The twists and turns in Cc Robinson’s life have taken her just where she wants to go. When she began at UGA, she was planned to work in emergency pediatric medicine, but after four years of studying a pre-med curriculum, she could not bring herself to apply to medical school. Instead, she wanted to get into sports broadcasting! Rather than giving up on her past, she instead plans to make a career incorporating children’s healing with sports journalism. She has been a board member and co-executive director for UGA HEROs, a student philanthropic organization dedicated to helping children with HIV/AIDS. Through the UGA Project Focus Program, founded by David Knauft, she taught second grade science for a full academic year in 2007-2008. She has worked as a camp counselor, emergency room technician, and student media assistant for UGA Athletics. After graduation, she hopes to get a master’s degree in journalism from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and eventually go to work for ESPN.
Hometown:
Peachtree City, Ga.
High School:
McIntosh High School
Degree objective:
B.S.A. in biological sciences
Expected graduation:
Spring 2009
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
My passion for helping people started in high school when I volunteered for a respite care center for terminally ill children — the Hope House in Union City, Ga. After seeing the impact I could make in children’s lives, I knew that children would always play a role in my life. My dedication to children with medical or health problems continued when I volunteered during the summer before I entered UGA. I worked with UGA HEROs—the largest collegiate philanthropy in Georgia dedicated to improving the quality of life for children in Georgia infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. I became a member, served on the Executive Board for three semesters and was elected as a co-executive director in 2008. Through UGA HEROs, I worked with board members Coach Mark Richt and Coach Vince Dooley to host a fundraising dinner at Coach Dooley’s house in 2006. We raised more than $10,000 that evening. I have maintained the HOPE scholarship all four years, and I received two more academic scholarships through the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (the Starr Wheeler Scholarship in 2007 and the Bursor Scholarship in 2008). I am a former member of Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-med honor society also.
Current Employment:
For the past three years, I have worked as an emergency room technician at Northside Hospital in Atlanta and then St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. My responsibilities include drawing blood for laboratory testing, taking vital signs, assisting doctors during medical procedures, performing CPR, putting on splints, cleaning wounds, putting dressings over wounds, taking ECGs, monitoring patients, and assisting nurses/doctors with any other procedure. These opportunities allowed me to improve my knowledge about healthcare, to learn how to help people in urgent situations with care and to develop a good work ethic.
Recently, I was selected to work as a student media assistant for the sports communication department in the UGA Athletic Association. I serve as an aid to the professional media in football, men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, baseball and softball. Through my work experiences, I have acquired a wonderful knowledge about people, developed my technological skills and discovered my creative talents!
Family Ties to UGA:
My step-sister attended UGA from 1990-1994 and obtained her degree in journalism with a minor in Spanish.
I chose to attend UGA because…
I applied “early admission” to UGA the fall of 2004. Not only was I attracted to the academic excellence at UGA, but it also has one of the top football teams in the nation. The ultimate deciding factor though was being able to continue my volunteer work. A friend told me about a new organization on campus called UGA HEROs, which was then just 2 years old. I immediately wanted to get involved and help make a difference.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
Besides attending football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball games, I enjoy seeing friends from classes, meeting new people and telling them about how they can get involved with UGA HEROs. It has also become a tradition to get a cup of coffee or snacks with friends between classes and sit outside the SLC on the grass. I also really enjoy seeing my professors there. Additionally, I like working at Butts-Mehre and visiting the new garden at the Vince Dooley Athletic Complex on my way to work in the mornings.
When I have free time, I like…
…watching sports. I am a sports fanatic! I also like spending time with my friends and family. I love to workout and do yoga! One of my favorite relaxing things to do is get a manicure/pedicure with my best friends. I enjoy going to movies too. I have been a counselor for Camp High Five, a camp sponsored by Emory Medical College and HERO for Children, whose mission is to provide children whose lives are affected by HIV/AIDS the opportunity to participate in a traditional camping program filled with fellowship, fresh air, and fun, and I think working there is really rewarding.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
On April 20, 2007, I awoke to a high pitched noise. When I got up, I saw my cat in my dresser drawer, and I thought she was stuck. As I went down to pick her up, I noticed something small and black in the drawer. It was a kitten!! This was such a surprise because I had just adopted the cat and was told that she had been spayed! Another kitten began to emerge, but Mom Cat was still licking the first one. So, I got scissors and a towel, grabbed the kitten, removed him from the embryonic sac, cut the umbilical cord and placed him into the drawer with her. She immediately began licking him, so I did this again and again until all four kittens were born. With my experience in the emergency room, I was able to help my cat to deliver a litter of kittens! Eventually, I gave all but one away to my friends. I kept one and named it “Liebe” which is German for “love.”
My favorite place to study is…
…my house, because I have food, drinks and no noise! I can turn on ESPN for a break or lay down on my bed and rest for a few minutes. Also, I don’t have to worry about walking too far to get there. The parking is curbside!!!
My favorite professor is…
This is a difficult question for me because I have had so many great professors at UGA. I can name a few that have been an influence throughout my time here. David Knauft started the Project FOCUS program and is now an associate dean at the UGA Graduate School. He has always supported me, given me advice and helped me as my aspirations have changed. Being able to teach science at a local elementary school has been one of my best experiences at UGA, and he helped me do that. Second, Karl Espelie in Entomology has been my advisor since sophomore year. He helped provide direction and always supported my goals with HERO. Going from being a pre-med major to journalism is a huge change, and he has helped me to achieve my dreams. Third, Richard Morrison was my Organic Chemistry professor. I always admired his enthusiasm for teaching. I can not even count the number of hours he spent helping me and other students to understand difficult concepts. His dedication to his students and his knowledge of chemistry is amazing!
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…Dr. Patch Adams. In the movie about his life, Patch Adams (played by Robin Williams) is a medical student who believes that laughter is one of the best forms of healing. After I saw the movie, I began to research him, his Gesundheit! Institute and his clowning trips around the world. Then, this past summer, I had the opportunity to intern with him! I was honored to be one of twenty students from around the world who attended The Gesundheit! Institute in Hillsboro, W. Va. Over the course of five weeks, we studied issues in our society, cybernetics, the importance of human imagination, creativity and more. We also developed our own projects. My project is to help ill children by bringing happiness, through sports, into their lives. It would be nice to spend another afternoon with Dr. Adams to learn more about his life and perspectives about healing and wellness.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
Honestly, I have never thought of NOT doing something because I was afraid to fail. I think anyone can do anything they put their mind and heart into. The biggest risk I’ve ever taken is to completely change my career path from emergency pediatric medicine to sports broadcasting. The intent of my career is the same, to help heal children. I believe if you want to do something, do it! If you fail, you learn from your experience and move on!
After graduation, I plan to…
My whole life I wanted to go to medical school and complete my residency in pediatrics because I have always loved helping children. When it was time to apply this summer, it did not feel right in my heart, and I felt that I was really meant to do something else. One of my greatest professors once told me, “You can create your own profession by linking your interests in ways that society has not yet connected.” I knew I wanted to help children and that I loved sports, so I have chosen to combine my love for children and sports so they can benefit from each other. My ambition is to intern and then work with the largest sports network, ESPN, and incorporate children’s healing into sports entertainment. I have applied to UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication to pursue my master’s degree in with a concentration in health and medical journalism. I feel that this will allow me to increase my knowledge in this field and bring new ideas to network television.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…working at the dedication ceremony for the Vince Dooley Athletic Complex. Coach Dooley is a legend in the history of UGA Athletics, and he has been a great mentor to me. The statue and gardens make me proud to know him, and they serve as a reminder of his influence at the university and in my life.
