Dollye M.E. Robinson, who has served on the faculty at Jackson State University for nearly 60 years, was honored with the title of Dean Emerita. She is the former dean of the College of Liberal Arts and is a full professor of music at the university.
Robinson began her career at JSU in 1952 as the Assistant Band Director and Instructor of Music. Since that time, Robinson has served in leadership positions including head of the Department of Music, Chair of the Division of Fine Arts, Associate Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. During her tenure at JSU, Robinson has led significant progress at the university including designing and supervising the construction of the F.D. Hall Music Center and providing significant input in the design of the College of Liberal Arts building, which is named in her honor. She also initiated the degree programs for the Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Music Performance and the Master of Music Education, while supervising the self-study process for initial accreditation for the Department of Music and the Department of Art, and for the university in 1971 with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
A Jackson native, Robinson earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Jackson State and a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University. She has also studied at Boston University and the Boston College of Music.
The College of Liberal Arts building on the Jackson State campus is named in her honor.