Board President Member Michael Cole

  • michael cole posing in a red bow tieElected: November 2013
    Term Began: January 2014
    Term Expires: December 31, 2025

    A believer in the possibility of infinite possibilities, Columbus City School Board President Michael D. Cole brings over 20 years of experience in public policy, media, and public education.

    After beginning his career in news and photojournalism, Mr. Cole transitioned into policy at the Ohio General Assembly as a legislative aide and analyst. He later led a public affairs firm, serving as a strategist to notable congressional, statewide, and municipal campaigns.

    Mr. Cole has made numerous appearances on national and local news programs including, Fox National News, WOSU’s Columbus on the Record, and CBS affiliate WBNS 10TV’s Face the State.

    For the last 12 years, Michael has passionately advocated for public education from Ohio’s capitol city to our nation’s Capitol Hill. Working with organizations such as the Federal Legislative Advocacy Group, Consortium of State School Boards Association, and the Council of Great City Schools, Mr. Cole has fought to increase federal funding for students with disabilities, career-technical education students, and opportunities to access affordable higher education. 

    For six years, Cole served as Vice President and as co-founder and chair of the former Finance and Appropriations Committee. On January 7, 2025, Michael was elected by his peers to serve as Board President. He is currently the chair of the Academic and Facility Alignment Committee.

    Michael is a firm proponent of the Student Outcomes Focused Governance motto that states, “Student outcomes do not change until adult behaviors change.” In 2022, He took his talents to The Ohio State University as a BRIGHT Fellow in the Fisher College of Business. The State of Ohio subsequently licensed him as a PreK-12 school principal. 

    Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University, a Master of Strategic Communications and Leadership from Seton Hall University, and a Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University.

    He and his wife Lee of 24 years are the loving parents of three adult children and practicing grandparents to two cats Rocco and Anna.

    Phone: 614-604-8871

    Email: mcole@columbus.k12.oh.us

    * All biographic information has been provided by the individual Board members.