Donnesha Robinson

Indiana University, Kelley School of Business

“A sponge that constantly soaks up information in order to educate and empower others.”

Hometown: Carmel, Indiana

High School: Carmel High School

Major: Marketing

Minor: Psychology, Spanish

Fun fact about yourself: I sang the song, “I’m Yours,” in front of Moroccan students in Morocco during my time studying abroad in Spain.

Favorite Business Course: Business Communications (BUS-C104)

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:  

• Former vice president of The Letter Project, a non-profit-based club
• Bible study leader in Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship
• Member of Undergraduate Business Diversity Council
• Member of Undergraduate Chair’s Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
• Kelley Honors Program member

Where have you interned during your college career?

• Purchased Inc. (nonprofit), Indianapolis, Ind., Social Media and Marketing i]Intern
• Bath & Body Works (Lbrands) –Columbus, Ohio, Merchandising Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? General Mills, Rogers, Arkansas, Business Management Associate

Who is your favorite professor? (Choose one professor and explain why) Although many professors have impacted my time in college, my favorite is my freshman year Business Communications professor, Daisy Lovelace (who now is an associate professor at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia). Professor Lovelace encouraged me to speak confidently and turn presentations into stories that captivate and motivate the audience. She graded honestly and provided helpful feedback that inspired me to work harder. I utilize the skills and lessons I acquired in that class constantly, and I know it is one class I will not forget.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? The group projects. Although group projects can be challenging and frustrating at times, they introduced me to incredible individuals (whom I otherwise would not have met), pushed me to learn different working styles, and gave me a taste of what it would be like to work in the corporate sector.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field?  I would tell them to be open-minded. Growing up, I never once thought that I would work in the business realm or even major in marketing. All my life, I thought I would study psychology – and I would have done so if not for the people in my life who showed me other options. Through the advice of college advisors and family, I decided to venture off from my one-track mind and try a summer business program. This program opened my eyes to the various careers in business that I could pursue alongside psychology. By having an open mind, I was able to expose myself to a career in marketing, where I could mix my heart for psychology with a skillset that would empower me in whatever path I desired to pursue.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I was surprised by how relevant business is to every aspect of life, every field, every task, every relationship. No matter what occupation one chooses to engage in, they will be a part of some type of business. For that reason alone, it is important to understand the fundamentals of what business entails.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? An academic achievement that I am most proud of is the independent study that I am working on this semester. I’ve always wanted to create a space for young women to be empowered spiritually, emotionally, and financially, so they can know their worth and value. Through the Kelley School of Business Honors Program, I can bring my passion for women empowerment to fruition by writing a thesis and creating a feasible plan to encourage women in these areas. I’m extremely proud of myself for choosing to write this thesis.

Which classmate do you most admire? My peers have impacted my time in college greatly, but one peer whom I admire the most is my friend Robi Endashaw. I admire her because she always finds new ways to learn and broaden her knowledge of the world. Whether that means taking classes unrelated to her major, reading non-fiction books, or simply working on crossword puzzles, her passion to discover the unknown and explore the truths of life allow her to be incredibly wise and thoughtful. While it is easy for a college student to get burned out after long hours of studying, Robi continues to seek new ways to learn even when she has a heavy course load. This ability to consistently seek knowledge enables her to bring diverse perspectives into the classroom in ways many students cannot. I hope that one day, I will have that same persistent, driving passion to learn more no matter how hard life gets.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would have to thank Jesus for my success because, without His grace and guidance, I would not be the person I am today, doing the great work I have been doing and will be able to do in the future.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? Two items on my professional bucket list are to start my own business and to make an impact in this world that will continue after my life.

What are your hobbies? I love to write poetry. I think it’s a great way to express my feelings and process ideas in a creative format. I also enjoy meeting new people and learning about new cultures and experiences.

What made Donnesha such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2020?

“Donnesha just has a way about her that attracts others—to her ideas, to her goals, and to her passions.  She has a uniquely infectious spirit. But what really sets her apart and makes her so invaluable to Kelley is that she has used that natural gift and coupled it with intelligence and hard work to become a true leader. She has moved the needle at Kelley in areas of women’s empowerment and diversity and inclusion, all while maintaining her own high standards of academic achievement. I’ve seen it first-hand in my classroom, and I’m about to see it again as my department partners with Donnesha and other student leaders to expand the focus of our business ethics offerings. Whether she realizes it now or not, Donnesha is going to leave a real legacy here through her leadership.”

Todd Haugh
Assistant Professor of Business Law and Ethics
Kelley School of Business, Indiana University

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