By Matthew Smith
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work Associate Dean for Advancement Kandace Farrar didn’t have the typical career path of a traditional law school graduate.
Instead of fighting for clients in the courtroom, she’s spent her career advocating for students in the classroom and raising funds for scholarships, research and experiences that have enhanced educational opportunities at the University.
The Winston-Salem, N.C., native, and 2012 Carolina School of Law graduate, was recognized by the UNC Law Alumni Association on Friday with its Emerging Leader Award. The annual award is presented to alumni who have graduated in the last 15 years and have brought credit to the school, the legal profession or society.
“I never thought I could have an honor like this because I took an alternative career path,” Farrar said. “I’m not your typical practicing attorney — and we produce some of the best there are here at Carolina Law. I’m not often seen as a member of the legal discourse community so getting this award, even though I’m not a practicing attorney, felt like I was seen.”
A development journey
Farrar joined the School in 2022 after previously working for Carolina’s Office of University of Development as the senior director of development for scholarships and student aid. In that role, she led the University’s fundraising strategy for need-based scholarships and student aid.
“I went into a role working with fundraising for college access programs and then I dipped into scholarship giving (and student aid) and ultimately led our University’s program for undergraduate need-based scholarship fundraising,” Farrar said. “I’ve helped hundreds of students who have financial need access a Carolina degree. That has been the pillar of my career because anyone who has done the work to earn their place here should be able to come.”
While at the School of Social Work, Farrar and her team raised more than $10 million in private support for the School in her first 10 months, outpacing the School’s 10-year annual fundraising average by 500%. The School offers more than 30 different merit- and need-based scholarships for master of social work (MSW) students.
“I’ve been a public servant my entire career,” she said. “It’s just something that’s really ingrained into me. To be able to give back and to get my degree and to have these opportunities at the nation’s first public institution, really just feels special to me.”
Since 2022, the School has elevated its scholarship and award programs to include the Golden Policy Fellows program — which includes a potential $30,000 stipend for students made possible by an anonymous $3 million donation to the School — and the McClinton Legacy Scholarship fund named in honor of social work pioneer Hortense King McClinton.
The School plans to increase its paid practicum placements, ensuring that all students are compensated for the $1.2 million in services they provide annually to the state during their MSW program. Through practicum assignments, students explore career paths through real-world experiences, developing workplace skills and competencies in professional settings. School of Social Work students are placed in more than 250 different agencies and organizations throughout North Carolina as part of the practicum experience.
“Our students each provide 1,000 hours of service to agencies and organizations in North Carolina as part of their practicum education,” Farrar said. “This requirement often prevents them from working paid jobs that can help defray the cost of their education.
“In my first year at the School of Social Work, I helped get 30% of our students compensated for their practicums through private philanthropy,” she said. “I think I am most proud of that. I won’t sleep until we can cover 100% of students, but I remain proud of the progress and how it will help lessen the financial burden for those students.”
In addition to her background in university development, Farrar has served as board president of the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, co-chair of the UNC School of Law’s Young Alumni Leadership Council, chair of the foundation committee for the Durham Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and co-led the Delta Gems Academy for at-risk girls through her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta.
She currently serves on the board of directors for Healing Justice, a national nonprofit organization that utilizes restorative justice and justice reform to provide healing to individuals and families harmed by wrongful convictions and to prevent future harm.
Award presentation
At Friday night’s event, Farrar joined six other School of Law grads receiving alumni honors.
Surrounded by her family and friends, she accepted her Emerging Leader Award from Carolina Law Alumni Association President Brian Meacham and Dean Martin Brinkley.
Brinkley said Farrar is a “true emerging leader.”
“As an accomplished fundraising professional, Kandace’s passion for access to education and working towards the greater good shines through all she does,” Brinkley said. “Today, the School of Social Work benefits from Kandace’s ability to connect skills acquired in the classroom to the needs of communities across the state. Her work bolsters the great work she did for the larger University to ensure access through impactful scholarships.
“The Carolina Law community has much to be proud of regarding Kandace’s impact since graduating from law school.”
Farrar was joined at the ceremony by School of Social Work Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson, who said she was proud to be a part of Farrar’s night.
“Kandace has done an amazing job at the School of Social Work ensuring that more of our students have access to the world-class education that the School provides,” Denby-Brinson said. “It’s an honor to be here tonight to recognize the work she’s done. I know she’s going to continue her pursuit toward making a UNC education affordable to all.”
As the night closed, Farrar reflected on how the Carolina School of Law prepared her for her career.
“I didn’t realize it before, but there are so many transferable skills between law and development,” Farrar said. “If you’ve mastered the art and science of statutory interpretation, then there’s no grant guideline that you can’t figure out; there’s no philanthropic strategy that you can’t maneuver.
“Having a Carolina Law degree has helped me get some of these more senior-level positions because (when people) see ‘Carolina Law’ they say, ‘If you can get a law degree from Carolina, you can do pretty much anything.’”
Related links
Smith P. Theimann Jr. Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Professional Practice Kim Strom was celebrated Oct. 19 in Washington, D.C.
Ramona Denby-Brinson, the dean of the School of Social Work, delivered the Carl A. Scott Memorial Lecture at the Council on Social Work Education’s 70th Annual Program Meeting in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, Oct. 25.
