Chancellor | Southern Illinois University

Austin A. Lane (download image) became chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on July 1, 2020. 

His appointment was approved May 29, 2020, by the university’s Board of Trustees following a recommendation by SIU System President Dan Mahony.

A native of New Jersey, Dr. Lane graduated from Hackensack High School and attended Odessa Junior College in West Texas on a basketball scholarship. He holds a B.A. in psychology from Langston University, M.A. in human relations from the University of Oklahoma, and Ed.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Lane’s career in higher education is marked by a variety of successive leadership roles and professional achievements. A 25-year higher education administrator and faculty member, Lane has served as president of Texas Southern University, executive vice chancellor of academic and student affairs at Lone Star College System, president of Lone Star College-Montgomery, vice president for student affairs at Tyler Junior College, and dean of students at the University of Texas at Arlington

Dr. Lane has served on a number of boards, including Texas Children’s Hospital, Greater Houston Partnership Economic Development board of directors, Amegy Bank advisory board, Montgomery County Women’s Center board of directors, Rotary Club of The Woodlands, the Texas Diversity Council board of directors, Montgomery County United Way Board, The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Conroe Economic Development Council  and Education for Tomorrow Alliance board of directors. 

Dr. Lane has been recognized among the 2017 top minority professional leaders in Greater Houston, recipient of the 2015 Drum Major Award, 2014 Interfaith of The Woodlands Hometown Hero Honoree, and 2012 Pacesetter of the Year for the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations.

He is married to Loren Lane and has three children, Lauren, Chase and Lance.