EDUCATOR. RESEARCHER. LEADER.
Annie Cole is an experienced student affairs professional, education researcher, and teacher whose vision is to see all educators engaged in research. Experience coordinating grant-funded education studies; teaching and advising undergraduate and graduate students in Education programs; completing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. Annie completed her Ed. D. at University of Portland with a dissertation focused on the graduate student experience in the education research methods classroom (May 2021). Her master's degree is in Higher Education and Student Affairs (May 2018).
BACKGROUND With a background in psychology, social advocacy work, and neuroscience, Annie sees education as a way to increase personal freedom, social mobility, and democratic engagement for all students. She believes that when all educators engage in research to improve their practice, student outcomes are improved, allowing all students to reach their fullest potential. TEACHING PHILOSOPHY & INTERESTS Annie's teaching is grounded in learning theory, psychology, and pedagogical literature. She creates a classroom environment that invites all learners to participate, supports the development of critical thinking skills, challenges students to reconsider current perspectives, and acknowledges and celebrates student diversity. Teaching Interests: Research methods, quantitative and qualitative analysis, student development theory, adult learning theory, college success and first-year transition courses. RESEARCH Her research interests lie in the promotion and development of education research through three avenues: 1) Developing educator competency and skill in assessment, evaluation, and research, 2) Supporting educator identity development as a scholar-practitioner, and 3) Teaching educators how to engage in research activities and translate research into practice. This research contributes to the body of literature regarding education researcher development, as well as promotes the engagement of educators in important research activities to continuously improve student outcomes. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, UNIVERSITY SERVICE, & AWARDS Service, authenticity, and care are critical components to Annie's work with students. She is a knowledge source, a mentor, someone who advocates for services and programs that meet student needs, and a lifelong learner. For her work supporting pre-service teachers candidates, Annie was awarded the 2020 Geneva Gay ORATE Award. In 2021, she was awarded with a NASPA Now Recognition at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) conference. This award recognizes the impact that new professionals and graduate students have upon the student affairs profession; Annie was selected for her work in the Inquiry category for demonstrating a spirit of curiosity that leads to better, more engaging programs for students. Annie currently works as the Director of Research for Modern Classrooms Project. Previously, she worked as the sole Research Project Coordinator on an NIH-funded study exploring neuropsychological predictors of positive adaptation in trauma-impacted youth. |