways to bring students to their monthly Creative Cocktail Hour. This was our first community collaboration and partnership, and I greatly appreciated all of the support we received from Real Art Ways to make it as successful as it was. The event itself had a great turn out and all students were actively engaged in all it had to offer. I loved speaking with and getting to know our community partners during the event, and learning of all the resources and events available to Trinity students. It was a fun evening of immersing and educating myself and others on the Hartford arts scene, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen community partnerships like this.
I also really enjoyed coordinating the CHER Mixer at The Underground last fall. It brought together students from different CHER involvements and built a community. It was a great way to showcase the important work that CHER students are doing. I enjoyed expanding on this and bringing the Hartford Public Library into our 2025 CHER Mixer, and I hope to continue this tradition for years to come.
Is there a specific community project or partnership that stands out as particularly impactful for you?
An impactful community project was working with the Connecticut Black and Brown Student Union through the Community Action Gateway during my freshman year. I partnered with their #carenotcops campaign to advocate against policing in schools and our group helped get S.B. 1095 called and passed onto the Senate floor and House of Representatives. This work taught me a lot about effective campaign organizing and I loved researching case studies of bills and campaign strategies of school resource officers in Oakland, CA, and Detroit, MI. I also grew a love of interviews and enjoyed conducting interviews with administration, educators, and community organizers to gain valuable information on campaign strategies.
This semester, I’ve also coordinated the Trinity Community Care Project’s BackPack Nutrition Program in collaboration with Hands on Hartford, which has been very impactful. Thanks to support from Joe Barber in the Community Service Office, I’ve coordinated, bagged, and delivered backpacks for students experiencing food insecurity in Hartford. Every week I look forward to connecting with the Hands-on Hartford staff and learning from their invaluable initiatives. Being involved in this work has deepened my understanding of how race, class, and power intersect in shaping access to resources and emphasized the impact of grassroots social change.
How has your role in CHER allowed you to connect with the Hartford community?
As a Community Engagement Fellow, my role has provided me with numerous opportunities to deepen my connection to the Hartford community. Through this position, I’ve gained a broader understanding of the city’s initiatives, organizations, and the diverse opportunities it offers. I’m continuously finding and exposed to a wide range of events and programs happening in Hartford, which has helped me stay informed about the culture and initiatives within the community. This has encouraged me to actively participate in community events and has allowed me to build meaningful relationships, making Hartford a place I can truly call home.
What skills have you developed through your involvement with CHER and community engagement?
As a Community Engagement Fellow, I’ve developed a lot of event planning skills through all of the outreach, preparation, and facilitation that coordinating 3-4 monthly events per semester entails. This has honed my abilities in time management, logistical planning, and attention to detail, all while working under deadlines. My involvement in the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement has enhanced my leadership skills, and collaborating with different students, faculty, and community members has improved my ability to lead projects, delegate tasks effectively, and communicate. Another significant area of growth has been in community-based research and analysis.
My work with CHER’s Community Learning courses has given me hands-on experience conducting research. I’ve also learned how to design research projects and create community-driven initiatives. This experience has strengthened my critical thinking and analytical abilities and given me a deeper understanding of how research can be a powerful tool for social change.
How has your involvement with CHER influenced your future goals or career aspirations?
My work with CHER has reinforced my passion for social advocacy and provided me with the tools and support to continue pursuing justice. Through CHER, I’ve learned how community engagement and grassroots efforts can drive systemic change. As I pursue a career in law, I hope to continue to work with community and legal aid organizations aimed at addressing issues of mass incarceration in the criminal justice system. CHER has reinforced my desire to work at the intersection of direct client support and policy reform, ensuring that those impacted by the criminal justice system have access to justice and effective resources.
Who or what has been the biggest influence on your journey with CHER?
The biggest influence on my journey with CHER has been the incredible staff, faculty, and community organizations who have contributed to the organization’s success. Their dedication, support, and passion for the work they do challenge me to grow and engage in meaningful ways. The consistent support from Erica Crowley, Karolina Barrientos, Joe Barber, and all other members of the CHER Advisory Board has allowed CHER to truly become one of my favorite communities on campus. I greatly appreciate their ongoing guidance and mentorship, and their work inspires me to be a better student leader and organizer.
What advice would you give to students interested in becoming involved with CHER or similar organizations?
If you’re interested in getting involved with CHER or similar organizations, my advice would be to not let the idea of research or community organizing intimidate you. It might seem daunting at first, but it’s important to build connections and learn along the way. A big part of the process is developing relationships with community partners. Take time to get to know them and understand their goals. When you invest in these relationships, you can ensure your research is not only more impactful but also truly responsive to what the community needs. Community engagement requires collaboration and mutual respect, and it will make the experience much more rewarding for everyone involved! Also, if you’re looking for an easy first step, go to a Community Fellow event or just get off campus to see all that Hartford has to offer! I promise you won’t regret it and it will make your experience at Trinity much more meaningful.
What motivates me to stay active is the value that community engagement brings, whether that means fostering relationships, amplifying voices, or addressing important social issues! It’s really inspiring to witness and learn how collective action creates change. Community engagement goes beyond just building relationships, it’s about working together to create an environment where every voice is heard, and everyone’s actions have a meaningful role!
