When student body president candidate Jacob Robinson first fell in love with Texas A&M University and the Aggie Spirit, he said he didn’t imagine himself serving the University in the top-elected student government position.
Instead, he dreamed of becoming a yell leader.
“I wanted to be a yell leader up until high school,” Robinson said. “All during middle school, I practiced the yell leader push-ups every night. But that dream didn’t pan out.”
Robinson’s passion for A&M began in sixth grade when he attended a football game. That spark of interest in A&M was enhanced after his brother became an Aggie.
“I applied to over 11 schools in fear of not getting accepted [to A&M],” Robinson said. “I got accepted to Texas A&M on the last round of acceptances. When I heard that ‘yes,’ there was absolutely no question. A&M was where I always wanted to go.”
Once he arrived in Aggieland, Robinson became involved in Fish Aides, a Freshmen Leadership Organization connected to Student Government Association, where he said his passion for student government was born.
He has been active in legislative relations, through which he had the opportunity to travel to legislative hearings and committee meetings at the state and national level during his freshman year.
“We went up to Austin a lot and Washington, D.C. over Spring Break,” Robinson said. “I loved that we were able to do tangible things for students.”
For Robinson, his service has been geared toward his fellow students. He said when he became executive vice president for the 2009-2010 school year, he was given another way to live out this practice.
“No matter if you are tired or frustrated with school work, whenever I walk out [of a meeting] knowing that I’ve done something for students, I’m on top of the world,” Robinson said.
He said his time spent this past year in meetings with administration and executive members of student government have provided him with the scope and experience necessary for the role of student body president.
“I want to be the student body president to represent students,” Robinson said. “I don’t want to be someone who just sits in Koldus; I don’t want to be someone who focuses only on student government; I want to be someone who focuses on everything that affects students.”
The junior leadership studies major has been active in Aggie Men’s Club, was recently named a Dr. Joe Townsend Leadership Fellow and is a member of Maroon Coats.
Although he is unsure of how he wants to use his degree after college, he said he is firm in his plans for serving the student body in the upcoming year.
“I know that I know that I know that I will always work day in and day out for students,” Robinson said. “There will never be a day when that is a question. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’ll work hard for the student body.”
Those who know Robinson well said his heart is devoted to this University and his fellow Aggies.
“[Robinson] loves everything Texas A&M stands for and values the voice of the students,” said junior biomedical science major Coral Zelon, Robinson’s campaign manager. “His experience and involvement in student government is unmatched. But most importantly, he is a man of integrity. I can guarantee he will work hard every day to make sure the opinions of the students are considered first.”
His experience in the Student Government Association makes him an excellent candidate, said Brian Mathews, a sophomore finance major and member of the Robinson campaign.
“One thing that makes him different from the other candidates is he’s not only personable, but he really has a heart for the campus and he has SGA experience, and that really sets him apart,” Mathews said.
Putting the interests of students as a priority is something that Robinson said he has put into action already this year as executive vice president, and it is a habit he said he would set in place if elected student body president.
“That is my role,” Robinson said. “As student body president, sometimes you have the privilege of voicing your opinion, but the majority of the time you’ll voice the student body opinion — that’s what you’re there for. That’s the full force of the job.”