Southern Miss CEEE Director Wilcox Receives Rising Star Award

James Wilcox, director for the Center of Economic and Entrepreneurship Education (CEEE) at The University of Southern Mississippi, received the Rising Star Award at the 53^rd Annual Financial Literacy and Economic Education Conference Awards dinner earlier this month in Dallas, Texas.

The National Association of Economic Educators and the Council for Economic Education sponsor the Rising Star Award, which recognizes an individual who has been a member of the economic education network for seven years or less. The award identifies someone who has “hit the ground running” and made extraordinary contributions to economic education programs and services early in his/her career.

Wilcox notes that without the support network at Southern Miss and throughout the state, this recognition would not have been possible. “It's always my desire to invest myself in things that are bigger than myself, that improve lives, and that force me to push through my own boundaries and develop partnerships,” he commented. 

The Rising Star Award encourages and acclaims the individual who has met the challenges of providing economic education service early on and who demonstrates the dedication and potential to be a strong leader in the future.

Wilcox has served as the director for the CEEE in the College of Business since 2011. In addition to his partnership work with the Mississippi Council on Economic Education, he also leads the Southern Entrepreneurship Program (SEP). This program provides numerous opportunities for Mississippi teachers and students to practice their entrepreneurship skills and run student businesses that positively affect the economy of Mississippi. 

He states that his position with Southern Miss and the CEEE consistently provide him with opportunities to make high impact investments in the future of the state. “Those personal desires are constantly upheld through my efforts to advance the state of financial literacy, economic thinking, and entrepreneurial vision with Mississippi's K-12 education systems.”

The Community Development Society also recently honored Wilcox with the Donald W. Littrell New Professional Award. Wilcox holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (International Business) and a Master of Science in Economic Development, both from the University of Southern Mississippi.