(FORT BEND) – Judy Cox, Texas State Technical College’s office manager in Fort Bend County, started with the college in 2001. Cox said she cannot imagine herself working anywhere else and is excited for the college’s future.
Cox handles all of the day to day duties at TSTC. She is responsible for completing and managing all clerical work, assisting students, faculty and visitors, and helping with recruiting at local community events.
“I love my job. It changes every day, it’s never the same thing,” said Cox. “I enjoy working with people and still being able to work with students, even though I’m not in a classroom setting. Watching them learn and making their own dreams come true is my favorite part.”
Cox comes to TSTC with extensive experience in office management. She worked as a division secretary at Wharton County Junior College for nearly 5 years, prior to that she worked at South Texas Medical Clinic for 3 years.
“When I came to TSTC I knew it was the right place for me,” said Cox. “I could see that technical jobs were the future and TSTC was and still is a leader in educating students for these jobs.”
Coming from a junior college herself, Cox knows the value of a one or two year certificate or degree. She is a product of WCJC, where she earned her associate of arts in 2000. She now finds it her duty to educate students and parents about the benefits of a technical education.
“Many see technical jobs as pertaining only to machinery or automobiles, but it’s so much more,” said Cox. “Many don’t realize what “technical” really is and it’s my mission to expand the knowledge because “technical” is also digital media design, computer science and dental hygiene, only naming a few.”
Cox said with the new TSTC campus opening in August 2016, she is now ready to come together with her team, more than ever, and offer the surrounding communities an affordable, hands-on technical education close to home.
“The whole area has been driven to keep us here, so when I heard about the expansion it was a dream come true,” said Cox. “The programs at our college have been tailored to the growing industries in the area. Students can now study and find a good paying job while staying close to their families.”
Family is important to Cox, she has been married for 11 years and has three daughters. Besides being busy with work, she also finds the time to volunteer at her daughters’ schools with the Parent Teacher Organization and works closely with Jump Rope for Hearts, an organization working to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.
“After my dad passed away from cardiovascular disease, we made Jump Rope for Hearts an annual family event to raise money for research,” said Cox.
Cox and her daughters also enjoy doing arts and crafts, and baking together. Decorative sugar cookies are their specialty, in addition to creating ornamental crosses out of wire and rocks.
“My girls are my pride and joy. I’m so proud of the young ladies they’re becoming,” said Cox.
When the time comes, Cox said she will encourage her daughters to attend TSTC, the way she encourages others. She said as a parent herself, she understands what it is like to want the best for your children.
“I hope prospective students and their parents keep an open mind when they tour our campus,” said Cox. “Here at TSTC you’re not just a number, you’re a name. It’s a great place to work, a great place to come to school. It’s a great place to be.”
For more information on TSTC in Fort Bend County call 281-239-1548. Registration begins April 4. You can apply anytime at tstc.edu.
Judy Cox is the Office Manager at Texas State Technical College in Fort Bend County. She has been with TSTC since 2001 and is excited for the region’s new TSTC campus to open in August 2016.