Name: Colena Roberts
Class: Undergrad ‘09 Masters ‘14
Undergrad Major: Anthropology/Sociology
Masters: Education with an emphasis in Higher Education
Her Campus (HC): What is your role with Mary Baldwin?
Colena Roberts (CR): I am a Resident Advisor for PEG and ECA, an Assistant Volleyball Coach, and an intern with the Sports Information Director.
HC: What are your plans after you leave Mary Baldwin?
CR: When I leave, I am looking to be a Sports Information Director at a DIII college.
HC: Is that what you’ve always wanted to do?
CR: No. When I was little, I wanted to be a dolphin trainer or an archaeologist. I did archaeology for three years after I graduated, then I realized that I was happier coaching, so I thought that I wanted to coach volleyball. It turns out that I don’t want to do that; I want to work in administration at the college level. It’s been kind of a long drawn out process to figure out what I want to do.
HC: What do you like about coaching volleyball at the College?
CR: I like coaching here because I played here and I know the struggles that we go though as a DIII all women’s college to get players on campus. I really enjoyed what the campus had to offer when I was playing. I try to speak that up when I’m out recruiting, so that more people will take at least a second look at us instead of just writing us off due to the fact that we’re an all women’s college.
HC: How do you go about recruiting?
CR: Usually we go off campus to a few tournaments and showcases to get names. Then, it’s calling, emailing, texting, and inviting people to campus to show Mary Baldwin off.
HC: How did you become a Resident Advisor?
CR: My co-RAs, probably. They want to work in education, and I want to work in education as well, but in a different direction. I was looking for a way that I could work in our Athletic Department while supporting myself and remaining a part of the community. Being a Resident Advisor happened to be what I could do.
HC: What’s been your favorite part about working for Mary Baldwin?
CR: I would have to say getting to know the students. Both in the dorm and with volleyball, it’s fun to get to know everyone and help them on their way. I think I can help people get through things that they’re going through because I’ve been through a lot of the same things.