Retired university dean, farmland background
Nancy Cox, the esteemed dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) at the University of Kentucky (UK), and the inaugural vice president for land-grant engagement, has announced her plans to retire in late summer, according to UK officials on Wednesday. Cox will remain in her role until a suitable replacement is selected.
For the past two decades, Cox has been at the center of Kentucky’s university’s land-grant mission, a commitment to service and advancement of the state. “No one has been more central to that mission over the last two decades than Nancy Cox,” stated UK President Eli Capilouto.
In her roles as dean of the Martin-Gatton CAFE, and since 2020 as the inaugural vice president for land-grant engagement, Cox has significantly defined, expanded, and enhanced the University of Kentucky’s mission.
During her tenure at UK, Cox has played a pivotal role in leading a number of significant initiatives. Some notable ones include spearheading a sweeping re-examination of the Cooperative Extension Service to bolster its capacity and meet Kentucky’s growing 21st century needs; leading the establishment of innovative programs and partnerships such as the Racetrack Safety Program and James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits; overseeing a partnership worth more than $65 million with the federal government in developing a cutting-edge United States Department of Agriculture forage animal production research facility; and leading the efforts to achieve the largest gift in the institution’s history – $100 million from The Bill Gatton Foundation – to boost scholarships, academic programming, and research.
Cox joined UK in 2001 from Mississippi State University to serve as associate dean of research for Martin-Gatton CAFE. Cox’s oversight of the college’s impressive $25 million research enterprise laid the groundwork for its nearly doubled value in the present day. She was the architect behind several surging equine programs and was pivotal in creating many partnerships with private industries, such as Alltech.
A native of Georgia, Cox holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Furman University, University of Georgia, and North Carolina State University, respectively. Before moving into administrative roles, Cox distinguished herself in the field of animal physiology.
Reflecting on her decision to retire, Cox said: “It has been my honor to help lead those efforts for more than 20 years at UK — in research, extension, guiding the college and forging new efforts to expand our land-grant mission through expanded engagement efforts. We have such tremendous people, who are dedicated to this mission and who are leaders in their fields. It has been an honor to serve with and among them during a time of such growth for our university.”
Nancy Cox‘s imposing legacy and commitment are profound exemplars to follow, stated UK President Eli Capilouto. He revealed that a nationwide search will be launched for the position of dean and vice president for land-grant engagement, with hopes of a selection by early fall.
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