Riverdale’s New Engine is Strong and Running: Welcoming Ms. Barnes
Riverdale community, please give a warm welcome to Ms. Hanifa Barnes, our new Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations. With a true passion for education, Ms. Barnes is the perfect addition to our Falcon family.
In this new role, Ms. Barnes supports the performance and functioning of Riverdale, working closely with Human Resources, the Finance Office, Food Services, Technology, Security, and Risk Management. In describing her role within the Riverdale community, Ms. Barnes uses the metaphor of a school bus where the windows, wheels, and sears are the forward-facing students and faculty and her work is like “the engine under the bus, it is really nuanced, there are a lot of components that somehow do work together, and sometimes there are some parts that need a little tweak or a nudge.” Ms. Barnes and her dedicated team play a crucial role in managing the behind-the-scenes, yet essential components that allow Riverdale to run seamlessly. Without the Strategy and Operations team, Riverdale students and faculty would not be able to thrive in and outside the classroom. Amid the complexity of overseeing Riverdale’s operations, Ms. Barnes shares that she minimizes the overwhelm by outlining her day-to-day strategy plans, including many meetings with fellow team members and other departments.
Prior to joining Riverdale, Ms. Barnes held a crucial role at the New Jersey Department of Education, serving as an Assistant Commissioner of Legal and External Affairs. In this position, she navigated a complex landscape working in the Communications, Legal, Political, and Diversity departments to help the Governor disperse information to all 600+ school districts in New Jersey.
As for her decision to become a member of the Riverdale community, Ms. Barnes describes it as a “symbiotic” choice: “Riverdale chose me, and I chose Riverdale.” Ms. Barnes’s commitments extend past supporting her own team, as she wants to foster support and strong relations with the whole community. This even includes learning a few students’ names, as she cherishes the opportunity to connect with students. Alongside cultivating a sense of purpose with the culture of her workspace, Ms. Barnes has always sought to form connections with those around her, including students. And while she gained extensive experience from her previous jobs, Ms. Barnes shared that she never truly felt a sense of connection to the school culture until she came to Riverdale. And given that Ms. Barnes began her career as a substitute teacher, the vibrant and intellectually fulfilling environment at Riverdale was very appealing.
Ms. Barnes also shared her goals for this school year, emphasizing her desire to support Head of School Ms. Kari Ostrem by ensuring that Operations is running smoothly.
Ms. Barnes’ words reflect the essence of her role not only as a professional, but also as a person who values connection, authenticity, and school spirit. Despite the big shoes to fill, Ms. Barnes has a great appreciation for community and embraces open communication. The Riverdale Review is so excited to welcome Ms. Barnes and to see the irreplaceable impact she will have as the “engine” of our school, propelling it to new speeds and destinations.
