Barbie Willett
Barbie (Horton) Willett is a dedicated Management Professor at Salt Lake Community College’s Gail Miller Business School, where she has shaped the next generation of business leaders for over two decades. Growing up in a family-owned retail grocery business, Barbie quickly learned the value of exceptional customer service and the challenges small businesses face without proper training. This early experience inspired her lifelong passion for marketing and management education, driving her to equip students with the practical skills and strategic knowledge necessary for success in today’s business world.
Barbie’s academic journey reflects her commitment to lifelong learning and leadership. A first-generation college graduate, she earned an associate degree in Marketing from Pro River Community College, a bachelor’s in Marketing and a Master’s in Business Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, and an MBA in Executive Leadership from William Carey University. She has also received accolades including Marketing Educator of the Year and DECA National Advisor of the Year. Throughout her career, Barbie has served in roles ranging from business instructor to associate dean, mentoring faculty and guiding students through curriculum development, accreditation, and experiential learning opportunities.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Barbie is a self-described servant leader who takes pride in watching her students thrive. She enjoys giving back to the community through programs like Junior Achievement and finds balance through hobbies such as making candles, camping, and spending time with her family in Mississippi. An avid fan of Southern cuisine, Barbie also embraces creative pursuits, including publishing her own poetry. Her career is defined not only by her expertise in marketing and management but by her unwavering dedication to empowering students to reach their fullest potential.
• How to Manage Your Attention and Your Priorities
• How to Build Credibility as a Leader
• Icebreakers for Teams, Meetings, and Groups
• Ways to Build a Winning Team: Trust, Freedom, and Play
• William Carey University - M.B.A.
• Marketing Educator of the Year
• DECCA National Advisor of the Year
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the guidance of inspiring teachers and a strong personal drive to overcome the challenges of growing up in poverty in Mississippi.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is not to sacrifice myself on the altar of work. It taught me to understand and respect my own limits and capabilities while striving for success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to find a mentor—someone with experience in the field who can guide you. It could be a friend, colleague, or professional contact. Whether it’s through a text, a lunch, or a simple conversation, take the opportunity to learn from their experiences and insights, and use that guidance to help you achieve your own career goals.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is the rapid pace of technological change. In education, developing and getting curriculum approved can be a lengthy process, and by the time it’s finalized, the content is often already outdated. This creates both a challenge and an opportunity to find innovative ways to keep learning materials relevant and adaptable.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, I highly value being a servant leader, practicing honesty, and embracing innovation and new ideas. In my personal life, I prioritize finding my tribe—people I can connect with deeply—and supporting them through mutual care and encouragement.
Locations
Salt Lake Community College
Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121