Lee has worked in higher education since 1987, serving in a variety of roles and areas including student activities, residence life, counseling, admissions and orientation. Much of her work has revolved around building effective partnerships with faculty and academic affairs, including her work in the learning communities movement. Lee has been a resource faculty member with the National Learning Communities Project, and has served as a consultant on numerous campuses helping them develop and improve their learning communities initiatives. She is a nationally-recognized speaker and writer on learning communities, student culture and trends in higher education.

Lee earned her BA from Gordon College in Wenham, MA, her masters in Counseling from Salem State College (MA), and her doctorate in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Maryland College Park.