Trina Nurse, a Brooklyn native Afro-Latina who has committed to making a positive impact, has dedicated her career to improving the lives of marginalized individuals and communities through empowerment, education, and advocacy. Trina has an undergrad in Criminal Justice and obtained her master’s from Columbia University, where her concentration was policy. While there, she advocated for students, especially first-generation students, parents, caregivers, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. She is currently serving her first term on the Columbia Alumni Association Board of Directors, where she represents the School of Social Work and was named the chair of the Programs Committee. She focuses on influencing policy decision-making to make an impactful change within a system for the protection, advancement, and visibility of those in disadvantaged communities. Trina has worked on initiatives toward eliminating some of the stigma associated with food pantries, digital literacy platforms for older adults, and family engagement focusing on mental health.

Trina co-founded Ask Mabel, a groundbreaking digital platform designed to empower older adults by providing them with the tools and knowledge to navigate the digital world. Through her visionary leadership, Trina has played a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide among older generations, enabling them to embrace digital technology confidently. Trina formerly served P.S/MS 149 in Harlem, where she was the Community School Director. She is currently working on her last semester as a Doctoral student at Long Island University, where she is also an adjunct; her research focuses on financial/ housing mobility. With over 15 years of experience in the human services field, Trina’s career has spanned various sectors, from governmental city and state agencies to non-profit organizations. Her work has encompassed critical areas such as domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and underserved neighborhoods grappling with low socioeconomic status.