Finding joy in uncertainty
Emily Chavez Robalino found her voice in speaking up for others
By GRACE HOGGARTH '22 on December 7, 2023
Emily Chavez Robalino's college experience was unlike most others鈥欌�攁nd she embraces that.
Chavez Robalino's studies at TU began virtually, exploring several majors on the website before choosing family and human services in the College of Liberal Arts.
Due to a chronic illness she developed her first year of college, Chavez Robalino first pursued her associate degree online from CCBC before transferring to TU at the start of the pandemic鈥攔endering the first half of her college experience virtual too.
Navigating an illness is no simple task. However, Chavez Robalino found that it taught her the importance of wholeheartedly pursuing what you love and taking advantage of the precious moments life offers you鈥攚hether that is forging a career right out of college or investing in memorable life experiences.
One area Chavez Robalino wanted to pursue fully was helping others find their voices. Her internship with the empowered her to do just that.
Coming out of the pandemic, there were no internship sites affiliated with TU that specialized in her interests. Through university staff encouragement, Chavez-Robalino sought out a new affiliated site for working with immigrant and refugee populations. Making this connection with MIMA enabled her to bridge gaps in opportunities for students with a passion for helping others within these groups.
As a transfer and commuter student, Chavez Robalino initially found it daunting to furnish a sense of community as she first set foot on campus in her senior year. However, she found a warm and welcoming environment in TU鈥檚 Catholic Campus Ministry for whom she eventually served as secretary.
鈥淢y faith is really a guiding light in my life, and without it, I wouldn't be where I am,鈥� she says.
Outside of TU, Chavez Robalino supported the mission of at her local church where she helped raise funds for impoverished individuals in South America. Though she never got to see the fruits of her labor, Chavez Robalino was profoundly impacted by her experience.
After joining the Catholic Campus Ministry executive board, Chavez Robalino gained more confidence in her leadership skills, so when one of her family studies professors, Linda Oravecz, forwarded her information about the CLA College Council, Chavez Robalino had the motivation to apply.
The council鈥檚 purpose is to formulate recommendations to the dean on policies for the general welfare of the college. Being on the council enabled Chavez Robalino to represent the undergraduate class and share student perspectives with campus stakeholders.
Raised in a proud Ecuadorian family, Chavez Robalino's grandparents have been a driving force in her and her siblings鈥� academic pursuits. Her grandfather moved her family to New York from Ecuador, keeping a promise he made to provide them with a life in the U.S. 鈥淭hey sacrificed everything to come here and give us these opportunities, and they have always been proponents of continuing our education.鈥�
Chavez Robalino credits the late Dr. Halcyon Lawrence as the most influential professor she had throughout her academic career. Chavez Robalino met Lawrence through the CLA Council, where they connected through their similar immigrant backgrounds. 鈥淲e connected in a way that I didn鈥檛 get to connect with other professors,鈥� she says. 鈥淪he always wanted to get my take on things, and she inspired me to speak up more than I otherwise would have without her support.鈥�
After Lawrence鈥檚 sudden passing, Chavez Robalino turned to a valued mentor, Dr. Bethany Willis, her professor for Family Life Methodology (FMST 490) and Research and Family Studies (FMST 485). Willis鈥� teaching style and approach to leadership in the CLA Council was rooted in humanity, a trait that Chavez Robalino values.
鈥淓mily is a person who is intrinsically motivated to optimize outcomes for people she works with and for,鈥� Willis says. 鈥淪he thinks critically and communicates clearly in multiple languages with individuals with diverse and varied needs. She is a creative thinker and problem-solver.鈥�
Furthermore, Willis commends Chavez Robalino for her commitment to bettering the lives of others and supporting CLA鈥檚 values.
鈥�Her major focuses, among other things, on fostering multidisciplinary and multicultural understanding of how families function in their communities and among service systems,鈥� she says. 鈥淢uch of Emily鈥檚 experience has focused on issues in diversity, equity, inclusion and community belonging. These values are at the forefront of the department and college, and she walks those values in the work that she does in the classroom and in the community.鈥�
Chavez Robalino encourages others to find their inner voice and use it to uplift others. 鈥淜now that people want to hear your voice,鈥� she says, 鈥淭here isn鈥檛 always going to be a Dr. Lawrence there to guide you. You need to learn to advocate for yourself.鈥�
The supportive staff in the College of Liberal Arts consistently encouraged Chavez Robalino to use her voice and to lead with determination and kindness. She hopes to carry this with her as she sets out on her next journey.
鈥淚f you do what you love, you never work a day in your life,鈥� Chavez Robalino says as she confirmed the sentiment of the infamous quote. She hopes to one day pursue a career where she can support immigrant and refugee populations and help them find their own voices and joy in their journeys.