Student Spotlight with Trinity McFadden

Trinity McFadden (she/her) is a Black-Indigenous deafdisabled thinker, creative, disability justice advocate, poet, and dog mom with a passion for learning and community building.

Trinity speaks about why she chose the Executive Program in Digital Media for Social Impact

I decided to enroll in Penn’s Executive Program in Digital Media for Social Impact for three primary reasons. I had the opportunity to gain skills to support my professional and personal digital organizing goals. My academic background is more connected to the criminal legal system, as opposed to communication. With that in mind, I found the program beneficial because we can utilize the tools given to us in the various courses and directly apply them to the work we are doing in real-time. I was also excited to connect with other cohort members doing meaningful work in their communities. All in all, the program's flexible format allowed me to work full-time and complete my studies. This program is a stepping stone toward advancing my academic career, and I am glad I am a part of it.

Describe your social impact work, and share why you are passionate about it.

The work I am involved with is intersectional, with a focus on disability justice, racial justice, and dismantling the criminal legal system. I am grateful to work for an organization such as HEARD that focuses on these key issues that are meaningful and personal to me. As a black deaf/disabled person, my identities and experiences support the work I am most passionate and actively learning about. I’m personally diving into the world of tech justice and building towards a world without borders and surveillance. I recognize that I am relatively new to organizing but our communities need support from each other, through digital and traditional spaces. Knowing that all of our movements are interconnected deepens my commitment and drive.

Advice for future applicants

I would encourage anyone with even the slightest interest in joining the program to go ahead and do it! Due to our ever-changing technological landscape, we need more people equipped with the skills to use digital media for positive social impact in tandem with traditional organizing and movement building.

How do you envision this program impacting your career?

I can already see the positive impacts of this program within my personal and professional development. This certificate will help me continue to contribute to my work and overall social impact within my communities in innovative ways.

Interesting to learn more about our Executive Programs? Sign up for our info sessions! Our first one will be held on July 30th at 4 pm EST.