Eastern graduate Katie Cox has been appointed as the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s new student representative.

Cox, who graduated from Eastern in May, 2002, was appointed as the student representative by Illinois Gov. George Ryan.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said Cox. “I’ll be representing close to a million students.”

Cox will be attending the University of Illinois-Springfield this fall beginning graduate work in policy studies.

Although Cox is not for sure whether she will pursue a law degree or her master’s, she is sure about being an educator.

“I would like to someday teach at the college level,” Cox said.

While at Eastern, Cox earned a B.A. in political science, served as Student Body President, Chair of the IBHE Student Advisory Committee and was chosen as Eastern’s Outstanding Senior of the Year.

As a student advocate, Cox pushed issues such as affordability and accountability at Illinois colleges and universities.

Cox said while she was at Eastern she was most encouraged and influenced by Interim President Lou Hencken.

“I got to work with Mr. Hencken when he was Vice President for Student Affairs and he was always supportive,” Cox said. “He always supported me, even when we disagreed.”

Cox will succeed John Thompson as IBHE student representative.