ATSU-MOSDOH student emphasizes community dentistry and leadership in Kirksville
Posted: March 25, 2026
Meet Harlie Robinson, D2, a standout member of the ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) class of 2028. Hailing from the small town of Jonesboro, Louisiana, Robinson brought her passion for science and service to Kirksville after graduating from Louisiana Tech University in 2022 with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry.
At ATSU-MOSDOH, Robinson has seamlessly blended her love for community with her professional ambitions. When she isn’t mastering the complexities of oral healthcare or serving as a student ambassador, you can likely find her on the intramural fields or training for her next half-marathon.
In this Q&A, Robinson shares why Kirksville felt like a “home away from home” and how ATSU-MOSDOH is preparing her to lead her own dental practice with confidence.
Why did you choose ATSU-MOSDOH?
“I am originally from a small town and the small town of Kirksville really stood out to me as another home away from home. I especially loved ATSU-MOSDOH’s commitment to serving the underserved and focusing on whole person healthcare, as dentistry isn’t just about the mouth, but also the link it has to systemic health.”
What do you enjoy about being an ATSU student?
“I enjoy all the intramural sports that I get to play, not only with my classmates, but also the ATSU-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine students. Being involved in extracurricular activities like intramurals or student organizations gives me the opportunity to step away from the classroom for a little while and have fun with other students!”
What do you hope to achieve professionally, and how is ATSU helping prepare you for your career?
“In the future, my ultimate goal is to own my own dental practice and treat individuals of all types of backgrounds. ATSU-MOSDOH gives a great opportunity to work with very medically complex patients, and patients that may have the most extreme cases. Not only do we get to treat these patients, but we are specifically taught how to treat these medically complex patients and very complex cases, so when I get out of dental school I will feel confident in my ability to tackle the majority of the dental cases that come my way in my practice.”
Why did you choose to join different student organizations, including Still Caring Health Connection (dental president), Student Government Association (class secretary), and American Student Dental Association?
“I joined Still Caring as a way to get more hands-on experience with patients and enhance my ability to communicate effectively with patients. I became a first-year representative during my D1 year and continued my membership through D2 year, when I became dental president. Within this organization, we provide free medical and dental care, such as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), labs and vitals, dental screenings, and cleanings, to the underserved or uninsured communities around northeast Missouri.”
Why did you become a student ambassador, and what do you enjoy about serving in this role?
“I became a student ambassador because I wanted to connect with prospective students and tell them all of the great opportunities that ATSU has to offer, and have loved getting to do this over the past few months.”
What are some of your interests, hobbies, or achievements outside of ATSU?
“I love sports. I played softball for the majority of my life and I still love going to play with friends. This past year I also started running more, and have since completed a 5K and two half-marathons. I also enjoy drawing/painting for fun.”