Commencement 2024 Valedictorian: Chana Robinson

Born and raised in Crown Heights, Chana Robinson is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a current GPA of 3.8. A consistent presence on the Deans List since her freshman semester at Medgar Evers College, Chana attributes her academic success to the unwavering support of her close-knit family. One of six children made up of five girls and one boy, the Brooklyn native’s father works in health insurance while mom was a high school teacher. Chana’s family are her biggest cheerleaders with her older siblings showing her what a successful college experience looks like and the younger ones “…always encouraging and being for a much-needed laugh.”  

Medgar Evers College has served as a beacon of inspiration for Chana’s long-term goal to get her doctorate in occupational therapy. She knew that MEC would be the first step in attaining her career goals and the stellar reputation its psychology program also aided in her decision to matriculate in her backyard. Her journey hasn’t disappointed as the school provided the opportunity for her to land an internship at an outpatient Occupational Therapy clinic where Chana gets to assist the OTs and gain firsthand experience from these medical mentors. 

Chana’s late grandfather was a chemistry professor who valued education, also fueled his granddaughter’s quest for higher knowledge. She recalls that “…as far back as I can remember, every time I saw him he would ask me two things: did you get your driver’s license yet and have you thought about college/applied to college yet/how’s college going.” It was sentiment he expressed to Chana right up to the last phone call he made to her before passing away in 2020. 

With an environment geared to the success of all its students, Medgar Evers College proved to be the perfect fit for Chana as she continues down the path to earning a doctorate in occupational therapy. In addition, MEC’s online class flexibility allowed Chana to indulge the love of reading she inherited from her mom and pursue her passion for baking, particularly during stressful times where you’d often find the young cake boss in the kitchen the night before a big test. Chana would like to work in pediatrics and like her mom, eventually indulge her passion for teaching as well.