Jeffrey Cox ’01

Distinguished Alumni Award

Jeffrey Cox, a lifelong champion of North Carolina public education, became the 11th president of the North Carolina Community College System in June 2023, the third largest system in the United States. Prior to being named president, he served as president of Wilkes Community College, superintendent of Alleghany County Schools, assistant superintendent for Lee County Schools and principal of Benton Heights Year-Round School in Union County.

At Wilkes Community College, Jeff more than doubled the completion rate at the college, raised $20 million for strategic initiatives and created a five-year strategic plan seen as a national model for other institutions. In 2017 he was one of 40 college leaders in the country awarded an Aspen Institute Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence. Jeff serves on a number of boards including the North Carolina State Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research Advisory Board, the North Carolina Association of Community College Presidents and the Wilkes Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.

Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree in English—secondary education and his master’s degree in school administration from Appalachian State University. He earned his Ph.D. in educational leadership from the Cato College of Education.