The Graduate College of Business Recruiting Team Welcome Debbie Barkowski

Do you have questions about a graduate degree from UIC Business? We have admissions counselors on standby ready to discuss your education and career. In this post, please meet Graduate Admissions Counselors, Debbie Barkowski

Debbie Barkowski came to UIC Business by way of Saint Xavier University and the non-profit world. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Elmhurst College.  After college, it was through volunteer experiences that she quickly discovered that a non-profit setting was really her calling. “For three years I worked with a transitional housing program for homeless adults in Chicago, serving as director of community relations and volunteer coordinator.  I often visited with local colleges and schools to talk about volunteering in the community, which ultimately led to my transition to higher education”.

Debbie spent 8 years in admissions at Saint Xavier University where she managed undergraduate recruitment, events, and communications strategy. After her time at Saint Xavier University, she worked with a small technology start-up whose clients were primarily nonprofit organizations and schools, which helped her to realize that she wanted to return to working with students, but in a different capacity.

In her new role at UIC Business, Debbie assists incoming students who are eager to start their graduate business degrees. “UIC was always one of the schools that I considered due to its location, size, and diverse student population. The opportunity to represent the College of Business Administration and to guide prospective graduate students through the admissions process allows me to utilize my prior admissions experience to serve a new student population and university community.”

When she’s not in her University Hall office, Debbie is often outdoors, taking any opportunity to walk or run along the lakefront, visit the zoo, or stroll through a neighborhood festival. She enjoys visiting Chicago’s Second City, as well as attending any show that is playing at the Chicago Theater. You can also find Debbie at some of her favorite Chicago restaurants: Girl and the Goat, Lou Malnati’s, Bourgeois Pig, and Twin Anchors.

For help finding the UIC Liautaud program that best suits your own career goals, contact Debbie at 312-996-9732 or dbarko@uic.edu.