Skidmore names new director of the Office of Student Diversity Programs

Christopher Barnes, whose career experience in an interdisciplinary liberal arts college setting includes a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, has been selected as Skidmore’s new director of the Office of Student Diversity Programs. 

Barnes comes to Skidmore from the University of Redlands, where he served as a resident director in Residential Life and was involved in Title IX and restorative justice work. Throughout his time at Redlands, he strengthened and developed his knowledge and ability to assist students through their college journey, particularly through his passion for DEI work.  

As Skidmore’s director of the Office of Student Diversity Programs, he will provide strategic visioning for the office, relaunch the OSDP Mentor Program, provide advising and support to OSDP clubs and organizations, and partner with the Campus Life and Engagement team and The Center to strengthen DEI support and programming at Skidmore. 

“The Office of Student Diversity Programs has always been a vital campus resource for students of color, LGBTQ+ students, international students and first-generation students and a place where students feel valued, validated and supported on campus,” said Mariel Martin, associate dean of student affairs in the Office of Campus Life and Engagement. “I have great confidence that Chris will continue and build on that great work.” 

Barnes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from McPherson College and a Master of Science degree in education from California Baptist University. He is currently enrolled in the Doctorate in Leadership for Educational Justice program at the University of Redlands. 

Barnes was selected through a search launched as a priority of Skidmore’s Racial Justice Initiative, a yearlong series of projects that seek to address the realities of racial injustice locally, nationally and globally. The search committee included Associate Dean of Students Mariel Martin (co-chair), Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity Joshua Woodfork (co-chair), Assistant Professor of Political Science Emmanuel Balogun, Director of the Opportunity Program Kelli Johnson, Maalik Dunkley '21, Iris Mann '22, Joey Dugan ’22 and Peris Tushabe ‘21. 

Barnes will join Skidmore in his new role on July 5.