Malissa Cole

Director
Business and Finance Services

Malissa Cole

Malissa Cole is the director of business and finance services at Kansas State University Olathe. She oversees all aspects of financial management and supervises employees in the facilities, security, information technology and events management units.

Her key responsibilities include managing revenues, expenditures, payroll, capital improvements, bond issues and banking relationships. She also prepares, monitors and oversees the campus’s annual budget and finances. Cole works closely with the K-State Olathe Board of Directors, the Johnson County Education Research Triangle Authority and the Kansas Board of Regents to ensure proper approval and reporting of the campus’s financial matters.

Cole has more than 15 years of management and leadership experience, including over a decade in accounting, auditing and grant and contract administration.

Before joining K-State Olathe, she served for four years as the administrative program director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development division. In that role, she developed and implemented operational strategies, formulated budgets and provided oversight for statewide support programs, including budget administration, human resources, contracting, leasing, IT, records management, purchasing, fleet management and travel administration.

Previously, Cole was the division director of operations at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a contracting officer with the U.S. Postal Service and held several roles with the Kansas Department for Children and Families, culminating in her position as deputy director of operations.

Cole earned both a master's and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baker University.