Congratulations to Susan Cole who was recently awarded the 2026 President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service, during surprise visits from university leadership. This award recognizes up to three current faculty members who have made extensive service contributions with documentable impact on the quality of  the university.  

Since joining Ohio State’s faculty in 2003, Susan Cole has contributed extensively to faculty governance and academic leadership. She was Vice-chair of Molecular Genetics for several years, and now serves as Chair of the department. Her service on the University Senate (since 2017), has included multiple terms on the University Senate Steering Committee, election as chair of the Faculty Council, where she worked during the COVID‑19 pandemic to lead faculty deliberation and decision making on critical university initiatives including alternative grading, General Education implementation, and university policy revisions. More recently her university-level service has included leadership roles related to research, admissions, and student evaluation of instruction.

Learn more about the award and the other awardees!

Congratulations Susan!