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Jessica Cobb

An only child from a growing suburb of Atlanta, Jessica Cobb has always been able to adapt and excel. She was president of her senior class, co-president for her youth group and a strong athlete. When a severe knee injury ended her career in sports, Cobb pushed through her recovery and changed her focus to helping other injured athletes as a trainer. She set her sights on orthopedic surgery and chose the sports medicine program at VSU as the first step in her education. However, as she considered her life as a surgeon, expecting long hours and always being on call, Cobb realized that her heart would be more fulfilled if she was truly changing the lives of children through education, finding her future husband, starting a family and achieving her dream of a well-rounded life.

Cobb plans to use her degree in education as channel to minister to children. The outdoor programs coordinator for VSU enjoys rock climbing, rafting and skydiving; she dreams of traveling to Greece; and hopes to one day be awarded Teacher of the Year. She works hard at school and in her job, producing quality that has made people take notice. As the first ever Student Employee of the Year, Cobb leads by example, thrives on discipline and remains ready to adapt and succeed in every situation life throws her.

Academic Year: Senior
Academic Standing or GPA: Dean's List 3.79
Expected Graduation (semester/year): December 08
Degree Objective: Early Childhood Education

Employer: Campus Recreation: Outdoor Programs

Hometown: Marietta, GA
High school: McEachern High School c/o 05

Achievements:
HOPE Scholarship Recipient
HOPE Promise Scholarship Recipient
First Year Scholar
Dean's List since Fall 2006
Golden Key International Honor Society
Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society
National Scholars Honor Society
Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
Employee of the Semester for Campus Recreation: Outdoor Programs
Valdosta State University Student Employee of the Year 2007-2008
Outdoor Adventure Club Treasurer

I chose to attend VSU because…
I liked the small school environment. I didn't feel like another number like I did when visiting larger universities like UGA. I was also very impressed by the recent win by the football team at the 2004 National Championship Game. I started out as a sports medicine major and was very impressed with the program as well.

My favorite things to do on campus are…
Hang out at the Rec Center with my friends ,whether I'm working for Outdoor Programs or just up there working out.

When I have free time, I like…
I have very little free time because I'm taking a 20-hour course load, work a minimum of 6 hours a week, and teach 6 hours a week; however, when I do have free time I like to watch movies, hang out with my friends and catch up on sleep!

My favorite place to study is…
In my room

If I could describe myself in three words...
determined; teacher; energetic

The most exciting thing I've done is…
Skydiving

My favorite professor was…
Dr. Sheryl Dassinger

My favorite class was…
READ 3500 - Teaching Children to Read in the Primary Grades

If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
My grandparents. They all passed away before I was old enough to really remember them.

Growing up, the person I looked up to the most was....
My cousin Allan. I looked up to him as an older brother. He broke his neck and remained strong throughout his recovery.

If I knew I could not fail, I would…
Compete in a triathlon to raise money for children with special needs.

After graduation, I plan to…
Attend graduate school, eventually move back to Atlanta, teach in an elementary school gifted classroom, start a family, move out West to Colorado, continue teaching, and get involved in some sort of outdoor education program for less advantaged and/or special needs children.

The one VSU experience I will always remember is…
Storming the field at the National Championship Game when the 2007 Blazers won the game!