Ilse-Mari Lee

Ilse-Mari Lee currently serves as dean of Montana State University’s Honors College. Born in South Africa, she joined MSU in the fall of 1989 and has taught generations of students in the School of Music and the Honors College. She holds advanced degrees in music theory, composition, cello performance and pedagogy. She is active as a concert cellist, composer and teacher. She has received the prestigious President's Excellence in Teaching Award and the Wiley Award for Meritorious Research, as well as 12 Bozeman Chamber of Commerce "Excellence in Teaching" Awards. Lee was invited to present a Provost Distinguished Professor Lecture on the “Transformative Power of Music” as part of MSU’s Year of Engaged Leadership. Under Lee’s leadership, the MSU Honors Program was elevated to a college by the Board of Regents, and she was appointed the first dean of the college in 2013. Due to the creation of the Honors College, MSU has seen extraordinary results for students and graduates, but what makes Lee truly exceptional is her personal care and commitment to each and every student. She is extraordinary in her dedicated effort to inspire "ordinary" students to achieve the extraordinary, as servant leaders dedicated to  improving the lives of others.

Ilse-Mari Lee is paramount to the success of attracting outstanding students to MSU and helping them achieve their true potential.