Barnes

The Office of Campus Climate provides networking opportunities, academic counseling, and heritage celebrations for African-American, Hispanic, Native American and other students of color at IU Kokomo, as well as the campus’ international students. To the leagues of students she has mentored through the office, Barnes is an exacting academic counselor, sympathetic listener and unrelenting nudge to stretch and try new things.

IU Kokomo seniors Elijah Barry and Tiffany Hendrickson received extra financial support for school when Barnes signed them up as Gear-Up Mentors. They tutor freshmen and sophomores onto firm academic footing. Barry said he ran for Student Government Senator because Barnes encouraged him to take a leadership role. “Mrs. Barnes sees our positive features and draws them out of us,” said Hendrickson. “She pays you the compliment she knows you need. She never stops.”

During a week of civic involvement activities in February, Barnes brought numerous students—many first-time donors—to a blood drive and other activities, said Sarah Hawkins, director of Student Development and Campus Life. “She would physically walk students to the table where they could write to their state representatives about funding for higher education.”

Barnes connects quickly with students, Hawkins said. “Cathy has a true commitment to students and helping them achieve their best. She has the ability to motivate students to action.”

In her first year with IU Kokomo, Barnes decided that campus climate could assist the needs of international students as well as American minorities. She befriended Japanese student Keiji Yaginuma, whose experiences convinced Barnes that students coming from another country often needed help with “simple things, like finding an apartment or a car or knowing how to shop for groceries in America.” She believed that many foreign nationals had limited knowledge of average African Americans—“only what they saw on TV”—and that she could change their ideas by letting them get to know her and minority students.

She had a similar epiphany two years ago when her duties expanded to include academic counseling within the School of Arts and Sciences (SOAS). “Suddenly, I was having lunch with faculty members every day and getting a different perspective on the workings of the campus. I really win when I get out of my comfort zone.”

Sue Sciame-Giesecke, dean of SOAS, credits Barnes for recent increases in IU Kokomo’s recruitment of minority students and, equally important, for those students’ retention through graduation. “Cathy Barnes is very committed to open access and the success of all students,” Sciame-Giescke said. “She’ll go the extra mile to help students negotiate the college culture.”

For information about the dinner, call 765-455-9411 or E-mail alumni@iuk.edu for reservations.