Robert "Bob" Barnes came to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College as a history instructor in 1991. In 1993, he assumed the position of Program Head in History and Humanities and became one of the first instructors at RCCC to teach interactive distance-learning courses in 1997. In 1995, Barnes was named Dean of the Liberal Arts Department, later renamed Dean of Arts and Sciences and Developmental Education. Barnes was named Associate Vice President of Instruction in 1999 and moved into the role of Vice President of Curriculum Programs, later renamed Vice President of Academic Affairs, around 2001. He was awarded the Excellence in Teaching award in 2000. In 2009, he became Early College Liaison for Cabarrus/Kannapolis Early College High School.