Dr. Cox is a faculty member in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University. Among his numerous leadership positions, he was former chair of the African American Advisory Council to the Governor of Arizona, chairperson for the Arizona State Black Faculty, Staff, and Student Caucus, and board member of the Maricopa County Appellate Nominating Committee. An Honor Graduate, Officers Candidate School (OCS), Dr. Cox holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserves.

He received his master of science degree in education management from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and his doctorate in education-business/finance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.