Faculty & Staff
Jenny Barker-Devine
Professor of History
Kirby Learning Center, Room 218
217.245.3476
Research Interests
U.S history, Agricultural history and rural studies, Women's history
Education
Iowa State University | Ph.D. | Agricultural History and Rural Studies
Iowa State University | M.A.
University of Central Missouri | B.A. | History and International Studies
Bio
Dr. Jenny Barker-Devine is Professor of History at Illinois College, specializing in U.S. history, rural and agricultural history, and public history. She is the author of On Behalf of the Family Farm: Iowa Farm Women’s Activism Since 1945 and has published widely on communities and civic life in the rural Midwest. An active public historian, she serves as Vice President of the Illinois State Historical Society and works with museums, historic sites, archives, and community organizations throughout Illinois. At Illinois College, she brings these experiences into her work with students, creating opportunities for hands-on research, community partnerships, and learning beyond the classroom.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
I really enjoy helping students recognize their strengths and develop their skills. Sometimes that happens through a research project, an internship, a class discussion, or an off-campus experience, like a BreakAway. One of the best parts of teaching at Illinois College is getting to know students well enough to see the connections between what they’re learning, what they care about, and what they might want to do next.