Colin Roberts focuses career goals on improving mental health in the Black community

As a high school senior in 2020, Colin Roberts thought leaving Virginia for college was how he would make a name for himself. His mother encouraged him to apply to Virginia Tech in addition to other schools, and after considering financial aid packages, it was obvious Virginia Tech was the best choice.

“Tech gave me enough money to attend, which I’m really very grateful for,” Roberts said.

Throughout his first year, Roberts thought he might eventually transfer, but what he found in Blacksburg was something more than a cost-efficient education. He quickly developed a “strong sense of community and a strong network” that included friends as well as supportive administrators and faculty.

“At the end of the day, I didn’t want to lose the friends that I’ve made here. I wanted to see what I could do, and I’ve stuck with it ever since,” said Roberts.

At Virginia Tech, Colin Roberts not only excels as a student in the College of Science majoring in psychology and minoring in human-computer interaction, but he takes an active role in extracurricular activities. Currently, Roberts is the president of the Class of 2024, co-director of community engagement for Students of Hip-Hop Legacy, liaison for the Student African American Brotherhood group, and an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, where he serves as director of education and Alpha Ball chairman.

Roberts’ campus involvement and service to others has not gone unnoticed. He was recognized with the Community Builder Award at the Black Excellence Gala in 2023, the National Pan-Hellenic Council Member of the Year award in 2024 from the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association, and a nomination for a 2023-24 Aspire! Award from Student Affairs.

He is also one of the first recipients of the Preston and Catharine White Endowed Diversity Scholarship. Roberts had the opportunity to thank the Whites for their generosity at the launch of Virginia Tech Advantage, a universitywide, multiyear commitment to offer a broad educational experience to undergraduate students from Virginia who demonstrate financial need.

In his speech, Roberts said the scholarship was more than financial assistance. It represented his ability “to make a meaningful impact on our society through my education and future career.” This desire to make a difference has guided Roberts from day one and continues to shape his future.

Roberts plans to continue his education by focusing on a master’s degree in human-computer interaction with aspirations to create his own programs, consisting of websites or apps, focused on mental health in the Black community and encouragement for young Black people to pursue degrees in STEM fields.

“I was inspired by the Black College Institute at Virginia Tech to hopefully develop my own program,” said Roberts. “I want to give the lessons that I’ve learned from my mentors, my friends, my family, and faculty back to other youth that are going through similar experiences.”

Throughout the past four years, Roberts will admit that there have been “stressful points,” but behind him is an incredible support system of family and friends, including his mother, Felicity Ashiadey-Dougan, whose advice to “keep moving forward” plays continuously in the back of his mind.

“With all the work that I do and the accompanying success and failures, I have always remembered these three words because they not only remind me of her, but they snap me back into reality, allowing me to continue forward,” said Roberts. “Knowing that the goals, dreams, and success that I have for myself won’t be achieved if I let the weight of the world take over is what makes me take that step to keep moving.”

Roberts credits his mother for instilling in him a strong work ethic, and he is grateful for the sacrifices she made to give him this educational opportunity. His cultural heritage, as the child of immigrants from Africa, also plays a part in his drive to succeed.

“It is ingrained within us in both Ghanaian and Nigerian culture to be hard workers, to be the top of our class, and to support our families once we become of age,” said Roberts. “When it comes to all that I want to do and have in store for myself, it is to continue this legacy that I am a part of and bring nothing but the highest honors to my family name and history.”

The circle of friends that surrounds Roberts includes many who share his West African heritage, but all, regardless of heritage, are driven by their strong commitment to family.

“We all share the same cultural backgrounds, we’re all aspiring to be successful, not just for ourselves but for our families as well. Those shared goals and interests have been a big motivation for me,” said Roberts.

Caleb Callender ’23 is among those friends who support and encourage Roberts. The political science graduate is pursuing a master’s degree in public policy at George Washington University, and Roberts said even though Callender graduated, he can always reach out for guidance. Callender said this willingness to seek the advice of others is one of Roberts’ greatest leadership qualities.

“I think the thing that truly makes Colin a tremendous leader is his willingness to learn from those around him. He doesn’t pretend to know everything like many leaders do,” said Callender. “I feel that a leader who is willing to listen is one who is destined for great things, and that is what I see in Colin’s future.”

Roberts’ friendships with Callender and many others stem from active involvement in campus life at Virginia Tech. He encourages all students to get involved, be active within their community and be active on campus within their organizations. However, he also advises all Hokies to “work within your means.”

“All I do is within my means,” said Roberts. “People say if you work on too many things at a time, not everything you work on is going to be the best, but I know what I do is within my means. Everything that I do work on, I put in my best effort toward everything to make sure that it’s done properly.”

After Roberts gives his speech at the commencement ceremony in May, crosses the stage, and turns his tassel, he knows the reality of this chapter ending will hit him. However, Roberts said he feels like part of him will always stay at Virginia Tech.

“I feel like I’ve definitely left my mark here at Virginia Tech,” said Roberts. “I feel like I’ve made a name and path for myself, and that’s what I want to do with the rest of my life, make my own legacy and make my own path.”