Faculty Unscripted: Luke Robbins

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Luke Robbins teaches math and is the head cross-country coach.

What are your primary roles at MSA?

Math teacher, cross country coach, math department chair, senior class sponsor.

What made you decide to live and work on the Hill? 

When I interviewed for the job back in May 2018, I was so impressed not just by the campus and the school, but by the community. The people are what make Miller such a great place to live and work. 

Most memorable teaching, coaching, or student-life experience? 

The senior trip is one of my favorite traditions. This year we explored the Luray Caverns, paddled the Shenandoah River, went zip lining, and went to the Massanutten Water Park. 

If you were not an educator, what would you be?

Something in the world of STEM, maybe an engineer or a computer programmer. 

Favorite aspect of living on campus?

The trails and the lake. 

Most memorable lesson learned from students at MSA?

How to code. In Fall 2021, I taught Differential Equations for the first time. Several of my students were experts at coding, despite not having any formal training. These students inspired me to take a Computer Science class at PVCC and to incorporate coding into the Differential Equations course. 

Favorite place to go or thing to do on MSA’s 1,600-acre campus?

Mountain biking on the trails, especially Roadrunner and Double D. Those two have been my favorite recently as far as downhill flow. Also the glass house gets an Honorable mention. If you haven’t hiked to the glass house, I highly recommend it. 

Movie you have watched the most times in your life?

The Departed

Dream trip? 

Skiing trip to Switzerland. 

Pets? 

I had a cat growing up. No pets now. 

What did you want to do when you grew up (when you were in high school)? 

In high school is when I decided I wanted to become a high school teacher. I had some great teachers at Albemarle High School (specifically Mr. Wayne, Mr. Thill, and Mr. Clay) who inspired me to become a teacher.