Ken Barnes, a program coordinator in the Internship and Career Center, took the spotlight recently in the state Capitol when he received an Assembly resolution honoring him for his exemplary work at UC Davis.

“I’m proud of the work he’s done to promote opportunities for his students, especially those who have been traditionally underrepresented," said Davis Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, who presented the resolution, only the third of her legislative career.

"I look forward to future opportunities to work with him to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow."

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter accompanied Barnes onto the Assembly floor for the presentation ceremony.

Barnes graduated from UC Davis with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1996. He came back to campus as an employee in 1999, starting as a program assistant in the Internship and Career Center and becoming a program coordinator in 2005.

He has developed internship programs in numerous fields and orchestrated more than 250 workshops, on top of advising thousands of students in liberal arts and business.

The liberal arts part of his job takes in government, and Barnes has had considerable success in placing students in internships as well as permanent jobs in government.

“It’s one my favorite things to do: I get to tell English majors who have decided not to go into teaching (because they think that’s all they can do) that they can do anything they want, including working for Hillary Clinton as a diplomat in the State Department,” he said by e-mail. “I love opening their eyes to the possibility.

“I also love the fact that when I see an intern or an employee working on the Assembly floor (among many other places), I know I helped them get there.”

Barnes added: “All my colleagues work just as hard as I do and are just as impressive. I'm fortunate enough to work in the political sector.”

He also serves as coordinator of the Community Service Resource Center, which connects students, staff and faculty to volunteer opportunities.

Barnes is active in diversity efforts on behalf of students and staff. For the former, he works with underrepresented minorities to boost their participation in internship and career related opportunities. For the latter, he served for two years on the Staff Diversity Administrative Advisory Committee.

“Ken is a great example of what paying it forward really looks like,” Yamada said.