Liz Cole retired as Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at Bowling Green State University in 2005. She also holds the academic title of Professor Emeritus. In her role at BGSU, she was responsible for development, public relations, graduate studies, new programs, alumni outreach and marketing for the college. Through her leadership, the Ohio Board of Regents unanimously approved an MA in Art Education degree for BGSU. In addition, she worked closely with the College of Education and Human Development on teacher education reform, for which she and her team received a $4.2M grant from the Department of Education.
Before coming to BGSU, she spent 22 years at the University of Toledo. Her service there included director of the Art Education program, Chair of the Department of Art, where she oversaw the building of the Frank Gehry-designed Center for Visual Arts at the Toledo Museum of Art. She also served as Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. A nationally recognized expert on young children’s art, she co-founded the early childhood program for the Museum in 1978. This program, which has introduced hundreds of children to the Museum’s collections, is now a cornerstone for the Museum’s education division.
Liz Cole’s contributions to the field of art and art education are extensive. She co-authored the book Art to Art; has written two education handbooks, chapters in several early childhood textbooks, and illustrated an anatomy book. She has also written more than 20 journal articles and has made more than 40 presentations at regional, national and international conferences. In addition, her work with children in inner London primary schools has been recognized in publications as well as through exhibition of the children’s work throughout the United Kingdom.
Away from the University, Liz remained active in the arts, holding a mayoral appointment with the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, where she chaired the Art in Public Places Committee and served many years on the Executive Board. Her service also included core membership on the Ohio Arts Council’s public arts program and chair of the International Initiatives Committee for the International Council of Fine Arts Deans.
She is currently represented by Art Uptown Gallery, Sarasota, Florida.