Joe Barber has been promoted to serve as Director of the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement. Barber, a longtime Hartford resident and homeowner, replaces Val Ramos, who left this post late last month. 

“I’m hoping to make the work of this office more central to the Trinity College experience,” says Barber. “There are going to be some big challenges ahead, but I’m happy to have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally through this position.”

Since coming to Trinity six years ago, one of Barber’s interests has been spurring the use of public transportation. He was instrumental in bringing the UPass to Trinity, which provides free bus service to students, and he has worked on other community transportation initiatives such as “All Aboard!” and the I-84 Transportation Investment Area Board.

Barber has been an active participant in other community projects including Habitat for Humanity, the American Society for Public Administration (CT Chapter), Hartford Civic Participation Project, Hartford 2000, the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness, and the North Frog Hollow Revitalization Committee. Additionally, he has worked on Trinity’s pre-orientation programs and the graduation pledge, and he helped start the Connecticut Campus Compact. Barber holds MPA and BA degrees from the University of Connecticut, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. 

“I have great confidence in Joe’s ability to step in as director,” says Vice President for Student Services Sharon Herzberger. “Having worked with him closely on some projects, I know how creative he can be and how dedicated he is to students.  He’s upbeat and change-oriented—just the kind of person we need for this important post.”