Trinity College

    Psychology Department Faculty  

    Full-time Faculty

    Timothy Robinson 
    Matthew Heller

     Affiliate Faculty

     James Gruenewald

     Adjunct Faculty

     Part-time  

     Retired Emeritus

     Paul Twelker

    Timothy M. Robinson

    EdD Western Michigan University (1994)
    MA Western Michigan University
    MA Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    BA Western Michigan University

    Professional Career

    Dr. Robinson is an Associate Professor of Psychology and full-time faculty member of the Psychology Department since 1988. He is the Chairperson for the Department of Psychology and Sociology and  School Director for the School of Social Science. He is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Illinois and a part-time psychotherapist. He has interests in Men's issues, Couples' therapy, and the Integration of Psychology and Christianity.

    Family

    Married for over 25 years to Susan
    Father of four children: Mark, Grant, Tobi , & Brett 
    Household pets: Four cats, Greta, Hillary,  T.C., and Frances. 

    Other Involvements

    Active with Lakeland Evangelical Free Church
    When time permits, enjoys various sports, hiking, camping, and playing guitar

    Favorite Musicians

    Tchaikovsky, Phil Keaggy, Jim Brickman

    Favorite Scripture Passages

    Psalm 1, Isaiah, 40, John 1 & 17

    Matthew A. Heller

    PhD, University of Minnesota (2004)
    BA, Wheaton College

    Professional Career

    Dr. Heller is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Trinity College. He earned his BA at Wheaton College and his PhD at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Heller specializes in Social Psychology with enduring interests in the psychology of religion and close interpersonal relationships. He enjoys teaching a variety of courses and also worked with adolescents in a psychiatric hospital before graduate school.

     

    James Gruenewald

    EdD, Northern Illinois University, (1990)
    MA, Trinity International University
    BS, University of Wisconsin

    Professional Career

    Dr. Gruenewald is an Affiliate Professor of Psychology whose professional experience includes over 20 years of psychological counseling with individuals, couples and group psychotherapy. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois. He has specialized skills in working with depression, grief, abuse, and spiritual issues. He has a particular interest working with males on a variety of issues. He particularly enjoys teaching in a variety of church, professional and academic settings. Prior to spending the last 15 years in private practice, he worked five years as a counselor in a Christian mental health agency, and two years as an associate youth and singles pastor.

    Family

    Married for over 20 years to Catherine
    Father of two sons, Chris and Joshua 

    Hobbies and Pastimes

    Gardening/landscaping
    Running/training for 5K races and Masters track competitions
    Learning about Sport Psychology
    Writing and reading poetry
    Taking long walks with my wife
    Watching my sons in athletic competition
    Viewing movies and finding inspiring scenes that depict significant developmental processes

    Favorite Musicians

    Mozart, Aaron Copeland, John Popper on harmonica, Riverdance

    Favorite Scripture Passages

    Exodus 3 & 4; Psalm 131; Matthew 6:22; Romans 8; Galatians 5:1; 13-14; 2 Timothy 1:3-10; 3:10-17; Hebrews 4:11-16; 1 John 1:6-10; and 1 John 4

     

    Part-Time Faculty

     

    RoseMary Cairo
    MA, Roosevelt University
    BA, Barat/DePaul - Lake Forest

     

    Margarette Firman
    MSW, Jane Addams School of Social Work
    BA, Trinity College

     

    Mark Gerhardt
    JD, John Marshall Law School
    BA, University of Illinois

     

    Sheilah Mahan
    MS, Seattle Pacific University
    BS, University of Iowa

     

    Therese McGee
    PhD, Northwestern University
    MA, Wheaton College
    BA, Bradley University

    Christopher McNiven
    MA, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    BS, Houghton College

     

    J. Daniel Monroe
    MSW, Jane Addams School of Social Work
    BA, Northeastern Illinois University

     

    Full Time Faculty teaching in Psychology/Sociology

     

    Michael Reynolds
    DMin, McCormick Theological Seminary
    MA, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    BS, Illinois State University

     

    Peter Wright
    EdD, National Louis University
    MSEd, National College of Education
    MSEd, Northern Illinois University 
    BA, Trinity College

     

    Retired Emeritus

    Paul A. Twelker

    EdD, University of California, Los Angeles, (1990)
    Professor Emeritus of Psychology - Retired from Trinity in 2004

     

    Professional Career

    Teaching Research Division, Oregon State System of Higher Education (Monmouth, Oregon): Pioneering research and development work in simulation gaming, instructional systems development and basic learning

    Instructional Development Division, United States International University (Corvallis, Oregon): Continued research and development work in simulation gaming, instructional systems design and innovative educational environments; teaching graduate-level courses at School of Human Behavior

    Mountain Home Enterprises, Ltd. (Black Butte Ranch, Oregon): Consultant in organizational development and instructional systems design; entrepreneur in stained glass window artistry and antiques

    Judson Baptist College (The Dalles, Oregon): Director of Teacher Education Program; Professor of Education

    Trinity International University: Director, School of Social Sciences; Professor of Psychology

    Family

    Married to Kathleen since 1964.
    Father of two sons, Stephen and Eric; both are married and live in the Pacific Northwest.

    Hobbies

    Bicycling, Snorkeling, Swimming, Hiking, Travel

    Favorite Pastime

    Being creative, whether it be making stained glass windows, writing, home remodeling, or thinking deep thoughts

    Favorite Animals

    Our beloved purebred cats, who all managed to depart this earth very prematurely: Sheena; Tiki C. Fuzzbottom; Michelle Lynn; among others

    Current Activities

    • Kathleen and I have moved to Kihei, Maui, Hawai’i, where we operate our boutique, The Last Resort, at Azeka Mauka Mall.
    • Also, I teach psychology courses at Maui Community College, act as liturgist at Keawala'i Congregational Church, continue to research and write on adolescent sexuality, remodel our condos, swim (sometimes with turtles or dolphins or manta rays), take long walks, snorkel in pristine hidden lagoons, boogie board, and read.
    • We have very much appreciated the continued contact with Trinity students, and we love to hear of your latest accomplishments and activities!

    Favorite Musicians

    Keali’i Reichel, George Kahumoki (slack key guitar), Mannheim Steamroller

    Favorite Scriptural Passages

    • Old Testament: The Book of Jonah
    • New Testament: Luke 15

    For Current Students:

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