Profile

Michele T. Cole, J.D., Ph.D.
Part-Time Faculty (Management)
cole@rmu.edu
412-397-4200 phone (M)
Massey Hall 2ND


Educational Background

  • Ph.D., Public Administration, NP Management, University of Pittsburgh, 1993
  • J.D., Duquesne, 1982
  • M.P.I.A., Public Administration, Internat'l Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, 1974
  • Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, Wheeling Jesuit University , 1968

Professional Background

  • Interim Department Head, Management, 2015-2016, 2016-2017
  • Interim Director, MSHR Program 2013- 2014
  • Director, MS Nonprofit Management Program, 2003 -2013
  • Interim Department Head, Management, April 2011- August 2012
  • Director, Massey Center for Business Innovation and Development, RMU, 2005-2008
  • Director, Planning & Development, Neighborhood Legal Services Association, 1984-2003
  • Development Consultant, Neighborhood Legal Services Association, 1981-1984
  • Director, Liaison & Information Services, University of Pittsburgh, 1976-1981
  • Asst. Director, Governmental Relations Office, University of Pittsburgh, 1973-1976
  • Staff, Governmental Relations Office, University of Pittsburgh, 1971-1973

Area of Expertise/Research

  • Online Education
  • E-learning and Academic Integrity
  • Capacity-building in NPOs
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Legal Issues in the Third Sector

Publications

  • Cole, M. T., Swartz, L.B., & Shelley, D.J. (2020). Threaded discussion: The role it plays in e-learning. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education (IJICTE), 16(1), 16-29. doi 10.4018/IJICTE.2020010102.

  • Cole, M.T., & Swartz, L. B. (2020). Providing an Ethical Framework for Smart Learning: A Study of Students' Use of Social Media. In V. Uskov, R. Howlett, & L. Jain, (Eds.) Smart Education and e-Learning 2020.  Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, Vol. 188. Springer, 137-147.

  • Cole, Michele T., & Swartz, Louis B. (2019) Can Instructors Use Social Media to Enhance Learning in a Smart Course Room and Foster a Culture of Academic Integrity? 978-5386-9506-7/19 2019 IEEE Global Engineering Conference (pp. 1447- 1460). 
  • Swartz, L., Cole, M., & Shelley, D.  (2019).Can instructors use social media to enhance learning and support academic integrity: A survey of business law instructors. Academy of Business Research Journal (ABRJ),III, 51-64.           .
  • Cole M.T., & Swartz L.B. (2019). Managing social media for learning and for maintaining academic integrity. The International Journal of Management and Business (IJMB), 10, 11-21.
  • Cole M.T., Shelley D.J., & Swartz L.B. (2019) In Re Launching a New Vision in Education and e-Learning: Fostering a Culture of Academic Integrity in e-Learning. In Uskov V., Howlett R., Jain L., Vlacic L. (Eds.) Smart Education and e-Learning 2018. KES SEEL-18 2018. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, Vol. 99. Springer, Cham, 151-164.
  • Cole, M.T., Shelley, D. J., & Swartz, L.B. (2017). Testing the value of threaded discussions in online learning. International Journal of Management and Business (IJMB),  8 (2), 24-32.
  • M. Cole, D. Shelley, & L. Swartz (2017). Formatting threaded discussions for enhanced e-learning: Exploring best practices. EDULEARN17 Proceedings, Barcelona, Spain, pp. 7220-7225.
  • Cole, M.T. (2016). Fundraising as capacity-building for nonprofit organizations. In S. Ott & L. Dicke (Eds.), Understanding Nonprofit Organizations: Governance, Leadership, and Management. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 157-166.
  • Cole, M. T., Swartz, L.B., & Shelley, D.J. (2016). Technology-infused education and academic integrity: Are they compatible? In Tomei (Ed.), Vol. 8, Exploring the New Era of Technology-Infused Education. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 1-27.
  • Cole, M.T., Shelley, D.J., & Swartz, L.B. (2016). Testing the value of threaded discussions in online learning. 22nd IAMB Conference, London, United Kingdom.

     

  • Cole, M. T., Adeoye, B. F., Swartz, L.B. & Shelley, D.J. (2015). Using social media tools to enhance e-learning. In B.F. Adeoye,‎ J.B. Babalola, & M.T. Cole (Eds.), Innovative Applications of Educational Technology Tools in Teaching and Learning. Trafford Publishing, 291-315.
  • Cole, M.T. (2015). Blended learning and capacity-building: Student perceptions of the value of their graduate education. In N. Gotsiridze-Columbus (Ed..), Blended Learning: Student Perceptions, Emerging Practices and Effectiveness. Hauppauge, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 1-13.
  • Cole, M. T., Swartz, L.B., & Shelley, D.J. (2015). Enhancing business education with technology: Are students using social media to aid learning? In M. Khosrow-Pour (Ed.), Encyclopedia of IS & T, Third Edition. Hershey, PA: IGI Global. doi:10.4018/978-1-4666-5888-2, 699-708.
  • Haney, M.H., Crawley, D.C., & Cole, M.T. (2015). Ethics core to business education: Looking back to look forward. IBAM 23, Pittsburgh, PA. In Paul H. Jacques (Ed.)

  • Cole, M. T., Swartz, L.B., & Shelley, D.J. (2014). Enhancing business education with technology: Are students using social media to aid learning? In M. Khosrow-Pour (Ed.) Encyclopedia of IS & T, Third Edition, 729-738.


  • Cole, M.T., Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B., & Adeoye, B. (2014). Using digital technologies to aid e-learning: A pilot study. In B. Adeoye & L. Tomei (Eds.) Effects of Information Capitalism and Globalization on Teaching and Learning. Hershey: PA: IGI Global, 22-35.

  • Shelley, D.J., Cole, M.T., & Swartz, L.B. (2014). University students and e-learning: Are they really satisfied? Proceedings of the 25th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE 2014), 2179-2188.

     

  • Cole, M.T., Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B., & Adeoye, B.F. (2014). Does student and instructor use of social media facilitate online learning: A look at two universities. In R. Neves-Silva, G. Tshirintzis, V. Uskov, R. Howlett, & J. Lain (Eds.), Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Applications: Vol. 262. Smart Digital Futures 2014 (pp. 553-564).
  • Cole, M.T., Shelley, D.J., & Swartz, L.B. (2014). Online instruction, e-learning and student satisfaction: A three year study. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning (IRRODL), 15(6), 111-131.

  • Cole, M. T., Swartz, L.B., & Shelley, D.J. (2014). Students’ use of technology in learning course material: Is it cheating? International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 10(1), 35-48.

     

  • Cole, M., Shelley, D., Swartz, L., & Adeoye, B. (2014). Does student and instructor use of social media facilitate online learning: A look at two universities. In R. Neves-Silva, G. Tshirintzis, V. Uskov, R. Howlett, & L. Jain (Eds.), Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Applications: Vol. 262. Smart Digital Futures 2014 (pp. 553-564).

     

  • Cole, M.T., Shelley, D.J., & Swartz, L.B. (2013). Academic integrity and student satisfaction in an online environment. In H. Yang & S. Wang (Eds.) Cases on Online Learning Communities and Beyond: Investigations and Applications. Hershey, PA.: IGI Global, Chapter 1, 1-19.

     

  • Cole, M. T., Swartz, L.B., & Shelley, D. J. (2013). Enhancing online learning with technology: A survey of graduate and undergraduate business students on their use of social media in course work.  Proceedings of the 11th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education, 3745-3809

  • Cole, M.T., & Garner, B.J. (2013). Capacity-building in the third sector using blended learning as a gateway to practitioner education. In J.B. Laewen (Ed.) Capacity Development: Perspectives, Opportunities and Challenges. Hauppage, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc., Chapter 7, 135-148.

  • Cole, M.T., & Swartz, L.B. (2013). Understanding academic integrity in the online learning environment: A survey of graduate and undergraduate business students. Proceedings of the 20th Annual American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, 738-746.

  • Swartz, L. B., & Cole, M. T. (2013). Students' perception of academic integrity in online business education courses. Journal of Business and Educational Leadership (JBEL), 4(1), 102-112
  • Swartz, L.B., Cole, M.T., & Lovejoy, D.L. (2011). Ensuring users rights to privacy, confidence and reputation in the online learning environment: What should instructors do to protect their students? privacy? In I.M. Portela & M.M. Cruz-Cunha (Eds.) Information Communication Technology Law, Protection and Access Rights: Global Approaches and Issues. Hershey, PA.: IGI Global, 346-362.
  • Cole, M.T. & Swartz, L.B. (2011) Legal definitions, legal accountability and the roles and responsibilities of board leaders. In K.A. Agard (Ed.) Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations: A Reference Handbook. Thousand Oaks, CA.: Sage Publications, 3-11.
  • Cole, M.T. (2011). Transformational leadership-is this the way to the top? In M. Paludi & B. Coates (Eds.) Women as Transformational Leaders: From Grassroots to Global Interests. Santa Barbara, CA.: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 239-244.

  • Cole, M. T., & Garner, B. J. (2011). Capacity - building in nonprofit organizations: Is there a blended learning paradigm for the sector? In X. Luo, Y. Cao, B. Yang, J. Liu & F. Ye (Eds.) New Horizons in Web-Based Learning – ICWL 2010 Workshops, ICWL 2010 Workshops: STEG, CICW, WGLBWS, and IWKDEWL, Shanghai, China, December 7-11, 2010 Revised Selected Papers. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 6537/2011, 276-290.

     

  • Cole, M.T., Garner B.J. & Coldwell, J. (2011). Can e-learning provide tools for capacity-building to improve performance in the nonprofit sector? Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education (CATE 2011) July 11-13, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 165-172.
  • Cole, M.T., Shelley, D.J. & Swartz, L.B. (2011). Satisfaction with online education and issues of academic integrity: Viewed from the student?s perspective. Proceedings of the IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education (CATE 2011) July 11-13, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 204-212.
  • Cole, M. T. (2010). In L.A. Tomei (Ed.). Lexicon of online and distance education. (Distinguished Contributing Author, p. 245). New York: Rowan & Litchfileld.
  • Shelley, D.J., Cole, M.T., & Swartz, L.B. (2010).Students? perceptions of academic integrity in the online learning environment. Proceedings of E-Learn 2010--World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, 2165-2175.
  • Rohall, T. G. & Cole, M.T. (2010). Building green: Making it happen through intention, values, knowledge, cost, behavior, and attitude. Proceedings of the 2nd Annual International Conference on Sustainable Enterprises of the Future, Moon Township, PA. 12-15 September, 2010.
  • Cole, M.T. & Garner, B. J. (2010). Capacity-building in nonprofit organizations: Is there a blended learning paradigm for the sector? Proceedings of New Horizons in Web-based Learning: Satellite Workshops of ICWL 2010, 279-288.
  • Swartz, L.B., Cole, M.T. & Shelley, D.J. (2010). Learning business law online vs. onland: Student satisfaction and performance. In L.A. Tomei (Ed.). ICTs for Modern Educational and Instructional Advancement: New Approaches to Teaching. Hershey PA: IGI Global, Chapter 8, 82-95.
  • Swartz, L.B., Cole, M.T. & Shelley, D.J. (2010). Instructor satisfaction with teaching business law online versus onland. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 6(1), 1-16.
  • Schimmel, K., Motley, D. & Cole, M. (2010). Helping donors choose your organization: Using image theory to change people?s minds. Nonprofit World 28(2), 6-7.
  • Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2009) Comparative analyses of online and traditional undergraduate business law classes: How effective is e-pedagogy? In L.A. Tomei (Ed.) Information Communication Technologies for Enhanced Education and Learning: Advanced Applications and Developments, New York: IGI Global, Chapter VI, 76-93.
  • Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2008). Learning business law online vs. onland: A Mixed method analysis. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 4(2), 54-66.
  • Watt Geer, B., Maher, J.K., & Cole, M. T. (2008). Managing nonprofit organizations: The importance of transformational leadership and commitment to operating standards for nonprofit accountability. Public Performance & Management Review,32(1), 47-71.
  • Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2008) Comparative analyses of online and traditional undergraduate business law classes: How effective is e-pedagogy? In Craig Van Slyke (Ed.) Information Communication Technologies for Enhanced Education and Learning: Advanced Applications and Developments. Advances in Information and Communication Technology Education Series, Vol. 3, Chapter 7.9, 3391-3404. IGI Global, ISBN 978-1-60566-150-6. Reprint.
  • Swartz, LB., Cole, M.T. & Shelley, D. J. (2008). Measuring effectiveness in online instruction. Encyclopedia of Distance and Online Learning, 2nd Edition. Idea Group Inc., 1399-1403.
  • Cole, M.T., Dolch, N., Guiler, J., Wise, H. Kampsen, B., & Kilgore, K. (2008). Comparing attitudes on victim compensation and disaster relief: Are there regional differences? 2008 Southeastern InfORMS Conference Proceeding, 811-827.
  • Hanley Gold, S. & Cole, M.T. (2008) Enrolling students with disabilities: Content analysis of pennsylvania higher education websites. 2008 Southeastern InfORMS Conference Proceeding, 853-868.
  • Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2008). E-Learning and e-pedagogy: How do we know it works? Proceedings of the Sixth IASTED Conference on Web-based Education, ACTA Press, 315-320.
  • Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2008). Online vs. in-class teaching: Comparing and analyzing effectiveness. Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology and Teaching Education.
  • Rohall, T.G. & Cole, M.T. Building green: Making it happen through intention, values, knowledge, cost, behavior, and attitude. ARNOVA 37 Conference Proceedings. November 20-22, 2008.
  • Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2007) A comparative analysis of online and traditional undergraduate business law courses. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 3(1), 10-21.
  • Gooden-Ledbetter, M. J., Cole, M.T., Maher, J. K., & Condeluci, A. (2007) Self-efficacy and interdependence as predictors of life satisfaction for people with disabilities: Implications for independent living programs. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 27(3), 153-161.
  • Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2007). A comparative analysis of online and traditional undergraduate business law classes: 2004-2007. IADIS International Journal of WWW/Internet (ISSN: 1645-7641, 5(1).
  • Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2006). A comparative analysis of online and traditional undergraduate business law courses. Proceedings of the Ninth IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education, ACTA Press, 32-37.
  • Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2006). A comparative analysis of online and traditional undergraduate business law courses. Proceedings of the IADIS International Conference, WWW/Internet 2006, Vol. I, IASDIS Press, 3-9.
  • Watt-Geer, B., Maher J.K., & Cole, M.T. (2005). The roles of commitment to operating standards and transformational leadership in describing nonprofit accountability. Proceedings of the 2005 ARNOVA Conference, http://www.arnova.org/cgi-bin/article_search.pl?goto=form

Presentations

  • 2017 - M. Cole, D. Shelley, & L. Swartz (2017). Formatting threaded discussions for enhanced e-learning: Exploring best practices. EDULEARN17, July 3-5, 2017, Barcelona, Spain.
  • 2016 - Cole, M.T., Shelley, D.J., & Swartz, L.B. (2016). Testing the value of threaded discussions in online learning. 22nd IAMB Conference, Sept. 21-23, 2016, London, United Kingdom.
  • 2015 - Haney, M., Crawley, D. & Cole, M. (2015). Ethics as core to business education: looking back to move forward. IBAM 23, October 8-10, 2015, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 2014 - Cole, M.T., (2014). Capacity-building using a blended learning model: A study in graduate nonprofit education. 43rd Annual ARNOVA Conference, November 18-20, 2014, Denver, CO.
  • 2014 - Swartz, L.B., Shelley, D.J. & Cole, M.T. (2014). The design and implementation of effective undergraduate online business law courses. Academy of Business Research Fall 2014 Conference, Nov. 3-5, 2014, San Antonio, TX. Best Paper Award.
  • 2014 - Cole, M. T., Shelley, D. J., Swartz, L. B., & Adeoye, B. J. (2014). Does Student and Instructor Use of Social Media Facilitate Online Learning: A Look at Two Universities. 1st Annual Smart Technology-based Education and Training (STET-2014) Conference, Chania, Greece, June 18-20, 2014.
  • 2014 - Shelley, D.J., Cole, M.T., & Swartz, L.B. (2014). University students and e-learning: Are they really satisfied? 25th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE 2014), Jacksonville, Fla., March 17-21, 2014.
  • 2013 - Shelley, D. J., Cole, M.T., & Swartz, L.B. (2013). Online learning, social media and sustainability at the university level. 5th Annual Sustainable Enterprises of the Future: Social profit. Pittsburgh, PA, September 26-27, 2013.
  • 2013 - Cole, M.T., Shelley, D. J., & Swartz, L.B. (2013). Student satisfaction with online learning: One university?s experience. 5th Annual Sustainable Enterprises of the Future: Social profit. Pittsburgh, PA, September 26-27, 2013.
  • 2013 - Cole, M. T., Swartz, L.B. & Shelley, D. J. (2013). Enhancing online learning with technology: A survey of graduate and undergraduate business students on their use of social media in course work. 11th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, Hawaii, January 6-9, 2013
  • 2013 - Cole, M.T. & Swartz, L.B. (2013). Understanding academic integrity in the online learning environment: A survey of graduate and undergraduate business students. 20th Annual American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 21-24, 2013.
  • 2011 - Cole, M.T. & Garner B.J. (2011). Developing a model for blended learning to meet the education and training needs of the nonprofit sector. 40th ARNOVA Conference, Toronto, Canada, November 17-19, 2011.
  • 2011 - Cole, M.T., Garner B.J. & Coldwell, J. (2011). Capacity-building in the third sector using blended learning as a gateway to practitioner education. Benchmark 3.5 Conference, Presentation (Modified World Cafe). San Diego, CA.
  • 2011 - Cole, M.T., Garner B.J. & Coldwell, J. (2011). Can e-learning provide tools for capacity-building to improve performance in the nonprofit sector? IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education (CATE 2011) July 11-13, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  • 2011 - Cole, M.T., Shelley, D.J. & Swartz, L.B. (2011). Satisfaction with online education and issues of academic integrity: Viewed from the student?s perspective. IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education (CATE 2011) July 11-13, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  • 2010 - Cole, M.T. & Garner, B. J. (2010). Capacity-building in nonprofit organizations: Is there a blended learning paradigm for the sector? New Horizons in Web-based Learning: Satellite Workshops of ICWL 2010, Shanghai, China, 279-288.
  • 2010 - Swartz, L.B., Cole, M.T. & Lovejoy, D.L. (2010). The right to privacy in the e-learning environment: What do users expect? 8th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education, January, 2010, Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • 2008 - Cole, M.T., Dolch, N., Guiler, J., Wise, H. Kampsen, B., & Kilgore, K. (2008). Comparing attitudes on victim compensation and disaster relief: Are there regional differences? 2008 Southeastern InfORMS Conference,Myrtle Beach, S. Carolina.
  • 2008 - Hanley Gold, S. & Cole, M.T. (2008) Enrolling students with disabilities: Content analysis of pennsylvania higher education websites. 2008 Southeastern InfORMS Conference, Myrtle Beach,S. Carolina.
  • 2008 - Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2008). E-Learning and e-pedagogy: How do we know it works? Proceedings of the Sixth IASTED Conference on Web-based Education,Innsbruck, Austria.
  • 2006 - Shelley, D.J., Swartz, L.B. & Cole, M.T. (2006). A comparative analysis of online and traditional undergraduate business law courses.Ninth IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education, Lima, Peru.