Cox appointed assistant director

“As interim assistant director, Dr. Cox has provided excellent leadership to the Oklahoma 4-H program and DASNR,” said Robert E. Whitson, vice president, dean and director of agricultural programs at OSU. “We are extremely pleased to have Charles as a permanent member of our leadership team.”

 As assistant director, Cox will provide innovative leadership and direction for the development, implementation and evaluation of the statewide 4-H Youth Development program. He also will serve as state 4-H program leader and represent Oklahoma at the regional and national levels.

Cox said this is an exciting time since the Oklahoma 4-H program celebrates its centennial in 2009.

“We are celebrating our strong heritage while looking strategically to the future.  In the past 100 years the face of 4-H has changed.  While I would never support abandoning our rural heritage we must acknowledge the ever increasing needs for positive youth development programs in urban centers of the state,” Cox said. “My goal is to increase our presence with programs that appeal to urban youth.  Likewise we will strive to make sure all youth want to be part of 4-H.  Last year the Oklahoma 4-H program reached more than 134,000 youth with their first educational experience from the land-grant university system. As the assistant director I will do all I can to encourage all 4-H members to seek an education beyond the public school level, preferably at OSU.”

He earned his doctorate in agricultural education with an emphasis in education administration in 1994; his master’s degree in agricultural education in 1988; and his bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 1979, all from OSU. In addition he has an associate’s degree in agriculture from Murray State College.

 Cox began his career in the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service in 1979 as an Extension educator in Woods County. In 1981 he moved to Logan County where he served as an agricultural agent and county Extension director, before coming to OSU in 1988.

Cox has been featured in a number of publications, as well as having served as principal investigator for thousands of dollars worth of grants. He is a member of Oklahoma Association of Extension 4-H Agents, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Southwest American Livestock Foundation and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity. He is a professor in the department of agricultural education, communications and leadership and also serves as the faculty advisor for Collegiate 4-H.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
 
Trisha Gedon
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
Oklahoma State University
136 Printing Services Building
Stillwater, OK  74078
405-744-3625 (phone)
405-744-5739 (fax)
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu