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Nancy Cobb, the director of this college's Gateway to College program, arrived on this campus in January, possessing 32 years of educational experience, and most important, a fierce passion and commitment to education.
The program gives at-risk high school students as well as drop- outs a second chance. Last year, in Bexar County alone, 1,500 students dropped out of high school. This program is designed to turn those statistics around.
The program's goal is for the student to obtain a high school diploma within two years, and earn college credit toward an associate's degree at the same time. Classes will be on this campus.
Students will be placed in a core group with 25 students and a team leader during the first semester in hopes they will build relationships and a sense of community; each student also will be provided counseling and receive an individual plan to achieve goals.
"We want every single student that comes through this program to know that we care about them and have absolute confidence that they can be successful," Cobb said.
A native Texan, Cobb graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in education from Southwest Texas State University and a master's in administration from Stephen F. Austin.
An ailing, beloved grandmother's wish was to see her first grandchild graduate from college. "I did my undergraduate degree in three years to fulfill my grandmother's wish. Years later, I wondered if it was a ploy when she was still alive to see me graduate with my master's degree," Cobb said.
Self-directed at an early age, Cobb knew her career choice by eighth grade. "I knew I would be a violin teacher or a physical education teacher."
Her freshman college music teacher announced, "You are in the wrong class." The college could not provide the musical degree she needed so she pursued a career in physical education instead.
Cobb's love of teaching has taken her from the challenges of the daily classroom to administrative positions such as vice principal, principal and associate superintendent for administration/operations of Comal School District. She has worked with all ages of students, from elementary, middle school and high school in Comal County to college age at Howard Payne University.
Cobb's focus is finding "just the right staff" to fill the needed teaching positions for the Gateway to College program to kick off in the fall. "We are looking for teachers who have the same commitment and passion that President Robert Zeigler feels about the program," Cobb said.
The Gateway to College Web site credits Portland Community College as establishing this educational model to address high school dropout rates. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its funding partners granted Portland Community College $10.25 million over seven years to replicate the program.
"We want students who want a second chance to have an opportunity," Cobb said.
The grant, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will accept only 50 students for August 2007 classes, drawing applicants from partnering districts: Alamo Heights, Comal, Northside, North East and San Antonio. In three years, enrollment is expected to be at 300.
Cobb's enthusiasm for the program is contagious. She said her happiest day will be when a student walks up to her and says, "I didn't like going to school before, but I do now."
Student application forms will be available in the next two weeks. The requirements for eligibility into the program are: 16-20 years of age, able to complete a high school diploma by the age of 21, no more than 17 high school credits and be able to read at an eighth grade level. Students must undergo a personal interview for acceptance into the program and need to reflect a great desire for a second chance at their education.
For more information, call Cobb at 733-2478.
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