Rianna Robertson

While rock climbing to dubstep gets her in the groove, Rianna Robertson identifies as a white, female, self-proclaimed book and game nerd, who is struggling with depression. Her hometown, El Jebel, is located in rural Colorado, but she built a home in Portland, Oregon over the past ten years. A second semester student in the International Education Management program, Rianna appreciates the small, supportive community she’s found at MIIS. The majority of the student body, she finds, genuinely cares about what is going on in the world and how to improve it. Her interest in Allies at MIIS stemmed from a passion to explore and better understand social justice, diversity, and inclusion beyond what her program offered. Rianna wanted to pursue the former MIIS motto to “Be the Change.” As Rianna sees it, an ally is someone who speaks up when the voices, ideas, and opinions of marginalized groups are silenced, stereotyped, mocked, and ignored. This person also needs to recognize when it’s time to be quiet and listen to the voices of the oppressed. Rianna strives to fight for a better world where everyone feels safe, secure, and comfortable to be themselves.