Leadership roles helping students stay in school, desire achievement and graduate
By Katherine Guest—
“Boots, boots, cats,” clatteringly heard in rapid continuous repetition, haphazardly swarmed through a cocooned portion of GSUB—usually it’s called crappy beat boxing. The act of amateurism doesn’t resonate with New Jersey City University’s (NJCU) own hidden Safire.
“One thing I’m trying to do is make leadership sexy. Showing that being a leader on this campus is sexy and it’s a desire you should have because, statistically, if more students are involved on campus their GPA’s will increase.”
Behind the iron curtain of the Student Government Organization (SGO) holds freestyle rapper extraordinaire, James Robilotta. The NJCU community might know him as SGO’s full time student advisor, the endless working graveyard digger minus the morbid aspect.
“Sleep is for people who don’t have plans. I juggle a lot of passions. It drives my fiancé crazy!” He continued, “Life’s too serious not to laugh at it.”
Robilotta was born in 1982, and resides in Long Island, NY. He is a naturally born enthusiast with a professional public speaking background. Robilotta is a leader who is inspired by the diversity of the NJCU campus.
“I think my job as a leader is not only to change other’s lives, but to let others change mine’” he said. “Personally, I’m some random white dude growing up out of suburbia on Long Island. I have no idea what it’s like to grow up in Jersey City. So I came here, potentially older than a lot of our students, but not necessarily wiser. I mean, I have a totally different set of experiences so I am growing and learning just as much as hopefully they are from me, I am learning from them.”
Prior to being NJCU’s SGO advisor, Robilotta was a part of a historic black fraternity and a gospel choir at Clemson University located in South Carolina where he obtained his masters degree.
“I actively sought out to surround myself with people from different cultures, but still had the same values.”
With a charismatic smile from ear to ear while continuing the “No Shave November” fad, Robilotta’s enthusiasm for the culturally diverse campus shines brightly beneath his navy blue Kangol. Robilotta aspires to promote positivity on campus through laughter which heightens his part-time hip-hop improvisational initiative.
“I’ve loved hip-hop since Jay-Z’s volume No. 1 album. Not to date myself, but from 2005 to 2006 I started free styling with friends. By 2007 to 2008 North Coast, my improv team was formed.”
His group North Coast reenacts audience suggested scenes in New York City. The group is basically the modern “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” Instead of short skits of singing, North Coast creates a thirty minute montage of freestyle rap and beat boxing with a little acting thrown in. Robilotta called it a “hip-hopera.” Notably, North Coast has also made a guest appearance on MTV’s Made.
At night Robilotta puts on his comedian hat, but come daytime he shifts comfortably back into his public speaking pants; for some public speaking is a door individuals nervously hesitate to open.
“I love to travel and be on stage and share my thoughts. My message, I basically talk about leadership through authentic leadership which is sort of leading through your faults.”
Robilotta is basically showing people that it’s okay to mess up. We are all a part of the human race, the faulty imperfect creatures that we are.
“It’s growing from your faults that make you a leader. At the same time it shows people below you like, ‘Hey, he’s messed up and he’s gotten there. That means I can mess up and still get there too as long as I just grow.’”
Sometimes in student organizations and college campus administrations individuals lead like heroes as opposed to a role model.
“They’re untouchable, they never mess up, they never do anything wrong, and that’s not a role model to me. That’s one reason why I’m so passionate about public speaking. Secondly, well, it’s plain and simple, I’m an attention whore!”
As NJCU’s SGO advisor, Robilotta promotes similar ideals with a more attractive and attention getting approach.
“One thing I’m trying to do is make leadership sexy. Showing that being a leader on this campus is sexy and it’s a desire you should have because, statistically, if more students are involved on campus their GPA’s will increase.”
Leadership on campus helps create a well-rounded student resulting in sky rocketing retention levels. Robilotta also said that NJCU students are more likely to graduate quicker if they delve into extracurricular activities. Students will then feel more a part of the campus. It will no longer be a simple routine consisting solely of going to class, buying a bagel, and then leaving for work. Or, continuing other life obligations.
“Students leave more empowered than they showed up. In the back-end they also donate more after they leave,” he chuckled in approval then continued, “Students feel like they want more people to have the experience they had.”
As an SGO advisor, Robilotta serves as a liaison between the students and the administration.
“This might sound cliché, and I know my boss is going to read this in the next issue, but I love my job. I love working at NJCU. The passion my fellow administration advocates towards and has for these students is immense.”
Comedian, freestyle artist, and dedicated SGO advisor – Robilotta stands as a character whose message has reached the hearts and minds of many, and many more to come.
