Ryan Cole

Originally from Houston, Ryan Cole attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and furthered his classical voice study as a member of the Houston Grand Opera High School Voice Studio.

His talent and passion brought him to SMU Meadows to pursue music education. His senior year, Cole was awarded the “M” Award, the most highly prized recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators on the SMU campus. He  went on to work as a middle school choir director in Plano ISD. His interest in student development and college access brought him back to SMU to work in undergraduate admission, then to the Meadows School of the Arts where he served as assistant dean for recruitment & admission.

Cole earned a Master of Education in Higher Education Policy and Leadership degree at SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development, where he also served on the Young Leaders in Education board. He currently is completing his Doctorate of Education in Higher Education at the Simmons School.

While working at SMU, Cole has received the President’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and the Outstanding Staff Award from the SMU Faculty Senate. Cole is a member of the National Association of College and Admission Counselors and has presented at national, regional, and state conferences.

Cole has continued to sing through church, as an auxiliary chorister with the Dallas Opera, and at community events. He is thrilled to serve as the inaugural assistant dean of enrollment management at the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.