Growing up in Jackson, Robinson would read every article and book she could find about insects, animals, weather and plants. She said she wanted to know everything and would research every little topic she could to quench her curiosity.
“I’ve always had a deep love for it because I viewed it as the way to get all my answers about the world,” said Robinson, a junior chemistry major who is also pursuing a minor in meteorology at Jackson State University.
Now, Robinson has been recognized as a promising future scientist.
Robinson is a 2026-27 Goldwater Scholarship recipient. The Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation recognize college sophomores and juniors “who aspire to become this nation’s next generation of researchers in science, engineering, and mathematics.”
Robinson is Jackson State University’s first Goldwater Scholar.
Six other students attending universities in Mississippi were also awarded.
They are
Nathaniel Carlson, from North Carolina, University of Mississippi
Ashley Davis, from Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi
Hannah Henson, from Arkansas, Mississippi State University
Jessica Rutherford, from Alabama, Mississippi State University
India White, from Mississippi, Mississippi State University
Scottland Cooper, a student from Mississippi who is attending the University of South Alabama, is also part of the new cohort of Goldwater Scholars.
Her achievement “speaks to the caliber of students at Jackson State University and the strength of our academic and research enterprise,” incoming Denise Gregory, said in a statement.
Robinson’s selection also underscores the university’s commitment to cultivating future leaders and innovators in fields of science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM.
“We are immensely proud of her and excited about the impact she will make on the future of scientific discovery,” Gregory said.
In 1986, Congress established the foundation to commemorate Sen. Barry Goldwater. Robinson is among 454 recipients in a competitive candidate pool of 5,000 students nationwide to be awarded the scholarship this year.
Robinson said she shared the news of the award with her sister, friends and parents. It means a lot to her knowing that both her parents are JSU graduates and she gets to represent her university.
“I did the work it took to get there. It was hard. It was stressful, but I still did it, and I am proud of it,” Robinson said.
Robinson took meteorology courses with professor Remata Reddy and worked on a summer project that calculated hurricane forecasting, predicting early warning systems. “Robinson is a promising student,” said Reddy, who wrote a letter of recommendation for her Goldwater Scholarship application.
“I’m very proud of her for her research work and maintaining a good GPA,” Reddy said.
The up to $7,500 scholarship will allow Robinson to continue her education as well as develop her skills with projects like atmospheric science and chemistry research. She will also receive mentorship from some of the nation’s top researchers and experts in her field.
Pamala Heard, interim executive director of the Dubois-Harvey Honors College at Jackson State, said she was overwhelmed with joy when she heard Robinson is the university’s first Goldwater Scholar.
“She is going to soar,” Heard said of Robinson. “Her motivation will keep her going to get her Ph.D.”
After she graduates from JSU, Robinson plans to enroll in graduate school, earn a doctorate in atmospheric science, and eventually work for a national laboratory. Students who are looking to apply for competitive scholarships or opportunities to further their education should never cheat themselves out of an opportunity, Robinson said.
“Don’t tell yourself that you aren’t able to get it because then you have already given up on yourself,” Robinson said. “Don’t ever tell yourself no.”
