Lisa Klopfer graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a BA in Anthropology in 1981. In 1986 Klopfer was awarded a Fulbright to study in Indonesia and afterwards attended the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated with a PhD in Anthropology in 1994. Having served as a lecturer at the University of Michigan in 1997, she returned to graduate school to receive her MSI-LIS & Archives and Records Management in 2000 from the University of Michigan.

Klopfer joined the faculty at Eastern Michigan University in 2000 as an assistant professor in the library providing instructional and reference support in the social sciences. She remained on the faculty until retiring as a full professor in 2022.

During her time at EMU, Klopfer was an active member of the faculty, serving as the Director (I) of the Bruce K. Nelson Faculty Development Center from 2010-11 and was an active member of University Committees including: The Craduate Council, General Education Review committee, and the Global Engagement council. She traveled extensively in South Asia, often accompanied by her late spouse Lee Schlesinger.