Join us in celebrating Jen Barnes, Administrative Manager with Liberal Arts at WSU Vancouver, whose outstanding contributions have earned her the Crimson Spirit Award!

Jen’s nominators had many great things to say. “It is my pleasure to support Jen Barnes as a nominee for the Crimson Spirit Recognition award. I’ve known Jen Barnes since July 2023; during which time I’ve recognized her rip-roaring passion for shining a light on underrepresented peoples and providing safe spaces for all voices to be heard.”

“As a new employee, Jen has been my mentor and confidant through onboarding and training. To break the ice during my first week as a new employee, Jen Barnes kindly coordinated an off-campus gathering for our CAS-admin team so that I could meet and greet with colleagues and people I’d be working closely with. To ensure my success, Jen spends extensive time and energy connecting me with resources across the WSU network to make sure I have access to software, spreadsheets, and other WSU platforms as needed. She spends well-over an hour each day to help me acclimate to administrative processes. Without hesitation, Jen is steadily receptive and adaptive to my learning styles and is flexible during our training sessions so that I can comfortably ease into my role. She encourages me to join committees, clubs, and/or councils to get involved and persist in following my individual passions. She also listens when I share concerns and emboldens me to seek out communities that make me feel safe and welcome.”

“As a former student and now staff member of WSUV, Jen Barnes understands that sometimes students, staff, and faculty may need a safe space to decompress. With people in mind, Jen is working to allocate an area of VMMC 202 reception for such a space. This is but just one example of the way she puts people first. She recognizes that job satisfaction is a crucial factor of our operation as a unit and checks in with her colleagues regularly to ask if there are things we can do to improve productivity and morale.”

“She begins each day with a contagious positive attitude and with the warmest energy. She’s a loving mama, a best friend, a supportive colleague, and an integral College of Arts and Sciences team member. Jen is the glue that holds CAS together. The impact of her influence, guidance, and drive spans across the College of Arts and Sciences, WSU institution, and the community at large.”

“Jen is committed to completing processes thoroughly and thoughtfully with integrity and always encourages others to grow and make positive changes, as individuals and as a team. Her knowledge base does not end with her role as an Administrative Professional. She is celebrated and reputed for her breadth of knowledge regarding various Workday processes, WSU policies and procedures, payroll inquiries, her willingness to take initiative, and much more. Jen is always the “go-to” for assistance in solving difficult problems, and she’s steadfast in teaching others. If there’s an answer to a question she does not know, she stops at nothing to find a person who can help. Her efforts show through the relationships she has cultivated over the years spent with WSUV. She is cherished by staff, faculty, and students alike. Jen Barnes is an exemplary leader and an exceptional candidate for this award.”