Robyn Cope
Assistant Professor of French, Romance Languages and Literatures
I grew up in Ohio. My mom was a secretary, and my dad was a millwright and UAW (United Auto Workers) man. I earned a BA in French from Miami University, an MEd and K-12 French teaching certificate from Xavier University, and a PhD in French from Florida State University. It took me 22 years to do that! In between and along the way, I worked in service and parts for a machine tool company and as a high school French teacher. As a first-generation college student, I sometimes struggled with imposter syndrome, wondering if I truly 鈥渂elonged." Here at Binghamton, I specialize in French Caribbean literature and culture. My research and teaching revolve around two fundamentally human questions: 鈥淲hat is freedom?鈥 and 鈥淗ow do people get it?鈥 One of my very favorite parts of being a professor at Binghamton has been the opportunity to get to know and mentor students inside and outside the classroom. In my free time, I like to spend time in the garden, in the woods, or around the table with family and friends.