Kayla Robinson

Kayla Robinson serves as an administrator overseeing a department in the College of Education at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. With more than 25 years of experience in education, she began her career as an elementary teacher for 10 years, followed by 5 years as a K-12 reading recovery teacher and literacy coach training K-5 educators in literacy. She transitioned to higher education full-time 12 years ago, serving as a literacy professor for 9 years before assuming her current administrative position 3 years ago. Robinson holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's degree in reading, and a PhD in reading. Her professional work and research emphasize culturally authentic Native American literature and social studies standards related to Native American culture. She was recognized as the 2026 Dynamic Chickasaw Woman of the Year by the Chickasaw Foundation and has served on the board of the Southwest Missouri Indian Center while participating in Leadership Springfield. Robinson attributes her success to her upbringing, a strong work ethic, and her faith in God, and she values honesty, trustworthiness, hard work, and ethical leadership.