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Joanitha Barnes named recipient of Southwest’s 2022 Faculty and Staff Award

By Communications and Marketing Staff 

Joanitha BarnesCongratulations to Criminal Justice Studies Department Chair Joanitha Barnes on her selection as the recipient of the 2022 Faculty and Staff Farris Award.  

Barnes is an exemplary leader at Southwest and in the community-at-large. Since her arrival to Southwest in 2006 as an adjunct faculty member, she has served on numerous committees that include: behavior intervention, environmental safety and health, distance learning and Going Green. She also has served as a Faculty Senate Division Representative from 2012 to 2014, Carter G. Woodson Award Committee member and Homeland Security Taskforce chairperson.

“This award signifies the pinnacle of faculty achievement,” Barnes said. “I am honored, blessed, grateful, and humbled to receive this recognition and will continue to strive to greater heights. I am dedicated to student success and continually strive to be the best I can in my teaching, student engagement work, community outreach, service to the college and professional development.”

Barnes says that having the heart and passion for teaching and serving is always at the forefront of her motivation. She has previously been honored with faculty awards for Community Service, Service to the College and Instruction and Curriculum Development. 

Faculty Award Chair and Associate Professor Thomas King said Barnes is a passionate advocate for the College. “Joanitha is the definition of a true ambassador for Southwest,” King said. During the past three years, I've witnessed her Herculean and Amazonian efforts to establish a new department as an administrator while also maintaining full teaching schedules with aplomb and ease. She conducts her work with grace and congeniality; always with a smile and what we all know to be her glorious laugh,” King added.