Chancellor Christina S. Drale has announced that Emily Jordan Cox has joined the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as the new vice chancellor for university affairs, bringing more than 15 years of leadership experience in government relations and policy development.

"Emily has a deep understanding of public service and strategic collaboration that will benefit the entire UA Little Rock community," said Chancellor Drale. "Her ability to foster partnerships and implement meaningful initiatives will be invaluable as we continue our mission of service and academic excellence."

Cox most recently served as acting city manager for the City of Little Rock, where she served as the chief administrative officer, managed multi-department initiatives, and collaborated with key stakeholders to support the city's goals. Prior to that role, she was director of policy and budget for Governor Mike Beebe, where she guided the development of legislative priorities and budget planning across state agencies.

Cox's civic engagement includes leadership roles on the boards of City Year Little Rock and UA-Pulaski Technical College. She holds a Master of Education in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Southern Methodist University.

"Joining UA Little Rock is an incredible opportunity to contribute to the university's growth and serve the community in new ways," Cox said. "I am excited to be part of this exceptional team."

Cox replaces Joni Lee, who retired from UA Little Rock in December.