EMAIL:
nrobinson13@roosevelt.edu
CAREER:
Lecturer, Criminal Justice
HOMETOWN:
Justice, Illinois
COLLEGE:
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
UG MAJOR/MINOR:
English (Major), Spanish (Minor)
WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:
I have always enjoyed reading and writing so whatever career I chose, I knew my English major could help me. As it relates to my minor, I believed that speaking Spanish would open up a world of opportunity for me to be bilingual and study abroad. It was also the language that I knew I could use the quickest and the most as some of my friends were Spanish speakers.
EXTRACURRICULARS DURING UG (CLUBS, ORGS, JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, VOLUNTEER WORK, ETC.):
Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
Voices of Soul (Member and Conductor)
I worked as a Resident Assistant my senior year of college. Prior to that I worked as a summer camp counselor for University of Iowa Sports Camps for three years and a counselor for Upward Bound for one year during a summer.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:
I wanted to mirror my practical experience as a criminal defense attorney with my love for education, the classroom and the comprehension of the theoretical and academic side of criminal law. I also enjoy working with college students as those were my favorite years.
WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON:
I am working on developing an internship program for criminal justice majors and minors here at Roosevelt.
BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND READING BEFORE GRADUATION:
“Native Son” by Richard Wright
FAVORITE QUOTE:
I have two: “To thine ownself be true” (Shakespeare) and “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” (Malcolm X)
PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT…:
I can walk into a room and spot an insect in a few seconds. It’s not something I advertise but for some reason, since I cannot stand insects or rodents, my eye is always on the lookout.
ADVICE FOR INCOMING/CURRENT STUDENTS:
Trust the process. We tend to overthink and underthink. Trust that whatever comes, you will be able to handle it. And if you can’t, find people who will handle it with you. You will experience exponential growth through the trials, in addition to the triumphs.
FAVORITE SPOT AT ROOSEVELT:
10th floor library reading a book facing the Lake
FAVORITE SPOT IN CHICAGO:
Anywhere there are tacos, a lake view, and great conversation over drinks
YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY:
My mother (she’s a trooper, a fighter, and has shown me how to balance grace with getting your point across)
CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY:
I am so very passionate about teaching the law and exposing legal careers to our young people, particularly high school age. Even if they do not go into a legal career, improving their ability to read, write, speak and think critically are lifetime skills for which they will use over the course of their lives. Also, it is important for them to have positive interactions with those in law and you can’t be what you ain’t seen, connections are everything!
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:
Captain Marvel
FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM:
‘85 Bears
WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE:
I wish I was more financially astute. Credit cards are meant to be a tool, not a weapon and I could have avoided a lot of debt had I been more proactive in financial literacy.