City Year Little Rock recently named Jennifer Cobb as the organization’s new executive director.
City Year is a nonprofit organization which works to help students and schools succeed. Teams of City Year AmeriCorps Members provide support to students, classrooms and the whole school, helping to ensure that students in key partner schools receive a high-quality education that prepares them with the skills and mindsets to thrive and contribute to their community. A 2015 study shows that schools that partner with City Year were up to two-to-three times more likely to improve on math and English assessments. A member of the AmeriCorps national service network, City Year is supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service, local school districts and private philanthropy. City Year partners with public schools in 29 communities across the U.S. and through international affiliates in the U.K. and South Africa.
“We are pleased to welcome Jennifer as the executive director of City Year Little Rock,” said General (ret.) Wesley K. Clark, founding board chair of City Year Little Rock. “Ms. Cobb brings to the role a longstanding commitment to the community, and a passion to providing resources for our Little Rock schools.”
Cobb is an authentic, data-driven leader with more than 20 years of diverse experience in healthcare and nonprofit communications, fundraising, and marketing. A storyteller at heart, Cobb most recently served as the Executive Director of Donor Relations for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Prior to that, she held roles at Arkansas Children’s Foundation, and Arkansas Business Publishing Group. Jennifer graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Rhodes College in Memphis and is also a proud Alumna of Hall High school.
“It is an honor and a privilege to lead City Year Little Rock. I join a talented team of compassionate staff and AmeriCorps members who are dedicated to improving educational outcomes in my hometown,” said Cobb. “Students are now in the third year of disrupted learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than ever, our work in schools is critical in bridging the gap for children performing below grade level. I look forward to partnering with our community and school district to help students and schools succeed.”
This year, City Year Little Rock AmeriCorps members are serving full-time in four key partner schools in Little Rock, reaching more than 3,500 students each day. During their year of service, AmeriCorps members serve as tutors, mentors, and role models, preparing students with the skills and mindsets to succeed in school and in life.
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