STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Trent Wiatrek

Spring 2026 Graduate

B.S. Health Science

Before coming to RELLIS, Trent was overwhelmed and intimidated by all of the opportunities he had in front of him. Once here, he began to step out of his comfort zone with the help of his professors and friends. He found himself in roles and positions that he said wouldn’t be possible without RELLIS.

Through the Health Science program, Trent became a student ambassador and an active member of the Health Sciences Organization, where he built strong connections and leadership skills. He also dedicated time to serving others through his work with the National Marrow Donor Program and Twin City Mission.

“Throughout my time at RELLIS, I have grown tremendously as both a leader and an individual,” says Wiatrek. “Through the Health Science program, I became a student ambassador and an active member of the Health Sciences Organization. I also had the opportunity to serve others through work with the National Marrow Donor Program, supporting donor registration efforts for cancer patients. During my internship with Twin City Mission, I served in both the homeless shelter and retail stores, where I supervised and instructed volunteers. These experiences helped me better appreciate the importance of service, leadership, and community impact.”

While at RELLIS, Trent would often arrive early to class to converse with fellow students. “I like to think I was the unofficial greeter for the building. That experience helped me connect with many students and even led to being featured twice on the campus webpage promoting RELLIS. It also played a role in my being selected as student ambassador.”

Trent credits RELLIS for providing a close-knit, supportive environment that made it easy to form meaningful connections with both classmates and faculty. He gives special thanks to his professor, Dr. Jeff Hatala. “His dedication to his students is evident, and he truly cares about their success. He has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration, working tirelessly to support students both during their education and beyond graduation. I would not have grown or accomplished nearly as much without his mentorship or guidance.”

Looking back at his RELLIS experience, Trent’s biggest piece of advice to future students is to “be yourself and not be afraid to connect with others. Get involved and take advantage of the opportunities available to you. Every degree path comes with challenges, and having a strong support system makes those moments much easier to navigate. I also encourage students to utilize campus resources such as tutoring and the writing center. They are there to support your success. The more involved and engaged you are, the more rewarding your experience at RELLIS will be.”

As he prepares for his next chapter, Wiatrek plans to pursue a career in medical imaging to further help make a difference in others’ lives.