Featured Alumni- Robynique Willis-Brown

Boston native Robynique Willis-Brown is a two-time alumna of ECU and HHP.  Robynique is an alum of The Golden Leaf Scholars Leadership Program and holds two associate degrees from Pitt Community College and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, both from East Carolina University. Robynique’s dream is to one day become a motivational speaker, who shares her story of overcoming the life of being a child in the foster care system, to inspire and motivate others.

Throughout the years, Robynique has shared her passion for social work in numerous ways. Robynique’s internship and community work dates back to 2016, where she was a social work intern at Vidant Medical Center’s Leo Jenkins Cancer Center. Since then, Robynique has served as a peer mentor for ECU’s peer engagement group and interned at Pruitt Health Skilled Nursing facility in Farmville, the Lucille Gorham Intergenerational Community Center and Catholic Charities. She also served as a mentor at Greater Life Community Church.

Today, Robynique is an oncology social work case manager at Vidant Cancer Center. In this role, she provides support to the center’s patients and caregivers. Some of these supportive measures include responding to areas of distress when diagnosed with cancer, such as financial and emotional distress, transportation and food insecurity. As Robynique serves as social worker and case manager, she uses her knowledge of development theories, early interventions and program management in order to provide supportive services to the Greenville community, families and individuals.

Robynique tells us, “The College of Health and Human Performance equipped me with the skills and knowledge to serve many needs. The professors in the School of Social Work are dedicated to student success and assisting students to be the best professional social workers possible. ECU in its entirety has assisted in framing my career and professional development. I am so grateful for my time spent at ECU.”

Robynique’s advice for future students? “To any student who is considering or currently attending in any HHP program I would say, ‘Give it your all! What you do in the classroom can highly make a difference when you begin your professional career. Take time to love yourself and practice self-care, but also remember why you chose this program and the impact you wish to make in your future. You got this and with the right mindset and passion you can conquer the world, one day at a time.’”