James Cox, who was appointed director of the Joe Crowley Student Union during summer 2021, started his career at the University in May 2013 as an associate director of programming. Throughout his tenure at the JCSU, Cox earned a reputation as a student-focused professional who spent long hours not only crafting experiences and events at the JCSU but in befriending and mentoring scores of students.
In a message to the campus community in early January following Cox’s passing, Vice President of Student Services Shannon Ellis wrote that upon being named director of the JCSU, Cox “… took the job extremely seriously. In fact, he continued to make students his top priority. He was asked during his interview for the director’s position how he would be able to give the numerous administrative and budgetary considerations of the position their full attention while continuing to be such a staunch advocate for students. His answer: ‘I didn’t get into this not to mentor students.’
“He saw beauty and potential in every student he ever hired to work at the student union; he saw our future in the dreams of every student of our University.”
Cox, 48, had previous professional experience at the University of Memphis and Virginia Tech University.
