Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole's Most Teachable Moments

Learn about Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole.

Lessons Learned With Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole  - Dr. Johnnetta Betch Cole has been a driving force in education and humanitarianism, which has led her to receive The BET Honors Award for Education.

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Lessons Learned With Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole - Dr. Johnnetta Betch Cole has been a driving force in education and humanitarianism, which has led her to receive The BET Honors Award for Education.

A Lifetime in Education - If Dr. Johnetta Betsch Cole's life had a thesis title, it would be "Education Can Change the World." From her early admission to college to the educational programs she helped establish at institutions which she worked in, her efforts have helped spur positive change. Check out some of these amazing moments right here.  (Photo: Jessica Suwaroff for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art)

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A Lifetime in Education - If Dr. Johnetta Betsch Cole's life had a thesis title, it would be "Education Can Change the World." From her early admission to college to the educational programs she helped establish at institutions which she worked in, her efforts have helped spur positive change. Check out some of these amazing moments right here. (Photo: Jessica Suwaroff for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art)

1964 – UCLA and Washington State - After getting her Ph.D. in Anthropology from Northwestern, Dr. Cole began stints at UCLA and later on Washington State, where she would direct the Black Studies department.  (Photo: Jessica Suwaroff for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art)

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1964 – UCLA and Washington State - After getting her Ph.D. in Anthropology from Northwestern, Dr. Cole began stints at UCLA and later on Washington State, where she would direct the Black Studies department. (Photo: Jessica Suwaroff for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art)

1970 – University of Massachusetts at Amherst - After a stint at Washington State University, she would move on to UMass Amherst. There she was a professor of Anthropology and Afro-American Studies and an associate provost of undergraduate education. (Photo: Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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1970 – University of Massachusetts at Amherst - After a stint at Washington State University, she would move on to UMass Amherst. There she was a professor of Anthropology and Afro-American Studies and an associate provost of undergraduate education. (Photo: Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

1970 – W.E.B Du Bois Department of African-American Studies - During her time at Amherst, she was instrumental in helping the school establish the W.E.B Du Bois Department of African-American Studies. (Photo: Getty Images)

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1970 – W.E.B Du Bois Department of African-American Studies - During her time at Amherst, she was instrumental in helping the school establish the W.E.B Du Bois Department of African-American Studies. (Photo: Getty Images)

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1983 – Hunter College - Her work later brought her to Hunter College in New York City where  she served as a professor of anthropology and director of the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program at Hunter College. She still retains a connection with the school and has made appearances on panels involving gender and race.  (Photo: MAPS.com/CORBIS)

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1983 – Hunter College - Her work later brought her to Hunter College in New York City where  she served as a professor of anthropology and director of the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program at Hunter College. She still retains a connection with the school and has made appearances on panels involving gender and race. (Photo: MAPS.com/CORBIS)

1987 – Spelman College - From 1987 to 1997, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole served as president of Spelman College. During her time there, she helped raise $113.8 million in funding, the largest amount ever for an HBCU. She also made history as the first Black female president of the school. (Photo: REUTERS/Tami Chappell /Landov)

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1987 – Spelman College - From 1987 to 1997, Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole served as president of Spelman College. During her time there, she helped raise $113.8 million in funding, the largest amount ever for an HBCU. She also made history as the first Black female president of the school. (Photo: REUTERS/Tami Chappell /Landov)

1998 – Emory University - After leaving her mark at Spelman, Dr. Cole made a return to teaching, this time at Emory University. In 1998, she accepted a position as Presidential Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Women's Studies and African American Studies at the school.  (Photo: Jessica Suwaroff for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art)

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1998 – Emory University - After leaving her mark at Spelman, Dr. Cole made a return to teaching, this time at Emory University. In 1998, she accepted a position as Presidential Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Women's Studies and African American Studies at the school. (Photo: Jessica Suwaroff for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art)

2002 – Bennett College - Being a president must be her natural gift. In 2002, She was appointed president of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina.  (Photo: Courtesy of Bennett College)

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2002 – Bennett College - Being a president must be her natural gift. In 2002, She was appointed president of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo: Courtesy of Bennett College)