The TC tradition of "Making a Difference" describes exactly what Betty Farbman wants to do in her role as Director of the Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs. "That is one of the reasons I want to be here--to make a difference," she says.

With experience working at small nonprofit organizations and CUNY, Farbman has been involved with grants in a number of areas for over 15 years.

"Having run my own projects at small nonprofits, I can understand what faculty members go through," Farbman says. "I can ask the right questions, because it's not just getting the proposal out, it's knowing once you receive funding that you have sufficient resources to run the project successfully."

Taking care of business at TC will be a combination of doing what's necessary to meet compliance issues and doing what she loves--helping people think through an idea, she says.

"What I plan to do right now is get to know everybody here as well as I can--the people who have been receiving grants and the people who haven't yet thought about looking for external funding."

Farbman adds that her experience as a member of a Capital Campaign team at Baruch College can help with the upcoming campaign at TC.

Not only does she have her own knowledge to draw on, but as an active member of her professional association she says, "I know people who do what I do and they are generous with their time and information. They are pretty open about what goes on at their institutions."

Farbman says she looks forward to working with a team that supports institutional priorities and faculty initiatives.

She notes that "It is easier to provide support for the people who come to you for help when the institution is supportive of your efforts."

Published Wednesday, Apr. 10, 2002