Photo of Dr. Junghee Lee
The Portland State University (PSU) School of Social Work is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Junghee Lee as Interim Dean, effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Lee joined PSU in 2006 as an assistant professor of Social Work after earning both her Ph.D. and Master of Social Work degrees from Arizona State University. Over the past two decades, she has made significant contributions to the School and University through her leadership, interdisciplinary collaborations, and international partnerships.
In addition to serving as Interim Dean, Dr. Lee is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Public Service in the Hatfield School of Government and an Associate Faculty member in the Institute for Asian Studies. Throughout her career at PSU, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including Director of the Ph.D. in Social Work and Social Research Program (AY2014–2023), Interim Dean of the School of Social Work (AY2023–2024), and MSW Program Director (AY2025–2026).
As she begins her second appointment as Interim Dean, Dr. Lee reflected on the opportunity:
"One might assume that a second opportunity comes with greater confidence because of the lessons learned the first time. I am not sure I can honestly say that. What I do know is that we are entering a very challenging time for both our School and University. At the same time, I believe moments like these also create opportunities to do something bold, meaningful, and exciting together.
More than ever before, I feel that we are united by a shared commitment to making our School even stronger. That gives me hope and confidence in what we can accomplish as a community."
Dr. Lee also shared one of her immediate priorities for the School:
"One immediate way we can work together is by helping secure additional practicum sites for our students. We are expecting a larger incoming class this fall than we had anticipated. At a time when enrollment is declining across higher education, that is something truly worth celebrating.
If each of us could identify just one additional practicum site through our professional networks and connect that organization with our Practicum Education team, the collective impact would be tremendous. A single connection from each of us could make a meaningful difference for our students and our program.
This is only Day One, and I am already fully embracing this role. I am grateful to be on this journey with all of you, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together."
As Interim Dean, Dr. Lee will provide leadership during an important period of transition for the School, including advancing college restructuring and engagement efforts while continuing to prioritize student success, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strong partnerships with the community. She is equally committed to supporting faculty and staff, recognizing that their well-being is essential to the success of the School and its students.
"As our School navigates several leadership transitions, one of my highest priorities is ensuring continuity, stability, and strong support for our students, faculty, and staff. To provide seamless leadership during this transition, I am pleased to announce that former MSW Program Director Lisa Hawash has agreed to serve as Acting MSW Program Director, and I will serve as Acting PhD Program Director. Both appointments are effective immediately.”
Dr. Lee is a first-generation Korean American who was born and raised in Seoul before immigrating to the United States. Throughout her career, she has fostered meaningful partnerships between PSU and organizations in Korea, creating global learning opportunities for students. Among these efforts, she established a pioneering three-year partnership with the Seoul Welfare Foundation, providing MSW and Ph.D. students with the opportunity to study Seoul's social welfare programs and service delivery systems firsthand.
As Dr. Lee assumes this new leadership role, she brings not only extensive leadership experience but also deep relationships across the University and the broader community. Her collaborative leadership style, commitment to students, and dedication to the values of social work will help strengthen the School and deepen its engagement with community partners.
Dr. Lee succeeds Dr. Evaon Wong, who has served as Dean of the School of Social Work since 2024. The School extends its sincere appreciation to Dean Wong for her dedicated service and leadership and wishes her every success as she returns to research and teaching.