Featured Colleague – Timothy Barnett
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By Laura Knight
Timothy Barnett, professor of chemistry at the Osceola Campus, arrived at Valencia just over two years ago. In that time, he has made lab safety and awareness a top priority and not just for his students. Dr. Barnett has recently created a hybrid professional development course for science faculty and staff at Lake Nona and Osceola Campuses.
According to the course description, Lab Safety and Awareness (PRFC 3220) is designed to provide science faculty and staff information about laboratory safety practices and regulatory requirements. The course also aims to increase competency in the application of proper laboratory protocols. Timothy shares that putting a course together that enhances safety and serves science faculty has been “an honor.”
Timothy has also written and implemented a laboratory manual for experiments that supplements classroom instruction for all chemistry courses for the Osceola and Lake Nona Campuses, and he created a standardized test designed to assess student achievement of learning outcomes.
Professor Barnett’s attention to the lab experience doesn’t end there. Currently, he is working on ideas and plans to improve laboratory experiences for his students and make those experiences affordable. With recent news about Valencia’s partnership with UCF to offer biomedical science degrees, the medical pipeline project and funding from the LSAMP grant, it’s an opportune focus.
“It is a pleasure to work with Dr. Barnett. He always keeps student learning as the most important factor in his professional practice. He is always willing to lend a hand to help his colleagues or the department with any special initiatives or projects,” shares Melissa Pedone, dean of math and science at the Osceola Campus.
Timothy’s journey as a teacher began when he accepted a part-time position with Erie Community College teaching organic chemistry while working full-time as a supervising pharmacist for Tops and Eckerd. “This opportunity to educate changed my life,” he expresses.
Prior to joining Valencia, Dr. Barnett was a chemistry professor for nearly six years at Polk State College in Lakeland, Florida. He is also a registered immunizing pharmacist for a local Walgreen’s, where he works part-time. In that role, he counsels patients about their medication regimens, creates compound medicines and ensures that legal and regulatory standards are met, among other things.
At Valencia, Professor Barnett says being a part of the College’s faculty is an opportunity to work with an amazing team that truly wants the best for the students. “Interacting with the entire science faculty gives me a wonderful sense of community.”
He also affirms his students still inspire him the most. “My main inspiration is my students. I always promise my students that I will work as hard as they do to become successful and to achieve their dreams. And because my students are so amazing, I work really hard!”
Dr. Barnett is a member of several professional associations, including the Florida Association of Community Colleges and the American Chemical Society, and he is a registered pharmacist in Florida and New York.
He holds bachelor’s degrees in pharmacy and medicinal chemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo, a master’s degree in science education from the University of Central Florida and a doctorate in pharmacy from Shenandoah University.
Dr. Barnett is shown below with his daughters, five-year old Zoey Kay and 18-month old Mila Fay, who was born on his 10-year wedding anniversary to his wife, Diana. He is originally from Buffalo, New York, and moved to the Orlando area in 2004. An avid reader and self-proclaimed music aficionado, he also enjoys running, playing racquetball and watching and collecting “bad” horror movies.
Know of someone doing great work at the college? Send their name to us at The_Grove@valenciacollege.edu so they can be one of our featured colleagues!
