Meet Mike Farley

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Dear Friends,

I’m happy to take this opportunity to introduce myself to many of you for the first time. Since joining the Office of Development and Alumnae Relations in April, I’ve enjoyed meeting with Barnard’s Board of Trustees, alumnae, parents, and friends, and I look forward to getting to know faculty, staff, and students across the College. In addition to the Barnard events I had the chance to participate in throughout California, I am excited to celebrate the Class of 2024 at Barnard’s 132nd Commencement. I can't think of a greater opportunity for me to experience all that Barnard means to our growing alumnae network.

The dedication, joy, and support inherent in this community sets Barnard apart from its peers. On campus, students continue a cherished tradition of peer advising and mentorship — a culture of care reinforced by the faculty’s commitment to teaching and guided research. As alumnae, Barnard graduates enrich their surrounding communities and continue to give back to the College through gifts of their time, mentorship, and financial investment in the future of the College. Barnard women are deeply engaged with one another, demonstrating a level of commitment that impacts every aspect of student and alumnae experiences. This distinctiveness drew me to Barnard, and I’m so proud to be part of the team focused on the resources necessary to sustain the College’s defining qualities.

For the past six years, working as the Executive Director of Development & Alumni Affairs at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law, I partnered with Dean Laura Rosenbury — now Barnard’s ninth president — to complete a transformative fundraising campaign that also inspired record alumni engagement. Here at Barnard, I’m eager to work alongside President Rosenbury to advance her bold and fearless vision for the College’s future.

There’s so much to look forward to. Today, more young women than ever before envision themselves at Barnard, and the College’s applicants are increasingly more accomplished, determined, and diverse. On campus, the Francine LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being is preparing to open its physical spaces, and plans to renovate Barnard’s science facilities and develop the Roy and Diana Vagelos Science Center are well underway. Looking further ahead, we’ve set an ambitious goal of increasing Barnard’s endowment to $1 billion — an achievement that will give the College the strength, flexibility, and security necessary to meet the needs of generations of future students.

Barnard has arrived at a remarkable place in its history, and I’m deeply honored to be part of the College’s future. I’m excited to get to know all of you, and together, we can reach — and surpass — our boldest aspirations.

I’m grateful for your warm welcome to Barnard, and I thank you for everything you do for the College and our community. 

Sincerely,

Mike