Jennifer Barp honored with CSC alumni award

Barp earned her bachelor’s degree in finance and economics, as well as an accounting minor in 1996. Later, she went on to receive her master’s degree in business administration from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Barp and her husband, Eric, also a CSC graduate and recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, have two children, Alexis and Tyler.

“I was surprised and honored by the award. It makes me feel closer to CSC. I’m excited to come back and introduce our children to the campus,” she said.

While a student at CSC, she worked as an accounting tutor and assisted Cliff Hanson in the Small Business Development Center.

“It was good experience to see what people had to do to get their businesses started. Working with Cliff and as a tutor helped me learn how to manage work and school,” she said.

Barp is the worldwide vice president of finance for Kemin Industries, a global company where she is responsible for the financial information and systems. Barp joined the organization in 1998 as a financial accountant. In 2001, she became the finance director of Kemin Agri-Foods North America before moving to her current role in 2004.

Volunteer work is also an important part of Barp’s life. She currently serves on the United Way of Central Iowa Board of Directors as a member of its Finance and Audit Committee. She was also recently elected to serve as Treasurer for the Board of the Sun Vail Homeowners Association. She previously served on the board for the Des Moines “I Have a Dream” Foundation, in the roles of treasurer and president.