In this series called In the Spotlight, we feature one staff member each month. In this edition, we spotlight Robin McWilliams, director of the Students Advocating for Youth (SAY) Village, one of University Housing’s Living and Learning Villages that is a residential community for first-year students who have a passion for working with youth. Below he answers five questions.
📣 What I tell others about my job: I have been with the College of Education since the summer of 2005 and during that time have helped direct SAY Village, or “Students Advocating for Youth,” a living and learning community that was created by (former College of Education) Dean Kay Moore and (former Associate Dean for Student Success and Strategic Community Engagement) Dr. Anona Smith Williams with input from (former women’s basketball) Coach Kay Yow. The SAY Village serves as a conduit for students who have a passion for working with youth to put that passion into practice by serving young people in Wake County schools. We began our program in Lee Hall but moved over to Syme Hall in 2007, so I have gotten to experience both perimeters of campus. Furthermore, I’ve had the opportunity over the years to be a part of committees doing really special work, helped lead the Teaching Fellows program a decade ago, and even played the part of Santa Claus during a few College of Education holiday gatherings.
✏️ Favorite part of my job: The best part of this role is working with our students. As a group, they have been my “why” year after year. Over 20 years, I’ve been grateful to supervise around 1,000 first-year NC State students, and almost every single one has been motivated, laser-focused and eager to assist and lift up underserved youth. They have been tremendous, and often SAY students are our campus leaders, as they lead by action. And, it goes without saying, I’ve had the benefit of serving alongside some top-notch graduate assistants as well as colleagues on our Student Services team. I wish we had enough space for me to mention all of them by name, because they are all remarkable professionals and people.
🌴 What I do away from the job: I try to be a little active every day. I got into boxing in 2016 and usually do it three to four times a week, sometimes with some light sparring. Also, I’m part of a pick-up basketball group twice a week at a place off of Capitol Boulevard. I love a good walk in the woods to clear my mind and really get in tune with my senses. A great learning experience for me was becoming a deacon at my church this past January. Spy fiction works and most TV documentaries hold my interest. Oh, and I love grammar, even though SAY students will see my many typos in emails!
💡 Something that recently inspired me: I was in a restaurant waiting on a to-go order when a family of four came in with a teenage son with Down Syndrome. The mother recognized me as someone who had volunteered with her son years ago in the Miracle League, a baseball league for small children with physical and developmental challenges. Truth be told, I didn’t recognize him until she said that. But the son then gave me a bear hug and told me enthusiastically he was in school and working a part-time job, and I could tell he remembered me. It was a small gesture, but it left me feeling happy, hopeful and wanting to give back in some way.
❤️ What I love about the College of Education: There are so many wonderful people in this college. I worked at three colleges prior to starting at the university, all good ones, but nothing in my professional experience comes close to the dedication, care and quality of people we have here at NC State …. and especially here in the College of Education. We may experience some adversity together from time to time, but we pick each other up and support one another to move forward. This community truly impacts public education in North Carolina and beyond.
