Imani Barnes is a lecturer at The Program on Intergroup Relations. Her passion for social justice education is evident in her master’s degree from the University of Michigan in Higher Education with a concentration in Diversity & Social Justice, providing her with a strong foundation for expertise in this field.
You may have previously seen her around IGR as Imani expanded her scholarly and professional knowledge in fall 2023 by participating in IGR's Community of Scholars program. Coming most recently from the LSA Opportunity Hub, Imani nurtured relationships with over 20 campus partners who helped expose students to expansive career exploration resources. As a lecturer for ALA 125 and 325 through the Opportunity Hub, she has guided students through personal and professional goal-setting, storytelling, and maximizing their liberal arts education. These experiences resulted in her nomination for LSA’s Rising Star Staff Award in 2024.
Imani's teaching résumé also includes a tenure as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) across various LSA departments, including Comparative Literature, Afro-American & African Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies, each time bringing an inclusive approach to the curriculum. Her teaching experience extends beyond U-M, having accumulated valuable experience as a teaching assistant at the University of Florida's Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Study Research.
Imani’s commitment to DEI has led her to roles such as DEI intern in the LSA Dean’s Office and program manager and research assistant for the Women of Color in the Academy Project (WOCAP) at U-M. In these roles, she contributed to the University's shared vision of inclusivity through targeted research, facilitation, and impactful programming, echoing her commitment to amplifying marginalized voices.
Driven by her commitment to education, mentorship, and advocacy, Imani hopes to continue positively impacting the University of Michigan community through her work at IGR this upcoming year.