Name: Nicolai Loren Robinson
Year: Sophomore
Major: Secondary Education Mathematics with Special Needs
Hometown: Old Bridge Mattawan, New Jersey
Fun Facts: Was adopted at age four from Bulgaria, was an Eagle Scout, and started swimming in high school.
You can catch Nicolai buzzing around campus from the SGA office to Whiteman Gym pool. Active and helpful, you can probably find Nick assisting a friend or hard at work, whether that be in the lap lane, on his latest math assignment, or teaching floundering guppies to become full fledged swimmers at the YMCA. Currently the SGA head treasurer, part of the SAAC, a youth retreat leader in his church, and an active swim team member, there seems to be no end in sight to the list of extracurriculars under Nicolai’s belt. You’ll always find him with a warm smile, not just across his face but in his eyes, that trademarks his magnetizing personality.
HC: So what made you pick WPUNJ over any other school?
NR: I was accepted into East Stroudsburg University, Kean, and Rowan, along with WPUNJ. What got me into picking WPUNJ was the swim team. I was really passionate about swimming and wanted to enjoy college. Swimming was a way I could do that.
HC: How do you juggle all of your extracurriculars?
NR: Good question. I don’t. What really helps me is time management. I write down where I need to be and when, which is great for keeping track of my meetings. I also try my hardest to be extremely organized with my schoolwork and my work schedule.
HC: Sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Can you share any special talents you might have on a lighter subject?
NR: I can do twenty flip turns under water, if that counts as a talent! I can play all brass instruments and conduct. I was drum major in my high school marching band.
HC: Awesome! And twenty flip turns definitely counts as a talent in my book. So since you were an orientation leader this year, do you have any advice for freshman or incoming freshman?
NR: Time management is a big part of life. Not only that but it’s a big part of your WPUNJ career; remember school comes first, involvement second.
HC: Very true. What are your dreams and aspirations?
NR: I dream to become a special needs math teacher and to be a swim coach for a team. I also want to be a youth advisor for my Presbyterian church.
HC: That sounds amazing. Last thing, can you name your favorite thing about WPUNJ?
NR: My favorite thing about WPUNJ is definitely the swim team and all I can get out of swimming. It encourages me to keep my academics up. It also keeps me in shape, mentally and physically. Swim team allows me to get another job with my coach to be a swim coach for the pioneer team. This is the group of people I feel really close to, like a family.