Mary Jo Tippeconnic Fox

Dr. Fox is Comanche/Cherokee, an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, Research Professor of American Indian Studies, Social Scientist, and affiliate faculty in Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Arizona (UA). She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Arizona. At the UA, she is the former head of American Indian Studies, Associate Head of AIS, Assistant Vice-President for Minority Affairs, and Associate to the President for American Indian Affairs. Her teaching and scholarly activities are focused on historical and contemporary American Indian women’s issues, American Indian Studies, and American Indian education with an emphasis on higher education. Dr. Fox has numerous publications and extensive experience working with Native communities and organizations throughout the United States. Some of her experiences includes President of the World Social Science Association (WSSA), board member of WSSA council, member of National Indian Education Association board, advisor for the PBS project, Unladylike and founding council member of Comanche Nation College. 

Her scholarship includes three co-edited books, Serving Native American Students (2005), On Indian Ground, the Southwest (2021), and American Indian Studies Ph.D. Students Telling Their Stories (2022). Dr. Fox also has numerous book chapters, journal articles and book reviews including the co-authored chapters, American Indian Women Combating COVID-19: The Household Disruptor (2024) and Tribal Colleges and Universities: Where Native Students Can Simply Be (2024).  

She chairs and serves on student committees in American Indian Studies and Higher Education as well as throughout the university. Dr. Fox also advises students interested in the Certificate in American Indian Higher Education.