#MeetUsMondays are officially back! We have a whole bunch of new staff members at IPA that we can't wait for you to meet. This week, we are highlighting Alaina Robinson, one of IPA's newest staff members. Alaina is a Policy Specialist II and works on the Education Services team, supporting the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity.
We asked Alaina a few questions including her experience at IPA thus far, and these are her responses:
What is working at IPA like?
IPA is a collaborative and dynamic place led by purpose-driven leaders with a collective mission to serve the state of Delaware and shape the public good. I work with my colleagues on the Education Services team to support the work of the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity. I have had a great experience learning more about education policy through my research and working closely with educational leaders and legislators from across the state to improve educational equity in Delaware. Additionally, I have enjoyed working with and mentoring the next generation of leaders through the Public Administration Fellows program.
Describe IPA in 3 words:
Impact, leadership, and community.
What hashtags describe your personality best?
#driventosucceed #lifelonglearner #thoughtfulandcompassionate and #strivingtomakeadifferenceeveryday
Where is your happy place?
My happy place is drinking a chai tea latte and listening to Gospel music while spending time with my family.
What is something people don’t know about you?
I play the alto saxophone and enjoy creative activities like painting. I also enjoy learning new cooking recipes and reading books about political affairs.
What has been your favorite project at IPA?
My favorite project at IPA has been College Application Month (CAM), which is a partnership with IPA and the Delaware Higher Education Office. From October to mid-November of 2022, I had the opportunity to volunteer at six high schools from across the state of Delaware at CAM-sponsored events to help high school seniors apply for college. The students asked great questions about the application process, what college is like as a student on campus, and how to achieve their goals to get there. It has been an absolute joy working with high school advisors and helping students pursue their dreams in post-secondary education.
Through CAM, I also worked with two IPA education fellows to create text messages with our colleagues at DHEO for CAM on SignalVine, an interactive messaging platform, to reach out to high school students and their families about college resources and financial aid. This is a great way to get information out to students about upcoming application and scholarship deadlines, as well as encouraging them to consider careers in vocational and technical education.
I believe the Delaware College Application Month program empowers school communities to equip their students with the resources and tools they need to successfully apply for, enroll in, and persist through college. CAM is an important program focused on supporting first-generation college students and low-income students by promoting college accessibility. I am proud to be a part of this remarkable program that has had a transformative impact in the lives of thousands of young people from across the state.
