Barry knows and appreciates the value of a quality residential liberal arts education. He also knows well the importance of achieving diversity, building college resources, and developing a strong sense of community at the College. He is an outstanding choice for Bowdoin's 14th president. He joined the firm in 1979 and became a partner in 1986. During his time at the firm, Mills has traveled professionally to Australia, China, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Mills is the second partner at the firm to be named president of a leading American college.
A Dean's List student at Bowdoin, Mills graduated cum laude in 1972 with a double major in biochemistry and government. He earned his Ph.D. in biology in 1976 at Syracuse University, where he taught courses as a graduate student in introductory biology, cell physiology, and animal physiology. He earned his law degree at the Columbia University School of Law in 1979, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. Mills has published papers in the field of biology and, as a lawyer, has produced numerous publications and speeches in his field. Karen Mills is a founder and managing director of Solera Capital, LLC , a private equity firm located in New York City.