Josh Coombes

For Josh Coombes college was the logical next step. “I decided to go to college because I always excelled when it came to academics,” Josh shared. “Going to college was the only way for me to pursue my goal [at the time] of being a teacher."

Josh said his first semester was a bit of a struggle because he couldn’t decide if he wanted to continue to pursue teaching. Like many students Josh wrestled with this decision, and he eventually changed his major – this time to political science with minors in speech and Spanish. “It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Josh said.

When asked if he were given the chance to go back and share some friendly advice with his freshman self, Josh replied, “I would want to go back and tell myself that I am smart enough to be in college and capable of anything that I set my mind to.”

Josh is thankful for his parents, who never hesitated to help him and always showed him unconditional love and support.

In addition he expressed how influential some of the UAFS faculty have been to him. He named specifically Dr. Williams Yamkam, Lynda McClellan, and Carolyn Thompson. “I’m grateful for them shaping me into the professional that I am today. They always made themselves available to share whatever advice they had with me.”

After graduation in May 2020, Josh planned to use his degree in political science to help him find employment with a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C.

This is Josh Coombes, and he is #First2Go.