Yolanda Barnes Honored as 2025 Woman of the Year in Advocacy

---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SANTA CLARA, CA -- Mission College is proud to announce that Yolanda Barnes, Counseling Faculty, Articulation Officer, Umoja Elder, and steadfast Higher Education Advocate, has been named the 2025 Woman of the Year in Advocacy by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Silicon Valley Chapter (NCBW SVC).

---

With over 35 years of experience in higher education - 26 of them at Mission College - Yolanda has dedicated her career to empowering students and transforming systems to ensure equitable academic success. She has been instrumental in enhancing Mission College’s student support services, streamlining graduation processes, expanding transfer pathways, and championing the success of Black students.

Yolanda is the founder of the award-winning Honors Transfer Program, co-founder of the Black Academic Excellence (BAE) affinity group, and a driving force behind the highly acclaimed Umoja Community at Mission College.

Each year, she leads major college-wide initiatives, including the Black History Month Celebrations, the Black & Brown Summit, and the African American High School Empowerment Summit. Her influence extends beyond campus; she serves on the California Community College to HBCU Transfer Guarantee Advisory Board at the Chancellor’s Office and regularly conducts workshops in East Bay communities to empower students with knowledge of higher education and financial literacy.

"I may not be the loudest advocate in the room but my passion for student success, especially Black student success, is clear," Yolanda said. "As an African American educator, it is my responsibility to create spaces and systems that ensure our students are seen, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential."

Yolanda’s dedication to advocacy is deeply rooted in her personal journey as a first-generation college student. Her lived experiences with systemic barriers and imposter syndrome fuel her lifelong commitment to mentorship, equity, and transformative change in education. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the National Council of Negro Women, and the NAACP, reflecting her broader dedication to public service and the advancement of African Americans in higher education.

Roshawn Walter, Counseling Faculty at Mission College, praised Yolanda, saying, “Yolanda has been a driving force behind the success of our Umoja and Black Academic Excellence communities, bringing together staff and students to ensure that our Black/African American students thrive. Yolanda understands it truly takes a village, and she embodies that belief every day.”

Beyond her professional accomplishments,Yolandais an adventurer, hiker, outdoor enthusiast, and yogi, embracing nature as a source of strength and inspiration. She was recently recognized as the 2025 Black Woman Adventurer of the Year by Black Women Adventures, further reflecting her commitment to living boldly and inspiring others to do the same.

NCBW SVC is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting leadership, advocacy, and equity for African American women and girls through programs in education, health, economic empowerment, and public policy.

Benjamin Demers
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
[email protected]