Always learning

For anyone, a visit to the Victoria College campus is typically welcoming with open arms. 

Since the campus’ inception several years ago, prospective students and visitors alike have walked through the door to the relaxing vibe of a friendly, family-like environment. 

Due to recent events, however, that vibe has been put on hold. Though through no fault of the college itself, but through the necessity of safety. 

Rest assured though, that the campus is still in the care of dedicated staff. 

The persistence of the new assistant campus manager Melissa Robinson remains intact, as she and Campus Manager Vince Ortiz eagerly await the time when young learners can return to achieve their goals and ambitions. 

Robinson says she has always enjoyed education, and has been a proponent of life-long learning.  

Born and raised in Point Comfort, Robinson moved to San Antonio, where she lived for 12 years before moving to Shiner in 2008 to be closer to her family.  

“Shiner was always home away from home for me though since most of my family has always lived there,” she said.  

Robinson graduated from Calhoun High School and later went to UTSA, where she acquired her bachelor’s degree in political science, along with a minor in public administration and teacher certification. From there she earned her master’s degree in public administration. She later obtained a graduate certificate in long term care administration from Texas State University.

She noted that she originally started with the Victoria College main campus in 2008, working with institutional initiatives and grant programs focusing on establishing and growing precollege programs in our tri-county area elementary, middle, and high schools.  

In 2015, she left Victoria College after spending a total of 18 years in education.  

“Quite frankly, I never would have thought I would go back into education after taking on a different career path altogether,” she said. “But one day, I just happened upon the Gonzales Center Assistant Manager position as a fluke, not even looking for a job at the college, or even sure if they were still looking at filling the position. But, I felt it was a calling for me to get back to Victoria College, and especially at the Gonzales Center. I had worked closely with the Gonzales Center in my previous position with Victoria College, so coming back has been more like a homecoming than anything else. I tell people all the time that is was like I took a long vacation, and now I am back.”

“There were some changes while I was gone,” Robinson continued, “but, for the most part, I have slipped back into my role seamlessly.”

When it comes to describing her feelings about education, Robinson says she believes she has always focused on students themselves. 

“But I also feel, at the Gonzales Center, we have always been able to do this even better because we are not as large as the main campus in Victoria. We have a chance to really get to know our students and their stories. Our faculty and staff are pretty much all from this area, so it’s like having an extended family at work and school,” she said. 

Robinson said she started with Victoria College at the main campus in Victoria in July 2008 to 2015, after working at the University of Texas at San Antonio for 11 years. “I have been in my current position since July 2019 to present,” she said. 

Robinson has always enjoyed education, and has been a proponent of life-long learning.  

After she left the educational field in 2015, she went back to school to expand her horizons at Texas State University. 

“I am continuously looking for other ways to gain education by taking a random class here and there,” Robinson explained. “Encouraging people to be open to any and all educational endeavors is a personal goal of mine. There is no age limit to education. Learning is growing whether it is by completing that high school diploma, or by gaining some workforce training skills, an associate’s degree, or just to enhance personal enrichment skills. There is no right or wrong way to approach education other than to just be open to it and to never stop.”      

When it comes to personal interests, Robinson cited her family as the ultimate source of her credibility, saying, “[They all] would say that my biggest hobby would be reading. There is rarely a time you will find me without a book either on my phone or in hardcopy – although, I will admit that hardcopy is still my favorite way to read a book. There is something about holding the book and turning the pages to the very end that is special to me. But, I also enjoy just being out and about around people. I love to ‘people watch.’”    

Robinson also offers advice to others who dream of pursuing a future in education with stern, yet practical advice. “Education is an ever changing field. Being in education, you will come into contact with all different kinds of learning styles, levels of education, cultures and experiences, and probably most of all, patience levels. So, if you don’t like change, or thinking outside the box, or being open minded, then this is probably not the field for you. Just focus on working hard, and do your best.”