Michelle Cole, Auburn University
Michelle Cole is an urban forestry veteran. She has worked for several organizations, including the Alabama Forestry Commission as an outreach forester, in the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and even owned her own forestry consulting business, Diversified Forest Operations.
In 2004, she started working at Auburn University as an Extension Specialist in Urban Forestry. Since then, she has worked in various other roles such as Urban Forester Partnership Coordinator and the Tree City USA Coordinator. Michelle is currently an Academic Programs Administrator and academic advisor at Auburn University in Alabama, advising students in the natural resources and forestry fields and serving as the MANRRS advisor.
Michelle is passionate about exposing young people to opportunities in natural resource-related professions. She advises students on course selections, requirements for selected areas of concentration, and post-college plans to help meet their educational needs and realize their scholastic goals. She conducts comprehensive academic, career, and other student support services. Michelle applies in-depth and comprehensive knowledge in the resolution of complex situations and serves as a contact for undergraduate student-related issues in the NATR and FORY curriculum.
Michelle concentrates on diversity in forestry and is trying to grow the next generation of scientists. She takes active initiatives to increase undergraduate minority enrollment and underrepresented student groups at Auburn University to study natural resources, forestry, and other STEM fields.
Branching out is what Michelle hopes the urban forestry industry as a whole will do. “I want to see the urban forestry industry recruit and develop a team with diverse skills and backgrounds and to give those team members the tools and space they can work in. Giving that space to a diverse group of people can grow their leadership potential.”
Michelle takes active initiatives to increase undergraduate minority enrollment and underrepresented student groups at Auburn University to study natural resources, forestry, and other STEM fields. She is a leader in DEI, promoting academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. “Here, you have a valuable voice, and your participation matters.”
Michelle partners and develops educational programs and information targeted toward public agencies, town conservation commissions, planning boards, zoning boards of adjustment, mayors, town clerks, administrators, and other organizations with an interest in urban forestry, forest sustainability, and urban development at the local, regional, and national levels.
Some of the professional organizations that she belongs to are the Society of American Foresters, the Association of Natural Resources and Extension Professionals, Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences, the Alabama Urban Forestry Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
Michelle Cole has received a B.S. in Forest Management from Alabama A&M University, obtained her M.Ed. in Adult Education from Auburn University, and is a Ph.D. candidate in Adult Education with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration.
Michelle is married to a wonderful man, Kerry, and they have three wonderful children: Jacoby, Sinclair, and Micah. She has recently become a Loli to Eryen Daisy.
