Columbia, SC — Allen University has named Mr. Ti Barnes as its new Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Barnes brings strong experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and community engagement, with a focus on building partnerships that strengthen higher education.

Most recently, Barnes served as Manager of the Boeing Institute on Civility (BIOC) at Allen University, coordinating programs, engaging speakers, and developing partnerships to advance the Institute’s mission of promoting civil discourse and community dialogue.

Previously, he spent three years as Associate Vice President for Development at Allen University, where he managed major gift cultivation, oversaw alumni engagement strategies, and advanced key fundraising initiatives in support of the University’s mission and strategic priorities. Before that, he served as Executive Director and Chief Fundraising Officer for the Bowers-Rodgers Children’s Home in Greenwood, SC, where he led initiatives benefiting abused, abandoned, and neglected children across the state. A multiple Emmy Award Nominee, Barnes is a former photojournalist for WOLO-TV 25 in Columbia, SC, and WSPA News Channel 7 in Spartanburg, SC.

He holds a Bachelor of Media Arts from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Strayer University, a Certification in Constitutional Law from the Duke Law DC Summer Institute and a Certification in Fundraising Leadership from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy .

A native of Greenwood, SC, Barnes is married to Christine Barnes and is a proud father to three daughters. In his new role, he will lead the University’s fundraising, alumni engagement, and partnership development efforts in alignment with its strategic growth.