Margaret Robison

Margaret Robison is the vice president of institutional advancement at Cape Fear Community College and the executive director of the CFCC Foundation. For more than ten years she has been the fiery force behind fundraising marketing and public relations for the community college. This year the CFCC Foundation announced it exceeded its $2 million goal. She is married to Marvin Robison and together the couple has three sons. And yes Margaret speaks with exclamation points!

Q&A

What’s the best thing about your job?

Every single day I get to make a difference. Education is the way of the future. Providing education and opportunities to people in our community; that s a game changer. Education is a game changer!

What would be your worst nightmare about work?

If I came to work and the people I work with were gone that would be terrible. I surround myself with very good people; I couldn t function without them. 

If they were to make a reality show about your life what would they call it?

Take What You Got & Make It Happen.

Tell me three truths and a lie  — we ll let the readers guess which is which!

I am a triathlete.

I attended an all-women s college.

I have a phenomenal husband.

I left two of my best friends in Greece.

What is your earliest memory of Wrightsville Beach?

As a child we used to come down to Wrightsville Beach and stay at these little apartments that didn t have air conditioning. We didn t care we would just all pile in and we loved it!

What are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Energetic happy loyal.

What is Wilmington s best-kept secret?

Picnicking at Greenfield Amphitheater. I love tailgating! Tailgating would have to be one of my most favorite activities.

What makes you laugh?

Reminiscing with my friends.

What book did you most recently read?

 Halftime  by Bob Buford. It s a spiritually based book about how you want to live the second half of your life. Moving from success to significance. When I told my husband what I was going to read he laughed and said  Margaret this isn t half time. We re starting the beginning of the fourth quarter!

If you could have dinner with any three celebs who would you choose?

I love that whole Robert Redford gig. So my three would be Robert Redford Barbara Streisand Steve McQueen  — that group of stars — those are my people!

What song best describes your work ethic?

She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summers.

If we came to your house for dinner what would you cook?

If my children were there we would have steak. We would grill out.

What was your dream job as a child?

I think I always thought I would be in education but I also loved politics. I think my dream job was to be governor.

What have you learned today?

How incredibly gracious people are. Someone came in my office right after lunch because they said they wanted to talk about something. That someone ended up wanting to give a large amount of money to help better our college and community.

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I received the Employee Excellence Award at both CFCC and UNCW. To be recognized by your peers at both places is just really nice.

What do you find most encouraging about our community?

The people. People who have been here forever and the people who have joined the community more recently; they all make it special.

At what age did you become an adult?

When I had my first child. It was that moment when I fully realized that it was more than just me. It s a whole awakening! It s here!

What would you tell your 20-year-old self?

Calm down!

When did you consider Wilmington  home?

Just about the same time I became an adult. My children were born here so I think it was a collective change. I m an adult and this is our home.

How long have you known your best friend?

Since I was in third grade.

What is your pet peeve?

When people want to complain about a problem but never take any action. You are either a part of the problem or a part of the solution; you choose!