Oleathia Robinson
Biography
Non-traditional students often take non-traditional routes through their careers, using their degrees to support an existing goal rather than as the foundation for a future job.
Oleathia Robinson is a perfect example of this type of student. An internationally recognized singer, songwriter, playwright, model, and actress, Robinson is building her career in the entertainment industry while simultaneously pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing at Ashford University*.
鈥淚鈥檝e known I wanted to be a singer since I was 13,鈥 explains Oleathia, who goes by the stage moniker Butta B-Rocka. 鈥淟et鈥檚 face it, you typically go to college to gain a skill, and for me the classrooms 鈥 at that point 鈥 could not teach me singing.鈥
It鈥檚 true, there鈥檚 no Ashford University program that could train Robinson to perfect her vocal pitch and stage presence. That, she achieved all on her own, working her way up the ladder in Atlanta鈥檚 booming music scene, winning 鈥淏est Female Vocalist鈥 accolades in 2017 and back-to-back honors as 鈥淎tlanta鈥檚 Hottest Future Superstar,鈥 and also gaining .
However, as Oleathia鈥檚 success grew, she came to realize there were vital business and marketing skills that would allow her to take more control over her career. Her Public Relations and Marketing program, for example, includes business communications training, marketing courses that could help her better understand and connect with her audience, and management classes that she could apply to her role as founder and Chief Executive Officer of a non-profit foundation called Artists Rock the MIC (Motivating Individuals in the Community).
鈥淲e are an organization that brings artists from all genres together that have joined forces to give back to the community,鈥 she says. 鈥淥ur primary focus is bringing awareness to, as well as assisting, college homeless students.鈥
Though Oleathia had already earned a degree in Computer Information Systems from another university, she felt she could accomplish much more, saying that 鈥渋t was also very important to take courses I was actually interested in.鈥
When her mother, who graduated with honors from Ashford University, recommended the school, Oleathia saw it as a means of enhancing her off-stage marketability and business knowledge. At the same time, Ashford鈥檚 online format was an ideal fit for the single mother of two teenagers, both of whom are stars on the field and on the stage.
鈥淢y time is beyond crazy with studio sessions, rehearsals, shows, football games, photoshoots, etc.,鈥 she explains. 鈥淲ith my hectic work schedule, I had to take online courses. There is no way I would have had time to commit to a classroom weekly.鈥
Being able to commit the right amount of time to school work is a challenge for every Ashford student, and although Oleathia admits it 鈥済ets hard at times,鈥 she鈥檚 earned membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society and serves as the Service Director for Ashford鈥檚 Atlanta chapter. She鈥檚 a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda and Omega Rho Lambda Upsilon too. Oleathia is also a member of Ashford鈥檚 CHAMPS Peer Mentoring program.
She鈥檚 now on pace to graduate in Spring 2019.
鈥淚 was surprised, as I truly didn鈥檛 think going back to school was for me,鈥 Oleathia says. 鈥淏eing at Ashford has challenged me to push harder and dig deeper 鈥 it鈥檚 helped me define myself.鈥
* Ashford University is now the University of Arizona Global Campus