Allan Hugh Cole Jr., Ph.D.

Allan Hugh Cole Jr., Ph.D., is senior associate dean for academic affairs and professor in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also a courtesy professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Dell Medical School.

His current research and teaching interests include social work and chronic illness, health humanities and social work and religion/spirituality.

He is author or editor of 10 books. These include: “Converging Horizons: Essays in Psychology, Religion, and Caregiving” (Cascade, 2015); “The Faith and Friendships of Teenage Boys” (Westminster John Knox Press, 2012); “A Spiritual Life: Perspectives From Poets, Prophets, and Preachers” (Westminster John Knox Press, 2011); “Good Mourning: Getting Through Your Grief” (Westminster John Knox Press, 2008); “Be Not Anxious: Pastoral Care of Disquieted Souls” (Eerdmans, 2008); and “Losers, Loners, and Rebels: The Spiritual Struggles of Boys” (Westminster John Knox Press, 2007).

Cole’s new book, “Counseling Persons With Parkinson’s Disease,” will be published by Oxford University Press in early 2021. He is also the author of dozens of chapters, articles and reviews in volumes and journals related to the fields of social work, counseling and the psychology of religion. He serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Spirituality and Religion in Social Work: Social Thought.

Cole serves on the board of directors at Power for Parkinson’s, a nonprofit organization that provides free exercise, dance and singing classes to people living with Parkinson’s disease in Central Texas and globally through instructional videos. He moderates PD Wise, a hub for sharing personal stories, experiences and wisdom gained from living with Parkinson’s that aims to encourage personal connections and opportunities for learning. He serves as a community advocate for ParkinsonDisease.net and occasionally as a guest contributor to the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Team Fox Blog, writing columns about living well with Parkinson’s.

Appointed by former UT Austin President Gregory L. Fenves, Cole serves on the university’s Intercollegiate Athletics Council. Elected by the faculty, he serves as chair of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work’s Executive Committee.

Responsible for leadership of the Office of Academic Affairs in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, his efforts focus on educating and supporting students and colleagues in social work research, practice, teaching and leadership.