Suzette Walden Cole, Ph.D.
She/They
Suzette received her Doctor of Philosophy in the Education Administration and Foundations at Illinois State University. Her dissertation focused on the factors that contribute to the development of culture in National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) member group collegiate chapters, and effective strategies for cultivating change within chapters. Dr. Walden Cole is certified in conflict resolution specializing in restorative justice and addressing equity, inclusion, and diversity (JEID). She designed curriculum related to cultivating and leading in a diverse and inclusive way for two (2) global companies and facilitated across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific regions.
Dr. Walden Cole also served as a featured speaker at the Ceceilyn B. Miller Institute’s National Student Leadership Diversity Convention and United Collegiate Women’s Leadership Conference. She designed & facilitated a curriculum related to exploring identity, inclusive practices, and disrupting and interrupting problematic behaviors for NPC and North American Interfraternity Conference member groups, as well as institutions. Prior to transitioning to the role of full-time consultant, Suzette worked for ten years at Illinois State University in Normal, IL, as the Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. She is a co-founder and Senior Partner for the Cross-Cultural Fraternal Access and Inclusion Initiative focused on addressing the needs of culturally-based fraternal organizations (CBFOs) and justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity within fraternal organizations. Given her expertise, Dr. Walden Cole has served as an expert witness in cases involving hazing within CBFOs and consulted for several National Pan-Hellenic Council, National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, and National Multicultural Greek Council organizations.
Suzette also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with minors in English and Communication from Mercer University and a Master of Education in College Student Personnel Administration with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Carolina. In addition to her professional work, she served on the Board of Directors for the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA) and is a volunteer with the Association for Fraternity/Sorority Advisors. Suzette received the Richard H. Sudheimer Interfraternal Leadership Award from Triangle Fraternity, and the Association for Student Conduct Administration’s Student Conduct Professional of the Year Award.