Angela Barnes

Approach Specialist

Angela Barnes is our Approach Specialist. She has been working in higher education for nearly twenty years developing and delivering programs and curricula tailored to meet student needs in the here and now. Experiential learning is the foundation of her work. “Students want to use the information they are learning right now… learning by doing empowers them to do that,” she says.

Her passion is teaching public speaking. “There is a misconception that public speaking implies that people are going to be talking in front of huge crowds, but this is a skill we all need – whether you’re a firefighter or a teacher. Having the skill to communicate in front of a small group builds confidence; it helps students find their voice and advocate for themselves. It sets them up for success for the rest of their lives.”

Having been told as a young student that she was not “college material” inspires her drive to make sure her students never suffer that judgment. To this end, her focus is on First-Year success and managing transition. She counsels students in study skills, test taking strategies, and time management.

She comes to us from Becker College where she was Assistant Director of the Center for Career Education and Advising for five years. Before that she was a career counselor at College of the Holy Cross. She has also been adjunct faculty at Nichols College, Mount Wachusett Community College, and Quinsigamond Community College. The academic courses she designed include Fundamentals of Communication, Effective Listening, Small Group Discussion, and Effective Speaking.

She holds a Master of Science Professional Communication (MSPC) from Clark University where she also has a graduate certificate in Public Relations. She also has a bachelor’s degree in communication from Curry College.