COX HACKS
BUILDING LIFELONG CONNECTIONS An interview with Kevin Knox By: Kelsey Martin, FTMBA 2019 Ask Kevin Knox who has the best job in America, and his answer is simple: himself. As Assistant Dean of External Relations and Executive Director of the Cox Alumni Association, Knox dedicates much of his time to the relationships he has cultivated with Cox alumni around the world. He is as well-known on campus as he is at networking and fundraising events, and though he does not hold a Cox diploma, he is an integral part to students’ success on campus and alumni connections after graduation.
Friend-raising, Not Fundraising Knox is a salesman. He attended the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia and planned to “strap on a tie, carry a briefcase and sell something.” That goal led to his career at Terry College where he served as Director of Development, working with another beloved Cox family member: former dean Al Niemi. When Dr. Niemi accepted the dean position at Cox in the late 1990s, Knox joined his staff in Dallas. Knox credits Dr. Niemi with his mindset on fundraising: it’s about the friendships, not the funds. He aims to be someone who people want to have conversations with and build friendships with first and foremost. Garnering financial contributions is part of the job, but connecting with people and reminding people of the unique Cox culture allows Knox to feel like a good steward of the school.
A Knox-Approved Resource for Building Connections Knox makes networking look easy. He is warm and attentive in any conversation, travels the world for various events to meet with Cox connections, and promotes new initiatives. Knox shared a resource for anyone who is continually building a network, which applies to all MBA students: The Power of Who: You Already Know Everyone You Need to Know. This book is written by Bob Beaudine, a 1977 Cox BBA graduate, and includes applicable ideas for cultivating a productive network among people you are already connected to in your daily life. As Knox says, “it’s sort of a how-to, but takes the pressure off.” This quick read is available at the SMU Bookstore or Amazon.
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VOLUME II, ISSUE IV MUSTANG BUSINESS JOURNAL