When students take their first steps into the new Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being, they’ll find an oasis like no other on campus. “I’m thrilled to be part of the Francine LeFrak Center’s incredible journey!” gushed psychology major and LeFrak Ambassador Amrita Singh ’26. “This center is more than just a space; it’s a dynamic resource that empowers students to prioritize their physical, mental, and financial well-being. As an ambassador, I’m excited to help create an environment where students can explore new ways to take charge of their wellness and thrive both personally and academically.”
The Francine LeFrak Center, which opened on October 30, offers support, programming, and resources across critical pillars of health and well-being — physical, mental, and financial — to foster resiliency and propel success throughout a person’s life. Students, faculty, and staff are all welcome.
“The space in the center of campus — planned with input from and inclusive of the whole Barnard community — communicates both the importance of holistic well-being and how Barnard is prioritizing our community’s wellness,” said Marina Catallozzi, M.D., vice president of health and wellness and chief health officer.
“Everyone on campus deserves to be well, and we are investing in programming and resources that support well-being for our entire community,” said April Autry, executive director of the Francine LeFrak Center.
The first of its kind, the center is leading the way in providing educational programming for women that focuses on financial well-being alongside physical and mental health, setting a new standard for higher-ed institutions. It is a model resource for promoting confidence in understanding debt, budgeting, saving, and investing through targeted, inclusive financial workshops.
Using a framework that includes all members of the community, the Francine LeFrak Center will address the key dimensions of financial fluency and the tools to propel success. Programs, speakers, and panels are designed to be responsive to the community’s needs in terms of financial well-being — ranging from budgeting to investing — and Barnard students will engage in personal, annual goal-setting with a choice of financial well-being offerings. The center will offer the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Financial Leadership and Fluency Certificate to students completing an eight-week certificate program in either the fall or spring semesters, and plans for a follow-up (Level 2) certificate that will build on these foundational concepts are in development. A four-week intensive session that is tailored to graduating seniors was also recently implemented.
“This marks an exciting new chapter at Barnard, one that takes into account the multidimensional nature of health,” said President Laura Rosenbury. “The center is a stunning, light-filled space, and I can’t wait to see all of the ways in which our students, faculty, and staff will thrive there.”
To construct the Francine LeFrak Center, the College undertook a significant renovation of the lower level and first floor of Barnard Hall. While the design preserves the original architecture of the historic building, the changes are comprehensive, including a 4,000-square-foot fitness facility — open to the entire community — state-of-the-art spaces for financial fluency and wellness programs, and the transformation of the former swimming pool into the 225-seat Ethel S. LeFrak ’41 and Samuel J. LeFrak Theatre.
“The opening of the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being will amplify all the services and resources available to students offered by peers and staff that aim to promote and support their mental, physical, and financial well-being,” said Merielen Espino ’26, a comparative literature major. “I am excited for students to see everything and take advantage of the space, especially the financial well-being office, a space unique to the center.”
In addition, the center will provide dedicated space for a number of mental health and well-being programs, such as the Wellness Spot, Barnard’s peer wellness program, which just celebrated its 30th anniversary; Being Barnard, the College’s sexual violence education, prevention, and outreach program; and the Denise LeFrak Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program.
The seven Francine LeFrak Center student ambassadors are collaborating with staff to develop and facilitate programming to support the center’s work in the physical, mental, and financial spheres. With interests that range from bridging the gap between technology and social impact to stress management and mind-body nutrition, the ambassadors are looking forward to learning new skills themselves as much as they are looking forward to sharing what they know through education seminars and programs.
A LeFrak Ambassador, Espino, along with two other ambassadors, presented an overview of the Financial Well-Being Program on October 26 for Family Weekend. The eight-week program will teach students about financial literacy, with a curriculum designed for and by Barnard students. “The Financial Well-Being Office will be a communal space for students to receive financial support from peers and staff aiming to promote the community’s overall well-being,” said Espino.
Watch a video tour of the Francine LeFrak Center.
When Barnard approached LeFrak about building a center for well-being focusing on physical and mental pillars, LeFrak agreed, but only if financial fluency was integrated into the overall well-being initiative as the third pillar, uniquely positioning the Francine LeFrak Center as a leader in campus well-being. On October 22, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Barnard announced that it had received a generous gift from the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation that would enable the College to create the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being. The vision that took form is an open and inclusive space for all campus community members to participate in programming designed to foster learning, skills, and habits conducive to promoting lifelong well-being.
“I am thrilled to see the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being, a place close to my heart, open its doors to the Barnard community,” said Francine A. LeFrak, whose activism and philanthropy have helped thousands of women and girls through job-training programs and access to education. “The center’s innovative approach to physical, mental, and financial well-being will equip women with the tools to excel during their time at Barnard and throughout their lives. This center represents my heartfelt commitment to building women’s confidence, independence, and financial freedom.”
The center, LeFrak explained, will raise the bar for well-being in higher education: “With the Francine LeFrak Center on its campus, I believe that Barnard is destined to be a leader in health and wellness and a model for others to follow.”
About the Three Integrated Pillars:
Mental Well-Being
Signature programming created by the Francine LeFrak Center team amplifies the importance of holistic well-being, particularly with programming to address key mental health issues, especially for girls and women. The center will provide a space for students, faculty, and alumnae to build community at Barnard.
Physical Well-Being
The Francine LeFrak Center will set a new standard for well-being in higher education — and education at all levels and in all settings — by applying a wide lens that includes multiple dimensions of well-being in its programming. This includes programs to promote physical movement and learning about topics of wellness from experts in our community. The center will house a dance studio and state-of-the-art fitness center that will be available to all Barnard community members.
Financial Well-Being
Using a framework that is inclusive of all members of the community and beyond, the Francine LeFrak Center will address the key dimensions of financial fluency and the tools to propel success. The center will host speakers and events and will offer the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Financial Leadership and Fluency Certificate, recognizing students for their commitment to financial fluency and well-being.
