Marcus S. Cox, Ph.D., has been named dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Fayetteville State University. Cox officially assumed the role as of Aug. 1. Prior to his role at FSU, Cox was a fellow at the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. Additionally, he has served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. While there, he was also the founding director of the African American and Diaspora Studies program.

Provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs Monica T. Leach, Ed.D. commented on behalf of the campus staff’s enthusiasm to welcome Cox aboard: “His wealth of military expertise coupled with his vast knowledge in American history, African American history and military service make him an exceptional addition to our faculty and our leadership team. I am delighted as well that our students will have such an outstanding scholar and educator to further enrich their academic experience here.” 

Cox’s specializations include African American civil-military history, the Modern Civil Rights Movement, African American history, and U.S. history post-1945. He is the author of over 24 articles, reviews, and book chapters in peer-reviewed journals and academic publications on the history of African American military history, black higher education and military training programs at black colleges and universities. He also wrote “Segregated Soldiers: Military Training at Historically Black Colleges in the Jim Crow South” (Louisiana State University Press).

Cox is currently working on a book project that details the life and contributions of several unknown local civil rights activists who were also military veterans in Louisiana and Alabama in the post-World War II era. His vision is to inspire modern young Americans with this story of sacrifice, courage, and servant-leadership in communities throughout the Deep South and showcase how the fight for racial justice and equality historically connects to military service and training.