Rate My Professor Peter Allen Lee

Peter Allen Lee serves as Director and Professor in the School of Social Work at San José State University. He holds an MSW and a Ph.D. in social welfare from the University of California, Berkeley. His research specializations include the psychological development and adjustment of Asian Americans and ethnic groups in the child welfare and mental health systems, social work in community settings exemplified by Social Workers in the Library programs, social work education, and leadership discovery. As a tenure-line faculty member, Dr. Lee contributes to the academic mission through teaching, research, and service in these areas.

In addition to his directorial role, Dr. Lee chairs the University Council of Chairs and Directors at San José State University and serves as Provost Fellow and Director of the Academic Affairs Leadership Discovery Group. He is a committee member of the California Social Work Hall of Distinction and co-director of the Bay Area Social Services Consortium. Dr. Lee co-created the Social Workers in the Library program in San Jose with San Jose Public Library Librarian Deborah Estreicher. He engages with The Salvation Army and other San Francisco Bay Area non-profits to develop sports, family, and youth programs. Previously, he collaborated with San José State University colleagues and the Viet Nam National University in Ha Noi to develop graduate-level social work curriculum and served as Associate Director of CommUniverCity SJSU. Under his leadership, the School of Social Work administers key initiatives such as the Title IV-E Stipend Program, which provides tuition support for students pursuing careers in child welfare. Dr. Lee's career reflects a commitment to advancing social work practice, education, community partnerships, and leadership development in higher education.