The Office of Inclusive Excellence| Issue # 4 Spring 2018
Antonio Robinson Community Director, Student Housing & Residential Life Antonio Robinson brings a bit of East Coast charm and Midwest insight to life here in California. With a passion for supporting students and developing positive living & learning environments, Antonio joined the California State University, Monterey Bay team in the Summer of 2017. Before coming to CSUMB, Antonio worked professionally and graduated with an M.S.Ed in Higher Education & Student Affairs from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN). His additional educational pursuits include graduating from the University of Delaware (Newark, DE), where he earned a baccalaureate degree in Mass Media Communications and Minors in Spanish and Legal Studies. Serving as a Community Director in the Department of Student Housing & Residential Life (SHRL), Antonio is responsible for building relationships and mentoring a diverse community of students. Working directly with student leaders, Antonio is helping to create events, spaces, and programs that support our Otters living all across campus. Moving forward, Antonio looks to continue enjoying his transition here in Seaside by exploring any and all suggestions on hiking trails, dog parks, coffee shops, wineries/craft breweries, and ultimately reading any novel and/or article that you send/recommend on: Educational Equity, College Access, and Student Success!
FUN FACTS What was your favorite subject in school? English/Language Arts by far! I’ve always enjoyed getting lost in the pages of a good book and conversing about literary concepts both old & new. For me, E.L.A. provided the life skills and the words to make sense of the world around me. What is one of your proudest accomplishments? For me, my proudest accomplishment has been sparking the curiosity of other individuals around topics, events, and programs that contribute to social justice. I successfully did this by leading a group of students to a Black Lives Matter Conference with distinguished educators and speakers at the University of Chicago, engaging with the learning experiences provided by the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity (NCORE), and even coordinating discussions centered on AntiRacism, Activism, and Media Representation as an Advisor to the National Association of Black Journalists at Indiana University-Bloomington. What is the best advice you have ever received? I’m not quite sure if it qualifies as advice or more of a worthwhile reminder; yet, it humbles and refocuses me on the daily: “The paradox of education is precisely this – that as one begins to become conscious, one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated...” – James Baldwin What is the most unusual thing in your desk drawer? Dog Treats/Toys… Anyone who has taken a stroll on Main Campus has potentially seen the Miniature Australian Shepherd that takes up residency in my Office from time to time! #DogDadDuties
What was the most daring thing you have ever done? For me, adrenaline and enjoyment go hand in hand. I vividly recall climbing a 40+ foot cliff in order to reach the top and jump into the Mediterranean Sea. It was the closest I have ever come to getting stung by jellyfish and turned into one of the most interesting stories that I have worthy of being told. Where was the most inspiring place you have visited? Cooperstown, New York. Those who know me know that I love to play, watch, and discuss baseball at any given time. For these reasons, being in the mecca of baseball was an amazing experience. It solidified my passion for being a student of the game, a fan of the sport, and a connoisseur of all things related to hard work, perseverance, and being a true leader on and off the field. What was the most unusual job you have ever had? As an undergraduate student, I had the enviable honor of working at our local Buffalo Wild Wings. While this isn’t necessarily an unusual job, the copious amounts of free wings I have enjoyed is more than the usual person has eaten…I guarantee it! If you weren’t doing what you do today, what job would you be doing? High School English Teacher in Clark County School District of Las Vegas, NV… True Story! I was offered a position as a 2015 Teach for America Corp Member and I went through the initial placement and conversations around making that transition before ultimately deciding to enroll in a graduate education program at IU-Bloomington. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Granada, Spain. As an undergraduate student, I had the privilege to study abroad in this very locale. I miss the culture, the history, the food, and the proximity to such sacred places!
