By Claire Cusick
Kandace Davis Farrar, J.D., was named UNC School of Social Work’s new associate dean for advancement in July 2022.
Farrar has worked for University Development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 2014, including as the former senior director of development for scholarships and student aid, her previous position for the last three years. In this role, she led fundraising strategy for need-based scholarships and student aid by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $100,000 or more. In addition, she developed and executed a development strategy for campus-wide committees related to educational equity, college access and underrepresented populations; and supervised two additional development officers and an assistant director for scholarships. She exceeded her fundraising goals for three consecutive years.
“Kandace has already made a remarkable impression on our school community by her demonstrated commitment to the issues, populations, and communities about whom we care deeply,” Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson said her announcement of Farrar’s appointment. “Her professional success is noteworthy not only because of the record-setting metrics she has met but because of the many ways her work has set in motion lasting change in the University’s academic mission. As we deepen our community engagement, advance our research enterprise, and prepare future-ready practitioners, I am confident that Kandace is the spark we have been waiting for.”
Farrar said she is “elated” to join the School of Social Work. “This is not just a new career opportunity for me. It’s a position supporting projects and people that align with my mission and values,” Farrar said. “The UNC School of Social Work is doing remarkable things and will do even more under Dean Denby-Brinson’s leadership. I plan to leverage every relationship I’ve built and lesson I’ve learned at University Development for the betterment of the School.”
A graduate of Appalachian State University, Farrar began her career in advancement while a student at the UNC School of Law. There, she assisted with minority alumni engagement efforts, led an annual stewardship project to create personalized stewardship packets for over 200 donors, and helped coordinate Law Foundation and Law Alumni Association board meetings. She maintains close involvement with her alma mater and has co-chaired the Law School’s Young Alumni Leadership Council.
