Alumni Spotlight
Lady Cox
Lady Rhodes Cox was hesitant to attend MSU since Starkville was her hometown. However, the welcoming spirit of the MSU community quickly outweighed the fact that campus was right in her own backyard.
“After visiting other campuses, I realized Mississippi State was so much more welcoming than other places,” said Cox. “It really was home.”
A 1998 graduate in communication studies, Cox was heavily involved on campus and worked several jobs that taught her the value of hard work.
“I was deeply engaged in campus life, participating in Chi Omega, Student Association (serving in both Senate and Cabinet), and the Orientation Leader program, each of which allowed me to build lasting relationships while developing leadership, communication, and service-focused skills,” Cox recalled. “I also worked continuously throughout my college years, holding a wide range of positions—from serving sandwiches at Oby’s and making custom shirts at The Lodge, to collecting debts and working in several marketing roles. These experiences shaped my work ethic, adaptability, and appreciation for learning in both practical and professional environments.”
As a communication student, Cox appreciated the small class sizes and one-on-one advising that fostered meaningful relationships with her professors. She credits the communication faculty with making a lasting impact.
“Dr. Mark Gring was influential not only for his academic rigor, but for the time and genuine attention he gave to each of his students,” noted Cox. “As my advisor, he understood my particular challenges and met them with both honesty and encouragement. After an especially difficult semester, he pointed to a sign behind his desk that read, ‘A’ students research, ‘B’ students teach, ‘C’ students rule the world,’ and assured me that I would be just fine—a moment of reassurance I have never forgotten.”
The leadership and communication skills she developed at MSU carried directly into her professional career. Following graduation, Cox began her career with International Paper in Memphis working in paper sales. She remained in sales until returning to Mississippi State University to join the housing department in a communications role. Cox eventually launched the Office of Parent Services at MSU, a first of its kind at the university.
“After working for the MSU Dean of Students Office to establish parent services, I later moved to Auburn University to establish its Office of Parent & Family Programs, where I have spent the past 16 years in progressively senior roles overseeing a range of functional areas,” said Cox. “I earned a master’s degree in Student Affairs from Auburn University and a doctorate in Higher Education from the University of Georgia.”
Cox currently serves as associate vice president for Student Affairs at Auburn University overseeing Auburn Cares, Student Conduct, Student Counseling and Psychological Services, Parent and Family Programs and Greek Life.
“At its core, my work centers on creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect, grow and thrive outside the classroom during their time at Auburn,” Cox noted. “I am passionate about supporting students and helping them reach their full potential. There is no guidebook for navigating college, and I find great purpose in serving as a guide along the way.”
One lesson Cox carried forward from her time at MSU is that education does not end at graduation.
“Education truly requires a lifelong commitment to developing new skills, discovering new strengths, and continuing to grow.”.
Cox believes storytelling is one of the most important skills in lifelong learning.
“The power of storytelling is remarkable,” Cox said. “During my time at MSU, I learned how to step onto a stage and tell a story that captures and holds an audience’s attention. I also developed the ability to translate those stories into written and digital formats. Today, I continue to apply those same skills through social media storytelling. While the platforms and formats may evolve, the core principles of effective communication remain the same.”
A recent example of Cox’s work in storytelling can be seen on the @AuburnParents Instagram account.
Reflecting on her time at MSU, Cox recalls one story that still makes her laugh.
“The Alumni Association once hosted a week‑long campus history and landmarks scavenger hunt,” Cox laughed. “I entered with three fellow Chi Omegas and former Orientation Leaders—and we won handily. Only after winning did we learn our reward was dinner with Jackie Sherrill, the head football coach. The problem? None of us knew much about football, and we weren’t exactly regulars at the games. Fortunately, Coach Sherrill was a great sport. He patiently entertained our many questions—most of which had absolutely nothing to do with football—and turned an unlikely prize into a memorable evening.”
In her free time, Cox enjoys traveling and looks forward to exploring new hobbies once she and her husband become empty nesters.
“One of my favorite hobbies is international travel,” noted Cox. “I’m always trying to stay ahead of my age by having visited more countries than the years I’ve been alive, which gets a little harder every year. With my oldest daughter now in college and my second not far behind, I’m also starting to explore a few new hobbies to keep myself busy as I move toward an empty‑nest phase. Travel is still my biggest passion, but I’m enjoying figuring out what’s next.”
While much of her professional life in recent years has been steeped in orange and blue, she still remembers what color she bleeds.
“I may work at another SEC school now, but anyone who stops by my office knows I still bleed maroon.”