Beyond The Headlines: 5 Surprising Careers Of Dr. Kristine Barnett, Author And Academic Leader

The public perception of Kristine Barnett is often dominated by two extraordinary narratives: her unconventional approach to raising her son, child prodigy Jacob Barnett, and the highly publicized, controversial adoption case involving Natalia Grace. However, as of late 2025, her professional life is far more grounded and distinguished than the headlines suggest, centered on a high-level career in academia that underpins her roles as an author and advocate. Her current work reflects a deep commitment to education and leadership, far removed from the sensationalized media coverage that has defined her recent years.

This article provides an in-depth look at the multifaceted career of Dr. Kristine Barnett, tracing her path from a daycare founder and devoted mother to a bestselling memoirist and, most recently, a distinguished academic program director. We will explore the various professional avenues she has pursued, which collectively answer the question of what Kristine Barnett does for a living today, highlighting her roles as an educator, author, consultant, and advocate for children with disabilities, all while navigating the intense scrutiny of her private life.

Dr. Kristine Barnett: A Full Biography and Professional Profile

• Full Name: Kristine Elizabeth Barnett (née Lisle)
• Place of Residence: Indiana (historically) and South Carolina/Florida (currently, due to academic and personal matters)
• Spouse: Michael Barnett (Divorced 2018)
• Children: Three sons, including child prodigy Jacob Barnett. Also adoptive mother to Natalia Grace.
• Education: Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Founding Ventures: Founded Acorn Hill Academy (a daycare, 1996) and Jacob's Place (a not-for-profit learning center for children with autism).
• Bestselling Memoir: The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius, and Autism (2013)
• Current Primary Occupation (2025): Professor of Higher Education and Program Director at Columbia College (SC).
• Public Role: Author, Public Speaker, and Advocate for children with disabilities.

The Definitive Answer: Academic Leadership at Columbia College (SC)

While Kristine Barnett is most famous for her connection to her son Jacob Barnett's extraordinary journey and the controversial Natalia Grace case, her most concrete and current professional role is in the field of higher education. Dr. Kristine Barnett holds a prominent position at Columbia College (SC), a private women's college in South Carolina.

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As of 2025, she serves as a Professor of Higher Education and is the Program Director for the school's Higher Education Administration program. This role is demanding, requiring expertise in academic administration, curriculum development, and faculty leadership. Her duties include serving as a dissertation chair, guiding doctoral candidates through their final academic projects, and teaching graduate-level courses.

This academic career is a natural extension of her extensive background in education. Prior to her current role at Columbia College, Dr. Barnett was an experienced leader at other institutions, including Bay Path University, where she was appointed Provost and designed the innovative Women as Empowered Learners and Leaders (WELL) program. She also previously worked at Johnson and Wales University, where she managed the Graduate School's Professional Communication Center and served as an adjunct faculty member.

Her work in higher education administration demonstrates a deep commitment to systemic change and leadership within the academic world, a fact often overshadowed by her public persona. She is also the co-author of the textbook *Unlocking the Doors to College and Career Success*, further solidifying her expertise in educational pathways and student development.

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The Pillars of Her Career: Bestselling Author and Public Speaker

Outside of her academic responsibilities, Kristine Barnett's career is strongly supported by her work as an author and a professional speaker. These roles are intrinsically linked to her personal experiences, particularly raising her son, Jacob, who was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism but went on to become a theoretical physics prodigy.

Bestselling Author of *The Spark*

Kristine Barnett gained international recognition with her 2013 memoir, *The Spark: A Mother's Story of Nurturing Genius, and Autism*. The book details her decision to reject traditional, rigid therapies for Jacob and instead focus on nurturing his natural interests in math and science, a philosophy that she credits with his remarkable achievements. The success of *The Spark* established her as an authority on unconventional parenting and educational advocacy, particularly for children on the autism spectrum.

While there have been persistent rumors and fake online accounts promoting a new "tell-all" book related to the recent docuseries, such as *Witch Hunt: The Kristine Barnett Story*, no new, confirmed publication has been released as of 2025. Her literary career remains primarily centered on the enduring message of *The Spark*.

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In-Demand Public Speaker and Advocate

Leveraging the success of her book and her unique story, Kristine Barnett is a professional public speaker represented by agencies like APB Speakers. Her speaking engagements focus on topics such as:

• The transformative power of following a child's natural interests.
• Educational advocacy and non-traditional learning paths.
• Parenting children with autism and special needs.
• Leadership and communication in higher education.

She is frequently invited to conferences and educational events, such as the 2024 Speech-Language Pathology Day at Columbia College, where she introduced the deans. Her public speaking career allows her to continue her mission as an Activist and Advocate for Children With Disabilities, a title she proudly uses on her public platforms.

Founding and Advocacy: Jacob's Place and Acorn Hill Academy

A significant part of Kristine Barnett’s professional identity involves her work as a founder of educational institutions. Her desire to create supportive learning environments for children led to two major ventures in Indiana:

Jacob’s Place

After observing the limitations of traditional educational settings for her son, Kristine founded Jacob's Place, a not-for-profit learning center. The center was designed to provide a tailored, interest-based educational approach for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This venture allowed her to put her unconventional parenting philosophy into practice on a larger scale, offering hope and alternative strategies to other families dealing with similar challenges.

Acorn Hill Academy

Even earlier in her career, in 1996, Kristine Barnett founded Acorn Hill Academy, a daycare center in Indiana serving local families. This early entrepreneurial endeavor in education highlights her long-standing commitment to providing quality care and innovative learning opportunities for young children, laying the groundwork for her later professional and advocacy work.

In summary, what Kristine Barnett does for a living is a complex tapestry woven from several high-impact careers. She is, first and foremost, a respected academic leader and Program Director at Columbia College (SC), holding an EdD. Complementing this is her work as a bestselling Author of *The Spark*, a professional Public Speaker on educational and advocacy topics, and the committed Founder of educational centers like Jacob's Place and Acorn Hill Academy. Her professional life is a testament to her dedication to education, advocacy, and nurturing genius, whether in her own family or in the academic programs she directs.