Julie Barnes Staff Spotlight: A Mercer story that comes full circle

For Julie Barnes, Mercer University isn’t just a place of work — it’s been part of nearly every chapter of her life story.

A Macon native who has lived in Warner Robins for the past 27 years, Barnes first joined the Mercer family in 1996 and has served across several of its schools, from engineering to Mercer Medicine. Today, she brings that wealth of experience — and a true love for helping others — to Mercer Law School, where she serves as the administrative support associate for Career Services and Experiential Education.

“Mercer has been such a big part of my life,” she says with a smile. “I met my husband Kirt here — we got engaged and even married during our Mercer years. He worked for the University as a skilled tradesworker for 27 years, so it’s safe to say Mercer runs deep in our family.”

The Mercer connection doesn’t stop there. Her cousin James “Jim” Elliott is a Mercer Law alumnus, Class of 1982, who now returns each spring to teach Government Law, and her cousin David Pelt has worked for Mercer’s physical plant for 25 years. “It’s neat to see how our family ties have continued to grow here,” Barnes says. “It makes this place feel even more like home.”

After earning her Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia College & State University, Barnes began a career that’s always centered around service, organization, and connection. Before joining the Law School, she spent several years working remotely as a claims specialist for UnitedHealthcare, gaining valuable experience in client care and process management. But when the opportunity arose to return to Mercer — this time to the Law School — she didn’t hesitate.

“I call it coming home,” she says. “There’s something about Mercer that just pulls you back — the people, the sense of purpose, the way everyone looks out for one another.”

At Mercer Law, Barnes’ role touches nearly every corner of student life. She assists with 1L Career Services orientation and professional development programming, coordinates on-campus interviews, works with Professor and Director Ben Parrish with the Corporate Counsel Externship Program from interest meetings to application preparation, manages the BearBoard job posting system, and organizes Experiential-Palooza, the twice-yearly event that connects students with public interest employers. This year eighteen agencies participated in the event.

She also manages the BearWear Boutique, Mercer Law’s free professional clothing closet, stocked entirely from the generous donations of faculty, staff, students, and alumni. “It’s one of my favorite parts of the job,” Barnes says. “Seeing a student find that perfect suit for an interview — and walk out with confidence — that’s what this place is all about.”

Her work also includes supporting the Southeastern Law School Consortium, processing job fair invoicing for Assistant Dean for Career Services Elizabeth Carr, and helping Director of Experiential Education and Professor of Law Bonnie Carlson track externship applications and timesheets. “We really do stay busy year-round,” she laughs. “Even in the summer we’re hosting virtual job fairs and campus interviews. There’s always something happening.”

But for Barnes, the fast pace is part of what makes the work meaningful. “I get to work directly with students every single day,” she says. “They stop by the office constantly — sometimes for help, sometimes just to talk. I see them come in as 1Ls, full of nervous excitement, and by graduation, they’re confident professionals. Watching that transformation is the best part of what I do.”

She also values the connections she builds with alumni. “Many of them reach out to post jobs or volunteer for interviews, and I still keep up with some through social media,” she says. “It’s really rewarding to see how far they’ve come — and that they still want to give back.”

When asked what makes Mercer Law special, Barnes doesn’t hesitate. “It’s the people,” she says. “Everyone here is so genuine, supportive, and kind. It’s like a family — we all want to see each other succeed.”

Her journey, which began at Mercer decades ago, has indeed come full circle. From student services to career development, Barnes’ story reflects what makes Mercer Law stand out: a community grounded in care, connection, and commitment.

“Every day here feels meaningful,” she says. “I get to be part of something that changes lives — and that’s what keeps me coming back.”