Darnell Cole

Dr. Darnell Cole is a Professor of Education at the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education, where he also serves as Co-Director of the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice. His research focuses on race/ethnicity, diversity, student-faculty interactions, and learning experiences across K12 and higher education contexts. Cole has secured over $13M in research funding and published extensively on educational equity.

Education:

• PhD in Higher Education Administration & Education Psychology, Indiana University
• MA in Higher Education Administration, Indiana University
• BA in Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• BS in Business Administration and Finance, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Research interests center on educational equity, identity development, and institutional practices affecting marginalized student populations. His work examines how intersecting identities influence educational experiences and develops interventions to foster inclusive environments.

Awards and Honors:

• Fulbright Specialist (2019-Present)
• Faculty Scholarly Recognition Award (2019)
• Mentoring Award (2017)
• Holmstedt Dissertation Award (1999)
• Multiple service and teaching awards

Current Grants:

• LA Promise Fund: South LA Black Student Programming Evaluation
• LAUSD Black Student Achievement Plan Evaluation
• Haynes Foundation Grant for Youth Development

As co-founder of the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice, Cole leads research transforming educational policies through rigorous interdisciplinary studies focused on identity, equity, and social justice.