Cathy Robin

Cathy Robin’s life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

“I was really bad off.  I couldn’t write my name and I got lost a lot. I even got lost at my own church.”

When Cathy spoke to her doctors about brain surgery, she was told that the future didn’t look bright.  The surgery was a success though, and after rehabilitation, Cathy regained a lot of what the tumor had taken away.

“The surgery changed my outlook and I immediately decided that since I had gotten a second chance that I had to give back. I decided to enroll in MiraCosta College and become a preschool teacher.”

Cathy originally was only going to take 12 units in order to receive a child development certificate, but she ended up earning every single certificate the program offers as well as an associate degree in child development. 

“If it hadn’t been for my instructors’ support I wouldn’t have been able to stay in the program. I remember looking at one syllabus and panicking; however, the faculty and staff have just been incredible. They have been my lifeline.”

Over the past five years, Cathy has poured her heart into campus activities and has changed lives.  She was one of the first students to get involved with MiraCosta’s Service Learning Program, a form of experiential education that partners academic instruction with community service.  Cathy also helped start MiraCosta’s Food Pantry, a donation-based program that gives food and grocery gift certificates to students in need.

“That’s my big thing. There are students who are going hungry on campus and the food pantry may be the only place where they can get food.”

Cathy is now a campus tutor and offers her services to students needing help in a variety of disciplines.

“Right now my job is tutoring at MiraCosta College.  It’s so rewarding when you have an ‘ah ha’ moment with the students.”

Cathy graduated with her associate degree in spring 2008 and was selected as a Medal of Honor recipient, the highest honor a MiraCosta student can attain.  But don’t expect Cathy to go anywhere soon.  She plans to continue tutoring at MiraCosta and vows to remain involved in service learning projects, including the food pantry.