Elizabeth M Lee

Elizabeth M. Lee is an Associate Professor at Saint Joseph's University in the College of Arts and Sciences, with a dual affiliation in the Department of Economics and the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. She serves as Assistant Dean for Internships and Experiential Learning and as the DEI Faculty Liaison for First-Generation and Low-Income Student Inclusion and Belonging.

• PhD in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania
• MA in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania
• BA in Sociology from Smith College

Lee’s research focuses on socioeconomic status and higher education, particularly the experiences of low-income, first-generation, and working-class (LIFGWC) students at selective institutions. She explores how race/ethnicity and gender intersect with class inequality, institutional dynamics, and identity negotiation. Her work also extends to earlier education systems, LGBQ student experiences, and faculty from LIFGWC backgrounds.

Lee’s recent publications analyze class stratification in academia, educational mobility, and administrative support for marginalized students. Google Scholar data reveals a consistent emphasis on campus inequality, counterspaces, and institutional responses to diversity.

• Leading research on LIFGWC student peer support systems
• Contributing to debates on elitism and underfunded public universities
• Advocating for intersectional frameworks in higher education policy

As Assistant Dean and DEI Liaison, Lee bridges academic research with institutional practice, focusing on experiential learning and systemic inclusion strategies for underrepresented student populations.