The Gatton Academy's Staff

Barbara is the Lead Residential Counselor - Activities at the Gatton Academy. She is currently the RC for 4th South, and has enjoyed living and working on 1st South in the past. Barbara received her Bachelor’s degree in General Studies at Southern New Hampshire University in 2021 and is currently earning her Masters in Student Affairs here at WKU. Barbara’s passion for residential life started in her second year of college when she worked as a resident assistant and she has aimed to work with students in a residential setting since. Integrity, compassion, respect, equality, and diversity–otherwise known as ICRED at Gatton–is very important to Barbara. As she works with students and families throughout the year, she hopes that she embodies her values while she teaches her students to do the same. 

Barbara moved from Hardin, KY to Gatton in the summer of 2022. In her free time, she enjoys going to the movies, reading too many books, and starting TV shows that she never finishes. She has two pets at home with her parents, a cat named Marge and a dog named Dwight, that she visits when she can. To relax, she enjoys a good dad joke, a Dr. Pepper and slice of pizza, any song from 5 Seconds of Summer, and a 30-minute nap. Her favorite aspect of her job, other than the students, is putting on activities for them. She loves to encourage a sense of community within the building and getting students involved in various activities that they are interested in. 

“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What's important is the action. You don't have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow."--Carrie Fisher