Olivia Robinson has held several leadership roles on the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Dahlonega Campus. She is also fluent in several languages.
The Loganville, Georgia, resident is president of the Black Student Union for the 2022-23 academic year. She also gives her time on the Diversity Council of the UNG Faculty Senate. It was her stint as an orientation team leader that was her most challenging.
The orientation team welcomes incoming and transfer students to UNG, and public speaking was something that made Robinson nervous.
"I didn't like being in front of people and I just didn't think I was a good fit for the position. But just by learning the material and getting to serve in that role, I found that I'm actually really good at public speaking and connecting to people of all ages," Robinson said.
Her position required her to speak to students and parents and eventually she was giving tours of the Gainesville Campus, where she added a Spanish version of the information.
"I was having to relearn the material in Spanish and present it to Spanish-speaking parents. It was a lot and it was difficult. But the team was really good. It definitely showed me that I have leadership capabilities that previously I didn't think I had," Robinson said.
Robinson, who is pursuing a degree in management with an expected graduation date of May 2023, is fluent in American Sign Language and Honduran sign language, skills she acquired living in Honduras.
"I led as a camp counselor serving with 'Ministerio Pasos' (Steps Ministry), an organization that holds a Christian summer camp for children and young adults with disabilities. I would often interpret for the deaf schools that attended our camp," Robinson said. "I also filled in as a substitute teacher at 'Escuela Manos Felices' (Happy Hands School), where I helped teach English as a second language in written form to the students there."
Robinson defines leadership as influencing either another individual or group of people to achieve a certain goal. Leadership involves a lot of opportunities for growth, she added.
A self-described leader who likes to meet people where they are, Robinson explained that leadership does not have to be about a position. Rather, it is more of the influence one has on others, including encouraging and motivating them.
"The best way to do that is to build a sense of trust and a sense of mutual respect between the leader and whoever is following the leader," Robinson said.
As someone who aspires to a career in human resources, Robinson believes anybody has the capability of being a leader.
"A lot of people have this perception that leaders are born or have certain skills and traits," Robinson said. "But, in all honesty, anybody can be put into a leadership role and develop their skills and ability to be successful as a leader."
Robinson encourages others to overcome their trepidation and assume leadership roles when the chance comes along.
"I encourage people to get involved in any way they can. People are going to hesitate and often doubt themselves or their abilities," she said. "I remind them that I was in their shoes, but by getting out of my comfort zone and stretching my capabilities to what I could do, I realized that leadership is definitely for everybody."
