Deborah Anderson, Ed.D.

Project Director

Deborah possesses extensive knowledge of higher education, constituent relations, fundraising, and brand building that have been developed over a career spanning nearly 30 years. This experience has been enhanced by her doctoral research regarding gender equity issues in higher education. She continues to write on this topic and has recently expanded her interests into workforce development.

A pioneer in using social media to maximize the impact of alumni relations efforts, Deborah was one of the first alumni directors in the country to write a daily blog. She was the only chief alumni officer to have a television show broadcast on a major network. Her ability to recruit ambassadors and create broad support groups for organizations by employing multi-faceted approaches has generated millions of dollars for the institutions she has served. ​

Deborah’s success is rooted in her commitment to education and the promise it brings in changing lives. She immerses herself in the people and organizations that call on her, bringing passion and enthusiasm that is infectious and effective in the achievement of goals. Throughout her career, the teams she had led have been commended for service excellence and accomplishments.​

Her efforts have been recognized in myriad ways, from being named 2007 Business Woman of the Year by the Athens Banner-Herald, to receiving the Charles Ostick Work Horse Award from the Athens Rotary Club.. She is also a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Georgia program.

Summary of Experience

• Twenty-three years in leadership roles at University of Georgia, University of Louisville, Teachers College, Columbia University, and State University of New York at Stony Brook.​
• Board service includes the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Board (Parliamentarian) and Chair of Women in Business Council; Georgia Women of Achievement Trustee; Athens Area Habitat for Humanity; American Heart Association. A member of the Junior League for more than 20 years, she was President of JL Athens in 2004-2005. ​
• Extensive volunteer service to community nonprofits and  the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.​
• Ed.D. in Higher Education Management (University of Georgia); M.S. in Marketing (Texas A&M University); B.A. in English (Hofstra University)