Jasmine Cox is the new executive director of the Gaston College Textile Technology and Fiber Innovation Center.

According to spokeswoman Mary Cullen, Cox most recently served as the college’s director of textile technology programs and business innovation.

Among those expressing pleasure with Cox’s new job is Gaston College President Dr. John Hauser.

“Jasmine is a natural fit for this position,” said Hauser. “She’s an energetic and passionate leader, with a strong innovative spirit that is well-respected internally and across many facets of the textile industry, both statewide and nationally. Her knowledge, skills, experience and talents in textiles and advanced materials will continue to be key to the textile technology center’s enduring success and invaluable to the new fiber innovation center to be constructed on our Kimbrell Campus.”

As executive director, Cox becomes a member of the president’s cabinet and a key member of the college’s leadership team. She has been with Gaston College and the textile technology center since 2015, serving in various roles prior to her position as director, including as a physical testing laboratory technician, a special projects co-ordinator, in process co-ordinator-testing and as of co-ordinator-business strategy and innovation.

Located on its Kimbrell Campus in Belmont, the Gaston College Textile Technology Center is a partner in the Manufacturing and Textile Innovation Network. This center, along with the new, coming-soon fiber innovation center, will allow students to get hands-on experience with the latest technology and equipment used in research and development, testing and production processes for the textile industry. Given the large textile manufacturing presence in North Carolina, particularly in Gaston and Lincoln counties, Cox will play a vital role in fostering the need for qualified and skilled industry workers.

In addition to her leadership and technical roles, Cox has been instrumental in strengthening the college’s partnership with the North Carolina State University Wilson College of Textiles, expanding its relationships with numerous customers, local and statewide manufacturers, brand developers and other advanced-material industries. She also leads the college’s two-year associate degree program in textile technology as an administrator and instructor.

Cox earned a bachelor of science degree in textile technology-supply chain operations and a master of science degree in textile management. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree from N.C. State. She holds a textile-testing essentials certificate from Zeiss Textile Extension. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Wilson College of Textiles Alumni Leadership Council, Industrial Fabrics Association International: Advanced Textiles Board, Southern Textile Association Planning Committee and the White Oak Legacy Foundation.