(Baton Rouge, La.) — Albert Einstein once said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” Since taking the reins as UREC’s Youth Program Director, Kathryn Robinson has transformed UREC’s approach to after school learning by adding a strategic approach to how we prepare students for college, careers and greater academic achievement.
In this role, Robinson directs UREC’s youth development initiatives, including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers at Southern University and Glen Oaks Park Elementary School (GOPES).
Robinson said, “Our goal at UREC is to provide North Baton Rouge students with well-structured after-school learning experiences that encourage them to prepare for their futures, explore promising career opportunities, and strengthen their abilities to compete with peers academically and throughout the college admissions process. Our programs are unique in our ongoing focus on parental engagement and community partnerships, which are critical components to the success equation for each student.”
Robinson also designed and implemented UREC’s College and Career Ready Program (CCR), which offers education and professional development opportunities to high school students throughout the academic year. This fall, CCR will launch its first Pre-Law Institute where students will develop an understanding of the legal and criminal justice systems, participate in mock trials, and meet distinguished law professionals while studying at the respected Southern University Law Center. CCR will also offer an Emergency Medical Responder Institute during Spring 2018, and the IGNITE Fellowship & Entrepreneurship Institute will provide youth with a paid internship during Summer 2018.
Robinson has almost twenty years of experience in education, working in the areas of youth development, curriculum design, program development and nonprofit leadership. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and her master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has worked both inside school systems as a classroom teacher and district official, and outside of schools as an external partner with varied non-profits. She comes to UREC after serving as the National Director of Practitioner Development for City Year, Inc.