Robert began his professional career as an instructor at a secondary school in rural Tennessee. Since that time, he has had the privilege of serving as a faculty member and administrator at every level of the American education system. He has taught and and supervised programs at a middle school and a high school, led undergraduate and graduate courses at large regional universities, and served as a professor, dean, and vice-president at the community college level.

He currently serves as Vice-President of Academic and Student Services at Southwest Virginia Community College.