Faculty Profile

Patricia M. Cole, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Business Administration

Dr. Tricia Cole is an Associate Professor of Management for the Vucurevich School of Business and is the 2009–2010 and 2020–2021 recipient of the Faculty of the Year Award. A Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Health Care Administration, she has a strong background in strategic planning, organizational decision making processes, curriculum development, and organizational behavior. 

Dr. Cole's career with the University has included the position of Department Chair of the Vucurevich School of Business for ten years and Director of Programs for Personal and Business Development that oversaw the USF Learning Institute, the USF Career Institute, the Center for Women Business Institute (a Small Business Administration funded institute) and the Center for Women community outreach programs for two years. 

Dr. Cole is currently collecting case studies addressing issues in sport facility and event management.  In addition, she has been a consultant for regional corporations in the area of organizational development, leadership training and sustaining creative work settings. 

A transplant from Texas, Dr. Cole joined the University in January of 2004 from the Sioux Falls Independent School District. She continues to be connected to the public schools by serving in the classrooms of her three K-12 aged children. 

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Urban and Regional Science, Texas A&M University, 2003
  • Master of Public Administration, Public Administration, Texas A&M University, 1991
  • Bachelor of Science, Microbiology, Texas A&M University, 1988

Courses Taught

  • BUS100 - Business as a Profession
  • BUS108 - Personal and Financial Planning
  • BUS210 - Principles of Management
  • BUS313 - Retail Management
  • BUS315 - Human Resource Management
  • BUS351 - Organizational Theory & Behavior
  • BUS390 - Decision Making Strategies
  • BUS395 - Management Internship
  • BUS421 - Business Ethics
  • BUS450 - Senior Colloquium
  • BUS451 - Management Colloquium
  • BUS460 - Supervision & HR Management
  • BUS491 - Independent Study
  • BUS501 - MBA Opening Residency
  • BUS512 - Business Research Methodology
  • BUS520 - Management of Organizational Dynamics
  • BUS556 - Health Care Colloquium
  • SPM313 - Event & Facility Management
  • SPM395 - Internship
  • ENG250 - Business Research & Writing
  • ENG400 - Business Communication & Report Writing
  • LAR210 - Honors Seminar
  • LAR486 - Capstone in Liberal Arts

Professional Memberships

International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)

Region V President; 2018-2020

Expertise

  • Health care special topics
  • Management / Organizational behavior
  • Event and facility management

Service/Volunteer Work

DECA, South Dakota

Judge

Dance Gallery of South Dakota

Design/sew costumes for productions

Sioux Falls Independent School District

PTO officer; Fundraiser for K-12

Sioux Falls Children's Choir

Board member, Treasurer