At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Robinson, a senior majoring in civil engineering, played a pivotal role in helping to set the national agenda on social policy. In 2008 she spearheaded the Presidential Priorities Initiative at MIT to raise awareness among the national candidates of the greatest threats facing the U.S. In a position paper and accompanying video, Robinson and other black students at the school urged the candidates to adopt solid policies to tackle the mortgage crisis, prison reform and education. The video link was sent to black college-student organizations nationwide and was featured on CNN.com.