Dr. Whitney McDowell-Robinson serves as the Vice President for Student Development & Engagement and an adjunct professor in the College of Education and the College of Fine Arts & Humanities at Brenau University in Georgia. Prior to this appointment, she worked for Tougaloo College in Mississippi; whereby, she held numerous roles including Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services. Dr. McDowell-Robinson earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Tougaloo College, a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jackson State University, and her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Urban Higher Education also from Jackson State University.
Active in an array of professional and civic organizations, she serves as the Treasurer for the Hall County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Done in a Day Chair (community volunteerism lead) for the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County, the Cookie Leader for Troop 11917 of the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, the Chapter Councilor for the Kappa Kappa Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, a board member for Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, and a board advisor for the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). She served as the 2022-2023 Corresponding Secretary for the Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 2020-2022 Director – College for the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Board of Directors, 2020-2021 Jackson Workforce Leadership Academy Fellow for the Aspen Institute, and the 2018-2019 President of the Mississippi Association of Colleges & Employers (MACE). Additionally, she is a member of the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education, the Mississippi Association of International Educators (MAIE), the National Career Development Association (NCDA), the Mississippi Counseling Association (MCA), the Southern Association of Colleges & Employers (SoACE), the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the Florida Memorial University Education Advisory Council, and a mentor within the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP).
Among numerous keynotes, publications, presentations, and grant awards, Dr. McDowell-Robinson is also a recipient of the 2025 William C. Hine Distinguished Service Award, the Top 50 Women Leaders in Education for 2025, the Top 50 Women Leaders of Atlanta for 2024, the 2021 Lifestyle Education and Resource Services’ Community Service and Enhancement Award, the 2020 NACE/Spelman Johnson Rising Star Award, the 2018 Outstanding Career Services Professional (MACE), a 2017 Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Mississippi Hall of Fame Recipient, and a 2017 Tougaloo College “40 Under 40” Award Recipient. Additionally, she is a national board-certified mental health counselor, and she often volunteers her services with local community organizations.
Dr. McDowell-Robinson and her husband have two children and a fur baby.