Alumni Profiles

Debra Phillips Cox '84, M '87, PhD '97 Education First
Debra Phillips Cox ’84, M ’87, PhD ’97

Spring 2005

Debbie Cox of Seneca understands the importance of a Clemson education. She also knows the work involved. In the 1980s, she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in administrative supervision. In 1997, she added a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction.

Cox set some firsts along the way. She was the first student to initiate and complete Clemson’s Junior Honors Program in Education. As a graduate student, she was first to initiate and complete the Senior Honors Program in Education. And as a Ph.D. candidate, she was the first graduate with an elementary education background to finish with a 4.0.

While Cox earned advanced degrees at Clemson, she’s deepened her experience as a teacher, adjunct professor and curriculum coordinator. She’s also co-authored the college textbook Eyewitness History and contributed articles to several professional journals.

Throughout her career, Cox has received a host of honors including Children with Attention Deficit Disorder Teacher of the Year, the S.C. Council for Social Studies Teacher of the Year and the S.C. Distinguished Assistant Principal of the Year. She’s the curriculum coordinator at Northside Elementary in Oconee County.

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