‘It’s about love’: Finding Purpose Through Philanthropy

September 2025

For Oregon-native Trevian Frederick, finding her place at BYU took some exploration, a few shifts in direction, and a key class that changed everything.

“I bounced around a few different majors,” she recalls. “And then I took Psychology 111 with Dr. Chelsea Romney, and it was my all-time favorite class. I loved the way she was super enthusiastic about her field and her research. She made me look forward to coming to class and kickstarted my interest in psychology.”

Now a psychology major in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, Frederick found an academic fit that excites her and connects her to growth opportunities.

“The incredible resources available in our college—study spaces, technology, and learning programs—have helped me not just to study, but to be excited to learn more and deepen my understanding of psychology,” she says. “I’ve also enjoyed seeing all the amazing study abroad, internship, and research opportunities.”

Her experience has been further enriched by her work at the Donor Outreach Center (DOC) within the Philanthropies Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There, she helps produce personalized thank-you videos for donors, including one video that compares hiking the Y to a student’s journey. 

“I remember looking through all those photos and putting them up in the video and seeing the progression that BYU has experienced,” she says. “Students are still coming through. They still need help from donors, and because of donors, we’ve been able to become what we are today. It’s really given me a behind-the-curtain view on how much people care.”

Her job at Philanthropies also shaped her future in a more personal way. She met her husband, Kenton, while they were working together. The two were married this summer.

Frederick’s academic journey and work with donors have shown her how generosity touches the lives of students in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences.

“To me, this isn’t about donations,” she says. “It’s about support, and it’s about love. I’m grateful that I’ve been given that perspective.”

In her eyes, every donation helps students discover their path, deepen their learning, and eventually share what they’ve gained with the world.

Learn more about how you can help BYU students in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences here.