Jeff Barnes, the new study abroad advisor, is not new to traveling and living in different places.
Growing up in a military family, Barnes lived in Nevada, North Carolina and Florida. Fresh out of college, he interned in Sonoma, Calif. at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, which then turned into a 12-year career.
After leaving the position, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he was the campus dean at Wayland Baptist University for nine years. This gave Barnes the opportunity to operate out of one of their campuses located in Oahu, Hawaii.
Barnes lived and worked in Hawaii for two years before applying to California Baptist University. Barnes applied to CBU after seeing a job listing for the dean of academic services position.
Barnes was eager to return to the “mainland.”
“I reached a point in my career when I wanted to do something different,” Barnes said. “After working in higher education for a significant amount of time, I really wanted to have more interaction with students.”
Last year, the previous dean of academic services, Tracy Ward, was vacationing in Hawaii for spring break. Barnes met with her, and they discussed the position for over five hours.
The meeting gave him confidence and a sense of peace that he made the right decision in applying at CBU.
Barnes received the position for dean of academic services and also became an associate professor of U.S. history as well as the study abroad advisor.
Barnes said he was pleased when he learned he would be working so closely with the study abroad program, because he feels the experience of going abroad is extremely important in a college education.
“They’ll come to learn and appreciate the importance of getting away from home and outside the classroom,” Barnes said.
There will be an informational study abroad meeting on Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Yeager C210.
