Dr. Barnes came to UK in July 2003 as director of the then-School of Journalism and Telecommunications. She went back to the faculty in Spring 2016 and then served as director of undergraduate studies for the department.

She has worked in both the advertising and PR industries. She is co-author of two textbooks (one on strategic communication campaigns and the other on advertising account planning), and has written articles on a range of topics, most related to ISC teaching issues. 

Dr. Barnes was executive director of international programs for the College of Communication and Information. She LOVES teaching study abroad programs; she has taught a summer program in Cape Town, South Africa for seven+ years, and teaches a winter break program in London, England every other year.