Parents of the Year

The Parents of the Year (POY) program is a unique family recognition program that has existed at Texas A&M since 1956. When the program began in 1956, it was known as the Aggie Mother of the Year program. Current students would nominate deserving Aggie Mothers and they would be honored at Mother’s Day ceremonies. In 1974 the award was changed to Parents of the Year, yet the selection and announcement process remained the same. Although the announcement process looks slightly different now, all other aspects of the program remain the same.

The award, given once a year, recognizes the dedication and involvement of Aggie family members. Families selected as Parents of the Year are invited to be recognized during Family Weekend events, Parents of the Year reunion events, and other campus activities.

Meet the Coxes…

2025-2026 Parents of the Year

Texas A&M University is excited to announce Kristen ’83 and David Cox as the 2025-2026 Parents of the Year. Kristen and David embody the spirit of Texas A&M through their dedication, selfless service and unwavering commitment to their family and the community.

The Coxes were nominated by their late son, Kyle Cox ’18, who passed away on January 5, 2026, during their tenure as Aggie Parents of the Year. You can read more about Kyle’s life and legacy within his obituary. Kyle held a bachelor’s and master’s degree and was near completion of his PhD in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. The Coxes were surprised by the announcement during a trip to The Association of Former Students. Kristen noted that it didn’t register for a while, saying, “I was shocked, then moved to tears.”

“It’s such an incredible honor and experience that we will treasure for the rest of our lives,” Kristen said. “We’re over the moon!”

In his nomination, Kyle wrote that his parents had a profound impact on his life. Kristen left her job to start her own computer company, which has grown into 12th Man Technology, to provide constant medical attention for Kyle, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Kristen moved to College Station with Kyle as he attended Texas A&M. At the same time, David supported the family from their home in El Paso. Kyle also noted that his father embodies selfless service by always being the first to jump in when a need presents itself.

Deeply ingrained in the Aggie Family, Kristen served as the president of the El Paso Texas A&M Club for 10 years, and 12th Man Technology has served as a sponsor of campus events, including Coach’s Night. Additionally, she served on the Aggie Women Network board, which provides mentorship, leadership development and community-building opportunities. David supports both Kyle and Kristen’s endeavors by always stepping in with a helping hand during events and projects.

The Aggie Parent and Family Ambassadors (APFA) would like to extend its gratitude to Jacqueline ‘95 and Kristopher ‘95 Knoop, the 2024-2025 Parents of the Year, for their service to the university this past year.

Every year, Texas A&M students can nominate their parents and family members to represent the university as Parents of the Year. Members of APFA, a sponsored student organization with Student Life’s New Student and Family Programs, select the winners based on their character and embodiment of the Texas A&M Core Values.