Vice President of Student Development and Engagement Whitney McDowell-Robinson, Ph.D., has been named the 2025 recipient of the William C. Hine Distinguished Service Award from Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society.
“This prestigious award recognizes individuals who exemplify a deep commitment to promoting lifelong learning, unwavering dedication to serving adult learners, and exceptional leadership within the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society,” the organization said in a press release. “We are thrilled to announce the 2025 recipient, a true champion of adult learners: Whitney McDowell-Robinson!”
Alpha Sigma Lambda is recognized as the official honor society for adult learners by the Association of College Honor Societies. The award is given to a chapter councilor who is extraordinarily dedicated to Alpha Sigma Lambda; McDowell-Robinson is the chapter councilor for the Kappa Kappa chapter at Brenau University.
“I am honored to be recognized by ASLHS as the 2025 Hine Distinguished Service Award recipient for the work I am afforded to do at Brenau,” McDowell-Robinson says. “Brenau continues to evolve in a myriad of ways to support our post-traditional students and I look forward to continuing to serve as a conduit of change in our higher education landscape.”
The organization’s aim is to recognize the special achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests at home and work. It is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and recognizes high scholastic achievement in an adult student’s career. By doing so, this society encourages many students to continue toward and to earn associate and baccalaureate degrees.
In addition to her role as vice president of SD&E, McDowell-Robinson is an adjunct professor in the College of Education. Before this, she served in numerous roles at Tougaloo College in Mississippi, including vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Services. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Tougaloo College, a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling from Jackson State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Urban Higher Education, also from Jackson State University.
Beyond her work at Brenau, McDowell-Robinson is deeply involved in various 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 for the Junior League of Gainesville-Hall County, an adult volunteer for Troop 11917 of the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, and a board advisor for the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
McDowell-Robinson has also received numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Atlanta for 2024, the 2020 NACE/Spelman Johnson Rising Star Award, and a 2017 Tougaloo College “40 Under 40” award recipient.
