Name:
Jeffrey John Barnett
Position Title or Student Involvements:
Associate Director of Athletic Facility Operations, University of Arkansas Athletic Department Officer in the United States Arkansas Army National Guard PhD Student, RESM at the University of Arkansas
What degrees have you obtained or are working on?
Bachelors of Science from Arkansas Tech University Masters in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Arkansas 1st year PhD, RESM student at the University of Arkansas
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation student/graduate?
To me, it means breaking the mold. I would have been a 5th generational farmer from Northeast Arkansas. I had passion and aspirations to do other things. Going to college provided the means to seek those goals in life.
Why is being a first-generation student/graduate important to you?
Being a first-generation graduate and student (again) is important to me because it truly means if you want something bad enough, there is a means to accomplish it. There are ample opportunities out there to help better yourself for you and your loved ones.
What piece of advice would you give to first-generation students?
The best piece of advice I can give to first-generation students is to be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Being the first in a family to attend college, there was no blue print or foundation to use. I had to figure out a lot of things on my own which was the result of trial and error. I would also say to rely on your mentors, advisors and professors to steer you in the right direction. Never stop learning, it will always keep you moving forward in every aspect of life.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself that you feel is important for people to know about you?
I am also an Officer in the Arkansas Army National Guard. This would not have been possible if it weren’t for my education. That same educational experience provided the tools and basis for success. I am also in the first year of a PhD program. I look forward to continuing my pursuit of being a life long learner.