Chemistry Climate Event with Shari L. Robinson

Understanding and embracing an environment of psychological safety

Shari L. Robinson

Shari L. Robinson joined the University of Minnesota as the inaugural DEI Director for CCAPS (College of Continuing and Professional Studies) in April 2023. She comes to us after moving to the Twin Cities in 2020 and after a 2-year faculty appointment at the University of St. Thomas. Shari is a social worker and a linguistic anthropologist by training with over two decades of experience as a faculty member developing and teaching social work courses and professional development trainings on aging, anti-Blackness, anti-racism, queer/trans studies, race, social justice and whiteness, as well as cultural anthropology courses at many colleges and universities across Michigan, Massachusetts, and now Minnesota. Prior to her career in higher education, Shari had over a decade of professional and clinical practice experience working solely with older adults. In her spare, but rare time, Shari enjoys spending time with her many house plants and fish tanks; reading all things Afro-futurism and YA literature which features Black girl mermaids; watching Star Trek runs; cooking (and eating!) all types of food; walking around the many Minnesota lakes, as well as enjoying the rich cultural scene in the Twin Cities and traveling to warm places with her spouse, Jackie.