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Name
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Neal Cox
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Date
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Associate Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students, 2002 - 2008
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Bio
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Neal dedicated his life to the students he served. He knew that each student had something valuable to give and worked tirelessly to help them understand their true potential. His work was often conducted out and about on campus, face to face, and seldom behind a desk. He'd arrive early to work most mornings to walk the rotunda and study Japanese and he loved utilizing his Japanese with international students whenever he could!
He was an advocate for student success! During his time at SUU, he helped students ideas come to fruition like the Challenge Course, the Outdoor Recreation Center, the Convocation Series, Bread and Soup Night, and the Food Pantry that is still utilized on campus.
“Cox’s heart belongs with students” by Holly Coombs
University Journal - October 25, 2005
SUU students might recognize one member of the faculty as someone who is passionate about life as well as education and knows the importance of each student as an individual. Neal Cox, associate vice president and dean of students has been at SUU seven years, but has served in his current position for four years. Cox was hired as director of marketing and public relations in 1998 and took over as dean of students in 2002. Cox said he took the job as director of marketing and public relations because of the example his dad was when he was in public relations. “He was really good at it,” Cox said. “ I admired my father a great deal.”
Cox was born and raised in Manti, and he attended Snow College. While attending Snow, he became vice president of student services. He gained interest and taught at high schools in Idaho, Wyoming and Hawaii. Cox taught at BYU as well as Snow College until 1995, when he served an LDS mission to Chicago. He said the Board of Regents at Snow College had promised him a job when he returned from his mission, but did not give him details. President Steven D. Bennion has known Cox for 20 years. Bennion served as president of Snow College while Cox worked there. While Cox was on his mission he called Bennion and requested a letter of recommendation. He was offered the job at SUU. Bennion said Cox was highly recommended. He had known Cox 20 years and knew he would be good for the job. Cox said he chose the job because he would be working with Bennion, who was “someone (he) admired.” He said he enjoyed working in marketing but missed the students and was glad when Bennion gave him the job as dean of students. “My heart was with the students, so I opted to make the move,” he said. “I’m doing the kind of work I love (and) that I envisioned doing with my life. (I’m) doing it with a great president and most importantly wonderful students (There are) tremendous students here.” Bennion said Cox is closely involved with students. “(Cox) naturally has (a) deep interest in students and can reach out to those who are not given the attention,” he said. He said Cox has been effective in touching lives on campus. Bennion said one important part of the university is the love of students and the chance to find yourself, which is what Cox has done with this job. “If you don’t enjoy students, you shouldn’t be here,” he said. “That dimension is part of the university’s mission.” “There are opportunities to get involved to grow personally,” Bennion added. “It’s a real confidence builder.” Cox said he likes to find what students are passionate about. “If students are talking about a need and an idea, listen carefully because what they are talking about (is important),” he said. “If we will develop that idea, like the Challenge Course or like the Outdoor Recreation Center, it will be far better if we come up with the ideas ourselves.” Cox said extracurricular activities are important. “It’s not about the number of clubs, but about the number of students that have the opportunity to be connected here (that’s) important,” he said.
SUUSA President Micah Paul Keith said Cox is a great student advocate. “Neil Cox is one of the most personable kinds of people you could ever meet,” he said. “He listens and understands problems students have.” Cox said he likes to introduce students to others to help them get involved. “I like to invite students to do things, especially students who haven’t had the experience,” he said. He said getting involved does mean taking risks, but “ life is a series of risks if you want to advance in anything.” Cox said when he was a sophomore in college his roommate got him interested in choir. Even though he refused at first, Cox was glad he did it. “That opened doors to a lot of things,” he said. “I learned to love it and by the end of the year we had a barbershop quartet.” He said he enjoys working here because each day is different and education is important. “There is a dead end for people who deny themselves the opportunity for education,” Cox said.
Sen. Caytee Cox, College of Science, is Neal Cox’s daughter. “Everyone knows Dean Cox as the man on campus that “works for the students,” she said. “But to me, he is also ‘Dad.’ He was the first man in my life and we have always had a really close relationship. “In high school, it was a tradition for the two of us to go on walks around town and talk about our day, school or anything that was on our minds,” she added. “Now, in college, I stop by his office as often as I can and we’ll have lunch together or just a quick conversation. He has always put his family first, and I love him for that.” Caytee Cox said one thing she will always remember is what her dad taught her about the importance of an individual. “He taught me that everyone has something valuable to contribute if they are just given the opportunity,” she said. “No matter his or her appearance, clique, race, attitude, everybody needs a friend. I know he loves the students here at Southern Utah University. That’s just the way he is.”
Cox attended the Bread & Soup Nite on Oct. 3. While there, he told Rachelle Brewer, vice president for Clubs & Student involvement, “There’s not a place on Earth you could find better students doing better things with their lives.” He said it is sad to find people do not mingle like they used to. “People do not make eye contact or acknowledge each other,” Cox said. “Saying hi indicates “Hey, you’re important.”
DEI Beatty, student involvement director, met Cox at Snow College when he worked there. He said they work well together because they are both “passionate about students.”
Neal Cox