Jillian Trinkaus Hired in the Sustainable Transportation Office

Jillian Trinkaus is Western's new Sustainable Transportation program assistant. One of her responsibilities is assisting faculty and staff who choose not to drive a single occupancy vehicle to campus - in support of Washington and Whatcom County Commute Trip reduction requirements. Trinkaus distributes faculty and staff WTA bus passes and helps people with alternative transportation trip plans. Trinkaus is also the Campus Bike Educator. She is a League Certified Cycling Instructor, through the Bicycle League of America and is developing a bike education program for campus. Trinkaus also provides office support for the Office of Sustainability.

“We are very excited to have Jillian in the Sustainable Transportation Department,” said Carol Berry, Sustainable Transportation Program Manager. “One of our goals has been to have a bicycle educator on campus. Jillian’s passion for all forms of active transportation and her background in education make her a great fit for this position.”

Trinkaus graduated from Western with a master's degree in Biology and a teaching certificate. She has taught high school biology and has worked in the Biology Department at Western. More recently, Trinkaus was the owner and manager of Trapeze Café and Deli in the Bellingham Public Market.

“I am so happy to be back at Western where I can use my background in education, science, business, and customer service to further Western’s goals of increasing sustainable transportation use by the campus community,” said Trinkaus.

In her short time at Western, Trinkaus has become an integral team member on the Viking eBike team, is helping to plan the Fair, which is a sustainability showcase taking place on Oct.19, will be part of a See & Be Seen bike light give away event on Oct. 25, and is spearheading Western’s participation in Washington Bikes’ Ride in the Rain Challenge for the month of November. Also in the works are bicycle safety workshops, with the possibility of offering PE or Employee Wellness cycling classes.