Student Gov't President Mr. Daryl Robinson

“I want to be remembered as someone who’s fair but also a fighter at the same time. At the end of this term, I want the people to say that ‘he did his best,’” said Daryl Robinson, the Student Government President for School Year 2018-2019.

Daryl is one of the University’s international students. He was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He served the US Navy for 20 years and had been deployed all over the world, including the Philippines. During his stay in the Philippines, he fell in love with the country and the Filipino people that he decided to return after his stint in the military. And return he did – this time, to study.

When Daryl was younger, he was competitive in passionate about football. But while he had the making of a good football player, the prospects of a college scholarship did not come easy with the sport. He shelved his desire to get professional in football and opted to take the military route to better serve country. And his hard work and love of country paid off; through a military scholarship, he obtained his degree in International Relations from the Florida Atlantic University.

Forward to his life after the US Navy, Daryl searched for a school in the Philippines where he could pursue another degree. Returning to the country became more a mission and a calling, a thirst that he needed to quench. It was a suggestion from a fraternity brother that brought him to Silliman University. He did his own research and sealed the deal: Silliman met two of his qualifications: a top Philippine university and a strong international community. He joined the University in 2015.

Silliman is one of the Philippines top 6 universities and one of Asia’s top 300. Its international student population is among the country’s highest, with close to 300 from more than 20 countries.

Daryl is now a senior Psychology student. He took the course to help him better appreciate himself and how he could deal with people, thereby improving how he could market himself to would-be employers. But the deeper he immerses himself in his courses, the more Daryl envisions himself more as a professional psychologist or a person who would pursue a career most inclined to his field where he could serve and create an impact on the lives of many. He said that studying in Silliman has given him “some more tools in getting prepared for life after undergrad.”  “It also put me on the right track to be able to do well in my post-grad and professional life.,” he added.

After four years in the University, Daryl is confident that Silliman has far exceeded his expectations, especially with the quality and the relational experiences that he continues to enjoy with classmates and professors. When asked who among his professors he admires the most, Daryl was fast to float two: Dr. Michele Joan D. Valbuena and Dr. Myraluz Vivares-Waddington. Dr. Valbuena is with the Psychology Department and Dr. Waddington, with the Master in Peace Studies program.

“I admire them because of the way they always challenge students to not just look at what is in front but to also look ahead, not just accept what is given to us. They expect us to challenge them in a way that’s beneficial to everyone,” Daryl explained.

And within this mindset and orientation of looking ahead and finding one’s greater relevance in the future that Daryl decided to run for the Student Government presidency last February 2018. Leadership was not new to him though; while a student in the University, he was already active in student organizations and politics. He was governor of the College of Arts and Sciences student council last school year.

Daryl’s ultimate vision? “To bring the ‘Uni’ back in University.” As an international student with a rich experience, he is optimistic that he can empower and enjoin students in bringing a much needed change in the student body. Daryl desires to inspire unity within the student body and for all entrusted with authority to speak for and on their behalf in their respective academic units to think and work as one.

Off campus, Daryl enjoys spending time with his two-year old boy, DeAndre, whose attributes make him his dad’s “mini me”. Daryl also has two daughters who are currently in Japan: Aleisha and Quincy.

For Daryl, there is a lot to speak of, admire and cherish about the campus by the sea. But what strikes a chord with him more is how in Silliman, one finds a family; how on campus, one can find a friend and a family in another; and how even beyond the University, a Sillimanian remains connected to another in a profound way that makes one proud, grateful and happy to be part of a growing Silliman community.

Let us know more about Daryl’s goals as Student Government president:

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Student Leadership Goals
By Daryl Robinson, SUSG President, SY 2018-2019
E-mail: [email protected]

Student leadership is debatably the most advantageous extracurricular activity a person can perform while in college. Though there are no grades and zero credits to earn, the experience achieved from a leadership role will be treasured for a lifetime. A college leader is propelled into a learning environment that encourages hands-on experience. Planning, decision making, communicating, and working as a team are all skills that one will build as a student leader.  You don’t construct these portable leadership skills studying for an exam or sitting in a lecture.

To meet any organization’s mission it takes teamwork, hard work, and time from each member. That is why it is essential to utilize your time, your team, and your talent efficiently.  I had to ask myself what I can do to achieve higher level results. What must I contribute? How can I be more productive? To be an effective student leader these questions must be asked and answered prior to committing to assuming the momentous role as a student leader.

As a student leader, you are in the inimitable position to make a difference on campus. This is the moment to deliberate and to exert one’s voice from a position of influence.  You can put into action changes that will impact the entire campus community and improve student affairs. This is the time to grasp some of the various opportunities that are within reach and turn the campaign platforms into reality.

This year I want to focus on accomplishing the following goals:

• Creating a more accessible environment for students to communicate their concerns and ideas
• Building a stronger relationship with the university’s administration
• Increasing communication across the student body
• Showcasing our student athletes through meaningful participation

I, along with your elected and appointed student leaders, have worked diligently over the summer to ensure that this year will be amazing. Additionally, a focal point of attention that will be addressed this school year will be updating our Student Government Constitution.  Our current constitution is outdated as it is a constitution from 1991. Silliman has encountered many changes that include as of recent the addition of Silliman Senior High School and a plethora of rule changes since 1991. We as a student government owe it to our constituents, the students of Silliman, profound guidance that reflect current regulations and incorporates all students of Silliman.  This year’s administration vow to put the student FIRST and it will entail the work of every Sillimanian to accomplish this goal. I look forward to working with the entire Silliman family and I hope for a prosperous academic school year.