Her research encompasses a range of higher education issues that center on the role of individual and collective consciousness in shaping the culture and ultimately the practices of higher institutions and their students. As examples, she has examined faculty cultures, college access and outreach, and students’ spirituality. Most recently, Lee has worked on several projects related to international students’ access to higher education and their experiences in higher education institutions. Lee’s research has appeared in top higher education journals such as Higher Education, Research in Higher Education, Review of Higher Education, and Journal of Higher Education.