ATLANTA – Dr. Tri Le, assistant professor of mathematics and computer science in the College of Professional Advancement, was recently accepted to the 2022 Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) STEM Leadership Institute sponsored by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).

The institute, which will be held virtually July 12-15, is designed to cultivate leadership in early- and mid-career STEM faculty, principal investigators and administrators who are engaged in initiatives and interventions aimed at transforming undergraduate STEM education in their classrooms, departments and institutions.

The institute’s curriculum equips participants with the tools and skills needed to bring about social change and true reform in undergraduate STEM education and empowers them to navigate the politics of change, address inter- and intra-personal conflicts, and restructure institutional systems that limit the United States’ capacity for global competitiveness in science and technology.

“I am thrilled that Dr. Le has been accepted to PKAL’s Leadership Institute,” said Dr. Priscilla Danheiser, dean of the College of Professional Advancement. “Recognized as an excellent and responsive teacher with an impressive research agenda and commitment to our students’ success, he is perfectly positioned to assume leadership roles to advance our College’s newest STEM initiatives.”

Dr. Le, who also serves as coordinator of Mercer’s new Master of Science in Applied Data Intelligence and Machine Learning degree program, joined the College of Professional Advancement’s Department of Informatics and Mathematics in 2017.

He previously worked at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a predictive/computational statistician with expertise in statistical software packages such as SAS, SPSS and R.

His current research interests include Bayesian analysis, decision theory, spatio-temporal modeling, model uncertainty and prediction, data mining, and machine learning.

Dr. Le earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Sciences, as well as Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Missouri.

AAC&U is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the vitality and democratic purposes of undergraduate liberal education. Through programs and events, publications and research, public advocacy and campus-based projects, AAC&U serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity and that support the success of all students.

About the College of Professional Advancement

Mercer University’s College of Professional Advancement is committed to serving post-traditional learners. Undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs are offered to adult learners seeking professional advancement into leadership roles in and beyond their communities. Programs provide students with distinctive, multidisciplinary experiences that integrate theory and practice. In addition to providing general education and elective courses for various colleges and schools at Mercer, the College of Professional Advancement offers degree programs in areas including technology, public safety, public and human services, leadership and administration, health care and liberal arts. Programs are offered on Mercer’s campuses in Atlanta and Macon, as well as Regional Academic Centers in Douglas County and Henry County, and online. To learn more, visit professionaladvancement.mercer.edu.