SOE News
Deborah P. Lane has been appointed to the School’s new position as assistant dean for administration and finance, bringing 15 years of business experience in university settings. “My goal is to help the dean move the School forward in the administration and finance functions,” Lane said. “Once I assess where we are, I will be developing strategies to take us where we need to go.”
In her new role, Lane is responsible for human resources, budget development and analysis, payroll, contracts and grants, accounting services and facilities management. She approaches her work with enthusiasm and optimism. “I don’t dwell on obstacles, but rather I see everything as an opportunity,” Lane said. “I believe that any situation or circumstance can be worked through regardless of how challenging it is.”
Lane, a Raleigh native, has worked in fiscal management at other Triangle universities before coming to UNC-Chapel Hill, including Duke University, North Carolina Central University and North Carolina State University. She also has worked in the private sector but soon realized that she prefers being in the learning environment of a university. “A university setting is where I most enjoy working,” she said.
Drawing on her own style of leading by mentoring, Lane is committed to helping each member of her staff develop to his or her fullest potential. One of the greatest rewards of her previous work, she said, was seeing employees who had felt “stuck” due to limited skills then succeed in developing their abilities and become capable professionals. She intends to facilitate similar professional growth opportunities at the School of Education.
Lane holds an M.B.A. from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Upon her arrival at UNC in October 2005, she was immediately impressed by the friendly, helpful attitudes among staff and faculty at the School of Education and across the campus. “I feel fortunate to be at UNC-Chapel Hill,” Lane stated. “I hope to complete my career here.”