Director, Disabled Student Services at Merced Community College
Dr. Barnes earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from University of California, Davis. His research focuses on academic resilience in first-generation students of color, resilience-building systems, resilience narratives, help-giving and help-receiving dynamics in higher education, strengths-based curriculum and program models, and asset-based organizational leadership. He has spent 15 years serving students of diverse backgrounds in the Central Valley and appreciates the many strengths they bring to higher education.
He is currently based at Merced Community College where he directs Disabled Student Services.
Formerly at California State University, Stanislaus, Dr. Barnes led the Learning Commons which provides campus wide learning support and engagement services, including centers for Supplemental Instruction, Tutoring, Writing, and Testing. Prior to his role at Stanislaus State, Dr. Barnes led professional staff teams in areas of advising, orientation, learning support, transfer programs, disability services, and student success course development at University of California, Merced. He also held professional leadership roles at California State University, Chico, University of Northern Iowa, and University of Dubuque.