Cory Barnes

Director of Unity and Belonging

Hometown: Bellwood, IL 

Education: BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice from Northern Illinois University; MSEd in Adult and Higher Education from Northern Illinois University; Currently a PhD candidate in Higher Education at Illinois State University 

What brought you to this work and why do you do this work? 

I do this work and what my brought me to it is my belief in the power of education inside and outside of the classroom. 

What’s something you want students to feel when they enter your space? 

That they feel seen, heard, and that they belong.  

Outside of work, what’s something that brings you joy, grounding, or restoration? 

Spending quality time with my wife and two children.