What Great Minds Can Do: Renee Robinson, Ph.D.  

"I get especially energized when I see students discover that they can do more and be more than they realized. There is something special about being a part of the human development process. I am fortunate that I get to participate in and observe what our students do and become."

As a professor within the M.A. in Communication program, Robinson particularly enjoys the fact she can observe students as they grow in their understanding of communication and develop the ability to apply the discipline in their everyday lives. More than that, she appreciates the chance to help them as they progress toward achieving professional and personal goals. In fact, she has found such interaction with her pupils to be her favorite part of working at Seton Hall.

"I get especially energized when I see students discover that they can do more and be more than they realized," Robinson said. "There is something special about being a part of the human development process. I am fortunate that I get to participate in and observe what our students do and become."

Robinson also likes that the M.A. in Communication program itself is continuously growing through modification and improvement informed by data collection and self-study. This process is aided by a faculty she describes as being dedicated to their students and the need to "develop programs that reflect the state of the field while also creating relevant and interesting courses that prepare students for a digital world."

Looking forward, Robinson has a lot of thoughts on how the program should take shape. For one, she wants it to expand its selection of rich courses and creative programming, so students can continue evolving in ways they did not think possible. The professor would also like to see the introduction of multiple new areas of study.

And those are just some of the ideas she has.

"I want everything for our program that reflects academic integrity, cutting-edge curriculum, and high-performing faculty who engage students," Robinson said.

Robinson's communication expertise certainly enhances her ability to engage students. The professor has written books, articles, book chapters, and other texts about digital, instructional, and organizational communication. She also serves in several leadership capacities within the field, including her roles as chairwoman of the Central States Communication Association's Outstanding New Teacher Award committee and the second vice chairwoman of the National Communication Association's Master's Education section.

Such accomplishments are within the reach of anyone who earns a master's degree. But as the professor pointed out, potential students should be aware that graduate school requires focus, dedication, drive, and a willingness to complete advanced-level work. Overall, she said students should be prepared to use a different mindset than they needed as an undergraduate.

"Graduate school should encourage you to and demand that you take pride in your work, reach farther than you have in the past, and respect what it is to earn something," Robinson said.

This profile was written by Sean Quinn, a Graduate Assistant for Graduate Studies within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media and an M.A. in Public Relations student.