Dr. Peter Eley is a higher education leader, scholar, pastor, consultant, and speaker whose work sits at the intersection of access, innovation, mathematics education, artificial intelligence, leadership, and institutional transformation. Known for his curiosity, creativity, humor, and ability to connect with diverse audiences, Dr. Eley brings a rare blend of academic expertise, administrative leadership, technological insight, and community-centered engagement to every space he serves.
Dr. Eley currently serves as Associate Dean of Curriculum, Assessment, and Academic Policy in the College of Education at Middle Tennessee State University. In this role, he provides strategic leadership for curriculum development, academic policy, assessment systems, accreditation readiness, program quality, and continuous improvement. His work supports faculty, students, and academic programs while helping advance institutional effectiveness and student success.
Prior to joining MTSU, Dr. Eley served at Alabama A&M University as Special Assistant to the Provost, Interim Dean, and Professor in the College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences. During his tenure, he provided leadership for a college serving more than 1,500 students, more than 120 faculty and staff, 29 majors, and two Ph.D. programs in Curriculum and Instruction and Social Work. His leadership included accreditation, faculty development, academic program growth, research infrastructure, student success, and strategic partnerships.
Dr. Eley previously served as Associate Dean in the College of Education at Fayetteville State University, where he provided leadership in teaching, administration, coaching, training, faculty support, and program development. His career in education began in K-12 settings, where he served as a mathematics and science teacher at the middle and high school levels. His pathway into higher education also included work as Data Manager and Webmaster for Saint Augustine’s University and as Mathematics and Science Education Pre-College Program Coordinator at Winston-Salem State University.
Dr. Eley earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Elizabeth City State University, master’s degrees in Applied Mathematics and Mathematics Education from North Carolina State University, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from North Carolina State University. His scholarly and professional work centers on mathematics education, equity, access, artificial intelligence, academic policy, leadership, assessment, and the use of technology to improve teaching, learning, and institutional decision-making.
In 2023, Dr. Eley served with NASA as Liaison for Minority Serving Institutions through the NASA Office of STEM Engagement and the Minority University Research and Education Project, supporting work connected to Marshall Space Flight Center and Stennis Space Center. In this role, he helped strengthen relationships between NASA and Minority Serving Institutions while advancing efforts to broaden participation in STEM and expand career pathways for future scientists, engineers, educators, and innovators.
Dr. Eley’s excellence in teaching, leadership, and service has been recognized through numerous awards and honors. He is a recipient of the UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award, Fayetteville State University’s College of Education Professor of the Year Award, the Wynton H. Hadley Teaching Award, and other institutional and professional honors. He has also served as a Faculty Administrative Fellow at Fayetteville State University and with the University of North Carolina System.
As a mentor, speaker, consultant, and leadership coach, Dr. Eley empowers educators, students, institutions, and community leaders to think boldly, lead wisely, and build systems that expand access and opportunity. His presentations are known for combining scholarship, strategy, storytelling, humor, and practical application. He speaks nationally on leadership, artificial intelligence in education, mathematics education, student success, institutional change, and the future of learning.
Beyond his academic and professional work, Dr. Eley is deeply committed to faith, family, and community. He serves as pastor of SafeHouse Church GSO and continues to mentor emerging leaders across educational, civic, and faith-based spaces. He is the proud father of two children. In his spare time, Dr. Eley enjoys golf, competitive kayak fishing, church life, and spending meaningful time with family and friends.