LaiYee Leong

Dr. LaiYee Leong is a Lecturer in the Political Science Department and Distinguished Fellow at the SMU Center for Presidential History (CPH) at Southern Methodist University. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale University and a B.A. in English from an unspecified institution (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa). Her research focuses on post-9/11 US foreign policy impacts in East/Southeast Asia and transatlantic diplomacy, leading oral history projects with video interviews of senior officials. She produced the podcast series Firsthand History: Cross Currents and oversees CPH's partnership with a Dallas high school magnet program.

• Education:
• Ph.D., Political Science, Yale University
• B.A., English, [university name not specified], magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Her teaching portfolio includes courses on comparative politics, American foreign policy, Islam and politics, and social movements. She received the 2023 Provost's Teaching Recognition Award for excellence in teaching. Dr. Leong also serves as a Cultural Intelligence Officer for Dedman College, chairs AAPASA (Asian and Asian-American employee group), and advises the Asian Council student organization.

She co-leads a faculty research cluster integrating Asian American and trans-Pacific perspectives into curricula and manages the Article II Society donor programs at CPH.