Chancellor Kent Syverud today announced two leadership appointments on his executive team. Tracy Barlok has been named senior vice president and chief advancement officer, and Gabe Nugent will serve as senior vice president and general counsel. Both appointments, which are effective immediately and were approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, follow competitive nationwide searches.
Barlok
Barlok joined Syracuse University in September 2022 as special advisor to the chancellor on advancement and external affairs. She was appointed interim chief advancement officer earlier this year. Barlok came to Syracuse from the College of the Holy Cross, where she was vice president for advancement for ten years. With three decades of experience in higher education, she quickly transitioned to the Orange community, successfully advancing the strategic priorities identified in the Forever Orange Campaign and cultivating immediate relationships with high-impact donors and supporters.
“Tracy stepped into her interim role at a critical juncture of the Forever Orange Campaign and has had an immediate and profound impact,” says Chancellor Syverud. “The Forever Orange Campaign is the most dynamic and ambitious fundraising campaign in the University’s history and requires a leader like Tracy to help bring it over the finish line. I am grateful for Tracy’s leadership and look forward to successfully closing out the campaign with her as my partner.”
Citing the passion and spirit among the Orange community, Barlok says she is inspired by the special people she has encountered at Syracuse University.
“The energy and loyalty among alumni and friends are intense, vast and inspiring,” says Barlok. “Harnessing that energy and focusing it on the completion of the Forever Orange Campaign vision is a responsibility that can only be described as both moving and humbling. It is a privilege to lead the advancement team here and to work with so many wonderful volunteers, donors, faculty, staff and trustees. They all have a tremendous commitment to this incredible institution and, most important, to our students.”
During Barlok’s tenure at Holy Cross, the college raised more than $510 million for a range of initiatives, including new and renovated building projects, faculty and student support, financial aid, and athletics. Barlok led the design and execution of the largest and most successful fundraising campaign in Holy Cross history, which raised more than $420 million for strategic priorities. While at Holy Cross, the college continuously ranked in the top 10 across all U.S. colleges for highest percentage of alumni participation.
Prior to her time at Holy Cross, she served as Skidmore College’s associate vice president, and before that was director of the college’s successful $200 million comprehensive campaign. Barlok began her career in advancement at Colgate University, where she served as the director of alumni affairs, director of special gift programs and special assistant to the president. She earned a B.A. in English from Colgate University.
Nugent
Nugent currently serves as interim general counsel, a role he’s held since Daniel J. French announced his return to full-time private practice. Nugent joined the Syracuse University community in 2014 as deputy general counsel. In this role, Nugent was responsible for managing several complex issues for the University, including as it relates to NCAA compliance and enforcement, Title IX, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and many others.
“Gabe has proven himself to be an invaluable leader and advisor on the difficult issues facing higher education,” says Chancellor Syverud. “He is a thoughtful, steady and talented attorney who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. The University is in great hands with Gabe at the helm of the Office of University Counsel.”
“The issues facing universities and colleges have grown more and more complex over the years,” says Nugent. “The Office of University Counsel is staffed with individuals who have broad experience and capacities, necessary to manage the ever-changing compliance environment and the federal and state regulations that govern higher education institutions. I have been proud to work alongside them and am thrilled to take on this leadership position.”
Nugent will be leaving Barclay Damon LLP, where he has practiced for more than 17 years. He serves as co-chair of its White Collar and Government Investigations Practice Area, representing businesses and individuals in matters involving health care fraud, federal and state tax issues, insider trading, securities laws, environmental crimes, import and export control, the False Claims Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, mail and wire fraud, cybercrime, public corruption, procurement fraud, mortgage fraud, and offshore assets. In 2023, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Nugent as the chairperson of the New York State Judicial Screening Committee for the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, and as a member of the New York State Judicial Screening Committee. Nugent completed his legal studies at Brooklyn Law School and graduated with the class of 1998.
