Robin Diller Torres
Office - Student Center Rotunda Rm. 385
Campus Phone: 845-575-3517
E-mail: Robin.Torres@marist.edu
Main Duties: Direct the staff and operations of the Office of First Year Programs and Leadership Development. Teach courses for the Psychology Department.
About Robin:
Hometown: Born and raised in New York, New York - The East Village.
Education: BA, Literature - SUNY Purchase; MA, Psychology -
Marist College; Licensed Mental Health Counselor - New York State.
My earliest Marist Memory...dates back to 1989, when the wonderful staff here allowed me - a total stranger -- to borrow Adrian Hall (a building that is no longer standing) to host a fundraising event for another college. That was the first time I experienced the strong sense of community and generosity that exists on this campus. Three years later, I interviewed, accepted a job, and moved here with my family. It was a great decision.
My parents used to always say to me...be positive...no matter what it is, it can always be better, but it should never be worse.
One of my favorite movies is...Patch Adams. Anyone who knows me knows I share the belief that "laughter is the best medicine!" And, as a student and teacher of community psychology, how can you not love a movie about a change agent who defies labels, solves problems by thinking outside the box, and recognizes that each of us are healers. My favorite line from the film: "If you focus on the problem, you can't see the solution. Never focus on the problem!"
My friends would describe me as...humorous, caring, trustworthy, and honest to a fault. Oh, there is also klutzy, verbose and the single worst driver they know!
My biggest "mentors" growing up were my parents...My Father is a brilliant, honorable man who has forgotten more than most will ever learn. He inspired us to read, to be musical, to live in the moment and to treat everyone with respect. My Mother...no one has her intuition or overall "people-smarts."
If I could travel anywhere, I'd go to...Israel. After 8 years of Hebrew School and many years teaching the language and culture to little kids and teens, I'd love to "test drive my linguistical skills" and I hear the falafel is terrific.
When not busy with things at Marist...I spend as much time as I can with my husband, teenager and twin elementary school kids. I also teach Community Psychology and Self Management at Marist and lead the Junior Congregation and serve as the Torah Follower (Baalit Kriah) for my synagogue. I am blessed with a large "family of friends," and I spend as much time as I can with them. Hobbies are reading, music and "compulsive cleaning."
My message to the students of Marist is..."Make it your own." Maximize all that is here for you to create a unique and meaningful experience. Take that tough class that interests you. Why not add that second major or minor? Study abroad if you can (believe me, you can). Go out of your way to meet wonderful people who are nothing like you...but who share your sense of values. Be a leader, that's why we chose you in the first place. Above all else, if you have one of those days where you feel like "no one cares," know that a number of us have chosen to make your success our life's work!
