North Carolina Community College System President Jeff Cox Announces Retirement

08.01.25

North Carolina Community College System President Jeff Cox Announces Retirement

RALEIGH, N.C. – Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the North Carolina Community College System, has announced plans to retire at the end of the fiscal year in June 2026. Cox, who has led the 58-college system since 2023, will conclude a distinguished career in public education and higher education leadership. Cox noted that he wanted to give this notice early so that the State Board would have adequate time to conduct a comprehensive search process to find the next System President to take the reins on July 1, 2026.

During his tenure as System President, Cox has led the System to develop a new vision statement focused on improving the economic mobility of students while aligning the colleges’ programs to meet the labor market demands in high-wage, high-demand jobs. Cox has also overseen the development and early implementation of Propel NC — a new business model for the community college system focusing more attention on building sustainable funding for high-demand workforce sectors. He helped drive a statewide enrollment recovery, strengthened partnerships with K-12 schools and universities, and with business and industry partners. Cox also played a pivotal role in advancing the fundraising efforts of the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation, which raised over $40 million in the last year to support the 58 local colleges.

“Serving as president of the North Carolina Community College System has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Dr. Cox. “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+ 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.”

Before becoming System President, Dr. Cox served as president of Wilkes Community College for nine years, where he led a five-year strategic plan focused on economic mobility and improving student success. During Cox’s tenure at Wilkes CC, the college more than doubled its completion rate for students. Cox was one of 40 community college leaders nationally selected as an Aspen Presidential Fellow for Community College Excellence. Earlier in his career, he was superintendent of Alleghany County Schools — where he helped achieve the district’s highest academic performance on record — and held leadership roles in K–12 education across the state. A native of Alleghany County, Cox holds degrees from Appalachian State University and UNC Charlotte and has served on several statewide commissions, including MyFutureNC and the Governor’s School Board of Governors.

State Board of Community Colleges Chair Tom Looney praised Cox’s leadership and long-term impact.

“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.”

The State Board of Community Colleges will outline a formal transition process in the months ahead.

Media Contact:

Nathan Hardin

Executive Director of Communications

North Carolina Community College System

hardinn@nccommunitycolleges.edu