Yolanda Barnes
Phone: 408-855-5045
Email: yolanda.barnes@missioncollege.edu
Office Location: SEC-139
Department: Counseling Services
Serving Mission College students in
The Counseling Center
and Honors Program
Where I was a student
California State University, Sacramento
Career Counseling, M.S.
University of California, Davis
Sociology/Organizational Studies, B.A.
I am motivated by
Professionally, I am motivated by the possibility of just doing better for our students. With that, I am grateful for the opportunity to simplify processes, create various pathways and enhance our systems that will help students achieve thier goals. Personally, I am motivated by the possibility of love, peace and forward progres.
At-Promise Factors
Although I have a graduate degree, I encountered challenges that could have prevented
me from succeeding. According to Dr. Victor Rios, At-Promise students already possess
the tools necessary to succeed in school, but just need support and assistance to
utilize those tools.
- 1st generation college student
- Suffered from imposter syndrome
- Raised by a single mother
- Family members with addiction issues
Privilege Acknowledgement
Privilege is an unearned advantage that is highly valued but restricted to certain groups. Everyone has some form of privilege. Acknowledging your privilege does not mean you believe you are better than others. It is a way of demonstrating gratitude for an advantage you have and acknowledging that those without the advantage experience the world differently than you do.
Not having been directly exposed to severe, overt racism is definitely a privilege as I see how this has negatively impacted too many in my community. While I alone cannot change the mindset of this country, I am committed to using my influence to help create safe, welcoming spaces of community for our students here at Mission.
Fun facts
I am the first in my family to earn a degree and has since then inspired several family members to do the same. I am a huge Golden State Warrior fan and an even bigger San Francisco 49er fan. When not working, I can be found hiking in the Oakland or Hayward hills, volunteering with my sorority, traveling or spending time with family and friends. I love the beach, the mountains and being active outdoors.