Dave Barnes

First and foremost, Dave is a father to two wonderful daughters and a very lucky husband of forty years. A native of Ohio, Dave is in his fourth decade in the student affairs profession. A two-time graduate of Bowling Green State University in Ohio, professional positions have taken him to colleges and universities in Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and now, the great State of Virginia.

His background includes administrative work in orientation, student affairs, residence life, student activities, and college unions as well as teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level. Since coming to James Madison University in 1993, Dave is in his 25th year as Director of the University Unions. He is also an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the College Student Personnel Administration Masters program at JMU

Dave has served in volunteer and leadership positions at the state, regional and national level in professional organizations such as the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), the National Association of Campus Auxiliary Services (NACAS) and the Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrators (VASPA) as well as the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) where he was elected President in December of 2010.

In his local community, he holds leadership positions on the administrative boards of several non-profit organizations and civic groups. Dave serves his community by volunteering his time as a campus mediator, serving as a reader for the “Valley Voice” - a reading program for the visually impaired and also with his work as a teacher and leader within his church.

Other than his family and his work, his passions are being the world’s best grandfather to his grandsons Landon and Isaac, learning new things, traveling, the origins of words, baseball at every level, golfing, reading, exploring American history and performing in various musical and theatrical productions.