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In 2010, Bennetta Robinson began her tenure at JSU as an environmental planning doctoral student in the Urban and Regional Planning program.
“I took an environmental science course during my undergraduate studies at Mississippi State that gave me a true understanding as to why I should love nature.”
The Port Gibson, Mississippi, native managed to maintain a 4.0 grade-point average in the program.
Robinson’s dissertation focused on water quality and availability. Her study examines basic water parameters and assesses how these elements alter over time because of seasonal changes around different monitoring sites.
“The bulk of my work focuses on everything correlating with the environment, including petrochemicals, natural disasters and water quality – and how it is impacted. My research specifies the impact of water-related issues like water quality and water availability, focusing on how water is impacted from human behavior and landing patterns.”
As a current full-time employee at One Voice, the environmental extraordinaire says her dissertation research is connected to the work she does on a daily basis.
“Right now I’m connecting my dissertation research with the work that I am doing now. From my results of the dissertation, I see that while water quality may not be an issue, water availability will continuously be an issue. So, when we talk about water being available, we need to focus on infrastructure, which is how water gets from its source to your home. I’m looking at how different cities can apply for financing to create water infrastructure projects so water can be available at acceptable levels for usage in all communities.
One Voice is a local nonprofit organization that lifts the voice for silenced communities by democratizing through public policy, research, organizational and leadership development.
“I’ve always felt, especially being from a small town, that we have to nurture our community. … If we don’t nurture our community, then how can we expect any positive results from our current or future situations,” Robinson said.
The researcher says Jackson State provided a strong support system that she will always treasure.
“My takeaway from this program at JSU is feeling like I’m among a community, so that network will take me into my next phase,” Robinson said.
