Honor Society® member
Elizabeth Barnett
- Sociology & Communication
- Class of 2028
- WINCHESTER, VA
Member since August 2026
About
I am currently a graduate student. I returned to college to finish my undergraduate degree as an adult after gaining two decades of professional experience in human resources, real estate, retail management, and entrepreneurship. I currently own and operate a small e-commerce business I built from the ground up. In May 2026, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Old Dominion University with a 4.0 GPA. I earned a B.S. in Sociology, with a Communication minor, a certificate in Diversity Studies, and I received Gold-level recognition through ODU’s LeADERS program. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Lifespan & Digital Communication at ODU. I hope to focus on how communication shapes organizational culture, workplace relationships, and decision-making across the lifespan. I believe my academic path has been influenced by and is a direct extension of my career: after years of translating policy, benefits, and compliance into terms employees could better understand and use, I wanted to research why and how different communication works best.
Education
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Old Dominion University
M.A. Lifespan & Digital Communication (in-progress)
2026 – Present
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Old Dominion University
B.S. Sociology, Communication Minor, Certificate in Diversity Studies
2024 – 2026
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Lord Fairfax Community College (VCCS)
A.A.S. General Studies
1999 – 2017
Honors and awards
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Summa Cum Laude
May 2026/Old Dominion University; I graduated with highest academic honors while completing a B.S. in Sociology, Communication minor, and Diversity Studies certificate with a 4.0 GPA.
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LeADERS Gold Graduate, Old Dominion University
May 2026; Earned Gold-level recognition through ODU’s LeADERS program for high-impact learning experiences.
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Dean’s List
2024-2026; Recognized for outstanding academic performance throughout the completion of my undergraduate studies.
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Leadership Excellence Award
Carmeuse, 2017; Leadership Recognized at work for excellence & professional performance
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2009 Silver Top Agent (Units Sold)
AveryHess Realtors: Second highest number of homes sold company wide across all offices.
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Cum Laude
2017, LFCC graduate
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Rookie of the Year
2007, Stonewall Realty, Front Royal, VA - Real Estate Sales
Goals and interests
- Career goal
Human Resources and Organizational Development
I plan to focus on organizational communication, employee learning and development, employee engagement, change communication, and process improvement.- Graduate school interests
My graduate interests include organizational and workplace communication, digital communication, and interpersonal communication across the lifespan. I’m interested in the ways communication influences human behavior, relationships, and organizational culture. I am also interested in applying communication research to practical social and organizational challenges. I hope to enhance my communication skills broadly within society as well as in workplace environments to help promote positive change.
- Outside the classroom
My hobbies include gardening, traveling and exploring new places, spending time with my family and our two dogs (Cali & Chloe). I enjoy reading, journaling, and lifelong learning.
Experience
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Founder/Owner E-Commerce Business
Simply Daring Built and operate a multi-platform online retail business, scaling to approximately $400,000 in peak annual revenue. Manages sourcing, pricing, SEO, and logistics; online retail sales across multiple platforms.
Mar 2020 – Aug 2026
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Recruiter and Licensed Insurance Agent (Life, Health & Annuities)
Educated clients on life, health, and employee-benefit products, including HSAs, FSAs, and HDHPs. Maintains an active Virginia Life & Health license, with continuing education focused on employee-benefits topics that directly support later HR work.
Nov 2018 – Dec 2021
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Regional Human Resources Generalist
Supported approximately 351 employees across three Virginia manufacturing locations, managing employee relations, FMLA/ADA/Workers’ Compensation, benefits administration, recruiting, and compliance. Led annual Open Enrollment education (12+ presentations/year), coordinated 401(k) seminars with Fidelity, trained supervisors on HR and safety procedures, and converted paper files into SAP HRIS. Received a 2017 Excellence Award and a Leadership Award.
Sep 2015 – Nov 2018
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Sales Associate
Schewel Furniture Winchester, VA Worked in consultative, commission-based retail sales; trained incoming sales staff and consistently ranked among top performers. Developed strong product and customer-relationship expertise across furniture and appliance lines.
Aug 2012 – Sep 2015
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Real Estate Agent / Property Manager
Avery-Hess Realtors (previously Stonewall Realty) Front Royal, VA Represented buyers and sellers through residential transactions; earned Rookie of the Year and later ranked #2 company-wide as a buyer’s agent. Earned the Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation and was promoted to Property Manager in 2007, overseeing approximately 42 rental properties alongside sales work. Recently became licensed again in 2025.
May 2005 – Jul 2012
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Business Manager/Human Resources Manager
Correctech/Innovations in Sight Front Royal, VA Managed HR and business operations for two affiliated specialty contact-lens manufacturing companies operating within the same facility. Oversaw recruiting, payroll, benefits, compliance, and employee policy development; created/revised SOPs across all areas that supported the office, lab, and shipping functions. Supported documentation for FDA clinical studies, including an orthokeratology research study.
Jan 2001 – May 2005
Volunteering
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Event Volunteer (several hours per event, 3 events)
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Apr 2016 – Oct 2017
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Volunteer Workplace Campaign Coordinator (Holiday Season)
Toys for Tots
Dec 2015 – Dec 2017
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Co-President
Warren County High School Class of 2000 Reunion Committee
Jul 2014 – Nov 2015
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Secretary Served as Elected Member on Board of Director Volunteer for various community outreach projects
Front Royal Church of the Nazarene
Jan 2013 – Nov 2016
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Vice-President and Volunteer, served as elected officer
PTO, Ressie Jefferies Elementary School
Sep 2009 – Sep 2011
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Education Committee Member and Volunteer
Warren County Chamber of Commerce
Jan 2006 – Jul 2012
Languages
- English (US)
Additional information
Organizations
