Introduction by Rebecca Lazo: I met Cobey at the New Jersey Inclusive College Summit in 2022. He was on a panel with other students from TCNJ and Bergen Community College. I was very impressed with Cobey. He spoke very well, and shared how he had advocated for himself on campus. I was so impressed that I asked him to write something for our TPSID Annual Report (see page 28 of the report). I kept in touch with Cobey since then because I wanted to follow his story, especially to see how his advocacy skills might benefit him. He shares his story below about how things are going for him at TCNJ, and the best news? Cobey and a teammate from TCNJ applied for the 2025 Think College Policy Advocates and they were selected! This will be a perfect opportunity for Cobey to grow his advocacy skills.
My name is Cobey Meyer, this is a little bit about me. I am 23 years old and I am very into movies and sitcoms. My favorite sitcom is Seinfeld, it is my comfort show. I could watch it over and over and over again. My favorite sports team is the New York Mets, I am a huge baseball fan. I am very passionate about advocacy. I didn't always have an intellectual disability but I like to think that it changed my life for the better. I would not have met the people and had the experiences I had without my brain injury and medical condition that happened to me.
I would like to tell you a little bit about my experience with the TCNJ Career and Community Studies (CCS) program. I arrived here as an articulation* student after finishing the Bergen Community College Turning Point Program. I got my SERV safe certificate. I also got a certificate in hospitality. I also received the achievement award for being the most well-rounded student academically, vocationally, and socially. Turning Point helped me realize that I wanted to continue my education and transfer to The College of New Jersey Career and Community Studies program.
The CCS program taught me how to be more independent with their on-campus living experience. It taught me how to clean several rooms in a house with their living practices that we do daily and weekly. In addition to the living practices, I experienced a great academic experience. I took several CCS courses and got great grades. I also took electives of my choice for my fall and spring semester. I also made Dean’s list both semesters. CCS provides a great academic experience with my mentors' support. The mentors are not just supporting you academically, they are also supporting you socially. Some of my new best friends are mentors from the CCS program.
CCS provided me with a lot of social opportunities as well. I became the co-buddy chair of the TCNJ Best Buddies chapter. I will be attending the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Indiana, representing the TCNJ chapter along with some other students. I also am working on starting a People First TCNJ chapter with the DD council. This club is an advocacy club focusing on making lives better for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Speaking of advocacy, I applied and got accepted into the Think College Policy Advocate Program. I cannot wait to be a changemaker. These experiences with Best Buddies and the People First chapter have taught me a lot about inclusion and integration. Now since being involved in these two organizations my interests have shifted from SERV safe and hospitality that I received at Turning Point to trying to become an advocate for people with disabilities. During my second year at TCNJ I have set my goals even higher. I want to continue with finishing my club (People First), become an executive board member for a club called Breaking Down Barriers, and make Dean's list again. I also want to get an internship with a place that is advocating and supporting people with disabilities. TCNJ CCS program has allowed me and empowered me to dream big to use my education to do what I want with my life.
*Articulation is when one college accepts all the credits from another college when a student transfers.