Debra Lee Surface, PH.D. ’01— College Professor and Great Mentor

When we interviewed Debra Lee Surface ’01 for this spotlight story, she had just arrived home in New Jersey from two months abroad in Austria, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and France, where she was presenting at conferences and teaching marketing classes. Still recovering from jet lag, she said the experience was one she would soon not forget.

The next academic year, Debra Lee is now preparing for as she teaches at Seton Hall as an Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Stillman School of Business at Seton Hall University. She teaches several business classes, including Principles of Marketing, Product Development and Management, and Influencer Cultural Marketing. Debra Lee’s educational training was extensive leading up to her career as a college professor. She earned her BA and MBA from Salem State University, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration from the Manning School of Business at the University of Massachusetts/Lowell.

In addition to her teaching role at Seton Hall, Debra Lee very much enjoys being a mentor to her students. As a result, she serves as the faculty advisor to the University’s Marketing Club. “I had a wonderful mentor at Fenwick, Mr. Keith Phelan. He had a huge influence on helping me be the person I am today. I want to do the same with my students here at Seton Hall,” said Debra Lee.

Prior to arriving at Seton Hall in 2023, Debra Lee spent a few years as an adjunct and visiting professor at the University of Massachusetts/Lowell, University of Massachusetts/Dartmouth, and Salem State University. Earlier in her career, Debra Lee served as the Marketing Manager at St. Jean’s Credit Union in Salem, MA. According to Debra Lee, “I am thrilled to be at Seton Hall. As a Catholic university, Seton Hall embraces all of the same important Catholic values that I learned at Fenwick. Much like Fenwick, there is a strong sense of community on campus and it reminds me so much of Fenwick’s Bonitas et Fidelitas – Goodness and Loyalty.”

When asked about a favorite memory at Fenwick, Debra Lee told us, “I loved being on the Cheerleading Team. During my senior year the football team won the Super Bowl, and the Cheerleading Team was there at the game. There was a real sense of community pride and excitement.” And when asked for some words of advice for today’s Fenwick students, Debra Lee offered, “Make the most out of your Fenwick experience, push your phones aside, get involved, and enjoy all that the school has to offer!”

At the close of our interview with Debra Lee, she told us a great Fenwick small world story. When she first arrived at Seton Hall she bumped into Fenwick alum, Andrew LeBlanc ’00. When she saw Andrew, she asked why he was visiting the campus. It turned out he was not visiting but worked there as the Assistant Varsity Swim Coach and a professor in the Psychology Department. Fenwick Crusaders are everywhere!

Thank you, Debra Lee, for sharing your story with us, and best of luck with your teaching career at Seton Hall!