Mike Allen, President, Barry University

In an interview with Invest:, Mike Allen, president of Barry University, discussed key milestones, including record enrollment and fundraising, while also addressing the university’s commitment to social mobility, and facing challenges like rising costs and Miami’s housing crisis.

What were the most significant milestones for the university over the past academic year?

It has been an incredible year for Barry University, and we’re thrilled with the progress we’ve made. We are coming off the highest new student enrollment in the last five years, and we broke fundraising records as well.

When you think about a university like ours, those two metrics — enrollment and fundraising —  really drive our success. The fact that we’re recruiting more students, retaining them, and raising more funds to support and educate them is fantastic. We believe this momentum will only continue to grow stronger in the coming months and years.

How is the university promoting social mobility?

If there’s one thing we do above all else, it’s providing opportunity. That’s the key. We’re offering students an affordable education at a world-class university where they get personalized attention. That’s where the true impact of education, and the opportunity for social mobility really begins.

Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college, and many receive Pell Grants to help support their education. It’s our responsibility to continue making their time with us as affordable as possible while ensuring they receive the best preparation and education that leads to outstanding job opportunities upon graduation.

It’s a cycle: creating opportunity on the front end, effectively supporting and engaging with students while they’re here, and then ensuring they have great career prospects once they leave Barry.

How is the university adapting its curriculum and student services to meet the evolving needs of students?

At the start of every year, I meet with our entire campus community to discuss our priorities. The first focus area is the student experience. We ensure we provide comprehensive wraparound support services to help students succeed. This includes everything from financial literacy to strong advising from our professional staff and faculty, an outstanding classroom experience, and a dynamic living and learning culture on campus.

We also make sure students are thinking about their careers from day one. Whether it’s choosing a major or planning for life after graduation, we’re focused on helping them make informed decisions. A vibrant, top-of-the-line student experience is central to what we do.

The second priority is technology. Every industry, including higher education, is wrestling with artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity. We’re focused on how these technologies will factor into what we offer our students, how we prepare them for the future, and how we run our university.

The infusion of the latest technological advancements into every aspect of university life is essential to providing our students with a cutting-edge education.

How is Barry connecting students to the workforce?

It’s no longer enough for our students just to get jobs, we want them to thrive in those jobs from the moment they begin. To achieve that, they need hands-on experiences while still in school. The healthcare industry has mastered this, with practical experience in hospitals complementing classroom learning.

This approach is now widespread across all fields — technology, business, arts, mental health, and finance. It’s about applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings. We’ve built strong partnerships to support this. For example, our apprenticeship program with Kaseya in tech, our relationships with the finance industry for our business students, and collaborations with Baptist Health and Memorial Healthcare train our students, many of whom are hired upon graduation.

In finance, our SMIF Program allows students to manage over $1 million of the university’s endowment, giving them real investment experience. Similarly, our Barry advertising agency lets students design campaigns and work directly with clients, preparing them to thrive in marketing or advertising firms.

Ultimately, what students learn in the community and local businesses truly sets the Barry experience apart.

How do you see the university’s relationship with the industry evolving, especially when it comes to shaping curriculum and preparing students for the workforce?

I think universities are becoming more open to collaborating with industry, and that’s something we’re fully committed to at Barry. We actively encourage industry involvement in shaping our curriculum and teaching.

When designing learning spaces, we listen to industry leaders. For instance, when considering the technology needed for education, we recognize that universities alone can’t always keep up with rapid advancements. Being open to industry feedback is essential for meeting South Florida’s talent demands and ensuring our students are ready for the modern workforce.

What challenges is higher education facing, and how is Barry University strategizing to navigate them?

We — families, universities, and organizations — are all facing similar challenges as costs rise at a pace that’s hard to manage. This is especially true in higher education. Everything is becoming more expensive, yet our priority remains keeping education affordable, which is a real challenge.

Another significant challenge is Miami’s housing crisis. While Miami’s popularity is great, it’s driving up living costs. This affects our graduate students, who make up half of our student body, and hinders our ability to recruit top-tier faculty and staff. They want to come, but finding affordable housing is difficult.

I’m encouraged by how politicians and industry leaders are addressing this crisis, but housing remains a top issue. It has escalated quickly in recent years in South Florida, and we’re all trying to keep up.

One solution is our partnership with Lennar to build a townhome community on 24 acres of campus land. Instead of using the land for other purposes, we’re helping tackle the housing shortage. By offering a variety of housing, we aim to attract and retain the talent Miami and South Florida need, and we’re nearing the finish line on this project.

What emerging trends do you see shaping the future of higher education

Universities are increasingly addressing major issues affecting our communities, including environmental challenges like sea level rise.

Earlier this year, we hosted the Barry University Climate and Ocean Summit, where leaders nationwide discussed the climate crisis and sustainability. We focused on what we, as a community, must do: acknowledge the crisis and find solutions. Universities, like Barry, are becoming hubs of information, partnering with local leaders to address sustainability and climate change.

How do you envision the university’s role in contributing to Miami’s growth and development over the next decade?

We’re part of the Academic Leaders Council (ALC), a group under the Beacon Council, which includes all Miami university and college presidents, along with Dr. José Dotres, superintendent of Miami-Dade public schools. We meet regularly and it is an impressive example of collaborative leadership. 

It’s remarkable to see institutions, some considered competitors, unite to address our community’s educational needs and talent demands. When we collaborate, our potential is enormous. We’re creating opportunities, addressing workforce needs, and finding solutions that benefit everyone.

One key initiative is setting an ambitious educational attainment goal for Miami-Dade County that by 2040, 65% of our working population will hold an associate degree or higher. Reaching this goal will place Miami among the most educated communities in the nation. Barry University and the Academic Leaders Council (ALC) are vital in making this a reality.