Professor spotlight: Rachel Cox

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Media Contact: Bailey Stacy | Communications Coordinator, Marketing & Communications | 405-744-2700 | bailey.stacy@okstate.edu

Welcome back, everyone!

On this blog, we like being “business casual” rather than formal and that includes introductions. Have you ever wondered who your professor is outside of that 50 or 75-minute lecture or past the 8 or 16 weeks you have them in class? Have you ever wanted to know a little bit about a professor before stepping into their classroom on the first day? Now you can.

This semester we will be posting professor spotlights of our faculty here at the Spears School of Business. We have asked these professors various “get-to-know-you” questions so that you can learn more about their personalities, likes/dislikes, academic backgrounds, pet peeves and how to succeed in their classes. Our first professor spotlight is Rachel Cox.

Cox is an instructor of professional practice in the School of Accounting. She spent four years at Ernst & Young and one year at BOK Financial, both in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Cox’s academic career has always been with Oklahoma State University. She graduated from OSU in 2012 with a bachelor’s in accounting and then went on to receive her master’s in accounting that same year. She has been a part of Spears Business faculty since 2017 and is currently teaching at OSU-Tulsa. She has taught Foundational Accounting Skills, ACCT3003, for 20 semesters.

We asked Cox those all-important, nail-biting questions and this is what she had to say.

What is your go-to coffee order and from where?
Chai latte from Aspen Coffee.

What is your favorite breakfast place?
Neighborhood Jam in Tulsa

What keeps you motivated?
My dad, who passed away 4 years ago from brain cancer, was an incredible accounting professor. I stay motivated because I feel a huge responsibility to continue his teaching legacy at OSU.

How can students succeed in one of your classes?
Come to class and be curious. Being active in the discussion helps you to pay attention and really retain the material. Also, it's key to work on assignments early so you give yourself enough time to reach out for help if needed.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Students that ask me questions about things that are clearly in the syllabus.

What are your hobbies outside of work?
Being a mom. That takes up pretty much all my time. I have a 3 1/2-year-old son, Lucas, and another boy on the way, due May 2022. I also enjoy listening to audio books, organizing and tennis.

Who is your favorite musician?
I'm a huge fan of Ben Rector who grew up in Tulsa. My husband and I have been to several of his concerts.

What is your favorite documentary?
The Smartest Guys in the Room (Enron Documentary).

Story By: Alexis Hightower | alexis.hightower@okstate.edu