Dustin Barker: Financial Aid Advocate

Dustin Barker is more than a student at Bluefield University. In fact, he’s also a financial aid advocate for BU students.

A native of Pound, Virginia in southwest Virginia near the Kentucky state line, Barker came to Bluefield University in the fall of 2018 to play football. In fact, he’s in his fifth year as the longer snapper on the team. He has already earned his bachelor’s degree from BU and is currently pursuing his master’s degree.

In addition to playing football and pursuing his master’s degree, Barker is working as a financial aid advocate in BU Central. He just started the job in August of this year, but said he already likes the work and the people he has been able to meet while doing his job.

“(The work) is great for connecting with people, and it’s a good resume builder,” he said.

Outside of working on financial aid for students, Barker also works at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Bluefield, Virginia. On Mondays of each week, he delivers refrigerators and other items to Lowe’s customers.

Outside of work and football, Barker likes to play video games in his free time. He said he has enjoyed his experiences at BU and in the Bluefield community.

“It’s a nice community, and the people are really nice and easy to have conversations with,” he said. He also has a good reputation in the community because he has been in Bluefield for five years, and a lot of people know and love him.

After earning his master’s degree, Barker said he plans on moving to the Washington D.C. area and getting a job in the health care industry. This past summer he worked as a medical contractor, and hopes to eventually become a healthcare administrator.