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Meet Our President,
Mrs. Robin S. Ott
Mrs. Robin Smith Ott is the daughter of the late Thomas R. Smith and Gertrude Smith (nee Rogers). The youngest girl in the family, she grew up in Baltimore, MD with two sisters and two brothers. After graduating from Archbishop Keough High School, she attended Delaware State University and ultimately completed her undergraduate degree at Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
She spent the majority of her career working in the Office of Systems and Office of Operations at the Social Security Administration. Upon her retirement in 2020 as the Division Director for the Office of Systems, she received many commendations from her job administration and state officials for her dedication and commitment to the federal government.
Of note, she received the Deputy Commissioner Award multiple times for the Office of Systems and the Office of Operations as well as a Certificate of Recognition from the Comptroller of Maryland and a House Resolution from the Maryland House of Delegates.
Robin was initiated into the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on May 20, 1984 in Epsilon Omega (the oldest and first graduate chapter in Baltimore and oldest graduate chapter in the North Atlantic Region). Within a few years, she had connected with other sisters who had plans to start Baltimore's second graduate chapter. Thus, on December 3, 1988, Robin, along with 79 other sisters, became a charter member of Rho Xi Omega Chapter, Baltimore's second graduate chapter.
From its inception, Robin has been serving Rho Xi Omega in a diversity of ways. She was the chapter's first Protocol Committee Chair from 1988-1989 and has held many committee leadership roles within the chapter over the decades, including the chair of the following committees: Standards (2019-2020), Nominating (2018-2019), Membership (2011-2012) Internal Awards (2005-2006). Additionally, she served as the co-chair of Platform I (2013-2014) and Rho Xi Omega's 25th and 30th Anniversary Galas in 2013 and 2018, respectively.
She is especially proud of the elected offices that she has held within the chapter, including Sergeant at Arms (2005-2006), 2nd Vice-President (2019-2000), and Rho Xi Omega's 10th President (2021-present).
At the regional and international levels, she has served on the North Atlantic Region Protocol Committee and Ethel Hedgemon Lyle Leadership Academy. Presently, she is a member of the International Diamond, Pearl, Golden, and Silver Committee.
Her most notable accomplishments have been reigniting the chapter's internal newsletter, Pearls of Wisdom; increasing the chapter's social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; developing a chapter Youtube channel; organizing RXO's first ad hoc mental health committee; leading the chapter's largest membership intake process in Fall 2021.
The chapter has recognized her for her service by awarding her the Cultured Pearl Award, Professional Award, and PIVOT Award (2022).
Robin comes from a long line of Alpha Kappa Alpha women, and she has also influenced family members who have come after her. Specifically, her mother, Mrs. Gertrude R. Smith*, was a Golden Soror and charter member of Rho Xi Omega Chapter, having been initiated in Alpha Delta Chapter (Morgan State University) in Spring 1957. Notably, Robin and all of her sisters are Silver Stars and Life Members of the sorority. Ms. Vanessa Ray, Robin's older sister, was initiated in Iota Upsilon chapter (Syracuse University) in Spring 1977, and Ms. Tometta Smith Gray, Robin's oldest sister, was initiated in Fall 1978 in the Iota chapter (University of Pittsburgh).
Her daughter, Saran Ott, was initiated into Gamma Theta chapter (Hampton University) in Spring 2007 and is currently a member of Rho Xi Omega chapter. Robin is proud that all of her living AKA family members are active members of graduate chapters in their respective cities.
She is a proud associate member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and The Links, Inc. She has also held a host of community positions including board member at the Community College of Baltimore County and School Volunteer for Sacred Heart of Glyndon.
Robin is a wife and mom to one daughter, Saran, and proud grandma to a little boy.
* deceased