Jennifer Cobb, the new executive director of City Year Little Rock
The nonprofit education group City Year Little Rock has named Jennifer Cobb its new executive director.
Cobb succeeds Sarah Roberson, who joined the group in 1996 and served in multiple roles before becoming the leader of its Little Rock program in 2011. Roberson left in June for a position as an education adviser at Apptegy. Shanon Ford served as interim executive director of City Year.
Cobb has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and nonprofit communications. She previously worked at UAMS as executive director of donor relations and at the Arkansas Children’s Foundation as director of communication and strategic engagement.
Before then, she was the editor of Arkansas Business Publishing Group’s Little Rock Soirée magazine.
As the head of City Year Little Rock, Cobb will oversee efforts to ensure that students at partner schools receive a high-quality education and contribute to their community.
“Ms. Cobb brings to the role a longstanding commitment to the community, and a passion to providing resources for our Little Rock schools,” said Gen. Wesley Clark, the retired four-star general from Little Rock and founding board chairman of City Year Little Rock.
The group has partnered with four schools this year, helping to tutor, mentor and provide role models for more than 3,500 students.
“It is an honor and a privilege to lead City Year Little Rock,” Cobb said in a news release. “I join a talented team of compassionate staff and AmeriCorps members who are dedicated to improving educational outcomes in my hometown. 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.”
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