Lisa Cole, Ph.D. is current Chair of the Accounting Program at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Kansas City, MO. She has served in this role for 3 years. In the position, she oversees the associate of applied sciences (AAS) and transfer degree programs in accounting at JCCC.
Lisa truly enjoys working with faculty and students. In fact, she was inspired by faculty during her time at MSU. Cole was introduced to the National Association of Black Accountants and attended their student conference at the recommendation of a faculty member, “I had never heard of the organization and it ultimately provided me with support and inspiration. I later became president of the Kansas City chapter…I try to provide the same support to JCCC accounting students,” states Cole.
Before joining JCCC, Cole worked for the IRS, Arthur Andersen & Company, and served as Director and Accountant of Ticket Operations for the Kansas City Royals. She graduated from MSU in 1988 and recently earned her Ph.D. in higher education leadership from St. Louis University.
As a successful alumna, Cole offers the following advice to current students and new alumni, “Believe you can achieve it and you will. Sometimes the path you have to take to achieve your goals will change. It may take longer and you may have to change goals. But keep on pushing and striving… Never stop dreaming and setting goals.”
Outside of her position and service at JCCC, Cole is actively involved in the Kansas City community. She is a volunteer educator with Junior Achievement, Treasurer and Board of Directors member with the Kansas City Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs, YMCA Mentor, and Coordinator of the Upper Room Summer Reading Project.
Cole currently resides in Kansas City with her husband and three children. She spends her spare time attending school activities for her very active children. Her oldest daughter recently joined her mother as an MSU alumna, earning a degree in education.