Assistant Professor of Music Education focuses on recruitment of historically marginalized populations by collegiate music educators at HBCUs and HSIs
Dr. Adrian Barnes, Assistant Professor of Music Education
Tell us about the research that you are doing:
I conduct research that is grounded in social justice, equity, and access. My research agenda seeks to remedy the underrepresentation of Black and Latinx students in 4-year institutions of higher education (IHE) by understanding the recruitment practices used at Minority Serving Institutions (MSI). I also conduct research to understand how pipeline, or pathway, programs increase the representation of Black and Latinx students at 4-year IHEs. Currently, I am working on two major research projects. The first study focuses on understanding the effectiveness of pre-college teacher pipeline programs in recruiting students of color into the field of teaching. Second, I am working on a study that focuses on understanding how Black music educators use HBCU marching bands as a recruiting tool to recruit Black students into IHEs.
What made you want to undertake this work?
I am very passionate about transforming IHEs to truly reflect a pluralistic society. It is my mission to make sure that historically marginalized populations have equal access to education beyond high school by researching and implementing effective recruitment practices that increase the representation of students of color at 4-year IHEs. I strongly believe that access to higher education is the first step in upending barriers that have historically disenfranchised Black and Brown people from gaining access to a better life.
Why would our students at Rowan University be interested in this work?
I think students at Rowan would be interested in my work not only because it stands for a cause greater than myself, but because it is also liberating. By challenging students to develop a critical lens on matters that they are passionate about it ignites them to find their purpose in social justice.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your work?
The most important aspect about my work is that it is action-based. As a researcher, I spend my time gathering data to better understand how to effectively recruit Black and Brown students into higher education. However, as an institutional agent, I also spend an equal amount of time doing outreach in urban and historically marginalized communities, which allows me to make real connections and stand on the frontlines of social justice.
