Lee University

Lee University is a private, comprehensive university located in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Lee is emerging as a leader in higher education in the southeastern region, and is consistently ranked in the "Top Tier" in the South by U.S. News & World Report (Comprehensive Medium-Size Universities). Lee is also ranked by Princeton Review's "Best Colleges," and is one of the 141 colleges named Best in the Southeast.

Over the past two decades, Lee has become one of the largest Christ-centered private institutions in Tennessee, and the largest in the Appalachian College Association. During that period, the university has seen a remarkable transformation that has included significant growth in its academic programs, student enrollment, faculty expertise, and diversity, as well as an expanded sense of mission and vision.

Lee is a Christian institution which offers liberal arts and professional education on both the baccalaureate and graduate levels through residential and distance programs. We seek to provide education that integrates biblical truth as revealed in the Holy Scriptures with truth discovered through the study of arts and sciences and in the practice of various professions. A personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior is the controlling perspective from which our educational enterprise is carried out. The foundational purpose of all educational programs at Lee is to develop within the students knowledge, appreciation, understanding, ability, and skills which will prepare them for responsible Christian living in a complex world.

The Academic Sector is made up of six colleges and schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, the Helen DeVos College of Education, the School of Business, the School of Music, the School of Nursing, and the School of Religion. There are 13 academic departments and 5 graduate areas of study within the colleges and schools. Lee University offers 49 on-campus undergraduate majors in 129 programs of study.

Lee University’s Campus Ministries Office serves the students in a variety of ways through both the Campus Pastor, the Assistant Director of Community Ministries and the Coordinator of Discipleship Ministries.

Campus Ministries seeks to provide a community in which students experience, understand, and grow in the love of Jesus Christ in order to passionately participate and direct the mission of the Church at Lee University and beyond.

Lee University evaluates success with respect to student achievement according to our stated mission to help students develop knowledge, appreciation, understanding, ability, and skills which will prepare them for responsible Christian living in a complex world.

The criteria we use to evaluate student success includes graduation, retention, job placement rates, general education testing, major field tests, and nationally normed self-report studies. Data analysis is part of our Institutional Effectiveness process, as well, and includes review by appropriate faculty and administrative staff. Through these practices, we ensure student success that is appropriate for an institution of higher learning.

For many students, living on campus is an exciting opportunity to experience independence, while developing a close-knit network of friends and residence hall-mates. In each of our beautiful residence halls, our resident directors, resident assistants, and resident chaplains are ready to make your on-campus living experience comfortable and fun.

The Lee University Counseling Center (LUCC) will discontinue the regular walk-in schedule for intake services and walk-in needs after Tuesday, 4/24/18. However, LUCC services remain available through May and June for students (staying local) who are either enrolled in summer school or pre-registered for fall semester courses. During May and June, LUCC requests that students call to schedule intake appointments for beginning LUCC services, though walk-in requests for intake or crisis needs may be accommodated based on staff availability. LUCC office will be closed for the entire month of July.

The Student Development office seeks to provide a co-curricular program encouraging students in intellectual, spiritual, relational, and emotional growth. The office’s goal is to help students develop a deeper understanding of what it means to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.”

Service-learning at Lee University is guided by the Leonard Center and is designed to prepare students for Christian citizenship through reflective community interactions that encourage a commitment to the ideals of service, benevolence, civic virtue, and social justice.

Getting an opportunity to know and learn alongside people from different backgrounds is vital for preparing students for success in our global economy. With that in mind, the Lee University family appreciates diversity in many areas.

We will serve 5,370 total students this year, including 3,633 traditional undergraduates and 296 graduate-level students on campus. Students come to Lee from 48 U.S. states and 52 different nations, though the majority is from the southeastern United States. Lee has traditionally served many first-generation college students (40%), and 42% of students are from low-income families. Females represent 67% of undergraduates students, 14% are minority, and 4% are international. The university’s adult online division enrolls 756 non-traditional students and 91 students are enrolled at one of three international locations.

Diversity also extends to academic preparedness. Lee attracts a significant number of high-achieving students, and this fall, 32% of entering freshmen received between $10,000 and $16,080 (full-tuition) in merit scholarships for their first year based on ACT or SAT scores at the 90th percentile or above. Lee offers the Kairos Scholars program for students who seek a rigorous academic experience. At the same time, Lee welcomes and nurtures students who are behind academically, helping these students discover their potential and succeed.