Trent Saylor

Trent has a passion for public health due to previous work and life experiences. This lead to his decision to purse a bachelors degree in public health. Trent is dedicated to changing and improving policies in order for those with little resources to access necessary medical care easily. 

Currently, Trent works as a Part-Time Supervisor at UPS. He was previously enrolled at Indiana University Southeast and utilized Earn and Learn benefits. Once he transferred to UofL, being in the Metropolitan College program made perfect sense to him. Trent has been with Metropolitan College since Fall 2021.

Trent has self-taught videography skills. He volunteers his time and skills with Jefferson County Public Schools. Trent creates highlight videos for student athletes. He also creates signing day videos for student athletes when they select their college. Trent hopes to use these videography skills in his career in public health. 

This spring, Trent was chosen as the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Metropolitan College Student Award, an award that recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding leadership, work-life balance, and academic success.

Once Trent graduates, he plans on creating his own non-emergency medical transportation company so everyone can benefit and access their medical care. He will also address certain policies that are preventing NEMT companies from providing reliable services to underserved and underprivileged communities.

Learn more about Trent Saylor in this MC Spotlight Q&A Interview

What has been your biggest challenge as a MC participant and how did you overcome these challenges?
Managing my course work has never been a huge issue for me, regardless if I am working part or full-time. My biggest challenge is actually being a MC participant and managing my type one diabetes. Having diabetes affects you as a student more than you realize, especially as a MC participant. The lack of sleep and thrown off eating schedule take a toll on my body more than others, but I don’t let it stop me or hold me back.

How has working at UPS contributed to your personal and professional growth?
Working at UPS has not only helped me grow as a person but also as a leader. I’ve worked as a package handler, admin, and currently a part-time supervisor. As a supervisor I am no longer only responsible for myself, but for the safety of ten to twenty people on a nightly basis.

What advice do you have for prospective and current students in the MC program?
I’d like to let prospective and current MC participants know that everyone’s MC experience is different and that’s okay. The MC program is judgement free. The MC program and advisors have done an excellent job of making me feel like family. Every student needs a support system, even if it’s only one person. My advice is to let the MC program be the support system for you like they are for me.

What motivates and drives you to succeed while pursuing your educational goals?
I have a lot of self motivation, but definitely receive motivation from family & faculty at U of L as well. Having professors and advisors take the time to listen to my ideas about non-emergency medical transportation really motivates me! What drives me is knowing that the MC team actually cares and doesn’t let students ideas fly in one ear and out the other.

What person(s) has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
A close friend that passed away, Thomas. He is the reason I chose Public Health and enrolled myself back into school. I was Thomas’s caretaker; however, we were so close that he was family to me. Throughout the four years that I was with Thomas, we discussed the issues with non-emergency transportation services in Louisville. Thomas was blind and on dialysis three days a week, so he relied on transportation services to live.

What has been your greatest accomplishment in life?
My greatest accomplishment in life is winning this award. Winning the MC Outstanding Student Award made me realize that my hard work is paying off. I’ve stayed resilient and not giving up on my dream. Winning this award is definitely a huge piece to the puzzle and drives me to stay focused.

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We are proud of our current students and alumni and their incredible accomplishments! The MC Spotlight is a way for us to highlight the amazing things our current students and alumni are doing. As you read their stories, you will learn how their Metropolitan College experiences helped to shape their futures and influence their careers.

We are always on the lookout for inspiring MC Spotlight stories. If you or someone you know is interested in sharing a story with us, contact us at askmetro@kctcs.edu.

Note: At Metropolitan College, we consider our alumni anyone who has ever completed coursework and received tuition benefits with us.