Jason Lester

Dr. Jason Lester serves as the founding dean of the College of the Arts at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), a position he has held since joining the institution in 2018. Under his leadership, the College of the Arts encompasses cinema, communication, dance, digital media, gaming and interactive design, graphic design, journalism, music, public relations, sports broadcasting, theatre, and visual art, along with the non-academic Preparatory Department.

Dr. Lester is nationally recognized for his values-based leadership, rigorous expectations for academic and artistic excellence, innovative community collaboration, and visionary planning. His leadership approach focuses on identifying and trusting faculty as content experts while he concentrates on building culture, mentoring staff, leading curricular initiatives, and nurturing external relationships with regional arts organizations.

Dr. Lester has established partnerships with Palm Beach Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, Norton Museum of Art, Society of the Four Arts, Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, and numerous other cultural institutions. He successfully guided the college through the merger of two academic schools and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• International Council of Fine Arts Deans (ICFAD) - Serves as dean mentor in leadership development program
• National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) - Former Greater Houston Chapter President, Texoma Region Governor, and National Treasurer of the 7,000-member organization

Prior to PBA, Lester was academic dean at the School of Fine Arts at Houston Christian University (HCU) starting in 2015, and previously chaired HCU's music department. His career began with performing opera before transitioning to music education, where he inspired students to win competitions and gain acceptance to leading music conservatories. He remains active in the arts community through board service and occasional singing performances.