Lei Hao, associate professor in the Department of Allied and Public Health, received the 2025–26 Center for Teaching Excellence Mentoring Award. Hao was recognized for “Mentoring Beyond the Classroom: Championing Student Success Through Research, Global Engagement, and Professional Development,” providing exceptional, high-impact support that advances student success through research, global engagement, and holistic guidance.
With a PhD in nutritional sciences and as the only MD-trained faculty member at IUP, Hao brings a uniquely interdisciplinary and clinically grounded perspective to mentoring students across nutrition, medical imaging, and medical laboratory sciences.
Throughout the 2025–26 academic year, Hao led the US-China Youth Program on Health Sciences and Culture, mentoring students from multiple health disciplines in global health and cross-cultural learning. He guided students to meaningful scholarly achievements, including a peer-reviewed publication co-authored with a master’s student, undergraduate research presentations through U-SOAR, and regional conference presentations, while also providing individualized professional development that supports students at critical academic and career transition points. In his role as program coordinator for medical imaging and medical laboratory sciences, he offered holistic mentorship that helps students build confidence, develop professional identity, and prepare for real-world success.
Hao’s mentoring directly supports IUP’s mission to be exceptionally student-centered by promoting student engagement, retention, and achievement. His sustained commitment to mentoring beyond the classroom empowers students to thrive academically, professionally, and personally while strengthening IUP’s scholarly and global profile.
Please join us in congratulating Prof. Hao on this well-deserved honor!