Dr. Bobbie G. Cox: WPCC Gave Me A Thirst for Knowledge
Morganton, NC— Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) graduate Dr. Bobbie G. Cox’s road to doctoral degree success began when she took a few general courses at WPCC after high school and during her employment with the Morganton Police Department (MPD). Bobbie quickly found the law interesting and decided to take even more classes. With educational incentives available through MPD, Bobbie was set on a Criminal Justice (CJ) degree.
While Bobbie was at ease in classrooms with other adult students like herself, she also sensed their lack of self- confidence. Bobbie pushed through to complete her CJ degrees in 1978, knowing the tools to change her future were in her grasp. She returned to her career at MPD with her new degree as well as the life lessons she had learned at WPCC.
Bobbie returned to school at Gardner-Webb University (GWU), completing her bachelor’s degree in 1987. Now she knew she would blend her two loves of the law and education to create a teaching career. With firm resolve, Bobbie began her master’s degree at Appalachian State University, a goal requiring a drive from Morganton to Boone a few nights every week. This was in addition to her work at MPD and a part-time position at Gardner-Webb teaching criminal justice. After finishing her master’s degree at GWU, Bobbie began a new career as a Department of Justice (DOJ) instructor and administrator in state government, a role she enjoyed for the next 12 years.
As much as she loved her DOJ teaching position, Bobbie felt called back to Gardner-Webb in 2004. With a doctoral degree from the University of North Carolina to her credit, Dr. Bobbie Cox was ready to serve as GWU’s associate provost in the College of Adult and Distance Education.
“The timing was right for me to return to Gardner-Webb,” she explained. “I am so energized by my work and truly happy to go to work each day. I feel extremely fortunate to know that education is my career fit. I found that I had a thirst for knowledge, and it all started at Western Piedmont.”
As she sees adult learners returning to school at GWU, Bobbie recalls her earlier days at WPCC and uses those life lessons today.
“My goal is to be involved in inspiring others to grow their educations,” Bobbie offered. “I want to help motivate our students to pursue more and to make time in their lives to seek out learning opportunities. Education is for anyone who is willing to focus on making it happen. Going back to school can change the future: it certainly has for me!”
WPCC’s Criminal Justice Technology degree is designed to provide knowledge of criminal justice systems and operations. Study focuses on local, state, and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections, and security services. In addition, the program emphasizes criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics, and community relations. Employment opportunities exist in a variety of local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, and security fields. To learn more about WPCC’s program, please contact Danny Dixon, program coordinator, at (828) 448-6047.
Western Piedmont Community College is situated in the picturesque rolling foothills of Morganton, North Carolina and has served the citizens of Burke County since 1964. Each year, more than 10,700 students pursue personal enrichment, new skills for a job or career, high school diplomas, college degrees, and transfer pathways. Registration for Summer semester is Wednesday, May 27. Apply online or visit the Western Piedmont Campus to apply in person.