Nancy M. Cox became dean of the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment on Jan.1, 2014. Recognizing the significant footprint and statewide role of the college, Cox was appointed in August 2020 by UK President Eli Capilouto to join his leadership team with the additional role as vice president for land-grant engagement for the University of Kentucky.
In her role as vice president, Cox supports the university’s tripartite land-grant mission of teaching, research and service to Kentucky and helps facilitate a broad range of relationships, programs and initiatives that further the university’s public engagement mission locally, across Kentucky and the world. As vice president, she fosters a cohesive and innovative outreach footprint that includes Cooperative Extension and other community-facing units to expand and enhance the university’s commitment to community-based partnerships in the areas of public health, human and behavioral nutrition, economic and community development and more to meet the needs of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Under her deanship, the college has seen tremendous growth in support of the state’s signature equine and distilled spirits industries. Most recently with creation of the Racetrack Safety Program and a landmark partnership with Beam Suntory to create the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, which will promote the welfare, prosperity and sustainability of Kentucky’s signature spirits industry.
Partnerships have played a key role in Cox’s tenure. Working closely with key stakeholder groups, government officials and industry leaders resulted in the construction of the Grain and Forage Center of Excellence at the college’s Research and Education Center in Princeton. Multidisciplinary approaches with other colleges within the UK family provide students with degrees in several stem-related disciplines and undergraduate research opportunities with faculty across a broad spectrum of fields.
She led a critical review of the college’s Cooperative Extension Service, building a new administrative model to bolster accountability, create a clear vision, develop additional support for county programming and agent mentoring, and strengthen Extension’s ability to leverage campus-to-community partnerships to support local development. She has also continued to foster the college’s relationship with Kentucky State University, the commonwealth’s 1890 land-grant institution.
Prior to her tenure as vice president and dean, Cox served the college as associate dean for research and director of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. As a renowned animal/equine physiologist and associate dean, she accelerated the college’s land-grant role as a research and engagement leader in Kentucky agriculture; prioritizing investments in veterinary diagnostics, equine health and safety, and animal and forage production—historic mainstays for the commonwealth’s flagship university.
Cox began her career at Mississippi State University, where she taught and conducted research in animal physiology. She received a bachelor’s degree from Furman University, master’s degree from University of Georgia, and doctorate from North Carolina State University.