Debra Pozega Osburn brings a wealth of experience to the university’s leadership team, along with a passion for education that began at a young age and has helped define her career path.  The daughter of two public school teachers who were the first in their families to attend university, she completed a bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University in 1979 and worked as a journalist for more than a decade before returning to her alma mater to lead the media relations department.  Following that, she practiced as a principal and partner in a communications consulting firm that served the education, association and non-profit sector, before moving to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, where she served in a variety of leadership roles, including as Vice President, University Relations. She also has held various faculty teaching positions throughout her career, and has served as a director on numerous non-profit governing boards.

Debra holds both a master’s and Ph.D in American Studies from Michigan State, as well as a bachelor’s degree in journalism.  Her successes in both the public and private sectors have established her as a recognized expert in communications, public affairs, government relations and community relations, alumni relations, and fund development.