Dr. Keith Robinder Joins Meramec as the Vice President of Student Affairs
By: OLIVER PULCHER, ART & LIFE EDITOR
At the beginning of the Fall 2019 semester, Meramec gained not only a new campus president, but also a new vice president. Dr. Keith Robinder, vice president of student affairs, began his time with Meramec right around the same time that Dr. Moore-Davis did.
Dr. Robinder, who recently moved to St. Louis, comes from his most recent position as associate dean of students at Iowa State University. He also served as the interim dean of students for two years.
He was attracted to Meramec’s appeal and student-focused mission. “I have a lot of experience with student affairs and at community colleges,” said Robinder. “I really believe in the mission of meeting students where they’re at and giving them the tools and resources they need to be successful.”
According to Dr. Robinder, the only challenge he anticipates is dealing with the unexpected. “With my job, it’s hard to predict what every day will bring, so you have to be willing to change direction and go where the day takes you.”
Dr. Robinder said he plans to foster students this academic year by, “getting to know students and being available is the best way to foster students, whether it’s attending events or even just talking to them one on one.” During his free time, family and travel is his primary focus. “I like to spend time with my family. I like to travel. I like going to Disney World, beaches, and mountains,” he said.
“I also like to eat good food and to garden and spend time outdoors.”
Dr. Robinder has two children. He has a daughter who is going to college this fall, and he alsohas a son who is a sophomore in high school. Dr. Robinder says his partner, Wendy, works in TRIO programs and is currently looking for a job in St. Louis before she makes the transition from Iowa. With a position like the vice president of student affairs, he said he has goals to achieve. “My goals are to learn the campus, meet a lot of people, get to know the systems in place here and build relationships. Nothing I do here is alone, so there are always a lot of partnerships and a lot of collaboration.”
