When Jaidah Torres transferred to Heidelberg University in the fall of 2022, she was looking for a smaller, more personal college experience … one that would help her grow as both an educator and a leader.
“I liked that Heidelberg was smaller,” Jaidah said. “You can actually interact with your professors.”
Jaidah, now a senior majoring in Middle School and Special Education, quickly found that Heidelberg’s supportive environment fit her goals perfectly. “The professors here really get to know you,” she said. “Even during my first classes, they had us present about our interests and who we are. That made me feel seen right away.”
Finding The Hub by chance
Jaidah’s path to leadership came unexpectedly. Shortly after arriving in Tiffin, she attended the Tiffin Heritage Festival, hoping to get involved in the community. That’s where she met Lee Martin, a board member for The Hub Tiffin-Seneca Teen Center, a local nonprofit that provides a safe, supportive after-school space for students in grades 5–12.
“I told him I was an education major and looking for a job,” she said. “He looked at me and asked, ‘You want to be director of a teen center?’ I thought he was joking!” But after an interview process, the opportunity became real. “He said, ‘You’re the director,’” Jaidah laughed. “I was like – wait, really?”
Now in her third year as Director of The Hub, Jaidah oversees a staff of five to six team members, most of whom are also Heidelberg students. She creates schedules, plans events, and leads staff meetings while ensuring the center remains a positive environment for the young people who walk through its doors.
Building connection and trust
Each weekday from 3–6 p.m., The Hub becomes a home away from home for dozens of Tiffin-area students. There, they can play games, enjoy snacks, do homework, and, most importantly, find someone who listens.
“When the students walk in, we always say hi,” Jaidah explained. “Some of them don’t get that at home, so we make sure they do here.”
She runs the center with a focus on consistency, structure, and empathy. Students follow a three-strike system for behavior, but the rules are always balanced with care. “You have to be stern but still caring,” she said. “They’re good kids, just middle schoolers with a lot of emotions. It’s about helping them learn what’s OK and how to express themselves.”
Jaidah recalls one student who showed her just how powerful encouragement can be. “He faced a lot of challenges when I first met him,” she said. “We talked about what he enjoyed, things like engines and dirt bikes, and found ways to channel that into something positive.”
Over time, she’s watched him grow more confident and responsible. “Seeing that progress and knowing you had a small part in it – that’s the best feeling,” she said.
Growth as a teacher and leader
As both a student and director, Jaidah has gained real-world experience that extends beyond the classroom. “The Hub has taught me classroom management, understanding kids, and how to approach things from different perspectives,” she said.
Her Heidelberg coursework has also made a direct impact. “We talk a lot about conceptual learning,” she explained. “That’s something I use at The Hub all the time, helping students think about topics in broader, more meaningful ways.”
Making an impact in Tiffin
Representing Heidelberg through her work has been deeply rewarding. “It feels great to say I’m a Heidelberg student,” Jaidah said. “So many people in Tiffin are alumni, and they’re really supportive. It makes you feel like you’re part of something bigger.”
Her advice to other students, especially transfers, is simple: “Go out, volunteer, get involved. That’s literally how I found this job,” she said. “The community here is pretty great if you put yourself out there.”