Yatesha D. Robinson

Dr. Yatesha (Yanni) Robinson has been a dedicated faculty member at the School of Social Work since 2015, bringing her expertise to the Office of Field Education in 2018. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Field Education for the Online Program and as an adjunct clinical assistant professor. With over 25 years of experience in non-profit organizations, she has a rich background in providing direct services to women, children, youth and families.

Robinson has made significant contributions to the community in numerous roles. She has been instrumental in promoting trauma-informed programs and practices in schools, supporting mental health and economic empowerment among adolescent and adult women, and offering pregnancy and grief counseling services. Her community service extends to Washtenaw County and the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

In her previous role as the Director of Family Support Services for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kalamazoo, Robinson provided parenting education, life skills and workshops on physical and mental well-being to fathers, mothers, families, teen parents and family caregivers. Her dedication in this position led to her becoming a National Training Associate for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where she trained staff nationwide on promoting and celebrating diversity and addressing issues of prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination through the Youth for Unity program.

Robinson holds a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Her research interests include lifestyle medicine, well-being among African Americans, sense of community, purpose in life and Trauma Informed Programs and Practices in Schools (TIPPS). Growing up in Southwest Detroit, she witnessed the community's inherent strengths such as love, grit, resilience, cooperative thriving, spirituality and perseverance. These experiences sparked her passion for fostering and advancing community well-being, particularly among Black and Brown communities. Her ongoing commitment to education and community service exemplifies her dedication to social work and the empowerment of marginalized communities.