Initially enrolled as a music student at Temple University, Trista Mayo, currently a senior in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), never imagined that a few years later, she would be in a completely different domain, rooted in service, community work and a growing passion for counseling psychology.  

Growing up in Reading, Pennsylvania, Mayo was raised in a family that emphasized volunteerism. Her mother instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility for others, a lesson that would later shape her life in ways she hadn’t anticipated. As a child, she was drawn to music, taking voice and piano lessons before enrolling at Temple to study music education and vocal performance.  

However, something felt missing. “I stuck it out for two years,” Mayo recalled, “but I found out music was not something that I had the passion to pursue as a career. It just was not as fulfilling as I thought it would be.”  

The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. With the world on pause, Mayo found herself reflecting on her future. While in-person classes were disrupted, she leaned more into something that had always brought her joy—volunteering.  

During her time at Temple, Mayo was already volunteering on the weekends in Kensington, one of Philadelphia’s most impoverished neighborhoods, working at soup kitchens. To her, it was more than just providing meals. “I would sit in class looking forward to the weekend—not because I wanted to go out, but because I could not wait to serve,” she said.  

Realizing this work invigorated her in a new and unexpected way, Mayo made a bold decision: she wouldn’t just volunteer in Kensington—she would live there. She reached out to Sarnelli House, a small soup kitchen run by a single woman, and asked if she could stay and work with her. What was meant to be a three-month commitment turned into two years. “It was really difficult work, but incredibly fulfilling,” she said. “I felt like I was created to do this.”  

Her time at Sarnelli House was transformative. She spent her days feeding 200 people at a time, managing a clothing donation room, and assisting those in need. This experience deepened her passion for human services but also made her realize she needed to return to school to make a lasting impact.  

Mayo re-enrolled at Temple, switching her major to human development and community engagement (HDCE) in the CEHD. Determined not to spend another four years earning a degree, she accelerated her studies by taking summer courses, completing the program in just two years.  

“The professors in the HDCE program are incredible,” Mayo said. “They have gone out of their way to support me by helping me navigate a challenging internship or reviewing a grant application I was writing for the first time. They truly care about student success, both in and out of the classroom.”  

One course in particular had a profound influence for Mayo: The Impact of Trauma on the Individual and Society, taught by Associate Professor of Practice Jessica Reinhart. “Sitting in her class was the first time when I thought, ‘Maybe grad school is for me,’” Mayo recalled. “I even presented a poster at Temple’s 43rd Annual School Psychology, Counseling Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis Conference, which felt like a grad-level opportunity. It was such a confidence boost.”  

The flexibility of the HDCE program allowed Mayo to tailor her education to her goals. With a concentration in human services, she took classes that perfectly aligned with her passion for community work. “The classes are so well-rounded,” she said. “From nonprofit management to psychology-focused courses, everything felt relevant to what I wanted to do. It was like the program was designed for someone like me, who learns best by doing but also needs the academic foundation to grow.”  

Her professor Shana Levi-Nielsen and counselor Anthony Sica  played pivotal roles in her development. Nielsen helped her with classroom management strategies, which proved valuable when Mayo coached strength and conditioning for youth in Philadelphia. “She sat down with me and went over strategies for working with large groups of kids,” Mayo shared. “It was exactly what I needed at the time.” Meanwhile, Sika’s encouragement pushed her to think about graduate school. “He made me feel like it was never too late to take that next step,” she said.  

Mayo’s experiences in Kensington opened her eyes to the deeper struggles of addiction, homelessness and mental health. “I started to see patterns,” she said. “People were not just hungry or homeless. There were so many layers to their struggles: trauma, addiction, mental health. I came to the conclusion that if I really intended to help, I needed to understand these things on a professional level.”  

With that realization, she set her sights on Temple’s Counseling Psychology master’s program. “I would love to be a therapist, and I would love to work with nonprofits in Philadelphia. I think there is so much need for mental health support, especially in the area I am in—Port Richmond, Kensington. I am truly interested in working with the addiction community. It is just a community that is near and dear to my heart,” she shared.  

Alongside her work at Sarnelli House, Mayo joined The Community Grocer, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit tackling food insecurity. This experience gave her insight into nonprofit work’s challenges and rewards. “It has been so much fun and really difficult, but interesting to be part of something that is starting up,” she said. 

Despite the uncertainty, she embraced the learning curve. She took on new responsibilities like grant writing and outreach development. “It has been a huge learning curve,” she admitted. “But the people in charge are amazing, and they are so supportive. When I was struggling, they reassured me, ‘You can figure it out. I know you can do it.’ And then, I really ended up figuring it out.”  

Her ability to adapt and persevere extended beyond academics and nonprofit work. At 25, Mayo decided to try out for Temple’s rowing team. Despite being older than most recruits, she pushed through her doubts. “I was definitely scared,” she admitted. “But I made it, and it has been such an awesome part of my life, and I am so grateful for it.”  

Rowing not only tested her physical endurance but also reinforced the values of discipline, teamwork and resilience. “I love the community of a team,” she said. “Community is kind of my buzzword. I feel that it is so important, and I want to make the world a better place by being a good part of communities and making my community a better place in all the ways I can.”  

Returning to school to complete her bachelor’s degree as a non-traditional student initially made her question her path. But ultimately, she realized that timelines don’t matter—persistence does. “What matters is not when you get there, but that you keep going.”  

Mayo’s advice to others is simple but powerful: “Always ask questions. Never be afraid to be the first person to say yes to something. Do not let fear be the reason you do not do something.”  

As she looks ahead to graduate school, nonprofit work and expanding her role in mental health advocacy, one thing is certain: Trista Mayo will continue to serve.  

“When you follow through with something, it feels good,” she reflected. “It makes you feel like you can continue to do that—continue to stay resilient, continue to be interested in things, continue to keep learning.”  

For Mayo, learning happens everywhere—in the classroom, on the water, in conversations and in moments of uncertainty. It is the process of pushing beyond comfort, embracing the unknown and stepping forward, even when fear looms large.  

As she moves into the next chapter of her journey, she says she will keep choosing growth, resilience and—above all—community.