Dr. Li-Jen Yu Lester is an academic administrator currently serving as the Associate Dean of and Full Professor in the College of Science and Engineering Technology at Sam Houston State University (SHSU). Additionally, she is a Fulbright Specialist for STEM Education. Over her distinguished career at SHSU, Li-Jen has held several pivotal roles including Associate Chair of the Computer Science Department and Associate Director for Assessment at the Professional Academic Center of Excellence.

Li-Jen's educational background is extensive and impressive. She earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Industrial Technology from Sam Houston State University. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Dahan Institute of Technology in Taiwan. Furthermore, she possesses numerous certifications in machine learning operations, cybersecurity and robotics, underscoring her commitment to continuous learning and expertise in cutting-edge technologies.

Her dedication to international service is reflected in her active participation in various community and professional organizations. She has served on the boards of prominent organizations such as ISCAP, AITP’s Education Special Interest Group, ISECON/CONISAR, and ISCAP-EDSIG. Locally, Li-Jen has made significant contributions as the Director of SouthEast Texas Boosting Engineering Science Technology (BEST) and as Past President of the Huntsville Rotary Club. Her leadership extends to numerous committees and advisory boards where she has played a crucial role in student recruitment, innovative curriculum design, and the application of data-driven decision-making processes.

Li-Jen has also been instrumental in securing substantial grants that have advanced STEM education and training. She has successfully led initiatives such as the NSF Robert Noyce Scholarship, GenCyber NSA Training Center, DoD Cyber Scholarship Program, and NSF SFS CyberCorps, collectively securing over six million dollars for STEM education, critical thinking training, cybersecurity, and active learning.

In addition to her administrative and leadership roles, Li-Jen is a prolific scholar. She has published approximately 25 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and delivered over 30 presentations at academic conferences. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including seven distinguished, meritorious, and best paper awards from esteemed conferences such as EDSIGCON, CONISAR, ICEMI, ISECON, ISEDJ, and the SHSU General Business Conference. Her professional vita is a testament to her unwavering commitment to academic excellence, leadership in STEM education, and service to the community.

Li-Jen would like to express her appreciation for ISCAP. “ISCAP afforded me great relationships and gave me a tremendous platform for publishing. As encouraged by ISCAP, our members do productive research and publish usable results and are subsequently rewarded for their efforts. Without ISCAP we may not have seen the level of achievement we have been able to accomplish. THANK YOU ISCAP!”