Leah Cox Named Special Assistant for Diversity and Inclusion

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Leah K. Cox as special assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion.

In this newly created position, Dr. Cox will focus on the university’s mission to promote a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff.   She currently serves as assistant dean of academic services as well as director of the James Farmer Scholars and the Student Transition Program (STP), both of which provide support to underrepresented students. In addition to her new role, Cox will continue to oversee the James Farmer Scholars Program and teach classes in support of STP initiatives.

Dr. Cox has the ideal credentials and has demonstrated her commitment to the issues of diversity and inclusion through her leadership of the programs she currently oversees.  She will help us build on our continuing efforts to enhance and embrace diversity, moving UMW closer to the goal of being the best public liberal arts university in the nation.   As special assistant, she will serve as a member of my executive cabinet and assist in the coordination of current diversity programs and new initiatives that best meet the needs of the UMW community.

Dr. Cox received a bachelor’s degree from Western Maryland College, a master’s degree from the University of Arizona and her doctorate from the University of Maryland.

Richard V. Hurley
President