Dale began his PhD in Higher Education Administration in Fall 2022, while serving as a Graduate Research Assistant with Institutional Research & Strategic Analysis (IRSA). In this role, he supported institutional reporting to the University of Tennessee System and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), as well as internal research projects for administrative and academic partners across campus.

In October 2024, Dale’s role was elevated to Research Analyst with IRSA. Since then, he has taken on responsibilities advancing the university’s data governance initiatives, including efforts to strengthen awareness and understanding of institutional data resources. His portfolio also includes coordinating the campus-wide Data Users Group for institutional data practitioners and supporting a growing annual data conference designed to foster collaboration among administrators, analysts, and other data users across departmental boundaries.

Prior to joining the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Dale worked in enrollment management and student success at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), where he supported recruitment and retention initiatives. During his time at UAH, he also served for three years on the Staff Senate – including a term as President – advocating for policies related to educational assistance, hybrid and remote work, and paid parental leave. This campus governance and policy experience continues to inform his approach to institutional research, data-informed decision-making, and organizational improvement.

These professional experiences shape Dale’s research interests, which lie at the intersection of test-optional admissions, institutional merit aid strategies, and equitable student outcomes.

Dale holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, both from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.