When Xavier Stokes enrolled at Robinson in summer 2022, immediately after graduating from high school, he wasn’t just jumping into college a semester early—he was also the first member of his nuclear family to pursue higher education.
“I wanted to build a career rooted in creativity, strategy, and connection,” Stokes said. “Since starting at Robinson, I’ve grown more confident in my decision to major in marketing, and explored the business world through hands-on initiatives, leadership positions, and professional development opportunities.”
He didn’t wake up one morning with that conviction. With each passing semester, Stokes has developed a clearer picture of his desired career. A big part of that growth came from Georgia State’s American Marketing Association chapter, where he dove deep into marketing strategy and storytelling.
“The club went above and beyond,” he said. “It provided real-world exposure and a chance to get my feet wet in the professional world. I owe a lot of my success to that organization.”
As Stokes’s understanding of marketing grew, so did his desire to give back. He joined the Robinson Ambassador Program (RAP), a group of upperclassmen who represent the college and connect freshmen and sophomores to available resources.
“I wanted to be a bridge that helps first- and second-year students see what’s out there and feel part of a community,” Stokes said.
Through RAP, he’s led campus tours, connected with executives, and built professional connections that shaped his future.
He also has gotten to flex his marketing skills in the role—crafting social media content, ideating avenues to increase student engagement, and finding new ways to boost visibility of Robinson’s many opportunities.
“Being in this program has been so rewarding,” he said. “I’ve seen firsthand how we can make a difference by enabling others to feel seen and supported.”
Outside of Robinson, Stokes channels his energy into content creation, photography, and fashion. Through childhood participation in drama and musical theater, he built the acumen to collaborate with diverse personalities—a tool he now uses in his marketing work.
“Those outlets keep me balanced,” he said. “They remind me that creativity isn’t just part of my career. It’s part of who I am.”
Among his standout experiences, Stokes points to his time as a campus brand ambassador for skincare company Good Molecules. Through the role, he merged authenticity and narrative arts to resonate with a wide spread of students. It also eradicated the imposter syndrome he felt during his first couple years at Robinson.
“When I first started, I often compared myself to others,” he said. “But I realized that feeling uncertain doesn’t mean you’re incapable; it means you’re growing. A big milestone for me has been realizing I belong in the spaces where I once doubted myself.”
Stokes is slated to wrap up his B.B.A. in marketing in December 2026. Looking ahead, he aims to forge a career in digital marketing, focusing on brand development and campaign strategy. He also plans to earn a master’s in marketing to continue growing as an imaginative, boundary-pushing professional.
“My goal is to work in a space that challenges me creatively while allowing me to make an impact,” he said. “I want to keep learning, evolving, and helping brands connect genuinely with their audiences.”
Stokes believes marketing is about more than what consumers buy. It’s about how people-centric stories and relationships build trust. At Robinson, he’s learned to do that with confidence.