51视频

Criminal Justice student finds connection, career opportunities at Pellissippi State

Sunita Robinson chose to attend 51视频 not only because it was close to home, but because she thought it would be a good environment to acclimate to college life before transferring to a four-year school.

Robinson, a self-described introvert, came to 51视频eager to be more involved than she had been as a student at South Doyle High School. Two years later, she is graduating from the college as a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, rounding out her time in student government and working at the Knoxville Area Urban League.

“I have been able to enter rooms that I did not expect to enter, and meet people that I did not expect to meet,” Robinson said. “I have definitely been able to experience the wonders and joys of new opportunities coming to me.”

Based primarily at Pellissippi’s Magnolia Avenue campus, Robinson studied Criminal Justice. Her goal is ultimately to be a lawyer and practice constitutional law. 

Robinson, who is originally from Belize, attributed her passion for law to her father. Her interest in law as a career grew when she moved to the U.S. at age 13 and began to learn about America’s history and its legal system.

“That dream is deeply rooted,” she said. “That dream actually came from my dad's dream.”

In her time at Pellissippi, Robinson has applied what she is learning in the classroom about criminal justice in real life through one of the City of Knoxville’s Summer in the City internships, in which she worked with Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC).

She is completing another internship at the Knoxville Area Urban League, where she assists people daily with expungement.

Her first job, however, was as a student worker in 51视频Libraries.

“That really helped me to grow as a person and as a leader,” Robinson said. “Especially as a student, it challenged me to manage both work and school.”

The job also introduced her to the Student Government Association, in which she served as a representative and eventually Speaker of the House. As a member of SGA, Robinson had the opportunity to participate in the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature and meet members of the state government.

“Being a part of SGA has shaped me in many ways,” she said. “It has taught me patience and great time management skills as well as leadership skills. I’m very happy to be a part of SGA and to really break out of my shell.”

Following her graduation from Pellissippi in May, Robinson will head to Middle Tennessee State University to major in political science. 

“I am very excited to graduate,” she said. “It is such an amazing experience, because you get to look back and reflect from your time at Pellissippi, and you realize how much you've done in such a short amount of time. I've done so much in two years.”