4 minute read
Step Up, Speak Up
STEP UP, SPEAK UP, AND MOVE FORWARD
BY EMMA WRIGHT ('20)
SHARICA (RICA) ROBINSON, a member of Southern Nazarene University’s first cohort in the Doctor of Education program, has persevered throughout her life against enormous odds to become a passionate and successful professional in the STEM field (science, technology, engineering and math). As an African American woman, Robinson’s success in the field is both a professional and personal achievement, providing representation in a field historically dominated by men, and few minorities.
Growing up in Oklahoma City, Robinson’s tenacious journey began early, saying, “As a young African American focusing on success, perseverance is the definition of my life: having a determination to be successful despite the obstacles that society sets up for us to fail.” Driven by this idea, she participated in a multitude of extracurricular activities and found herself the class president and valedictorian of Southeast High School.
Succeeding both in her community and academically, Robinson was awarded the prestigious Clara Luper Scholarship through Oklahoma City University : “As a Clara Luper scholar, it was an amazing opportunity for me. I was a first-generation college student from a single-family household, and as a young African American woman… it provided me the opportunity to go to college with a full-ride.”
Robinson engaged in conversation during doctoral class
Sharica receives MVP award from Microsoft for outstanding community impact
During her time at OCU, Robinson’s drive for success blossomed, finding leadership roles in the Black Student Association (BSA) and Sisterhood of African American Students (SAAS) while obtaining her Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and Health Sciences in three years, graduating early.
Longing to serve and educate her community, Robinson explained that the challenges she faced in STEM continue to shape her career path: “STEM is one of those workforces where you’ve gotta come in willing to push your way through with a backbone. It’s not set up for us, and I learned that early on going to college as a first-generation college student, not knowing who to call or what to do… just trying to figure it out on your own. That’s where my heart is: being a mentor, being that person that individuals in my shoes can go to on a regular basis for whatever is needed.”
After graduation, she taught and coached at both the high school and elementary level before she was given the opportunity to enter into a grant-funded position as the STEM Coordinator for the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. “I coordinated all of the STEM efforts for the Girl Scouts council… and made sure all of the girls understood what STEM was through workshops, events, and training.”
One of the activities she coordinated was putting together a small fair to promote and encourage STEM activities throughout the troops. This movement expanded past the Girl Scouts, trickling out into the community through an event called Geekapalooza, “a STEM fair that brought together a bunch of different STEM organizations that provided hands-on activities [for the community].”
Robinson’s passion for STEM expands beyond her career: she longs to share her passion by educating and engaging with underrepresented and disadvantaged communities as a means of shaping the future of STEM. Her time at the Girl Scouts fueled this calling, continuing her education to obtain her Master of Arts in Leadership Education at SNU preparing to participate in STEM leadership one day.
After obtaining her MAEL in 2016, she and her husband decided to pursue their doctorates in leadership, and were accepted by SNU’s education department into the first Ed.D in Administration and Leadership cohort, expecting to earn their degrees at the end of 2021.
Robinson chose a topic for her dissertation that is incredibly personal to her, defining her life and identity: “Understanding the intersectionality of African American women in STEM leadership.” She chose this topic as a means of “shedding light to African American Women in STEM… to not only tell their stories but also to help others understand what African American women go through to get where they are.”
“I hope that being able to tell the stories of these individuals will shed some light on their experiences and what we can do to overcome and eventually shift the trajectory of STEM—STEM in both leadership and in all capacities,” stated Robinson. “When are we going to see more women [in STEM]? When are we going to have the confidence as a society to encourage these women and provide the support and guidance to succeed?”
In many ways, her dissertation is a summation of her motivation and attitude towards life. Seeking to uplift people of marginalized identities, Robinson’s remarkable passion continues to tangibly inspire communities and provide paths to success in the STEM field. Ultimately, Robinson and her husband dream big together, longing to create a school where they could provide the resources and education for students of color to overcome systemic inequalities and thrive in the workforce.
Perseverance and tenacity have defined Robinson’s life and shaped the lives of the people she interacts with each and every day. “Whatever society has set up for you,” Robinson explained, “you can’t let those boundaries stop you, which is why I think the definition of my life is perseverance: no matter what comes your way, you’ve gotta continue to step up, speak up, and move forward.”
Robinson teaches a class regarding Microsoft products
