RALEIGH — North Carolina Community Colleges President Jeff Cox announced he will retire at the end of the 2026 fiscal year, according to an Aug. 1 press release by the community college system.
“Serving as president of the North Carolina Community College System has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Cox said in the release. “As a first-generation college student from rural Alleghany County, I could never have imagined that one day I would lead the state’s community college system.”
“Our colleges play a pivotal role in changing the lives of 600,000-plus students every year. I’m so proud of the impact our colleges make every day, and I am honored to be a part of this system. I look forward to continuing this important work over the next year.”
According to the press release, Cox wanted to give his notice early so the state board would have ample time to do an appropriate search for his replacement.
Cox’s successor will have to be confirmed by the General Assembly, according to the 2023 Appropriations Act, which was enacted after Cox took up his current role.
Over the past decade, there has been one acting president, three interim presidents and four full presidents of the North Carolina Community Colleges (NCCC), including Cox, who has been in the role since June 1, 2023.
After Cox, the next longest serving full president was Peter Hans, who was installed in May 2018 and served for two and a quarter years before becoming president of the UNC System during the summer of 2020.
While president of the NCCC, Cox was instrumental in raising more than $40 million over the last year for the 58 schools in the system, as well as aligning its programs with labor market needs.
Cox also oversaw aspects of Propel NC, the NCCC’s new business model focused on connecting students and aligning the system’s program funding with high-demand jobs and workforce priorities.
“Dr. Cox stepped up at a critical moment and brought much-needed stability and experience to the system, serving with heart,” said Tom Looney, chair of the State Board of Community Colleges. “We thank him for his service and unwavering commitment to our colleges, students, and communities across North Carolina.”
Before serving as NCCC president, Cox was the president of Wilkes Community College for nine years, during which time the student completion rate more than doubled.
Cox, who is from Sparta, has spent his life in education. His early years were in K-12 schools, working as an English teacher, an assistant principal in a Union County school and ending as the superintendent of Alleghany County Schools.
