Insuring Success with Higher Education

For first-generation college students, University of Rio Grande is a way to strengthen a family legacy. Rio Grande is also an opportunity for both traditional and non-traditional students to excel in an environment of shared learning experiences. 

Robin Fowler ('01) has been all three. 

"I was partially a first-generation student," she said. "My dad had to go to night school to get his associate's degree so he would be able to move up with the State Highway Patrol. So, even as a child, I saw the importance of higher education." 

After graduating high school, Robin attended Miami University. After the first semester, financial issues caused her to move back home to Bidwell and to transfer to Rio Grande. Robin remained at Rio through the first half of her junior year, when she dropped out to get married. After moving to Columbus and Cincinnati, she eventually settled in Jackson, Ohio – where she became a commuter student by enrolling in Rio's adult degree program. She graduated in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in business. 

"Most of us have interesting stories, but mine was quite the path," she said. "I started as a traditional student and finished as a non-traditional student."

It may have taken Robin 18 years to get a degree, but landing her dream job went much faster. 

"I went back to school because I wanted to be a State Farm agent,” she said. "Back then, you could not be an agent without a college degree. I had been talking to an area sales manager at State Farm while I was still taking classes, and they said, 'When you get a degree, call me.' And that's what I did. Two weeks after I graduated, I was working at State Farm."

Robin has been an independent State Farm agent for 23 years. She started as an agent but was selected for the company's leadership program. Robin managed 34 agents in Youngstown, Ohio, before returning to the area in 2014, where she's now a successful small business owner. She has offices in Gallia and Meigs County but writes business throughout Ohio. She also has five employees and loves hiring Rio interns. 

"I get one a year, typically a business major," she said. "I think every student should take a business class or two. That was a really good introduction for me to understand every business because every career has a business aspect to it." 

As Robin reflects on what made her a successful student at Rio, one word comes to mind: community.

"I learned how important community is because of Rio," she said. "You felt like you belonged. You felt like you were part of things, even if you weren't an athlete. I was an Alpha Mu Beta, and that sense of belonging on campus has made me successful because it's critical to me. That's one of our foundational pieces for my offices. We will serve the community. We will help charities, and we will volunteer."

Along with being a local business owner, Robin returned to her Rio roots. She is currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees. 

"This is my second year of the term," she said. "It amazes me that I came from barely being able to go to college to get to serve in this role. It's full circle, and it's super cool. But that's Rio. They treat you like family, and you always feel like family."  

Robin looks at the University of Rio Grande even more fondly today than she did as a student, and she's excited about the opportunities Rio is giving all types of incoming students. 

"Rio has Success Coaches for students," she said. "I wish we'd had that when I was a student. What they have now at Rio is amazing; how they help students study and learn how they need to think and process things. That's all part of the educational experience here. It doesn't cost extra, but it's extra. It's there for you. And Rio is doing things that a lot of college campuses aren't when it comes to that. It's so exciting. I'm grateful to Rio Grande for the opportunities it gave me, but I'm even more thankful for what it's giving students now and in the future."