2008 Award for Counseling Excellence Winner Bob Holcombe has been a split counselor for Columbia HS, Sweeny HS, and the Brazosport College since 1999. Prior to his service to the school districts he was a counselor at Brazosport College. Under his guidance, literally hundreds of students from Columbia HS and Sweeny HS have accessed the Brazosport College system for dual credit, concurrent credit, and process technology career paths. His ability to liase between the districts and college has been an invaluable service to each institiution. Due to his vigilance and guidance, a number of career paths have opened up for students in our community, allowing them to have a more enriched and fulfilling life and adding to the value of the community he services.

Mr. Holcombe has always had a very calm and gentle demeanor. He quietly goes about working with students, lining up college courses, making inquiries, following up on needs, and taking care of business. He has always been at work. This past year Mr. Holcombe experienced a very deep tragedy with his family. Yet, he continues to be the kind and gentle counselor for the students, always there for them, always at work, quiet and calm. Most people would be very changed and angry with what he has encountered, yet he does not exhibit this behavior and he remains a very efficient professional; committed to serving and helping the students. He advises students about paths open to them, what tests to take, what courses are useful or needed, what steps they need to take to be prepared and enrolled. He works with the college to clear the path for students needing special arrangements. He works closely with the college to tell them about the needs and questions students have brought to him. He helps the college expand and roll out additional courses and career paths to meet the needs of the communities. Mr. Holcombe works with the district and high school to keep us informed of changes, to articulate agreements, to implement current course sequences in our course catalogues, and to properly code the students classes. Mr. Holcombe has worked with the community business partners to assist with grants and materials and to assure the students know about them and access them. Congratulations to both the winners from our Counselors’ & Administrators’ Extravaganza