Antonio Roper, Director of COPC

Tony Roper has been at COPC since October 2000.  His role as Director is to oversee the general operations of the Community Outreach Partnership Center and to work with community partners to provide resources for residents of the Macedonia community.  The most rewarding aspect of this job for Tony is the ability to foster positive change in the lives of Macedonia residents by helping them reach their individual personal goals, which may range from furthering their education to gaining computer skills, in addition to gaining employment. He also enjoys helping residents with business ventures, along with writing and developing grant proposals. Mr. Roper has been a great asset to the Macedonia community and we are glad to have him as a part of COPC.

Kirk Jernigan, Tonya Fisher, and Brian Cockman

                Kirk Jernigan is a first year graduate student at UNCG with a major in Creative Writing.  Since August 2001, Kirk has been coordinating the Macedonia Neighborhood Association meetings and designing flyers. He also serves as an advisor for the publication of the Neighborhood Association's Newsletter.  He is responsible for helping to coordinate special events that may occur in the community, such as the Back to School Extravaganza and the upcoming Health Fair.  The most rewarding aspect of his job has been the chance to establish good relationships with the Macedonia residents, in addition to good working relationships with his coworkers.  Kirk plans to become a published novelist and short story writer.  He also would like to teach creative writing at the university level.

Tonya Fisher is a 2nd year Graduate Student at UNCG majoring in Public Health.  She started work at COPC in May of 2001.  Her duties include developing and maintaining COPC's website and overseeing the Senior Outreach Initiative. She assist with office duties, as well as with special events. She also facilitates the Women's Leadership and Literacy Group, which is in partnership with the American Friends Service Committee.  This group meets quarterly and explores a  wide range of topics, such as peace between different cultural and religious groups after September 11th, stress during the holidays, and Black History Month. Tonya graduates in May 2002 and will be pursuing a career in the field of public health education.  She plans to seek her doctoral degree in public health after working in the field for a couple of years.  The most rewarding aspect of her job includes working with the Women's Literacy and Leadership Group. The women develop a bond during meetings and look forward to each upcoming meeting.


Brian Cockman is a First Year Graduate Student at UNCG majoring in Public Affairs. Since August of 2001, Brian has been working with the Star Achievers Program.  He is responsible for securing donations from local businesses for awards and collaborating with others to develop an awards ceremony for the students that have brought up or have maintained their grades.  Brian also works with the Hispanic Outreach Program, which is partnered with the American Friends Service Committee.  He created Project PUEBLO in order to educate and provide leadership opportunities to the Latino population in High Point. In order to achieve this, Brian has created a "Know Your Rights and Be Safe" manual.  Brian plans to attend Law School upon graduation from UNCG with a focus on immigrant rights.  He enjoys the working environment here at COPC and the fact that he learns new things everyday.

This page was last modified on March 28, 2002.