Biography

A native of Syracuse, New York, she is a proud West Virginian by choice and has helped share West Virginia’s impact stories for nearly 15 years.

As a strategic messenger, relationship builder, and problem-solver, she works with University leadership and stakeholders to build and execute strategic plans. She also collaborates and supports internal and external constituencies, including the Office of the President, Government Affairs and Collaboration, Economic Innovation, the Board of Governors, Talent and Culture, the University Police Department, the WVU Foundation, the WVU Alumni Association, advisory councils, legislative partners, and the state’s business community.

Farmer’s journey at WVU began in 2017 in the Office of the Provost Office where she worked for seven years as the communications director and marketing strategist for centers and institutes. Customizing the needs of each center, she was responsible for driving strategic planning and messaging, developing and implementing internal and external communications, steering integrated marketing efforts, and bolstering outreach among key stakeholders at WVU and across West Virginia. She worked closely with award-winning center directors, faculty, staff, students, community members, field experts, and statewide leaders on programs aimed at advancing the prosperity of all West Virginians through collaborative partnerships, community engagement, multidisciplinary action, and innovative problem solving.

Prior to joining the WVU community, Farmer worked in Washington, D.C. for seven years on Capitol Hill and for a large trade association.

Her West Virginia story began in the halls of Congress working for two United States Senators. She eagerly navigated the intersection of communications, policy, and politics, moving her way up from press assistant to press secretary to deputy communications director.

During her five-year tenure on the Hill, she became intricately engaged in the “retail politics” mantra, finding passion and purpose in serving the people of West Virginia. She also met her husband, a West Virginian with proud roots who brought her back to the mountains after a short, two-year stint working as senior director of government affairs communications at the American Hotel and Lodging Association. There, she helped advance the hotel industry’s policy priorities and advocacy efforts while promoting its brand, influence, and visibility.

Farmer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Loyola University Maryland. More recently, she was named to the 2025 West Virginia’s Generation Next 40 under 40 list, is part of the current 2025 class of Leadership West Virginia, and continues to volunteer for the West Virginia K-12 Speakers Bureau.

While free time is limited due to running around with her husband, Chase, and two young children, Lawson and Miley, Farmer enjoys riding her Peloton bike daily, reading, watching sporting events, skiing, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.