Dr. Stephanie Barber, new Whitney M. Young Jr. Job Corps Center Director

Dr. Stephanie Barber is the new Center Director at Whitney M. Young Jr. Job Corps.  Dr. Barber, who served as interim training director at the center for the past three months, began her role as Center Director on January 1, 2020.

Dr. Barber is well acquainted with Whitney M. Young Jr. Job Corps and with the Job Corps program.  She worked at the center for more than 12 years, holding a variety of positions, before leaving to complete her education, including earning a doctorate in educational leadership.  Dr. Barber earned her Doctorate of Education and Leadership from Spalding University and she earned her Master of Theology and a Bachelor of Science from Campbellsville University where she was recognized as top of her graduating class, Summa Cum Laude.

Her previous positions as Whitney M. Young Jr. Job Corps include career preparation/counseling manager; safety, security and transportation manger; administrative manager; acting center director; acting career services systems director; and business community liaison.

She as an extensive background in education, most recently serving in the Jefferson County Public School System as a teacher and educator at Olmsted Academy South.

In commenting about her appointment, Barber said, “Horizons Youth Services (the operator of Whitney M. Young Jr. Job Corps) has provided me with an amazing opportunity to lead the next generation of young adults who desire to earn an education and career technical training.  The students leave their homes and reside on our campus, so I truly believe these young people desire to reach higher, dream bigger and want to make a difference in their personal lives and within their families.”

Dr. Barber noted that the center is steadily improving in nationwide performance rankings, which she attributes to the dedication of the center staff and the positive culture on center.  “Last program year, we were ranked 97th out of 123 Job Corps centers in the nation.” Barber said.  “This program year, we are currently ranked #56 in the nation, and we are gradually moving upward to claim being one of the top 10 centers in 2020.”

“We know that education pays, so we are motivating our students to plan and set goals, increase literacy and numeracy gains, earn high school diplomas, obtain credentials and complete career technical training programs of their choice,” Dr. Barber stated, “after graduation, the goal is to place our students in a good paying job, careers, the military, advanced training or even college.  Our campus teaches our young adults how to become successful men and women who will go into the workforce and give back to their communities.”

In announcing her appointment, Horizons Youth Services President Pete Calvo said, “Dr. Barber’s education, work experience and many years at the center make her an outstanding choice to lead Whitney M. Young Jr. Job Corps.  We are please to welcome her back to the center in this new role.