Winfred Barnes, Jr. earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resource Management from Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, he also received a Masters of Art in Counseling from Prairie View A & M University.  He is currently the Assistant Director of Recruitment for the Houston Region for the University of Texas at Arlington. He came to UT from the San Jacinto College District where he served in the following positions during his 10 year stay there, Retention Specialist, Student Affairs Specialist, Academic Advisor as well as recruiter he also coordinated New Student Orientation. He began his career in higher education over 10 years ago as a Minority Recruiter for the district and has been very instrumental in bringing new programs to the institution.  In August of 2000, he decided to move to the campus and become more involved in student success.  As a Retention Specialist, he was charged with making sure that the word “success” becomes apart of the vocabulary of every student.  His position took him throughout the campus and it was his responsibility to learn names and backgrounds of as many students as possible.  He was recognized with a Bellwether Award for having worked with one of the top Retention programs in the country. He is affiliated with the following organizations: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Big Brothers/Sisters of America, Vice President of Programming and Chapter President of the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education, past President of the Grambling State University National Alumni Association (D.L. Williams Chapter).  He is an active member of New Faith Baptist Church and participates in the following ministries: Adult Ushers, Spiritual Parents, Puppet and Youth Ministry and Coordinates the Youth Ushers. Winfred is single but for the past 22 years has helped raise two sons of a close friend who was struggling to be a good single mom. Today both young men have graduated high school and are in college.  Winfred believes that you get out of life a little more than what you put in. He also feels that if you are not a part of the solution you are a part of the problem.