In 1983, she was selected as president of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, serving until 2003. According to the college, she was the first female African-American president of a New Jersey public college, and one of the first in the nation. Farris directed the college through a period of expansion and change, increasing enrollment and adding to facilities. She emphasized academic excellence and is credited with leading the College to become a "nationally ranked institution, and increasing SAT scores, minority enrollment and retention."