Written by Bailey Wilson, Managing Editor.

From campus closures to important updates, there is one name on campus most synonymous with keeping up to date on happenings around VSU: Robbyn DeSpain, director of strategic communications and special events. 

DeSpain has worked with VSU since July of 2020 and even before that, received her bachelor’s degree in mass media here. According to her, the connection with the school extends past her own experience. 

“My dad taught in our College of Education and Human Services in the mid ‘90s, so my love of VSU goes back more than 30 years,” DeSpain said. 

Before she worked with VSU, she spent 15 years working in journalism, specifically in television news. It was part of her focus with mass media and gave her an outlet to help people. But after so many years working in journalism, she returned home for a few reasons. 

“Valdosta is home to me, and I wanted to raise my son and daughter here,” DeSpain said. “I was also drawn to a career where I would get to promote my alma mater. I loved working with our reporters and producers straight out of college when I was in the newsroom, so I knew I would love working on a college campus.” 

Now, she works on both sides of the camera at VSU. She handles most of the important communication on campus, including crisis messages and campus events, but also handles internal communication. She works in tandem with Jessica Pope, VSU’s communication specialist, to keep all members of VSU’s community informed with everything happening on campus. 

“Sometimes, crisis communication, like the hurricanes and snow day, also become internal communication. Our internal audience is all students, faculty, and staff, and keeping them informed is my favorite part of my job,” DeSpain said. “The special events side of my job involves leading the execution of events that involve the Office of the President. The biggest of those events is commencement.” 

DeSpain has also gained a bit of a fan base across campus, with students taking to social media to praise her after a campus alert. This usually comes after class cancellations, but she has gained support for her work outside of VSU as well. 

“Okay big Robyn proud of you,” one YikYak user said in response to her announcement that DeSpain had received her Master of Arts degree in Public Relations. 

“Waiting on that email from BIG ROBBYN. I can’t be at home much longer,” another user said after Hurricane Helene canceled school. 

“I love how we all collectively decided to call her Big Rob/Robbyn/Byn,” a third said in response to the support, “cause she really the biggest!!” 

DeSpain expressed her gratitude for the support, saying that it was an “unexpected surprise and blessing,” and that she found out about it after receiving an email from a student with screenshots from YikYak posts expressing their support.  

“It made me laugh so hard in a time when I needed a really good laugh,” DeSpain said. “I am so thankful they put their trust in me and know that I will respond to each and every email. It may take me some time to get through them all, but I will help any way I can. Our students, faculty, and staff make coming to work each day such a joy.” 

With nearly five years under her belt at VSU, she has said that she doesn’t plan to go anywhere fast. In fact, according to her, she wants to spend the rest of her career with the university. 

“I love working at VSU, and I hope to be here the rest of my career. Higher education always involves moving pieces, but I believe that education can change families and lives. I see it every commencement.” 

Whether in times of emergencies or celebration, when there is information that needs to go out school-wide, the first name you can trust to be in your inbox will be Robbyn DeSpain.  

Photo courtesy of VSU.