Kimberly McFarlin, MSSA, MNO, LISW, is the assistant dean of student services and career planning, the interim equity director and a clinical instructor. She is responsible for strategic oversight, management and administration of the Office of Student Services and Career Planning and is deeply committed to facilitating a collaborative, student-centered learning environment to promote student success and retention. McFarlin also serves as an integral member of the associate dean’s leadership team, and represents student affairs concerns on various faculty committees for both the university and national organizations.
Under her collaborative leadership, the Mandel School instituted innovative student retention strategies, such as the hybrid online/in-person orientation experience for new students; the Lunch and Learn program, which provides an ongoing forum for all students, faculty and staff to actively engage with school leaders, research opportunities, campus resources, community partners and other key stakeholders; and the SPOT Check Program, a student retention strategy to proactively report, track and support progress of students through the semester.
McFarlin has nearly 20 years of leadership experience in a blended approach of clinical and community practice settings. Her areas of focus include creating homeless programs for women and children, leading health prevention initiatives, strategic management of nonprofit organizations, initiating fundraising efforts to build organizational capacity and programming, and supporting community development in neighborhood organizations.
She has completed certificate and training programs in diversity and inclusion, emotional intelligence, women in leadership and sustained dialogue. She brings extensive experience with students, especially international students and programming, serving previously as a field faculty advisor and the director of international affairs at the Mandel School. McFarlin serves as the school's faculty advisor for the LINK (Local InterNational Konnection) student group and as lead instructor for the Spoken English and International Support Seminar, and continues to work closely with local and international groups focused on global social issues.