Dr. Jenifer Lewis is an Associate Professor in the NU Graduate School of Business since 2016. She first joined Nazarbayev University in 2011 as part of the first cohort of NU faculty members. Prior to joining GSB, she was a professor in and (Acting) Chair of the Department of Communication at NU in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Lewis earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Communication Studies from The University of Kansas with emphases in Political Communication and Leadership. She teaches classes in Business Communication, Leadership, and facilitates the team building modules during student orientation.
Her current research examines issues of leadership in Kazakhstan and views related to gendered expectations of leaders. She is keenly interested in studying how leaders develop, what are the necessary components of “effective leadership” in Kazakhstan, and how these differ based on the gender of the leader and followers. Dr. Lewis established and leads the Women’s Leadership Development Program at NU, and is currently the director of the NU Women Lead Association. Prior to her career in academia, Prof. Lewis worked in state government in the United States for the Kansas Department of Human Resources, and as a political appointee in the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.

Working Papers
Leadership in Kazakhstan: Exploring Ideal Leadership Characteristics.
Directing a full class research project in an undergraduate research methods course. For submission to SAGE Research Methods Cases.
Recent Presentations or Conference Papers:
“Inclusive & Intercultural: Reflective Analysis of a Leadership Course in an International University.” (2016). International Leadership Association Global Conference. Atlanta, GA, USA.
“Leadership in Kazakhstan: Exploring Ideal Leadership Characteristics.” (2015). International Leadership Association Global Conference. Barcelona, Spain.
“Breaking New Ground in Kazakhstan to Develop Women’s Leadership.” (2015). International Leadership Association Global Conference. Barcelona, Spain.
“Leadership Lessons from the Women’s Leadership Development Program at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan).” (2014). International Studying Leadership Conference. Copenhagen, Denmark.
“Gender, ethnicity, and leadership: A study of audience perception of leadership ability.” (2014). Gender in focus: (new) trends in media conference. Braga, Portugal.

Dr. Jenifer L. Lewis is an Associate Professor and Director of Degree Programs in the NU Graduate School of Business. She joined NUGSB in 2016. She first joined Nazarbayev University in 2011 in the first cohort of NU faculty members. Prior to joining GSB, she was a professor in and (Acting) Chair of the Department of Communication at NU in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Lewis earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Communication Studies from The University of Kansas with emphases in Political Communication and Leadership. She teaches classes in Business Communication, Leadership, and facilitates the team building modules during new student orientation.

Her current research examines issues of leadership in Kazakhstan and views related to gendered expectations of leaders. She is keenly interested in studying how leaders develop, what are the necessary components of “effective leadership” in Kazakhstan, and how these differ based on the gender of the leader and followers. She is co-founder and co-Director of The Consortium and Gender Scholars-Kazakhstan, she established and leads the Women’s Leadership Development Program at NU, and is currently the director of the NU Women Lead Association. Prior to her career in academia, Prof. Lewis worked in state government in the United States for the Kansas Department of Human Resources, and as a political appointee in the Kansas Secretary of State’s office.

Current Projects

Historical and Cultural Overview: Women in Central Asia. In D. Seitova & G. N. McLean (Eds.), Central Asian Women in Leadership. (Co-authoring with D. Seitova)
Voices of Central Asian Women Leaders: Constraints and Strategies. In D. Seitova & G. N. McLean (Eds.), Central Asian Women in Leadership. (Co-authoring with A.S. CohenMiller)
Leadership in Kazakhstan: Exploring Ideal Leadership Characteristics.
Recent Presentations or Conference Papers:

“Inclusive & Intercultural: Reflective Analysis of a Leadership Course in an International University.” (2016). International Leadership Association Global Conference. Atlanta, GA, USA.
“Leadership in Kazakhstan: Exploring Ideal Leadership Characteristics.” (2015). International Leadership Association Global Conference. Barcelona, Spain.
“Breaking New Ground in Kazakhstan to Develop Women’s Leadership.” (2015). International Leadership Association Global Conference. Barcelona, Spain.
“Leadership Lessons from the Women’s Leadership Development Program at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan).” (2014). International Studying Leadership Conference. Copenhagen, Denmark.
“Gender, ethnicity, and leadership: A study of audience perception of leadership ability.” (2014). Gender in focus: (new) trends in media conference. Braga, Portugal.

Leadership
Business Communication