Cobb Named Student Employee of the Year

VALDOSTA - The Valdosta State University Student Employment office has named Jessica Cobb of Campus Recreation the 2008 Student Employee of the Year.

The first ever programs coordinator and ropes course facilitator, Cobb is proud to be the one who sets the standard. She began at Campus Recreation on the rock wall staff, but soon took the new position working under the supervision of Assistant Director for Aquatics and Outdoor Programs Galen Martin, who was responsible for her nomination.

"She has helped set the tone for the new ropes course program and elevated Outdoor Programs to a new level of professionalism and customer service," Martin said.

Cobb, who is passionate about the outdoors, said her work at the 11-acre Ropes Course has taught her time management, helped her define her strengths and limitations, and reinforced her belief that “working for the love of a job is more rewarding that working for money.” Cobb said she thrives off discipline and a busy schedule and enjoys her work at Campus Recreation, which requires her to utilize those skills.

In early February, VSU invited faculty and staff to nominate one of the university’s 600 student employees for VSU’s first Student Employee of the Year Award. To qualify, outstanding student employees must work for a VSU department on an hourly basis and have completed or expect to complete a minimum of six months employment during the academic year. Representatives from Career Services, Human Resources, Financial Aid, the Student Success Center and the Student Government Association chose the VSU Employee of the Year based on a rating system determined by the Southern Association of Student Employee Administrators (SASEA).

Cobb was chosen because her employers and the evaluation committee considered her reliable, qualified, motivated, professional and creative. In addition to a plaque and a $50 gift certificate to the VSU Bookstore, the Student Employee of the Year will serve at the regional level as a representative for VSU among outstanding student employees from area colleges and universities.

She is also being featured as a VSU Visionary through April 13 on VSU’s News Web site, www.valdosta.edu/news and will be honored at the Student Employee Recognition Luncheon Thursday, April 17. For more information on student employment or the Student Employee of the Year program, call Sherri Girard at (229) 333-7574.