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With our Catholic liberal arts heritage and over 100 degree programs, including nursing and marine biology, from bachelors through PhDs, we've got your options covered. Focus on arts and sciences, business, education, social work, communication, nursing, medical sciences, theology, or law. Take things further with personalized research and experiential learning opportunities, on and off-campus. Enhance your prospects with hands-on internships at some of the country's top organizations.

Colleges and Schools

Academic Support

Barry University Students

The Career and Experiential Learning Team educates students and alumni on the essential job searching and life skills to propel them to succeed in the increasingly competitive global marketplace.

Service-learning integrates relevant community service with course work and critical reflection to enrich the learning experience, foster social responsibility and civic engagement, and strengthen communities.

Service-Learning

The Honors Program at Barry is designed to challenge, enrich, and prepare especially motivated students to pursue their fullest potential. By participating in a rigorous curriculum rounded out by an array of edifying and interactive events, students explore crucial issues that we face in our daily lives. Students are given the space for discussion and debate and the opportunity to learn from experts in their fields. The Office of Financial Aid can assist with determining eligibility for the Honors Program.

The Monsignor William Barry Memorial Library is located in the center of the beautiful Miami Shores campus of Barry University. The Library is named in loving memory of Monsignor William Barry, one of the founders of Barry University and an inspirational figure in the Catholic Church within the Archdiocese of Miami. The extensive Library research collections include more than 950,000 physical items, over 40,000 print and on-line journal subscriptions, and several thousand on-line books and streaming video resources.

At Barry University, you will experience a small community atmosphere where you can always rely on our administrators and faculty for advice, encouragement and personal attention. We take great pride in giving individual attention from the very beginning. You can start building a personal relationship with one of our admissions counselors who will help answer any questions, and guide you through the entire admissions and enrollment process.

Bucky and student at Open House

Continuing Education (CE) offers a variety of courses and non-credit programs designed to respond to the diverse educational interests and lifelong learning needs of individuals of all ages. We offer certificate, credential exam preparation, and licensure programs for professional and personal enrichment.

High school students: Get a jump-start on your college education with dual enrollment courses from Barry University! You can earn high school and college credit at the same time, right at your own school.

Dual Enrollment

Barry University is committed to provide you with a dynamic and flexible approach to your degree pathway through our online courses and degree programs. We understand that balancing academics, work, and personal commitments can be challenging. That's why our online offerings are designed to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule, allowing you to pursue your educational goals without compromising on other important aspects of your life.

Distance Education

We are committed to providing programs and services that are guided by Barry University's rich educational mission and intended to enhance your Barry experience. Through partnerships with others in the university community, we aim to create experiences that will help transform you into leaders for a just and humane world.

Portrait of students at event on campus

We are an NCAA Division II school and a member of the Sunshine State Conference with 12 varsity teams, including men's baseball, basketball, golf, soccer and tennis; and women's basketball, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. So far, we've won 24 NCAA championships, had 338 All-Americans, 413 Scholar All-Americans, and nine NCAA "Women of the Year" finalists, the most of any Division II school. Not bad at all, but we're going for more.

Campus Life

For students currently enrolled in classes at Barry, we have a wealth of resources you can tap into to bring ease and efficiency to your university experience. Get the help you need with administrative or financial questions, or check out course catalogs to help plan your schedule by semester. All the information you need to excel is at your fingertips.

Smilka Melgoza ’03, MBA ‘24

Vice President, University Advancement

Smilka Melgoza ’03, MBA ‘24
Smilka Melgoza ’03, MBA ‘24 Vice President, University Advancement

Biography

Smilka Melgoza is Vice President for Advancement at Barry University and a nationally respected nonprofit and higher-education executive with more than 25 years of experience in philanthropy, business development, and strategic leadership. A double alumna of Barry University, she brings a deeply personal commitment to the institution’s mission and a proven record of driving transformational outcomes through visionary, relationship-centered leadership.

Since her appointment in November 2023, Smilka has led a significant transformation of Barry University’s Advancement Division. She has built a high-performing, mission-aligned team while fostering a renewed culture of philanthropy, accountability, and excitement across the university community. Under her leadership, the division exceeded its fiscal year 2024 fundraising goal, raising more than $7 million, and secured the largest bequest in the university’s history—a $1.5 million commitment. Her strategic direction of Give Miami Day 2024 positioned Barry University as the top South Florida university fundraiser for the day, raising $181,343 from 315 donors, well surpassing its original goal.

Prior to Barry University, held senior advancement leadership roles at Florida International University, where she was a key member of the leadership team for the institution’s historic comprehensive campaign that exceeded its $750 million goal, ultimately raising $864 million. As Assistant Dean for Development at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, she advanced medical education and healthcare initiatives by securing public, private, and corporate funding; establishing endowed funds for student success; and launching innovative pipeline programs such as Junior Doctors of Tomorrow to expand access to medical careers for underrepresented students.

Smilka’s career also spans wealth management, nonprofit entrepreneurship, and multicultural marketing. At Northwestern Mutual, she ranked in the top 2 percent nationally for new client production and generated more than $100 million in insurance sales. As Founder and CEO of ShareKindness, she built an international nonprofit organization from inception, raising and endowing $20 million to provide healthcare, education, nutrition, housing, and microfinance opportunities for underserved communities in Mexico, directly impacting thousands of families.

Earlier in her career, Smilka co-founded Geoscape, a multicultural marketing intelligence firm acquired by Goldman Sachs, and held senior marketing and global leadership roles with organizations including Save the Children, where she produced high-profile international fundraising and women’s empowerment initiatives with global leaders and public figures.

Known for her fearless leadership style, strategic insight, and exceptional ability to align donors with mission-driven priorities, Smilka is widely respected for advancing education, healthcare, and community well-being. Her work reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of philanthropy to create opportunity and lasting social impact.

Leadership & Professional Interests

  • Philanthropy and institutional advancement
  • Higher education and student success
  • Healthcare and medical education funding
  • Community engagement and nonprofit leadership
  • Strategic partnerships and global alliances

Education

  • EdD, Organizational Leadership, Barry University (expected 2029)
  • MBA, Barry University (2024)
  • BS, Economics & Finance, Barry University (2003)
    Honors Thesis: An Econometric Analysis of the Factors that Influence Charitable Contributions

Languages

  • Fluent in English and Spanish

Honors & Recognition

  • 2025 SFLHCC Hispanic Leadership Award – Non-Profit Executive

Professional Affiliations

  • Barry University Board of Trustees, Ex-Officio Member (former)
  • President, Barry University Alumni Association Board of Directors (former)
  • Founding Member, Planned Giving Advisory Council, Archdiocese of Miami
  • Co-Founder and Development Chair, St. Hugh-Steinway Concert Series
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11300 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695

305-899-3000

University Non-Discrimination Statement

Barry University does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, familial status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability status or veteran status. This policy applies to students, employees, applicants and trustees with respect to participation in any program, benefit, activity or student/employment opportunity offered by the University. Every member of the University community is expected to uphold this policy as a matter of mutual respect and fundamental fairness in human relations. Every student of this institution has a responsibility to conduct himself/herself in accordance with this policy as a condition of enrollment. Further, every University employee has an obligation to observe Barry University policies and implementation of federal and state law as a term of employment. No person shall be retaliated against for reporting violations or concerns about prohibited discrimination or bias through appropriate University channels.

Barry University’s EASE Grant Performance Measures on Access Rate, Affordability Rate, Graduation Rate, Retention Rate and Postgraduate Employment Rate are specifically listed on the ICUF Dashboard at this link: icuf.org/dashboard.

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