Dr. Jaime Lester

Biography

Jaime Lester is the Vice Dean and a Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. With a rich academic background, she has previously served as an Associate Dean and faculty member in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at George Mason University. Known for her expertise in organizational change and collaborative leadership, Dr. Lester emphasizes faculty development to enhance instructional practices and decision-making through data-informed evidence. Her research focuses on educational technologies and equitable workplace practices impacting higher education. Throughout her career, she has published 50 peer-reviewed articles and regularly consults on issues concerning faculty workload and pedagogical innovations. Dr. Lester’s overarching goal is to examine how organizational change in higher education can foster faculty development and promote institutional change that underscores the importance of individual identity in creating equitable workplaces. She began her academic journey with dual bachelor's degrees in English and Women's Studies from the University of Michigan and later earned a Master of Education in Higher Education from the University of Southern California. Since joining George Mason University in 2008, she was recognized as a “Rising Star” in 2011 and received the university’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2013.

Research Interests